Plant species a final draft by Chandler Jones

Plant Species Guide and Trail Highlights

Acknowledgements Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve ~Nature Center~ An outreach program of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Auburn University The Forest Ecology Preserve relies heavily on volunteers who maintain the trails and facilities, and conduct the many programs that are open to the public. We rely on donations provided by through membership and gifts of time and money from our friends in the community. Mission Statement To provide programs, experiences, nature trails and natural habitats for education, study and relaxation for students and citizens of all ages while creating an atmosphere of discovery and stewardship toward our natural world. Special thanks to Dr. Richard Brinker Margaret Holler

Auburn, Alabama, 2013

Illustrations The North American Sylva, Pierre-Joseph RedoutĂŠ, Mary Vaux Walcott, Wiki Commons, and Auburn University. Arrangement and Editing Michelle Bangson, Lauren Harris, Robert Honnell, Chandler Jones and Diana Lucas Cover Illustration Lauren Harris Desgin Chandler Jones Editing choices follow suggestions presented in The Chicago Manual of Style.

John Hogland Bob Lowe

Dr. Michael Golden Becky Estes War Eagle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters

Address 3100 AL Hwy. 147 North College Street, Auburn, Alabama Mailing Address Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Auburn University, AL 36849-5418 Phone Number (334) 502-4553 Web Site http://wp.auburn.edu/preserve/ ~December 2013~

Introduction

Table of Contents Acknowledgements 3 Table of Contents 4 Introduction 5 How to Use 5 Trees 7 The Buckeyes The Elms The Hickorys The Hollys The Magnolias The Maples The Oaks The Pines

Welcome to the nature trails of the Forest Ecology Preserve! Throughout the preserve, many different plants such as trees, shrubs and vines have been identified with a numbered marker. This Trail Guide provides plant descriptions and often includes some of their lore, historical significance, wildlife use, and economic importance. Due to limited space in this booklet some of the plants will not be included; however, they will often be identified by name on markers along the trails.

10 13 14 15 18 19 21 25

Shrubs 33 The Azaleas The Honeysuckles

Flowers and Grasses The Glossary Index of Figures Common Name Index Scientific Name Index Trail Guide Trail Map

34 43

46 49 50 52 54 56 58

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trail Highlightsâ&#x20AC;? have been added to interpret some of the sights and sounds you might experience throughout the Preserve. Our hope is that these highlights and the many interesting plant descriptions will enhance your visit. We sincerely wish that you will enjoy, contemplate, and learn from the many wonders and miracles that Nature and each new season holds.

How to Use MAP INFORMATION A full Forest Ecology Preserve map is on the back cover of this booklet. This map depicts the different trails. PLANT DESCRIPTIONS are categorized by type of plant: trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers. PLANT INDEX The index includes a list of plants alphabetized by their common name as well as a list of plants alphabetized by their scientific name. The index also includes the species marker number to assist users in locating a plant with the map as well as the page number where they can be found. CROSS-REFERENCE GUIDE The cross-reference guide in the front of the booklet links the number markers to the corresponding plant page number. The guide is organized numerically. This allows users to test their knowledge of different plant species as they encounter them on the trails as well as easily reference species that they may have questions about. GLOSSARY Throughout the guide, uncommon terms are bolded to indicate that their definitions can be found in an alphabetized glossary located in the back of the booklet.

Trees

Toomer’s Oak

Trees

alder, hazel (Alnus serrulata)

Figure 1

The trees have alternate broad leaves with a wavy outside edge or margin.

Trees

birch, river (Betula nigra) This alder is a small tree found along the banks of streams and other wet areas. A beautiful thicket of hazel alder can be seen in the area where the spring enters the pond. This characteristic allows the tree to occupy wet sites where the soil is poor. Despite requiring large amounts of water to grow, the hazel alder is extremely hardy and can survive frequent disturbances such as floods. The hazel alder’s fruit is enclosed in a woody cone. The cone becomes mature in the fall and remains on the tree through the winter. An interesting feature of the hazel alder is the presence of both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are long, drooping catkins and the female flowers are short, erect spikes. Personal notes:

This species of birch grows further south than any other. It is mostly recognized by its bark that peels off in dark, red-brown scales, which expose a second, pink bark beneath. The seeds of the river birch are highly dependent on water for dissemination because when the seeds shed in May, the rivers, often at their peaks, carry the seeds for miles until they germinate on a muddy bank. It holds the banks of rivers intact and prevents erosion during excessive flooding. Although selling the river birch’s wood has never been profitable, the tree serves an important ecological role. Personal notes:

Figure 3

The 2–4” leaves are triangular with doubly serrated edges and have large and small teeth.

beech, american (Fagus grandifolia)

blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)

This tree, rooted deep in the history of our country, at one time occupied vast expanses of forest throughout the eastern United States. The American beech reaches heights of 60–80 feet. Its bark is bluegray and smooth, and it has oblong leaves. The long, pointed, cigar-shaped terminal bud distinguishes this beech. The leaves turn bright yellow in autumn before turning brown and remaining on the tree throughout the winter. For years, people have often carved their initials or recorded momentous occasions in the smooth bark of the beech. For example, Daniel Boone recorded one of his feats on a large beech tree in Washington County, Tenn. It read "D. Boone, Cilled a Bar, On Tree, In Year 1760." This tree fell in 1916 after growing 28 feet in girth and 70 feet tall. It was estimated to be 365 years old. Personal notes:

Occasionally called black tupelo or pepperridge, this tree has many slender horizontal branches and thick, rough bark often grey in color. The leaves have dark green, leathery, pointed tips and turn scarlet in autumn. Heartwood decay is common in this species and results in hollow trees. The blackgum is an extremely popular food sources for birds and mammals. Early settlers cut these into short lengths and used them as beehives. The fibers are braided and cross-woven, which makes the wood difficult to split and causes warps and twists in sawn boards. People used blackgum as handles for heavy-duty tools, gun stocks and pistol grips, veneer for boxes and crates, and numerous other products. Personal notes:

Figure 2

The fruit consists of nuts enclosed in four-cleft burrs. It serves as an important food source for wildlife.

Figure 4

The fruit is a juicy drupe, fleshy with one seed, which grows in clusters of 1-3” on drooping stalks.

Trees

The Buckeyes

Trees

cedar, eastern red (Juniperus virginiana)

buckeye, bottlebrush (Aesculus parviflora)

The eastern red cedar is a unique conifer because it is dioecious, meaning it can either be male or female. The female has silky flowers and blue berries, which have an unpleasant odor when smashed, while the male has small cones. The fruits of the eastern red cedar are a favorite among many birds, especially the cedar waxwing whose name was derived from its love for the tree. Because the bark peels even when the tree is young, it is a favorite among woodworkers. In the past, the fragrant juniper wood was used mainly in the production of pencils but it is now utilized in many other ways. Cedars often carry a fungus called cedar-apple fungus that appears as small hard galls and can disfigure the trees. Personal notes:

This tree grows to approximately 15 feet. Its a rare plant only found in central Alabama and Georgia in rich woods along stream banks. The buckeye is a resilient tree, which earns it respect from many master gardeners. The flowers of the bottlebrush buckeye are the one feature that distinguishes it from its cousin, the red buckeye; the blooms are white and the flowers are clustered on an upright spike with extended anthers, giving it the appearance of a bottlebrush. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow. Personal notes:

Figure 5

Figure 7

The buckeye has palmately compound leaves . Its flowers give way to glossy, inedible, pear-shaped nuts called buckeyes.

The foliage consists of blunt overlapping needles with a resin gland.

buckeye, red (Aesculus pavia) chestnut, American (Castanea dentata)

The leaves on the red buckeye are palmately compound. The treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fruit is a nut-like capsule containing one to three large seeds. An old legend says that carrying a buckeye seed in your pocket will bring you good luck. While carrying it may bring you fortune, the foliage and seeds are very poisonous to both humans and livestock when eaten. This particular specimen has been giving a spectacular spring showing! Personal notes:

The American chestnut is a large beech that can reach heights of 98 feet. It has hairless twigs that distinguish it from the Chinese chestnut. Its male flowers are small and pale green, while its female parts are located near the bottom of the twigs. Its green burrs usually house three nuts that grow in the summer and fall in late fall. The nuts act as a source of food for wildlife. Personal notes:

Figure 6

With its bright red, tubular flowers and red stalk, the red buckeye is a favorite of hummingbirds, which makes it a very popular backyard bush.

Figure 8

Its leaves have widely-spaced, pointed teeth on its edges and are 8â&#x20AC;? long.

Trees

chinaberry (Melia azedarach) Many now consider the chinaberry an invasive species as it spreads rapidly and shades out many native plants. The tree bears long-stalked clusters of round, yellow berries which remain on the branches throughout winter. The fruit, leaves, and bark are poisonous to most animals when eaten. However, studies show the chinaberry has medicinal benefits, potentially including antiviral and anti-cancer properties. Commonly seen around old home site areas, the chinaberry tree was once widely planted as an ornamental plant and is still sold in nurseries. Personal notes:

Trees

The Elms elm, American (Ulmus Americana) Because of its height, sometimes attaining 125 feet, and drooping branches, the American elm is a favorite shade tree in neighborhoods and on school campuses. It is identified by its gray bark with deep fissures and ridges. The elm’s fruits are saucer-shaped seeds that disperse on the wind. Dutch Elm Disease, a nasty disease carried by a bark beetle, is a common foe of the American elm, claiming many of these stately trees. During the American Revoluton, patriots rallied around the Liberty Tree, a famous American elm in Boston, Massachusetts. Personal notes:

Figure 9

The chinaberry has double-compound leaves that are blue-green in color. Its purple flowers are showy and fragrant. Figure 11

The elm is characterized by its unusual leaves, which don’t meet equally at the base and have double-toothed edges.

dogwood, flowering (Cornus florida) Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful trees in eastern North America, the flowering dogwood blooms in early spring. Its bark is broken into small, square plates with a dark red or brown hue. The fruit of the dogwood is a small, shiny red berry that provides an important food source for many different types of wildlife. The dogwood has a short trunk and a crown of horizontal branches. It can attain heights of up to 30 feet. The wood of the flowering dogwood is extremely shock resistant and has been useful throughout the years. People have used dogwood to make weaving shuttles, mauls, wedges, spindles, hayforks, chisel handles and golf clubs. Indians used the aromatic bark and roots as a remedy for malaria and extracted red dye from the roots. Personal notes:

elm, winged (Ulmus alata) Also known as the Wahoo, the winged elm is found in the southeastern United States. It is easily identified because of its corky wings and its gray-brown, scaly bark. It’s a common understory tree, often not growing tall unless it is on the borders of swamps or rivers, where it can reach 100 feet. The winged elm often invades old fields, forest clearings, and range lands. Its samara is a flat, winged capsule with dense white hairs that mature in early spring before the leaves emerge. American elms can live to be more than 200 years old. Personal notes:

Figure 10

Figure 12

The dogwood has elliptical leaves with wavy edges and bears white, four-petal flowers.

The leaves are lance shaped with hairy undersides and double-serrated, toothed edges.

Trees

The Hickorys

Trees

hickory, red (Carya ovalis) The red hickory is similar to, and sometimes considered a variety of, the pignut hickory but with some distinct differences. The leaves will produce a pleasant spicy aroma when crushed, and as with all hickories, will turn a beautiful yellow color in the fall. The red hickory you see on Tree Walk is the only one that has been found so far at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Personal notes:

hickory, mockernut (Carya tomentosa) The mockernut hickory is recognized by its stout branches and large, yellow buds. Its dark gray bark becomes shallowly fissured with age. When crushed, the leaves emit a lemony scent. The mockernut’s fruit is a nut encased in a thick husk that splits to the base. The fruit of all hickory trees is a favorite for many small mammals. Perxonal notes:

Figure 15

The red hickory’s fruit has a rough husk which splits to the base and its bark has loose scaly ridges. Figure 13

The leaves of the mockernut are composed of seven to nine leaflets with finely toothed edges and hairy undersides.

The Hollys

hickory, pignut (Carya glabra)

holly, American (Ilex opaca)

This tree’s bark divides into closely-packed, low ridges forming a diamond pattern. The tree’s fruit appears small and pear-shaped and the thin husks will split nearly halfway to its base. The pignut hickory is known as a strong tree, which makes it perfect for items such as ax handles, wagon wheels, and skis. Personal notes:

Often seen during the Christmas season, the American holly has leaves that are thick and green with prickly points. The holly’s presence in the wild has decreased since it has become a popular holiday tree. The holly tree is dioecious. It is usually found growing in moist soils. Personal notes:

Figure 14

The hickory’s leaves are pinnately compound with 5–7 leaflets almost always hairless on the undersides.

Figure 16

The American holly can grow to a medium-sized tree with smooth gray warty bark

Trees

holly, deciduous; possum-haw (Ilex decidua)

Trees

hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

The possum-haw is a small, deciduous, tree. The holly blooms from April until May and its shiny red fruits can be seen from September until March. It is often found in wet environments and serves as an important food for many birds. Like the American holly, this plant’s red berries are commonly used as Christmas decorations. Personal notes:

The hornbeam is also sometimes called ironwood or musclewood because of the smooth, gray bark and a sinewy, muscular appearance. The zig-zag twigs are reddish with gray lenticels. Its fruit, which matures in the late summer, is also distinctive with nutlets that form in a three-lobed leafy bract. Songbirds, wild turkey, and squirrels eat these nutlets. Because it only reaches roughly 30 feet, hornbeam wood has little economic value. Personal notes:

Figure 17

The leaves of the possum-haw are wavy-edged and narrow with 2–3” blunted tips.

Figure 19

honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

locust, black (Robinia pseudoacacia)

A member of the Legume family, the honey-locust is identified by its bean-like fruit. The honey-locust’s 8–18” long, flat, brown pods contain sweet pulp and seeds. The honey-locust’s bark is gray and smooth on young trees. As the tree ages, however, the bark develops thick ridges or loose plates. The twigs and bark may have thorns which were, at one time, used for pins, spear points, and animal traps. The sweet tasting fruit makes the tree a favorite of cattle, deer and other wildlife while the sweet nectar of the flowers is loved by the bees. Personal notes:

A member of the legume family, the black locust looks like a medium-sized tree with once-compound leaves. The bark is rough, dark brown and, on mature trees, deeply ridged and furrowed. The fragrant, white clustered flowers appear in early spring, and the fruits are 2-6” flat oblong pods. The strong wood makes it ideal for fence posts. Bobwhites, mourning doves, cottontail rabbits, and deer all eat the seeds. Personal notes:

The hornbeam’s leaves are toothed with hairy undersides.

Figure 18

Figure 20

The branches contain shiny, dark green leaves that are arranged like a feather.

Each 8-14” leaf has 6-20 egg-shaped leaflets often found ½”–1”paired thorns at the leaf seam.

Trees

The Magnolias

The Maples

southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

maple, boxelder (Acer negundo) Acer negundo is a tree of mistaken identity. It is commonly called box elder, a name which doesn’t indicate its inclusion in the maple family. This tree’s opposite, pinnately compound leaves may be mistaken for an ash, hence its other nickname, the maple ash. The leaflets number 3–5. When only 3 leaflets are present, the foliage often resembles poison ivy. Like all maples, it has a winged seed, known as a samara or “whirligig,” that twirls down to the ground in the fall or winter. Squirrels and songbirds love the fruit, and its soft white wood is used for making boxes and other items. Personal notes:

The southern magnolia is one of The Perserve’s most beautiful native trees. It is popular as an ornamental; therefore people plant them around the world in temperate climates. An evergreen with a straight trunk, the southern magnolia grows as tall as 80 feet with a trunk of 3 feet in diameter. The magnolia grows best in moist soils and can grow in valley and low upland regions. Woodmakers use the wood from this tree for furniture, cabinetwork, boxes and doors. In addition, the large, glossy leaves are often used by florists in floral arrangements. Personal notes:

Figure 21

It produces distinctive, large, white flowers and cone-like fruit.

Figure 23

This medium-sized tree has twigs that can be either smooth and bright green or, sometimes, coated with a whitish powder that rubs off.

magnolia, sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) The sweetbay magnolia is the most widely distributed magnolia and is often planted as an ornamental tree. When the magnolia’s leaves are crushed, they emit a pleasant, spicy aroma. Its flowers are smaller in size than it’s cousins. The bark is dark gray and smooth. These are found in wet areas of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions. Its fruit serves as a food for many wildlife species and beavers eat its bark. In early America, settlers called it the “beavertree” because they used its fleshy roots to bait beavers. Personal notes:

maple, red (Acer rubrum) Often called Swamp Maple, this tree grows 60–90 feet tall with a diameter of 2.5 feet. In spring, clusters of red flowers appear. The thin bark is smooth and gray on younger trees and darker and more broken on older ones. It is usually found in wet, moist soils along streambanks, in swamps, and on dry ridges. It mixes well in hardwood forests. The bark of the red maple often provided pioneers with ink and dye. Personal notes:

Figure 22

Its leaves are thick and evergreen with white hairy undersides.

Figure 24

The 2–4” leaves, each with three short, pointed lobes, grow on slender, red twigs

Trees

The Oaks

Florida maple (Acer floridanum) The Florida maple is often noticed for its dangling clusters of small, yellow flowers that appear in the spring and its leaves which turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in Fall. The seed of this maple is a double-winged samara. Some say the sap of the Florida maple can be tapped for making syrup much like the famed sugar maple of the north. Because of other similarities, the Florida maple has often been called the “southern sugar maple.” You can find the young Florida maple behind the longleaf pine Kiosk. Personal notes:

oak, black (Quercus velutina) Named for the rough, dark bark found on the lower trunk of largerand older trees, the black oak is one of the large upland oaks commonly found in the Piedmont region. These leaves are thick, sometimes slightly rough on the top and often with a hairy underside. The black oak can be identified by its bristle-tipped leaves and acorn,s which take two seasons to mature. These medium-sized acorns have scales; on the bowl-shaped caps which produces a slightly loose downward fringe at the edges. The black oak’s wood is useful for flooring, trim, cabinets and furniture, and its inner bark has been used in making a yellow dye. Personal notes:

Figure 25

The leaves are palmately 3–5 lobed with smooth, somewhat rounded, edges and a white hairy underside. Figure 27

mulberry, paper (Broussonetia papyrifera)

Its leaves have 5–7 broad lobes with conspicuous bristle tips.

The paper mulberry was originally introduced to the North America from Asia, but has become naturalized. Often found along fences and roadsides, it was planted as a shade tree due to its rapid growth and beautifully spreading crown. The bark is tan, smooth and furrowed. In the first and second year, twigs are especially hairy and the sap is milky. Unlike the tasty, blackberry‑like fruit of the native red mulberry, this mulberry’s red-orange fruit is not edible. The bark of this tree has been used to create paper for thousands of years, which is how it got its name. Personal notes:

oak, laurel (Quercus hemisphaerica) The laurel oak is nearly evergreen, and it is often found on relatively dry sandy or upland sites. The acorns are small and round with flat-topped caps that cover only about ¼ of the nut. This oak is often planted as a landscape tree because of its shiny evergreen leaves. Personal notes:

Figure 26

The top of the leaves are rough, while the underside is velvety and hairy.

Figure 28

It has narrow, oblong, and bristle-tip leaves.

Trees

oak, northern red (Quercus rubra)

Trees

oak, southern red (Quercus falcata)

The northern red oak is a large upland oak that occurs widely throughout most of the eastern United States and into Canada. Because of its fast growth, typically straight, trunk, and beautiful wood, this tree is a desirable timber species through the southern portion of its range. This tree also has large acorns that have shallow, platter-like acorn caps. The bark on the middle and upper trunks of the mature trees have broad, flat, light gray ridges separated by dark grooves, giving the impression of having broad, gray streaks. In the South, the northern red oak is typically found in more mesic (moderately moist but not wet) upland habitats. The acorns of this tree are a favorite of deer and squirrels in the fall. Personal notes:

The southern red oak is a common type of upland oak found in central and southern Alabama. The larger trees have rough bark on the lower trunk or bole. The lower-shade leaves are commonly broad with only three lobes, which each have a bristled tip. The mature leaves are somewhat rough and have a slightly yellowish or gray, hairy underside. Small birds such as blue jays carry the oak’s small acorns result in the southern red oak being more easily and widely dispersed than oaks with larger acorns. This species, therefore, often invades open fields and openings. This tree is often used for construction and burning fuel. Personal notes:

Figure 29

Figure 31

The leaves are broad and are typically shiny on both sides, with seven to eleven bristle-tipped lobes.

Its leaves are identified by the “U” or bellshaped base.

oak, water (Quercus nigra)

oak, post (Quercus stellata)

The Water oak is one of the most common oaks in the Alabama Piedmont region. As its name implies, this tree achieves best growth and largest size on bottomlands, but grows well in upland sites and is widely planted along city streets. Although it is classified as a red oak, the leaves of the water oak do not have very noticeable bristles. However, as with other red oaks, the acorns of the water oak take two seasons to mature and require cool, moist storage for germination. Though its acorns are small, this tree is one of the most consistent and prolific acorn producers among our native oaks. Like the Southern red oak, the small size of the water oak’s acorns results in its wide dissemination by some birds, especially blue jays. It is an extremely valuable source of food for wildlife, especially for deer, ducks, wild turkey and squirrels. Personal notes:

The post oak is a medium-sized upland oak that is usually found with thick, somewhat contorted branches, particularly true of those that grow in drier areas. Its well-developed leaves are characteristically cruciform or cross-shaped. The twigs are rather stout and quite hairy. The medium-sized acorns have caps that cover 1/3 to ½ of the nut. The post oak is classified in the white oak subgroup (Leucobalanus) meaning its leaf tips lack bristles and its acorns mature in one season. The wood of the post oak is tough and is suitable for fence posts, cross ties and pallets. Personal notes:

Figure 32 Figure 30

These leaves have five major lobes, are somewhat rough in texture on the top and have dense hairs underneath.

These trees will usually include leaves with the characteristic tapering, wedged-like base and broad, unlobed or three-lobed blade end.

Trees

persimmon, common (Diospyros virginiana)

oak, white (Quercus alba)

Often used as a peace offering by Native Americans, the persimmon is known for its sweet fruit. However, if the fruit is eaten too early, it has an unpleasant taste that will make your mouth pucker. This fruit was an important staple in early Native American diet and is eaten by a variety of animals. Persimmon’s bark is dark and broken up into many small blocks. The persimmon’s lateral buds are black and resemble a snake’s head. Their bell-shaped, white flowers appear in late Spring. Diospyros, its scientific name, means “divine fruit.” Personal notes:

This tree can grow large in a wide variety of sites except for especially wet or dry ones. Its bark is slightly grooved with loose scaly plates. The name is derived primarily from its whitish, ash-gray bark, and pale wood. The leaves are darker on top and pale underneath. The acorns are medium-sized with bowl-shaped knobby caps and have lower tannin levels than red oaks, making them a favorite of many wildlife species. Because of its hardness and durability, the white oak is used for furniture, flooring, log cabins, wooden bridges, and for tight cooperage— containers for liquid, such as barrels and buckets. Personal notes:

Figure 35

Its leaves are 3–6” in length, dark green, and oval shaped with smooth edges.

Figure 33

They have 7–9 lobes shallowly cut in the shade and deeply cut in the sun.

The Pines

Pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis)

pine, loblolly (Pinus taeda)

Although it is often seen growing on plantations along roadsides throughout the South, the pecan is not native to this area. However, it does thrive in both Alabama and Georgia, which is the leading pecan producing state. The tree bears a popular sweet nut with a thin shell. Many think these trees probably stood long unknown away from any shore line until a chance discovery. From that time on, the pecan tree became widely planted and harvested. Personal notes:

Also known as old-field pine because of its abundance in open fields, the loblolly is a common species in the Southeast and is often seen along roadsides. Its needles usually grow in bundles of three (sometimes four) and are a pale green in color. The loblolly’s medium-sized cones are a light reddish-brown with short prickles, and its bark is brown with red-brown plates. The loblolly’s lumber is used on a wide scale, not because of its quality, but because of its abundance, particularly in the Coastal Plain region. Personal notes:

Figure 34

Each pecan tree leaf has 9–17 leaflets that are light green on the surface and a paler green underneath.

Figure 36

The loblolly’s medium-sized cones are a light reddish-brown with short prickles, and its bark is brown with red-brown plates.

Trees

pine, longleaf (Pinus palustris)

Trees

poplar, yellow (Liriodendron tulipifera)

The longleaf is one of the longest-living species of the Southern pines. It grows to one-hundred feet in height with a diameter of 2–2.5’. The stout twigs end in white candle-like buds. Seedlings remain in grass stage for several years as roots develop. Longleaf grows mainly in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions and is a fire-dependent species. Before logging, it was an important commercial southern species, covering more than 92 million acres of the South. Now, that’s less than 2.5 million acres. It serves as a source of resin and turpentine and prized for poles, pilings and quality sawtimber. Personal notes:

Contrary to its name, the yellow poplar or tulip tree is not actually a poplar but a member of the magnolia family. It can grow to great heights (up to 150 feett) and its diameter can reach up to 5 feet across. The tree’s tulip-shaped flowers are greenish-yellow with blotches of orange. Because they are pollinated by moths, these flowers have a strong yet pleasant odor. The yellow poplar’s seeds are wind-dispersed samaras, or winged fruit, and these seeds are contained in a conelike structure. Its trunk is straight with smooth grayish bark on younger trees; this bark becomes deeply grooved with age. Personal notes:

Figure 37

Dark green in color, its needles grow approximately 10–15” and appear in bundles of three.

Figure 39

The unusual leaves are large with four lobes and have a broad notch at the tip.

pine, shortleaf (Pinus echinata)

sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

The shortleaf pine is a valuable source of timber at a mature age, particularly in the Southeast. Its cones are small and are armed with prickles. Notice the loblolly next to this shortleaf pine. Compare the needles, the cones and the flakier bark. Look also for the pin-sized resin holes in the shortleaf ’s attractive red-orange bark. Shortleaf pines are rejuvenated through burning. Personal notes:

Many identify Sassafras by the tree’s strong spicy or licorice aroma. It is found in the understory of forests, but it can also grow to be a large tree in wetter areas. Its fruit are dark blue berries, appear in early fall, and are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife. A delicious tea can be made by boiling the outer layer of the roots while a sassafras oil extract is used in soaps, perfumes and sometimes as a flavoring in candy. Personal notes:

Figure 38

Its needles are short, usually only three to five inches in length, and these needles grow in bundles containing two, sometimes three needles in each bundle.

Figure 40

The leaves of the sassafras have three distinct shapes: an oval (no lobes), a mitten (one lobe) or a three-lobed pattern.

Trees

southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides)

silverbell, Carolina (Halesia tetraptera)

Also known as a cigar tree because of its long pod-like fruit, the southern catalpa grows well in rich, moist soil. It is often found growing next to ponds and riverbanks, making it convenient for fishermen who use the “catalpa worm” (the larval stage of the catalpha sphinx, a hawk moth) for bait. Its pods will hang on the tree through the winter, then split open to release winged seeds that will float on the wind. Personal notes

The bark of the silverbell is red-brown and smooth on small trees. It becomes more gray-brown with scales on the larger ones. The silverbell’s twigs are red-brown with shield-shaped leaf scars. The silverbell’s bellshaped white flowers are beautiful in early April. In Fall, its leaves turn a golden color and its four-winged fruit becomes mature. The two-wing silverbell (H. diptera) is similar to the Carolina silverbell and is also native to this area. Personal notes:

Figure 43

The tree has large, heart-shaped leaves and its flowers are white and trumpet-shaped with purple and yellow markings.

Figure 41

Its leaves are elliptical with small, sharp teeth around the edges.

sumac, smooth (Rhus glabra)

sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)

This small tree has pinnately compound leaves with 11–31 leaflets attached to a smooth, wingless stalk. Its hairless twigs emit a milky sap. The sumac’s flowers are green and white and the fruit blooms in late summer. The fruit becomes red and has an upright cluster of many small berries which are eaten by numerous birds and other wildlife. The smooth sumac serves as a winter emergency food for wildlife. Personal notes:

As its name describes, the leaves and twigs of the sourwood taste sour. Native Americans would often chew on a sourwood leaf to ward off thirst during long distance runs. The bark is gray brown and grooved. The sourwood’s flowers are small, white, and plentiful along a stalk that resembles lily-of-the-valley. Its fruits droop in clusters and remain on the tree throughout winter. You can often find them under the tree the next season. Personal notes:

Figure 42

Its leaves are elliptical in shape and turn bright red in early fall.

Figure 44

These leaflets are dull green on top and waxy and white on the underside.

Trees

One of the most distinctive and versatile trees, sweetgums grow fast and thrive on a variety of sites ranging from intermittently flooded bottomlands to somewhat dry uplands. Its leaves are star shaped with five pointed lobes arranged like fingers on a palm. These leaves have a strong, pleasant odor when crushed. The sweetgum’s abundant fruits are spiny, woody balls that litter the ground underneath large trees and prove to be quite a nuisance in yards. These balls are prolific in producing tiny, winged, wind-disseminated seeds. After cutting down the sweetgum, the stumps sprout vigorously. A circle of sprouts from shallow roots can be seen one to 10 (or more) feet from the original tree. Because of these reproductive characteristics, the sweetgum is one of the most easily reproduced trees. Like its scientific name describes, sweetgum trees exude a sticky, slightly sweet sap when wounded. This sap thickens and dries over time to an amber color. When just the right consistency, this strong tasting “gum” can be chewed. It was used in earlier times for medicinal purposes. Confederate doctors during the Civil War used the gum to treat skin sores and dysentery. During World War II, the gum was an important base for salves, adhesives, soaps, and tobacco flavoring. At that time, a sweetgum tree tapping industry developed in southwestern Alabama. The gum was scraped, then heated, strained, and canned. The light-colored wood, termed “sap gum” in the timber trade, is soft and light, and is used commercially for veneer, trim, pallets, and paper pulp. Personal notes:

The sweetgum’s abundant fruits are spiny, woody balls that litter the ground underneath large trees

sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)

sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Figure 45

Trees

This shrub’s glossy leaves, when crushed, and burgundy colored flowers, both live up to its common name; they exude a sweet and pleasant fragrance. The flowers bloom between March and May. The fruit will become an enlarged fleshy tube which matures between August and April and contains many small seeds. Their flowers contain an essential oil that is often used in perfumes. Personal notes:

Figure 46

The elliptical shaped leaves, which are opposite each other, have a white, waxy underside.

sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) The American sycamore is one of the largest of the eastern hardwoods. It is often found growing on stream banks and in bottomlands. The bark peels off in large flakes revealing patches of a white, mottled color. Buttons were once made from the core of their ballshaped fruit. Personal notes:

Figure 47

The bark peels off in large flakes revealing patches of a white, mottled color.

Trees

willow, black (Salix nigra) Sometimes called swamp willow, the black willow has an extensive range and can be found growing all across the country of areas where it can grow. It grows in wet soil and can commonly be found along stream and lake beds. It often has multiple, leaning trunks and can attain a height of 100 feet. This deciduous tree is considered a soft hardwood and is often used for millwork, cabinetry, and boxes. In pioneer times, this wood was converted into charcoal for gunpowder. Black willows are often planted because they are fast growing shade trees and they can be used to stabilize the soil found on the banks of freshwater. Personal notes:

Shrubs

Figure 48

Black willows can be identified by its shiny, green, narrow, lanceshaped leaves.

witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Not only can you find this tree in the preserve, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in most medicine isles. Witch hazel astringent uses estractations from the witch hazel treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner bark. Its yellow flowers are unusual, with four stringy, somewhat curly petals, and bloom after the leaves have fallen from the tree, usually in fall or early winter. The two-beaked, orange-brown woody fruit does not ripen until late fall of the following year. When the fruit is ripe, the seeds are shot out of a capsule, sometimes traveling 30 feet. Witches in colonial America thought that using witch hazel branches would help them find water and gold. Personal notes:

Wild Azalea

Figure 49

One of the many distinguishing features of witch hazel is its ovalshaped, dark green, wavy-edged leaves.

Shrubs

The Azaleas

Shrubs

beautyberry, American (Callicarpa Americana)

Azalea, plumleaf (Rhododendron prunifolium)

Named for its beautiful fruit, the American beautyberry produces pale pink flowers that bloom in the mid-summer and fall. The leaves are opposite, which means they grow directly across from one another on the stem. The fruit is a favorite of more than 40 species of songbirds and numerous mammals. Personal notes:

The plumleaf azalea is considered the rarest azalea in the Eastern United States, and it is only found here, along the Alabama-Georgia border in the Chattahoochee River Valley. This deciduous shrub often grows 8–12 feet tall. In July and August, orange-red to red, funnel-shaped flowers bloom on the plumleaf azalea. Personal notes:

Figure 52

It has bright purple berries, clustered around its stem at regular intervals. Figure 50

chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia)

This rare azalea has elliptical, alternating leaves that are dark green and smooth

This shrub or small tree was originally cultivated by Native Americans, hence its occasional nickname “Cherokee plum.” Early in the spring, fragrant, white flowers bloom on the chickasaw plum and cover the entire tree before the leaves emerge. The sweet, cherry-like red plums, mature by late summer and are consumed by a number of mammals, including people—they make a great jelly! When formed into thickets, the trees also provide ideal nesting and cover for songbirds and game birds. The twigs are red-brown in color and shiny with thorns. The bark is also red-brown and shiny and becomes scaly with age. Personal notes:

azalea, wild (Rhododendron canescens) Often called wild honeysuckle, the wild azalea is a woody shrub with light pink, sweet-smelling flowers. Mark Catesby first discovered the wild azalea circa 1730. Personal notes:

Figure 51

These 4–5 foot shrubs typically grow along streams and in moist woods.

Figure 53

The leaves fold upwards with a sharp point on the end and red glands at the base.

Shrubs

croton, Alabama (Croton alabamensis)

Shrubs

Elliott blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) The Alabama croton is a rare shrub occurring in only two Alabama counties, Bibb and Tuscaloosa. The specimen at the Forest Ecology Preserve was planted on this site. The croton is normally partial to harsh environments such as limestone bluffs and shallow soils. Upon close inspection, you will notice the croton has silvery scales on its stems and leaves. The scales on the back of the leaf are so close together that the leaf appears to be silvery white in color. The croton’s flower is a yellow cluster and its fruit is a silver capsule. The croton is at its peak in the fall, when the leaves turn a beautiful orange color. Personal notes:

Figure 54

Sometimes called mayberry or huckleberry, this medium-sized branchy shrub stands out because of its light green stems. The shrub has small, thick, glossy leaves that have fine, sharp serrations (teeth) along the edges and dependably turn bright red in the fall. The fruit resembles a small blueberry. Many animals enjoy eating the berries and deer often munch on the leaves of the Elliott blueberry plant. Additionally, this is the larval food plant for many different species of moths and butterflies. Personal notes:

Figure 56

The scales on the back of the leaf are so close together that the leaf appears to be silvery white in color.

The flowers, which appear in early spring, are shaped like a vase and are white or pink.

mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens)

devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa) This native shrub is aptly named with its prickly, woody bark and twigs. The creamy white, very showy flowers appear at the top of the shrub between July and August. The fruit is a purple berry, a favorite of songbirds and other wildlife. It is said that the Iroquois prized this plant for its berries and fragrant, lemony-smelling flowers. Personal notes:

Kissing under the mistletoe during the Christmas season is often the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of this plant. Mistletoe grows on trees as a semi-parasite, which means that it can produce its own chlorophyll but relies on its host plant for nutrition. It is not rooted in the ground. Look high in this tree (mistletoe is only visible when the tree’s leaves have fallen) and you’ll notice the clustered evergreen leaves which will bear impressive white berries in the late fall and early winter. The fruit is a favorite of many birds and mammals. The mistletoe plant and its berries are considered poisonous to humans but they have had some benefit in the treatment of various human diseases, including cancer. This research is ongoing. Personal notes:

Figure 55

Devil’s walking stick has extremely large bipinnately compound leaves which fan out in an umbrella-like shape, like a palm tree.

Figure 57

This plant is a Christmas tradition.

Shrubs

myrtle, wax (Myrica cerifera)

Shrubs

paw-paw, dwarf (Asimina parviflora) The Dwarf paw-paw shrub looks similar to many tropical plants. The leaves have smooth edges, and when crushed, they smell like green pepper. The flowers, on the other hand, smell like wine and their color ranges from greenish purple to a deep red. Perhaps the most interesting part of the plant is its fruit, which consists of large, green, oblong berries that turn yellow and have a custard-like flavor in the late summer. At one time, the paw-paw had a expansive range, but it is now found only as an under-story plant in the South. Its fruit was

The wax myrtle, which is sometimes called southern bayberry or candleberry, is most often considered a shrub. These leaves have a fresh, spicy fragrance. Golden resin specks on both sides of the leaves typically occur on the underside. Male, staminate, and female, pistillate, flowers grow on separate trees and bloom in the spring. The wax myrtleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fruits are small, blue-gray berries that cluster along the branches in the fall. Candle and soap makers require these berries for wax. Personal notes:

made into jelly years ago and can still be found on some southern tables.

Personal notes:

Figure 58

Its leaves are evergreen and slender with several small teeth at the tips.

Figure 60

thorny olive (Elaeagnus pungens)

It has long leaves, and the widest part of the leaf is in the middle.

The thorny olive, or silverthorn, draws its name from the sharp thorns found on its twigs. Like its relative the autumn olive, the thorny olive is an exotic invasive species. The plant blooms in Fall, and displaying its creamy, white to brown tubular flowers that have a strong but pleasant fragrance. Its fruits are red with silver dots. Thorny olive is often planted on reclamation areas or as hedgerows because it grows fast, tolerates drought, and does well in a wide variety of soils. Its bushes have been hazardous in some traffic situations because cedar waxwing birds will gorge themselves on the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s berries, becoming too heavy to fly. This often causes oncoming traffic to swerve to avoid hitting the fattened birds. Personal notes:

privet, Chinese (Ligustrum sinense) A common plant, privet was imported from China and has become naturalized in the southeastern United States. Although it has become an aggressive invader in many wooded areas, privet provides cover and sustenance for many wildlife species. Privet also has small white clusters of flowers and small blue berries. The Chinese privet is a native Chinese plant, brought to America in 1852. Personal notes:

Figure 59

Its distinctive leaves have wavy edges and are dark green on the topside and silver with brown scales underneath.

Figure 61

It is recognized by its small green leaves with hairy undersides that grow opposite each other along the stem.

Shrubs

sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)

Shrubs

yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) Related to the blueberry, the sparkleberry can grow to either a bush or a small tree. Clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers appear in spring to early summer. The bark on the mature sparkleberry is shreddy and red. Unlike other vaccinium species, the sparkleberry’s blueberry-like fruit is not a favorite of wildlife because of its gritty texture. However, its nectar and leaves are preferred foods of certain butterflies and caterpillars. Personal notes:

Widely used as an ornamental plant, yaupon is an evergreen shrub found on a variety of sites. It is abundant in pine under stories. Along with the American holly, the yaupon is also a member of the holly family, which is native to much of the eastern United States. Its leaves are small with toothed edges. The stems of the yaupon are white, stiff, and almost like thorns. In the spring, small, white, four-petaled flowers bloom. Yaupons are dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Its prominent red berries mature in the fall. The plant’s scientific name comes from its ancient use as a tea that people drank to purge their system. This tea has also been used as a caffeinated drink in some cultures. Personal notes:

Figure 64

Its leaves are small with toothed edges.

Figure 62

Its oval- or round- shaped leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and can turn any color from golden to red in the fall.

strawberry bush (Euonymus Americanus) The strawberry bush is also called the “heartsa-busting” because of the showy, bright red fruits that burst out of a four-sectioned pink capsule each fall. Its stems are long and wiry with opposite (growing directly across from each other) leaves appearing near the ends and its small, yellowish-green flowers emerge from the end of the leaf axis. While he leaves and stems are a favorite of whitetail deer, the bark and fruits of the strawberry bush are poisonous and should never be eaten by humans. Personal notes:

Figure 63

It’s leaves appear near the ends and its small, yellowish-green flowers emerge from the end of the leaf axis.

Vines

grape, muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) Location: Color: Height: The muscadine is cultivated because of its tolerance to pests. In the forest, the muscadine vines grow high into the trees or trail along the ground. The woody stems become stout with age and can grow up to approximately 2â&#x20AC;? in diameter. Its yellow-green flowers are barely noticeable. Muscadine grapes are eaten as a fruit, used in jellies, and made into wine. Personal notes:

Figure 65

Its leaves are alternated and heart-shaped or rounded with toothed edges.

The Honeysuckles honeysuckle, japanese (Lonicera japonica) Location: Color: Height: Though native to Asia, the Japanese honeysuckle vine has become naturalized across North America, and you can often see it in backyards. Many people have tasted the sweet nectar and enjoyed the pleasant fragrance of the honeysuckle flowers, which bloom April through June. Most birds eat the fruit of the Japanese honeysuckle, and it is an important browse plant for white-tailed deer and our eastern cottontail. This fast-growing and invasive honeysuckle species often replaces the native vegetation of an area. Personal notes:

Figure 66

Muscadine Grapes

The semi-evergreen leaves of this vine are opposite, and the fragrant white to pale yellow flowers are two-lipped and tubular.

Vines

honeysuckle, trumpet (Lonicera sempervirens) Location: Color: Height: The red, trumpet-shaped flowers on this native honeysuckle vine provide an eye-catching display each spring. These flowers attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, which enjoy the nectar. Humans do as well, often planting the trumpet honeysuckle in their gardens. The suckles bloom scarlet and orange and have yellow centers from May to June. Personal notes:

Vines

poison-ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) Location: Color: Height: One touch of this plant results in an annoying rash. The distinctive feature of poison-ivy is the threeleaf pattern. Poison-ivy is a hairy vine found trailing on the ground or growing high in the tops of trees. It grows in a variety of habitats, but can be concentrated in disturbed areas. The leaves of the poison-ivy plant are quite showy in the fall, turning yellow to red. However, despite its colorful appearance, it can be harmful. Personal notes:

Figure 67

They reach 8–15 feet and spread 3–6 feet. Figure 69

Remember: “Leaves of 3 let it be. Never touch a hairy tree.”

jessamine, yellow (Gelsemium sempervirens) The fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers of the yellow jessamine are one of the first flowers to appear in the spring. Their bright golden appearance is extremely showy in the crown and branches of smaller trees. Its fruit is a dry capsule that remains throughout the winter and late into the spring. Hummingbirds and butterflies frequently visit the flowers of the yellow jessamine because of its nectar. The yellow jessamine is poisonous to humans and should never be eaten.

supplejack, Alabama (Berchemia scandens) This native vine can be found in numerous places throughout the preserve climbing high into trees and appearing shrub-like as it ages. The stem is tough, smooth, wiry and green with alternating shiny green leaves. This tree blooms April through June. The fruit is a dark blue berry that is a favorite of bobwhites, turkeys, and squirrels. Personal notes:

Personal notes:

Figure 68

Yellow jessamine is a native vine that has semi-evergreen, slender leaves and a redbrown woody stem.

Figure 70

The leaves have pointed tips and are pale or white underneath.

Flowers and Grasses

hydrangea, oak-leaf (Hydrangea quercifolia) Named for its oak-like leaves, the oak-leaf hydrangea is the state wildflower of Alabama. While its leaves turn orange and red in the fall, it is this hydrangeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flowers that most people consider the prettiest part of the plant. These flowers remain into the winter, turning reddish and then tan. The bark is also showy as it peels throughout the year. This species of hydrangea is native to the Southeast and is widely planted as an ornamental plant. Personal notes:

Figure 71

The oak-leaf hydrangea has white flowers that bloom in early summer and grow on large spikes.

Sunflowers in Fargo, North Dakota, USA.

sunflower, narrow-leaved; swamp (Helianthus angustifolius) Unlike larger sunflowers we are familiar with, the narrow-leaved sunflower measures approximately 2â&#x20AC;? across. As with all sunflowers, what appears to be the flower is actually made of individual ray flowers and hundreds of tiny flowers in the center called disk flowers. It tends to occur in dense clumps making a spectacular show in early fall. Personal notes:

Figure 72

This native perennial reaches more than 7 feet tall and is most commonly found in the mid-southeastern United States.

Flowers and Grasses

switchcane (Arundinaria gigantea) Arundinaria is the largest native grass in the United States and has only three subspecies. The only subspecies growing in the Southeastern United States is giant cane. The common name is cane or switchcane and it grows in moist to wet environments. Found growing on several sites in the preserve, all of which are near or next to a stream bank or low lying area, this bamboo-like grass can form open to dense stands or cane brakes. It is becoming less common as land use occurs. Personal notes:

The Glossary B Bipinnately: having feather-like leaves on stems that grow opposite each other on the main stem Bract: a specialized leaf or leaf-like structure which is often found at the base of a flower C Catkin: slim, cylindrical flower cluster with inconspicuous or no petals Cruciform: Formed or arranged in the shape of a cross. D Dioecious: having the male and female reproductive organs on separate individuals of the same species Dissemination: the scattering or spreading around of a substance, such as the scattering of seed when sowingDouble Compound Leaves: have leaflets of compound leaves; this compound leaf is made of secondary leaflets Drupe: a fleshy fruit which usually has a single stone; this stone encloses a seed

Figure 73

The cane brakes provide excellent cover and nesting habitat for many wetland wildlife species.

P Palmately Compound: a leaf formation in which all the leaflets radiate out from the center tip of the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem Pinnately Compound: a leaf formation in which all the leaflets radiate out from the center tip of the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem S Samara: a type of fruit in which a flattened wing with fibrous, papery tissue develops from the fruitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wall Staminate: a male flower; it contains stamens but does not have pistils T Tannin: a reddish acid that comes from plants, is used in making ink and leather Terminal bud: a flower bud located at the tip of a stem

Index of Figures Figure 1 Almus serrulata .........................................................................................................................................................................8 Figure 2 Fagus grandifolia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3 Betula nigra ...................................................................................................................................................................................9 Figure 4 Nyssa sylvatica ............................................................................................................................................................................9 Figure 5 Aesculus parviflora ..............................................................................................................................................................10 Figure 6 Aesculus pavia .........................................................................................................................................................................10 Figure 7 Juniperus virginiana ............................................................................................................................................................11 Figure 8 Castanea dentata ...................................................................................................................................................................11 Figure 9 Melia azedarach .....................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 10 Cornus florida ......................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 11 Ulmus Americana ..............................................................................................................................................................13 Figure 12 Ulmus alata .............................................................................................................................................................................13 Figure 13 Carya tomentosa .................................................................................................................................................................14 Figure 14 Carya glabra ...........................................................................................................................................................................14 Figure 15 Carya ovalis ............................................................................................................................................................................15 Figure 16 Ilex opaca ..................................................................................................................................................................................15 Figure 17 Ilex deciduas ...........................................................................................................................................................................16 Figure 18 Gleditsia triacanthos ........................................................................................................................................................16 Figure 19 Carpinus caroliniana .......................................................................................................................................................17 Figure 20 Robinia pseudoacacia .....................................................................................................................................................17 Figure 21 Magnolia grandiflora .......................................................................................................................................................18 Figure 22 Magnolia virginiana .........................................................................................................................................................18 Figure 23 Acer negundo ........................................................................................................................................................................19 Figure 24 Acer rubrum ..........................................................................................................................................................................19 Figure 25 Acer floridanum ..................................................................................................................................................................20 Figure 26 Broussonetia papyrifera ................................................................................................................................................20 Figure 27 Quercus velutina ................................................................................................................................................................21 Figure 28 Quercus hemisphaerica ................................................................................................................................................21 Figure 29 Quercus rubra ......................................................................................................................................................................22 Figure 30 Quercus stellata ...................................................................................................................................................................22 Figure 31 Quercus falcate ....................................................................................................................................................................23 Figure 32 Quercus nigra .......................................................................................................................................................................23 Figure 33 Quercus alba ..........................................................................................................................................................................24 Figure 34 Carya illinoinensis ............................................................................................................................................................24 Figure 35 Diospyros virginiana .......................................................................................................................................................25 Figure 36 Pinus taeda ..............................................................................................................................................................................25

Index of Figures Figure 37 Pinus palustris ......................................................................................................................................................................26 Figure 38 Pinus echinata ......................................................................................................................................................................26 Figure 39 Liriodendron tulpifera ...................................................................................................................................................27 Figure 40 Sassafras albidum ...............................................................................................................................................................27 Figure 41 Halesia tetraptera ...............................................................................................................................................................28 Figure 42 Oxydendrum arboretum .............................................................................................................................................28 Figure 43 Catalpa bignonioides ......................................................................................................................................................29 Figure 44 Rhus glabra .............................................................................................................................................................................29 Figure 45 Liquidambar stryraciflua .............................................................................................................................................30 Figure 46 Calycanthus floridus ........................................................................................................................................................30 Figure 47 Platanus occidentalis .......................................................................................................................................................31 Figure 48 Salix nigra ................................................................................................................................................................................31 Figure 49 Hamamelis virginiana ....................................................................................................................................................32 Figure 50 Rhododendron prunifolium .....................................................................................................................................34 Figure 51 Rhododendron canescens ...........................................................................................................................................34 Figure 52 Callicarpa Americana .......................................................................................................................................................35 Figure 53 Prunus angustifolia ..........................................................................................................................................................35 Figure 54 Croton alabamensis .........................................................................................................................................................36 Figure 55 Aralia spinosa .......................................................................................................................................................................36 Figure 56 Vaccinium elliotti ...............................................................................................................................................................37 Figure 57 Phoradendron flavescents ...........................................................................................................................................37 Figure 58 Myrica cerifera .....................................................................................................................................................................38 Figure 59 Elaeagnus pungens ...........................................................................................................................................................38 Figure 60 Asimina parviflora ............................................................................................................................................................39 Figure 61 Ligustrum sinense .............................................................................................................................................................39 Figure 62 Vaccinium arboretum ....................................................................................................................................................40 Figure 63 Euonymus Americanus .................................................................................................................................................40 Figure 64 Ilex vomitoria ........................................................................................................................................................................41 Figure 65 Vitis rotundifolia .,..............................................................................................................................................................43 Figure 66 Lonicera japonica ..............................................................................................................................................................43 Figure 67 Lonicera sempervirens ..................................................................................................................................................44 Figure 68 Gelsemium sempervirens ...........................................................................................................................................44 Figure 69 Toxicodendron radicans ..............................................................................................................................................45 Figure 70 Berchemia scandens .......................................................................................................................................................45 Figure 71 Hydrangea quercifolia ....................................................................................................................................................47 Figure 72 Helianthus angustifolius ...............................................................................................................................................47 Figure 73 Arundinaria gigantean ..................................................................................................................................................48

Common Name Index alder, hazel..............................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Azalea, plumleaf..............................................................................................................................................................................................34 azalea, wild..........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 beautyberry, American..............................................................................................................................................................................35 beech, American................................................................................................................................................................................................9 birch, river..............................................................................................................................................................................................................8 blackgum.................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 buckeye, bottlebrush....................................................................................................................................................................................10 buckeye, red........................................................................................................................................................................................................11 cedar, eastern red............................................................................................................................................................................................10 chestnut, American.......................................................................................................................................................................................11 chickasaw plum...............................................................................................................................................................................................35 chinaberry............................................................................................................................................................................................................12 croton, Alabama..............................................................................................................................................................................................36 devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walking stick......................................................................................................................................................................................36 dogwood, flowering.....................................................................................................................................................................................13 Elliott blueberry..............................................................................................................................................................................................37 elm, American..................................................................................................................................................................................................12 elm, winged.........................................................................................................................................................................................................13 grape, muscadine............................................................................................................................................................................................43 hickory, mockernut......................................................................................................................................................................................14 hickory, pignut.................................................................................................................................................................................................15 hickory, red.........................................................................................................................................................................................................14 holly, American................................................................................................................................................................................................15 holly, deciduous; possum-haw.............................................................................................................................................................16 honeysuckle, Japanese................................................................................................................................................................................43 honeysuckle, trumpet.................................................................................................................................................................................44 hornbeam.............................................................................................................................................................................................................16 hydrangea, oak-leaf......................................................................................................................................................................................47 jessamine, yellow............................................................................................................................................................................................44 locust, black........................................................................................................................................................................................................17 locust, honey......................................................................................................................................................................................................17 magnolia, sweetbay.......................................................................................................................................................................................19 maple, boxelder................................................................................................................................................................................................18 maple, Florida...................................................................................................................................................................................................20 maple, red..................................................................................................................................................19

Common Name Index mistletoe................................................................................................................................................................................................................37 mulberry, paper...............................................................................................................................................................................................20 myrtle, wax..........................................................................................................................................................................................................38 oak, black..............................................................................................................................................................................................................21 oak, laurel.............................................................................................................................................................................................................21 oak, northern red...........................................................................................................................................................................................22 oak, post................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 oak, southern red...........................................................................................................................................................................................23 oak, water.............................................................................................................................................................................................................23 oak, white.............................................................................................................................................................................................................24 paw-paw, dwarf................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Pecan tree.............................................................................................................................................................................................................24 persimmon, common.................................................................................................................................................................................25 pine, loblolly.......................................................................................................................................................................................................25 pine, longleaf......................................................................................................................................................................................................26 pine, shortleaf....................................................................................................................................................................................................26 poison-ivy............................................................................................................................................................................................................45 poplar, yellow....................................................................................................................................................................................................27 privet, Chinese..................................................................................................................................................................................................39 sassafras.................................................................................................................................................................................................................27 silverbell, Carolina.........................................................................................................................................................................................28 sourwood..............................................................................................................................................................................................................28 southern catalpa..............................................................................................................................................................................................29 southern magnolia........................................................................................................................................................................................18 sparkleberry........................................................................................................................................................................................................40 strawberry bush...............................................................................................................................................................................................40 sumac, smooth.................................................................................................................................................................................................29 sunflower, narrow-leaved; swam........................................................................................................................................................47 supplejack, Alabama....................................................................................................................................................................................45 sweetgum..............................................................................................................................................................................................................30 sweetshrub...........................................................................................................................................................................................................31 switchcane............................................................................................................................................................................................................48 sycamore...............................................................................................................................................................................................................31 thorny olive........................................................................................................................................................................................................38 willow, black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................32 witch hazel...........................................................................................................................................................................................................32 yaupon....................................................................................................................................................................................................................41

Scientific Name Index Acer floridanum..............................................................................................................................................................................................20 Acer negundo....................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Acer rubrum......................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Aesculus parviflora.......................................................................................................................................................................................10 Aesculus pavia..................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Alnus serrulata....................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Aralia spinosa....................................................................................................................................................................................................36 Arundinaria gigantea..................................................................................................................................................................................48 Asimina parviflora........................................................................................................................................................................................39 Berchemia scandens.....................................................................................................................................................................................45 Betula nigra............................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Broussonetia papyrifera............................................................................................................................................................................20 Callicarpa Americana.................................................................................................................................................................................35 Calycanthus floridus....................................................................................................................................................................................31 Carpinus caroliniana...................................................................................................................................................................................17 Carya glabra.......................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Carya illinoinensis........................................................................................................................................................................................24 Carya ovalis........................................................................................................................................................................................................15 Carya tomentosa.............................................................................................................................................................................................14 Catalpa bignonioides...................................................................................................................................................................................29 Cornus florida...................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Croton alabamensis......................................................................................................................................................................................36 Diospyros virginiana...................................................................................................................................................................................25 Elaeagnus pungens........................................................................................................................................................................................38 Euonymus Americanus.............................................................................................................................................................................40 Fagus grandifolia...............................................................................................................................................................................................8 Gelsemium sempervirens........................................................................................................................................................................44 Gleditsia triacanthos....................................................................................................................................................................................16 Halesia tetraptera...........................................................................................................................................................................................28 Hamamelis virginiana................................................................................................................................................................................32 Helianthus angustifolius...........................................................................................................................................................................47 Hydrangea quercifolia................................................................................................................................................................................47 Ilex decidua.........................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Ilex opaca..............................................................................................................................................................................................................15 Ilex vomitoria....................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Juniperus virginiana....................................................................................................................................................................................11

Scientific Name Index Ligustrum sinense.........................................................................................................................................................................................39 Liquidambar styraciflua............................................................................................................................................................................30 Liriodendron tulipifera..............................................................................................................................................................................27 Lonicera japonica...........................................................................................................................................................................................43 Lonicera sempervirens...............................................................................................................................................................................44 Magnolia grandiflora...................................................................................................................................................................................18 Magnolia virginiana.....................................................................................................................................................................................18 Melia azedarach...............................................................................................................................................................................................12 Myrica cerifera.................................................................................................................................................................................................38 Nyssa sylvatica.....................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Oxydendrum arboreum............................................................................................................................................................................28 Phoradendron flavescens.........................................................................................................................................................................37 Pinus echinata...................................................................................................................................................................................................26 Pinus palustris..................................................................................................................................................................................................26 Pinus taeda..........................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Platanus occidentalis...................................................................................................................................................................................31 Prunus angustifolia.......................................................................................................................................................................................35 Prunus serotina................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Quercus alba......................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Quercus falcata................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Quercus hemisphaerica.............................................................................................................................................................................21 Quercus nigra...................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Quercus rubra...................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Quercus stellata...............................................................................................................................................................................................22 Quercus velutina.............................................................................................................................................................................................21 Rhododendron alabamense...................................................................................................................................................................34 Rhododendron canescens.......................................................................................................................................................................34 Rhus glabra.........................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Robinia pseudoacacia.................................................................................................................................................................................17 Salix nigra.............................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Sassafras albidum...........................................................................................................................................................................................27 Toxicodendron radicans...........................................................................................................................................................................45 Ulmus alata.........................................................................................................................................................................................................13 Ulmus Americana..........................................................................................................................................................................................13 Vaccinium arboreum..................................................................................................................................................................................40 Vaccinium elliottii.........................................................................................................................................................................................37 Vitis rotundifolia............................................................................................................................................................................................43

Trail Guide Marker

Trail Guide Common Name

1 Sumac, smooth 2 Locust, black 3 Sunflower, narrow-leaved; smawp 4 Elm, Winged 5 Hornbeam 6 Mertle, wax 7 Hickory, pignut 8 Buckeye, bottlebrush 9 Oak, Southern red 10 Maple, red 11 Grape, muscadine 12 Blackgum 13 Dogwood, flowering 14 Magnolia, sweetbay 15 Switchcane 16 Elm, American 17 Pine, Shortleaf 18 Poplar, yellow 19 Birch, river 20 Ivy, poison 21 Oak, water 22 Ceder, eastern red 23 Holly, American 24 Oak, post 25 Hickory, red 26 Pine, loblolly 27 Oak, northern red 28 Hickory, mockernut 29 Hickory, pignut 30 Cedar, eastern red 31 Witch hazel 32 Croton, Alabama 33 Silverbell, Carolina 34 Buckeye, red 35 Sourwood 36 Azalea, plumleaf 37 Paw-paw, dwarf 38 Honeysuckle, Japanese 39 Beech, American 40 Yaupon 41 Oak, white 42 Honeysuckle, trumpet

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Marker

Common Name

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Maple, red Persimmon, common Myrtle, wax Sweetgum Pine, shortleaf Oak, post Oak, water Hydrangea, oak-leaf Plum, chickasaw Blueberry, Elliot Spawrkleberry Maple, boxelder Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walking stick Maple, Florida Hornbeam Sycamore Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walking stick Sassafras Oak, laurel Azalea, wild Magnolia, southern Oak, black Oak, white Catalpa, southern Willow, black Dogwood, flowering Beautyberry, American Jessamine, yellow Sourwood Sweetshrub Blackgum Alder, hazel Supplejack, Alabama Chestnut, American Mulberry, paper Locust, honey Pecan tree Maple, Florida Strawberry bush

Page

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Trail Map