Lake Thoreau Species Identification

Pinus palustris characteristics

• Family: Pinaceae

• long needles (8in-18in), typically in bundles of three

  • form “pom-pom” on the end of the branches

• large pinecones, bristles pointing down

• fire-adapted species

• The saplings of longleaf pine are known as the “grass stage”

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Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine)

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Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine)

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Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine)

Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine) Characteristics

• Family: Pinaceae

• needles 6in-10in long; 2-3 per bundle

• pine needles go up sides of branch 

• pinecones medium-sized, bristles stick straight out on sides

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Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)

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Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)

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Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine)

Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)

• Family: Pinaceae

• short needles (3-5 in long)

• needles in bundles of 2 (sometimes 3)

• small pinecones; bristles pointing down

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Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)

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Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)

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Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)

Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy) Characteristics

• Family: Anacardiaceae

• Urushiol - oil that can cause contact dermatitis

• leaves in leaflets of three with occasional lobes

• plants can form vines and small shrubs

• generalist species - can be found in many different habitats

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Oak) Characteristics

• family: Anacardiaceae

• urushiols

• leaves more lobed than poison ivy and fuzzy in texture

• plants form small shrubs

• grow in sandy, dry upland areas

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Oak)

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Oak)

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Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Oak)

Toxicodendron vernix (Poison Sumac) Characteristics

• family: Anacardiaceae

• more concentrated urushiols compared to poison ivy and oak

• compound leaves with 7-13 leaflets; center petiole is typically red

• can grow up to 6m in height

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Toxicodendron vernix (Poison Sumac)

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Toxicodendron vernix (Poison Sumac)

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Toxicodendron vernix (Poison Sumac)

Magnolia grandifloria (Southern Magnolia) Characteristics

• MS’s state tree and flower

• waxy leaves with rusty hairs on underside

• large, white flowers; beetle pollinated

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Magnolia grandifloria (Southern Magnolia)

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Magnolia grandifloria (Southern Magnolia)

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Magnolia grandifloria (Southern Magnolia)

Hibiscus aculeatus (Comfortroot) Characteristics

• family: Malvaceae

• small, annual woody shrub

• flowers cream with reddish center

• palmately-lobed leaves

• plant covered in sharp, bristly hairs (stellate hairs)

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Hibiscus aculeatus (Comfortroot)

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Hibiscus aculeatus (Comfortroot)

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Hibiscus aculeatus (Comfortroot)

Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane) Characteristics

• family: Apiaceae

• leaves are leathery, pinnately compound

• carrot-like smell when broken

• can grow up to 3m tall

• inflorescences in umbels

• prefers most habitats

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Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane)

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Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane)

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Oxypolis rigidior (Cowbane)

Liatris sp. Characteristics

• family: Asteraceae

• an herbaceous species found in Longleaf Pine Savannahs

• purple flowers are formed on a spiked inflorescence

• can grow up to 6ft tall

• part of the sunflower family (largest plant family)

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Liatris sp. 

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Liatris sp. 

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Liatris sp.