Twig Quiz

Fagus grandifolia - fagaceae

Imbricate, “zig-zag” indeterminant growth, glabrous

Liriodendron tulipifera - magnoliaceae

glabrous, glaucous, stipule scars encircle twig, diaphragmed, valvate bud scale, determinant

Tilia americana - tiliaceae

glabrous, indeterminant, stipule scars at nodes

Platanus occidentalis - Platanaceae

indeterminant

Juglans cinerea - Juglandaceae

Chambered pith, naked

Acer saccharum - Sapindaceae

Glabrous, imbricate

Quercus rubra - fagaceae

Stellate pith, glabrous or upper bud slightly hairy

Quercus velutina - Fagaceae

tomentose, stellate pith

Carya ovata - Juglandaceae

Finely hairy, faint orange lenticels, terminal bud covered with scales

Populus tremuloides - salicaceae

Oppressed, glabrous, true terminal bud (?), crater like branch scars, triangular leaf scar with three vascular bundle scars, shiny buds

Ulmus americana - Ulmaceae

imbricate scales, pseudoterminal, usually glabrous

Quercus alba - Fagaceae

alternate leaves, stellate pith, imbricate scales

Fraxinus americana - Oleaceae

opposite or sub-opposite leaves, large spongy circular pith, U shaped vascular bundles

Acer negundo - Sapindaceae

Opposite leaves, very glaucous twig, tomentose buds

Acer saccharinum - Sapindaceae

Opposite leaf, reddish terminal buds, bud scales imbricate, border of scale pubescent

Ostrya virginiana - Betulaceae

Pseudoterminal bud, striated bud, imbricate scales, thin reddish twig with lenticels

Magnolia acuminata - Magnoliaceae

Stipule scar encircles twig, U shaped leaf scar, large tomentose buds

Robinia pseudoacacia - Fabaceae

“gargoyle” face leaf scar, spines on either side of leaf scar

Populus deltoides - Salicaceae

stellate orange-brown pith, multiple shiny buds, large imbricate bud scales

Salix nigra - Salicaceae

Single cap bud scale, round leaf scar

Celtis occidentalis - Cannabaceae

Chambered pith at nodes, zig-zag twig arrangement, pseudoterminal bud, appressed triangular bud

Quercus macrocarpa - Fagaceae

large stout tomentos terminal buds, thick twigs sometimes shiny

Betula alleghaniensis - Betulaceae

tan lenticels, bud scales imbricate, pseudoterminal bud, wintergreen smell

Prunus serotina - Rosaceae

many light grey lenticels, imbricate bud scales

Sassafras albidium - Lauraceae

green

Nyssa sylvatica - Nyssaceae

diaphragmed pith, triangular leaf scar with three vascular bundles, spur shoots along twig

Diospyros virginiana - Ebenaceae

semi-valvate bud scales, apressed

Cornus florida - Cornaceae

opposite leaf, subglobose terminal flower buds, valvate leaf buds, stipule scar encircles twig

Liquidambar styraciflua - Altingiaceae

triangular leaf scar with 3 distinct vascular bundles, shiny buds, imbricate

Juglans nigra - Juglandaceae

smaller buds then cinerea, light brown chambered pith, tomentose buds, “monkey” leaf scar (no moustache)

Betula populifolia - Betulaceae

pseudoterminal, aments often on end, thin twig, many raised lenticels

Acer rubrum - Sapindaceae

Gleditsia triacanthos - Fabaceae

knobby, zig-zag, minute buds

Quercus palustris - Fagaceae

small

Betula papyrifera - Betulaceae

spur shoots, pseudoterminal, pendent aments in two and threes