What
Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Young tree approximately two meters tall, bark thought to resemble Betula sp., but was eventually distinguished by leaf shape (see actual specimen).
Photos / Sounds
What
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small shrub differentiated from yellow honeysuckle by scent of flower (not collected due to insufficient number), ID confirmed with J. Gore, S. Schratz, ASU teaching specimens.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Very large tree approximately 20 meters tall with fading leaves, most fruits already dropped. Fruit is a green elongated capsule, was used to differentiate from Catalpa speciosa. Differentiated from Campsis radicans by that species's vine habit.
Photos / Sounds
What
White Mulberry (Morus alba)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small tree approximately 1.5 meters tall occurring in a fence line. Differentiated from M. rubra by lack of rough leaf surfaces and from Crataegus crus-galli by lack of thorns on bark.
Photos / Sounds
What
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree in ditch with many oppositely arranged waxy leaflets. ID'd as L. sinense based on leaflet characteristics and fruits changing color from green to purple.
Photos / Sounds
What
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree (20+ meters tall) with moderately fissured bark and non-palmate leaves characteristic of Acer sp., identified by leaf arrangement.
Photos / Sounds
What
Roundleaf Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Semi-woody vine attached to a gate. Leaves changing color from green to yellow, many small black fruits present. Differentiated from Vitis rotundifolia by lack of lobed leaf margins and by other Smilax sp. by leaf shape and complete absence of prickles.
Photos / Sounds
What
Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small tree occurring next to a fence line beside a cliff. Differentiated from Berchemia scandens based on habit and narrower leaf shape.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Leatherwood (Dirca palustris)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small shrub on hillside, originally believed to be herbaceous until instructor suggested otherwise. ID confirmed via Smith's Key and instructor. Noted leaves ventrally whitish-green while solid green dorsally. Bark mottled gray-brown.
Photos / Sounds
What
Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree greater than 15 meters tall liberally covered with thorns. Differentiated from other thorny trees by presence of hesperidia and trifoliate leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Post Oak (Quercus stellata)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
20+ meter tall tree with lichen-covered, non-fissured bark. Leaves roughly t-shaped-used to differentiate from other Quercus sp.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Tree approximately 10+ meters tall, leaf color already changing. Fruits occurring in many small clusters, tree is right off of road at beginning of bluff trail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus VitexObserver
jmsalingerDescription
Occurs as small shrub with numerous black fruits and whorled lanceolate leaves. ID'd as V. agnus-castus based on search of Internet and confirmation by instructor. Occurs approximately 70 yards away behind field station as a large tree.
Photos / Sounds
What
Apples (Genus Malus)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Tree approximately 5 meters tall with a rounded crown and numerous pome fruits. Originally believed to be M. angustifolia, later differentiated by fruit shape and color as well as presence of shiny upper leaf surfaces. Uncertain of captive/cultivated status.
Photos / Sounds
What
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Moderately sized tree with mostly 3, but sometimes 2, fascicles per bundle, used to differentiate it from P. taeda.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small tree approx. 5 meters tall with rough, lichen-covered bark. Leaves were losing pigmentation at time of collection, would make ID difficult without large orange fruits.
Photos / Sounds
What
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Woody vine with numerous black berries and reddish-green leaves and distinct lobing apically. Differentiated from Vitis sp. by leaf shape. Occurs on face of cliff itself.
Photos / Sounds
What
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small shrub approximately 6 meters in height bearing many red fruits hanging on pendulums. Globose fruit in clusters and shrub habit used to differentiate from L. styraciflua.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hollies (Genus Ilex)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small shrub located at wetland edge differentiated from other Ilex by presence of axial fruits, non-shiny upper leaf surfaces.
Photos / Sounds
What
Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small tree occurring alone, differentiated from other elms by "winging" on stems. Just under 2 meters tall, leaves already thinning out and changing to yellow from green.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree occurring in a clump of unidentifiable herbaceous species. Very large leaves similar to Melia azedarach, differentiated by heart-shaped leaf scars when leaf removed from tree, red stems.
Photos / Sounds
What
Fuzzybeans (Genus Strophostyles)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Parasitic vine attached to Ambrosia sp. Leaves trifoliate, differntiated from Toxicodendron radicans by fruit type, lack of allergic reaction.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Moderately large tree with large, partially lobed leaves subtended by leafy bracts. ID'd as P. occidentalis based off of distinctive leaf shape.
Photos / Sounds
What
Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Believed younger tree based on small DBH. Pinnately compound leaves and distinct appearance of fruit led to Rhus ID. Species ID confirmed presence of winging on stems to differentiate from R. glabra.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Asters (Genus Symphyotrichum)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Small shrub approx. half a meter tall, originally ID'd based on prior experience with H. hypericoides in CFP. Differntiated from other Hypericum as a live specimen by presence of brownish resin dots since disappeared from dried specimen.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree with fissured bark, yellowish-green fruits with raised ridges used to differentiate from other Carya sp.
Photos / Sounds
What
Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large height tree approximately 15 meters tall. Bark thin and streaking, clearly a gymnosperm by leaf appearance. Differentiated from Juniperis virginiana by lack of latter's scale-like leaves. No knees or cones in evidence.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree with maple-like leaves estimated to be 20+ meters tall. Gumball fruit in evidence differentiated specimen from members of Sapindaceae and by its leaf arrangement. Occurs at edge of an artificially created riparian zone in company of Carya cordiformis and Quercus alba.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree upwards of 20 meters in height, no fruit in evidence. Identifiable to Magnoliaceae based off of encircling stipular scars on twigs, differentiated from Magnolia spp. based on shape of leaf apex. Occurs at edge of forest approximately 20-25 yards from parking lot next to main park office with Quercus sp. and Morus sp.
Photos / Sounds
What
Devil's Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)Observer
jmsalingerDescription
Large tree approximately 3 meters tall. with many prickles on stems/trunk. Many small blue fruits in a large inflorescence, leaves bipinnately compound. Found in partial sunlight approximately 18 meters from road.