The Pike School Nature Trail Guide

CO M M ON P L A N T S O F T H E

NAT U R E T R A I L

Herbaceous Plants CINNAMON FERN Tall fern with lance-shaped fronds that fan out from base.

Stems often covered with cinnamon-colored hairs. Tall brown sporophytes rise from center of green fronds.

Ht. 3-6’

CANADA MAYFLOWER Star-shaped white flowers in feathery clusters appear in May. Leaves carpet forest floor in 1-3’s. Red berries attract birds.

Ht. 2-8”

JEWELWEED Found in moist soil and shade.

Orange-yellow flowers droop from stems. Called “touchme-nots” due to exploding seed pods. Loved by deer and hummingbirds. Ht. 1-5’

FIG BUTTERCUP Introduced from Europe, invasive.

Forms green blanket in early spring in wet areas. Yellow flowers in April; plants disappear by June. Displaces native wildflowers, especially Marsh Marigolds. Ht. 4-6” TRILLIUM Relative of lily, in shaded areas.

Showy 3-petal white flowers in May droop beneath 3 large, lined leaves.

Can be confused with Jack in the Pulpit but leaves are equidistant and round. Ht. 10-20”

Trees

NORWAY MAPLE Used as shade tree in backyards; leaves have pointed ends; bark has regular vertical ridges; yellow flowers and fall foliage; first maple to bloom in spring, last to lose leaves in fall. Ht. 60’

RED MAPLE Most common tree in Pike woods, named for leaf color in fall and reddish tinge to bark and flowers.

Older tree bark deeply furrowed; leaves 3-lobed on red stems. Ht. 70’

TUPELO OR BLACK GUM Slow growing, medium size tree with large range. Prefers wet woods. Leaves scarlet in fall; bark mottled and flaky.

Flowers source of nectar for bees, fruit popular with birds. Ht. 30-50’

WHITE ASH Medium to large tree with diamond shaped furrows in bark; compound leaves with 7 leaflets. Wood used for baseball bats. Ht. 50-80’

Bushes DEVIL’S WALKING STICK Palm-like shrub native to U.S. Southeast.

Sharp spines on stems and branches. Stem naked with large leaf canopy. Puff of flowers (July-Aug) and berries on top attracts birds/ insects. Medicinal uses. Ht. 10-20’

BUCKTHORN Introduced from Europe, invasive.

Multiple stems at base. Leafs out early in spring, stays green into fall. Leaves dark green, pointed at tip. Bark brown-grey, orange underneath, no wildlife value. Ht. 10-25’

HONEYSUCKLE Foliage emerges early in spring, stays late into fall. Branches papery and pale brown. Leaves oval, smooth. Flowers fragrant, tubular, yellow or white. Good food for wildlife. Ht. 10’ JAPANESE BARBERRY Introduced from Japan, invasive. Thorns at leaf base. Foliage greener in deep woods, reddish in open. Yellow flowers in May. Red berries present all winter, eaten by birds. Ht. 2-3’ SPICEBUSH Leaves, twigs, buds all aromatic when crushed.

Yellow flowers in May; leaves oval and smooth, turn yellow in fall. Valuable food for wildlife, host to butterflies. Ht. 12’ WINGED EUONYMOUS Introduced from Asia, now invasive. Called “Burning Bush” due to scarlet fall color. Cork-like “winged” stems. Pale yellow flowers in May, red-purple berries in fall. Ht. 5-10’

Herbaceous Plants LILY OF THE VALLEY White or pink bell-like flowers in late spring. Spreads by underground roots so can appear in large colonies. 6-9 “ leaves taper to a point. Sweet smelling flowers but all plant parts very poisonous. Ht. 12”

FALSE SOLOMON’S SEAL Found in moist woods.

Narrow leaves are 3-6” long and alternate. Produces white flowers in fuzzy cluster in late spring.

Ht. 1-3’ ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET Introduced from Asia, very invasive. Grows on ground and as smooth, woody vine.

Leaves glossy with fine toothed edges. Yellow-orange berries in fall eaten by birds.

Shades out other plants, strangles trees.

POISON IVY Can exist as groundcover, vine, or treelike shrub. Groups of 3 leaflets, often notched, with center one on longer stalk; can be toothed or smooth, glossy or not glossy. Hairy vines. Leaves change color by season.Causes rash in all seasons and when burned. Berries eaten and spread by birds.

SKUNK CABBAGE Large leafed plant in wet areas.

Appears in early spring as reddishbrown pod containing yellow flowers.

Leaves emit stinky odor to attract insects to flowers. Shelter and food for birds/insects; poisonous to mammals (like us!) Ht. 1-3’

SENSITIVE FERN Most common fern in wetlands. Yellow-green fronds indented into wavy-toothed divisions.

Brown bead-like sporophytes most visible in fall and winter. Fronds sensitive to early frost.

Ht. 2-4’

Herbaceous Plants STARFLOWER Appear in large groupings in shady woods. Whorls of 5-10 narrow leaves at top of stalk; 2-3 star-shaped white flowers appear in May. Go dormant in summer. Ht. 4”

VIRGINIA CREEPER A native parasitic climbing vine. 5 green leaflets, red in fall, can be 3-7” long. Often confused with Poison Ivy but has 5 toothed leaves, not 3. Berries eaten by wildlife but poisonous to humans. Length 50’

WILD STRAWBERRY Creeping plant with runners, in open areas or trailsides. Five-petaled white blossoms with yellow centers. Leaves in sets of 3, toothed and separated. Red fruit sweeter and smaller than cultivar. Ht. 6”

WILD GERANIUM Found in shady woods.

Five-petaled pink-purple flowers, 1” across. Finely cut coarse, gray-green leaves. Blooms in late May.

WILD ASTER Hardy, wide-ranging plant found in open, sunny areas.

Blooms late summer to fall with blue-purple flowers with yellow center. Clasping leaves and rough stems. Ht. 1-6’

JACK IN THE PULPIT Looks like minister in a pulpit; flower has green hood with brown stripes. Blooms in May, red berries in July-Aug. 3 large green leaflets, confused with Trillium but leaflets form T.

Trees

AMERICAN BEECH Pale gray, smooth bark; trunk can grow large with spreading branches.

Recognized by tendency to hold onto straw–colored leaves in winter. Beech nuts are valuable food for wild turkeys. Ht. 50-70’

BLACK CHERRY Dark, scaly bark covers dark red wood used for furniture. Fruits valuable to birds; fragrant white flowers droop in clusters in early spring. Ht. 60’

BLACK WALNUT Grows in groups, not friendly to other trees due to toxin produced in soil. Dark bark and beautiful wood.

Leaflets are pointed and narrow on compound leaves. Ht. 50-75’

EASTERN WHITE PINE Important evergreen tree for lumber, historically used for masts on sailing ships. Identified by large size, broken branches on trunk base, 4” needles in bundles of 5. Ht. 100’

NORTHERN RED OAK Stately tree with broad, smooth ridges on bark. Large acorns 1”. Leaves have shallow pointed lobes perpendicular to stem. Wood used for furniture and flooring. Ht. 90’