Plant Identification

Packera tomentosa (Michx.) C. Jeffrey – Hairy Ragwort Family – Asteraceae Stems: Leaves: Adaxial surface of basal leaf. Abaxial surface of basal leaf. Inflorescence: Involucre: Ray Flowers: Disk Flowers: Flowering – March – June. Habitat – Sandy or rocky moist soil, granite outcrops. Origin – Native to North America. Other information – This attractive but … Read more

Staphylea trifolia L. – American Bladdernut Family – Staphyleaceae Stems: Leaves: N/A Inflorescence: N/A Flowers: Developing fruits. Flowering – March – April. Habitat – Rich woods, streambanks, swamp forests, lake margins. Origin – Native to North America. Other information – This attractive shrub can be found mainly in the northern half of Alabama. The plant … Read more

Scleria ciliata Michx. – Nut Sedge Family – Cyperaceae Stems: Rhizome. Stem cross section. Leaves: N/A Inflorescence: Bract of inflorescence. Flowers: Fruit… …again. Arrow shows tubercle of fruit. Flowering – May – August. Habitat – Sandhills, pine savannahs, seepage bogs, pond margins. Origin – Native to North America. Other information – This species can be … Read more

Lunaria annua L. – Honesty, Money Plant, Satin Flower Family – Brassicaceae Stems: Most apical portion of the stem. Leaves: Inflorescence: N/A Flowers: Calyx. Fruits. Flowering – March – May. Habitat – Waste ground, disturbed sites, woodland edges, old homesites. Also cultivated. Origin – Native to Europe. Other information – This attractive and widely cultivated … Read more

Allium vineale L. – Field Garlic Family – Liliaceae Stems: Bulb with papery outer coating. Bulb with coating removed. Arrow shows bulblet. Leaves: Base of leaf. Inflorescence: Bulblets of inflorescence. Flowers: Flowering – May – July. Habitat – Waste ground, lawns, fields, disturbed sites, thickets, roadsides, railroads. Origin – Native to Europe. Other information – … Read more

Illicium floridanum J. Ellis – Florida Anise Tree Family – Illiciaceae Stems: Leaves: Inflorescence: N/A Flowers: Flowering – March – May. Habitat – Seepage slopes, creek swamps and bottoms. Origin – Native to North America. Other information – This striking shrub or small tree can be found in the southern half of Alabama. The plant … Read more

Rudbeckia hirta L. – Black-eyed Susan Family – Asteraceae Stems: Leaves: N/A Inflorescence: N/A Involucre: Ray flowers: Disk flowers: Flowering – May – July. Habitat – Meadows, pastures, old fields, roadsides, mixed woods. Origin – Native to North America. Other information – This species can be found throughout Alabama. The plant can be identified by … Read more

Sarracenia rubra Walt. – Red Pitcher Plant Family – Sarraceniaceae Stems: N/A Leaves: Inflorescence: N/A Flowers: Flowering – April – May. Habitat – Bogs, savannahs, rarely along streams. Origin – Native to U.S. Other information – This fantastic species can be found in a handful of central and southern Alabama counties. Two subspecies can be … Read more