Plant and Animal Identification

This set of flashcards includes key terms and definitions about various plants and animals, focusing on their identification, characteristics, and ecological significance.

White snakeroot

A plant known for its toxic properties, often found in wooded areas.

Poison hemlock

A highly toxic plant that can be lethal if ingested.

Garlic mustard

An invasive herbaceous plant often found in woodlands.

Queen Anne's lace

A wildflower also known as wild carrot, recognizable by its white blooms.

Ghostpipe

A non-photosynthetic plant that appears ghostly white, often found in forests.

Cutleaf toothwart

A spring wildflower with distinctive fern-like leaves.

Bloodroot

A perennial wildflower with red rhizomes used traditionally for its medicinal properties.

Hemp dogbane

A perennial plant known for its fibrous stem and toxic properties.

Dutchman's breeches

A spring ephemeral wildflower with uniquely shaped flowers resembling pants.

Fleabane

A common wildflower often found in gardens and roadsides.

Sedge

Grass-like plants typically found in wetlands.

Hornwart coontail

A submerged aquatic plant often found in lakes.

Brittle ferns

A type of fern characterized by its fragile leaves.

Poison ivy

A plant known for causing skin irritation upon contact.

Wood nettle

A stinging plant often found in wooded areas.

Common ragweed

A plant known for causing hay fever allergies.

Duckweed

Small, floating aquatic plants commonly found on the surface of water bodies.

Mayapple

A perennial plant with umbrella-like leaves and a single white flower.

Shieldfern

A type of fern with a distinctive shield shape.

Virginia creeper

A climbing vine often found in residential areas.

Jewel weed

A plant known for its ability to soothe skin irritations.

Ragwort

A flowering plant often found in meadows and known for its toxicity.

Goldenrod

A genus of plants known for their bright yellow flowers.

Common dandelion

A well-known herb with yellow flowers and a fluffy seed head.

Wingstem

A herbaceous plant characterized by its winged stems.

Cancer root

A parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll and feeds off host plants.

Indiangrass

A tall grass important for wildlife habitat.

Virginia bluebells

A spring wildflower known for its bell-shaped blue flowers.

Big bluestem

A tall grass that is a dominant species in prairie habitats.

Little bluestem

A perennial grass known for its blue-gray coloration.

Asters

A group of perennial flowering plants known for their star-shaped blooms.

Lesser periwinkle

A ground cover plant known for its purple flowers.

Violet

A flowering plant with heart-shaped leaves and purple flowers.

Virginia spring beauty

A spring wildflower characterized by its pink and white flowers.

Red dead nettle

A flowering plant that looks similar to nettle but is not stinging.

Lespedeza

A flowering legume often used for forage.

American pokeweed

A perennial plant known for its large berries and toxicity.

Low smartweed

An herbaceous plant often found in wet areas.

Waterleaf

A plant known for its water-retaining capabilities.

Thistle

A flowering plant known for its spiny structure.

Common milkweed

A native plant known for attracting monarch butterflies.

Purple coneflower

A popular garden plant known for its daisy-like purple flowers.

Scuds/sideswimmers

Small crustaceans commonly found in freshwater environments.

Dragonfly

An insect known for its large eyes and agile flying.

Crayfish

Freshwater crustaceans often found in ponds and streams.

Earwigs

Insects known for their distinctive pincers.

Flies diptera

An order of insects that includes true flies.

Mayfly

An insect with a short adult lifespan often found near water.

Gastropod: slug/snails

A class of mollusks that includes both slugs and snails.

Harvestman

Arachnids also known as daddy longlegs.

Hymenoptera: bees wasps ants

An order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants.

Isopoda

A class of crustaceans that includes woodlice.

Termites

Social insects known for their wood-eating habits.

Jumping spiders

Small spiders known for their jumping ability.

Lepidoptera: butterflies/ moths

An order of insects that includes butterflies and moths.

Mantises

Insects known for their predatory habits and distinctive posture.

Dobsonflies

Aquatic insects known for their large size and predatory larvae.

Millipedes

Invertebrates with elongated bodies and many legs.

Fishing spider

A large spider known for being able to walk on water.

Orbweaver

Spiders known for their wheel-shaped webs.

Orthoptera: grasshoppers and crickets

An order of insects that includes grasshoppers and crickets.

Phasmida: stickbugs

An order of insects known for their camouflage resembling twigs.

Stoneflies

Aquatic insects with a distinctive wingspan.

Caddisflies

Insects known for their larvae that create cases from materials in the environment.

Wolf spider

A large, ground-dwelling spider known for its hunting skills.

Damselfly

An insect similar to dragonflies but typically smaller.

Bullfrog

A large frog known for its deep call.

Green frog

A common frog known for its distinct calls.

Grey tree frog

A small tree frog recognized by its camouflage ability.

Blanchard's cricket frog

A frog recognized for its call and small size.

Spring peeper

A small frog known for its distinctive peeping call in spring.

American toad

A common toad species recognizable by its warty skin.

Wood frog

A frog capable of surviving extreme cold.

Five lined skink

A lizard recognized by its distinct stripes.

Eastern fence lizard

A common lizard found in woodlands.

Six lined racerunner

A fast-moving lizard recognized by its stripes.

Southern two lined salamander

A salamander known for its two distinctive lines.

Southern redback salamander

A small salamander often found in moist habitats.

Tiger salamander

A large salamander known for its striking coloration.

Spotted salamander

A salamander known for its spotted appearance.

Marbled salamander

A salamander recognized by its marbled coloration.

Northern slimy salamander

A slimy salamander recognized for its habitat preference.

Dekay's brown snake

A small, non-venomous snake often found in gardens.

Common water snake

A non-venomous snake often found near water bodies.

Common garter snake

A small, common snake known for its striped pattern.

Black racer

A non-venomous snake known for its speed.

Northern copperhead

A venomous snake recognized by its copper-colored head.

Grey ratsnake

A large non-venomous snake that resembles a rat.

Eastern hognose

A non-venomous snake known for its distinctive upturned nose.

Ring necked snake

A small snake identified by its neck band.

Timber rattlesnake

A venomous rattlesnake known for its distinctive rattle.

Eastern milksnake

A non-venomous snake often mistaken for a rattlesnake.

Blandings turtle

A turtle known for its bright yellow chin and dome-shaped shell.

Northern map turtle

A turtle recognized by its map-like patterns.

Spiny softshell

A turtle recognized for its soft shell and long neck.

Painted turtle

A common turtle recognized by its colorful markings.

Common snapping turtle

A large turtle known for its powerful bite.

Eastern box turtle

A turtle with a hinged shell that can fully close.

Rock bass

A freshwater fish recognized by its dark spots.

Yellow bullhead

A catfish known for its yellowish coloration.