Flora and Ornamental Plants Review

Flashcards covering a variety of evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and grasses as listed in lecture notes.

What are the distinguishing features of the Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)?

It features $5$ needles per bundle, a soft texture, and is found in Zone $3-8$.

How can the Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) be identified?

It has flat needles with a suction-cup base and is notably fragrant.

What are the identifying characteristics of the Norway Spruce (Picea abies)?

It is characterized by drooping branchlets and large cigar-shaped cones.

What makes the Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) unique?

It has prickly blue needles that are "square" and roll easily in fingers.

How do you identify an Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)?

It is recognized by small cones and flat needles with $2$ white lines underneath.

What unique feature is found on the cones of the Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)?

The cones have $3$-lobed "mouse tail" bracts.

What are the features of the American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)?

It has flat, scale-like foliage and tiny rosebud cones.

What identifies the Canadian Yew (Taxus canadensis)?

It has flat needles, a low habit, and red fleshy arils which are toxic.

What are the characteristics of the Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)?

It has whorls of $3$ needles and a white stripe on top.

What features define the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)?

A deciduous conifer with feathery needles that produces "knees" in wet soil.

How is the European Larch (Larix decidua) identified?

It is a deciduous plant with gold fall color and needles located on short spur shoots.

What are the traits of the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)?

It has opposite branching and specific "armpits" under the branches.

What characterizes the Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)?

Small, leathery evergreen leaves that are opposite and have a distinct scent.

What features identify the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)?

It is an acid-loving plant with cup-shaped flowers and twisty wood.

What are the characteristics of the PJM Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'P.J.M.')?

It displays purple winter foliage and produces early lavender blooms.

How can you identify a Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)?

It is a large broadleaf evergreen with leaves that are $6"$ long.

What defines the Mugho Pine (Pinus mugo)?

It has a dwarf shrub habit and $2$ needles per bundle.

What are the features of the Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)?

It has $2$ stiff needles, white terminal buds, and is salt tolerant.

How can the Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris) be identified?

It features orange-red bark on the upper trunk and twisted needles.

What is unique about the Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)?

It has reflexed cone bracts and a silver-green underside on the needles.

What identifies the Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata)?

It is a common ornamental with a $V$-shaped needle arrangement.

What are the traits of the Drooping Leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana)?

It possesses zig-zag stems and leathery leaves, preferring a shade habit.

What are the characteristics of Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium)?

It features spiny holly-like leaves and yellow flowers.

How do you identify a Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)?

It has reddish bark plates and $2$ needles that snap cleanly when bent.

What are the features of the Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)?

It has $3$ needles per bundle, with needles growing directly from the trunk.

What identifies light and leaf structure of the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)?

It has a $U$-shaped sinus, sharp, brown, pointed buds, and opposite branching.

What features distinguish the Red Maple (Acer rubrum)?

It has a $V$-shaped sinus, red petioles, blunt red buds, and opposite branching.

What makes the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) identifiable and unique?

It is invasive, has broad purple buds, and contains milky sap in the petiole.

What are the traits of the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)?

It has deeply lobed leaves with a silvery underside and shaggy bark.

How is the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) described?

An ornamental plant with a fine texture and deeply dissected leaves.

What are the identifying markers of the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)?

It has trifoliate leaves and exfoliating cinnamon bark.

How can the White Ash (Fraxinus americana) be identified?

It has opposite branching, "bishop's hat" buds, and diamond-patterned bark.

What is the key identifier for Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)?

The bud sits directly on top of the leaf scar, and it has opposite branching.

What traits define the Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)?

It has a chambered brown pith and a "monkey face" leaf scar.

What makes the Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) distinct?

Its bark peels in long vertical plates and it has large buds.

How do you recognize a Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)?

It has pointed leaf lobes and "ski tracks" bark on the upper trunk.

What is the growth habit of the Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)?

It has deep lobes and downward drooping lower branches.

What identifies the Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)?

It has corky ridges on the twigs and a "mossy cup" acorn.

What features belong to the Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)?

It has bicolored leaves, peeling twigs, and prefers moist sites.

What describes the American Elm (Ulmus americana)?

It has a vase-like habit and an oblique (uneven) leaf base.

What are the traits of the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)?

It is salt tolerant with bipinnate leaves and zigzag twigs.

How is the Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) identified?

It features massive bipinnate leaves and scaly bark.

What identifies the London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia)?

It has camo-style bark and produces $2$ seed balls per stalk.

What distinguishes the American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)?

It has stark white upper bark and produces only $1$ seed ball per stalk.

What are the features of the Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)?

It has fan-shaped leaves with dichotomous veins and spur shoots.

What identifies the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)?

It grows very straight and has "duck bill" buds and $4$-lobed leaves.

What are the features of the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)?

It has warty bark and $3$ veins originating from the leaf base.

How is the Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) identified?

It has heart-shaped leaves and zig-zag stems.

What are the traits of the Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)?

It has large sticky buds and palmately compound leaves.

What identifies the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)?

It has "burnt potato chip" bark and rusty hairs along the leaf midrib.

What are the features of the Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)?

It has star-shaped leaves, spiky fruit, and corky wings on twigs.

How can you recognize a Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)?

It features smooth gray bark and a petiole base that covers the bud.

What is unique about the Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)?

It has round leaves and smells like burnt sugar in the fall.

What are the characteristics of the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)?

It has flat petioles, white bark, and small teeth on the leaves.

How does the Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) differ?

It has coarsely toothed leaves and white or gray bark.

What features identify the Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)?

It has heart leaves, a pair of terminal buds, and is fragrant.

What identifies the Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)?

It has yellow blooms, a hollow pith, and visible lenticels.

What are the traits of the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)?

Known for bright red fall color and corky wings on the stems.

What makes the Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) recognizable?

It is invasive, has single spines, and yellow inner bark.

What is the habit of the Vanhoutte Spirea (Spiraea x vanhouttei)?

It has an arching habit and produces white spring flowers.

What identifies the Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)?

It has straight stems, toothed leaves, and blue fruit.

What characteristics define the Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)?

It has fragrant blooms and velvet-textured leaves.

What identifies the Cranberry Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum)?

It has $3$-lobed leaves and white flat-top flowers.

How do you identify a Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)?

It features cone flower clusters and peeling bark.

What are the traits of the Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)?

It has oak-like leaves and displays red fall color.

What describes the Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis)?

A small arching shrub that features white bell flowers.

What identifies the Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)?

It has a low habit, $3$ leaflets, and a citrus scent.

What characterizes the Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)?

It possesses compound leaves and velvety "fuzzy" stems.

What are the features of Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa)?

It has $5$-parted leaves, yellow blooms, and shreddy bark.

When does the Common Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) bloom?

It produces yellow blooms in the late fall and has wavy leaf margins.

What are the features of the Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)?

It has leathery leaves and blooms in the early spring.

What makes the Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) distinct?

It has opposite leaves and produces purple berries in the fall.

How can you identify Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)?

It has maroon flowers with a strawberry scent and opposite leaves.

What are the traits of the Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)?

It features long spikes and fuzzy gray-green leaves.

What defines the Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica)?

It has green winter stems and yellow flowers.

What identifies the Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)?

It has compound leaves and hairless, waxy stems.

What features does the Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) have?

It has $5$ leaflets and adhesive pads for climbing.

How is the Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) identified?

It has a $3$-lobed leaf and is commonly used on brick walls.

What are the features of the Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)?

A woody vine with orange tubular flowers.

What identifies the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)?

It has opposite compound leaves and warty bark.

What are the traits of the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)?

It has rough leaves and an orange cone center in the flower.

How do you identify Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)?

It has hairy stems, yellow rays, and a dark eye.

What are the features of Hosta (Hosta spp.)?

Known for large basal leaves with parallel veins, growing in the shade.

What identifies the Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)?

It has strap leaves and blooms that only last one day.

What are the characteristics of the Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)?

It has fern-like leaves and heart-shaped flowers.

What characterizes Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)?

They have basal mounded foliage and come in diverse colors.

What identifies Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)?

It has whorled leaves and produces huge pink flower clusters.

What are the traits of Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)?

It has opposite leaves, milky sap, and pink flowers.

How does Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) differ from Swamp Milkweed?

It has alternate leaves, no milky sap, and orange flowers.

What identifies Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)?

It has square stems and lavender flowers.

What characterizes the Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)?

It has sword-like leaves and blooms in June.

What are the features of Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)?

It has aromatic gray foliage and square stems.

How is Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) identified?

It features spike blooms, square stems, and is pungent.

What makes Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) unique?

Its leaves are woolly, silver-gray, and soft.

What are the traits of Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)?

It has fine silver foliage and airy spikes.

What characterizes the Peony (Paeonia spp.)?

It has compound leaves and massive flowers.

What identifies Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium)?

It has succulent leaves and turns rust color in the fall.

What is the habit of Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis)?

It has an upright wheat-like habit.

What are the features of Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)?

It features a silver midrib and plume seed heads.

What defines Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)?

A native grass with airy seed heads and fall color.