STRATUM COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DESCRIPTION Trees Balsam Fir Abies balsamea Tall evergreen (40-60'); cones provide food for wildlife. Trees Box Elder Acer negundo Medium height; fast growing; song birds and Maple squirrels eat seeds. Trees Red Maple Acer rubrum Fast growing tree (60-75'); brilliant red fall foliage; seed, sap, and buds provide food for wildlife Trees Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Rapid growing shade tree (60-80'); seeds eaten by birds Trees River Birch Betula nigra Fast growing medium height tree (50-70'); commonly found on stream banks. Trees ray Birch Betula populifolia Fast growing smaller tree (20-40') sometimes multi-stemmed; tolerates poor soil. Trees Atlantic White Chamaecyparis Native bog tree that colonizes swamps where Cedar thyoides little else will grow; tolerates wet or dry soils. Trees Black ash Fraxinus nigra Large tree (75') adapted to forested wetlands; seeds eaten by many birds. Trees White Ash Fraxinus Fast growing tree good for buffer planting; americana provides food and cover for wildlife. Trees reen Ash Fraxinus Fast growing tall tree; tolerates wide range of pennsylvanica soil conditions and partial shade; provides food and cover for various birds Trees Eastern Red Juniperus rows to 30'; blue berries are eaten by Trees Cedar American Larch/ Tamarack virginiana Larix laricana wildlife. Medium tall tree; only native deciduous conifer of NE; needles and seeds provide food for grouse and other wildlife. Trees Black um Nyssa sylvatica Medium to large tree; grows in forested wetlands ad moist woods Trees Black Spruce Picea mariana Important tree of northern bogs; can withstand periodic flooding; cones are food for wildlife. Trees White Spruce/ Canadian Spruce CATEORY *see below + U U Picea glauca rows to 60'; prefers gravelly soil. U Trees Jack Pine Pinus banksiana rows to 30'; adaptable to most soils, even almost pure sand; extremely hardy. Trees White Pine Pinus strobus Tall common pine of upland forests (80-110'); provides cover for many species of wildlife and owls. Trees Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoides Very fast growing tree (75-100') common to flood plains; expansive root system makes plant good for soil stabilization; buds and catkins provide good food source for grouse, finches, and other song birds. U U 1
Trees Black Cherry Prunus serotina Species grows taller (60-80') than chokecherry; cherries provide good source of food for animals and song birds Trees Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Bushy tree (25') with white flowers in spring; Trees Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor dark red fruit; drought tolerant Majestic, widely spreading crown; tolerates seasonal flooding and drought; acorns feed many birds and animals Trees Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra Common tree of northeast; good buffer zone species. Trees Pin Oak Quercus palustris Wetalnd oak helps stabilze bottom land soils subject to flooding; important food source for wildlife. Trees Black Willow Salix nigra Very fast growing tree of medium height; expansive root system stabizes soil; provides a good food source for song birds. Trees Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis rows to 60-70'; provides dense cover and brouse for deer in winter; offers good visual screening Speckled Alder Alnus rugosa rows to 25'; tolerateswet conditions and infertile soils; attractive yellowish-brown catkins in March; tiny brown "cones" in fall and winter. Shadblow/ Serviceberry Red Chokeberry Black Chokeberry Amelanchier canadensis Upright, tall shrub (12'+); attractive white flowers before foliages emerges in spring; berries eaten by birds; good wetland buffer zone shrub. Aronia arbutifolia Medium size shrub (6-8'); small white or pinkish flowers in spring; persistent red berries are eaten by wildlife in winter. Aronia melanocarpa Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata Low buffer zone shrub (2-4'); white or pinkish flowers in spring; small, black juicy berries are eaten by many birds. Medium size shrub with white globular flowers in summer; prefers soils flooded or saturated for long periods of time; nutlets are food for ducks and other birds. Low growing shrub (4 ) with small brownishgreen foliage; small heath-like white flowers along arching branches; forms dense mat in boggy areas. U U + U- + 2
Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alnifolia Medium size shrub found in wetlands, but tolerates drier sites; sweet smelling white flowers in July; provides food and cover for birds. Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum Fast growing, clump forming, medium shrub (5-8'); reddish winter color on young stems; white flowers in June; blue fruit eaten by many animals; provides nesting and cover for birds. ray Dogwood Cornus racemosa Medium (10 ) shrub that grows in wide range of soil conditions; tolerates shade well; white fruit is eaten by birds in fall. Red Osier Dogwood Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina Cockspur Hawthorn Cornus sericea Rapidly growing, spreading shrub reaches 6-10'; showy red stems in winter; berries and twigs provide food for wide variety of widelife; good for stream bank stabilization. Crataegus crusgali Black Huckleberry aylussaica baccata Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana Low shrub (2-5') of sandy and gravelly sites; spreads by sending out horizonal roots. Tall shrub (8-12') of upland forests; provides protective cover for nesting and red applelike berries are important winter food source for birds. Low growing shrub ; produces black berries eaten by many wildlife species Tall shrub or small tree;grows in moist woodlands; tolerates partial sun to shade; small yellow flowers in fall; seeds, buds, and twigs provide food for wildlife. Inkberry Ilex glabra Medium rounded shrub (6 ); fast growing, stoloniferous; ideal for mass plantings; tolerates moist soils and partial shade; disease resistant. Winterberry Holly\ Black Alder Mountain Laurel Common Spicebush Ilex verticillata Kalmia latifolia Lindera benzoin Medium to tall shrub of wetlands; shade, partial shade, or full sun; bright red berries persist in winter and are important wildlife food source; male and female plants are available. Vigoruous, wide, upright (10') shrub; slow growing; glossy evergreen foliage; white to pink flowers; sun to shade. Medium shrub found in seasonal wetlands and moist woods; red fruit is important food + + UPL U U - - + U - 3
Northern Bayberry Myrica pennsylvanica Mountain Holly Nemmopanthus micronatus Rhodora Rhododendron canadense reat Laurel/ Rosebay Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum Swamp Azalea Rhododendron viscosum Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina source for many birds and primary food of larval Spicebush swallowtail butterflies. Medium size (4-7') coastal shrub with persistent leaves through winter; waxy berries provide winter food for many songbirds; green flowers present through April. Medium size shrub (5-7'); velvety red berries; small indistinct greenish-yellow flowers. Deciduous shrub (1-3 ) with terminal clusters of lavendar flowers; grows in moist wooded areas, bogs, and wet slopes; small dusty green leaves appear after flowers and turn bronze in fall before dropping. Large evergreen shrub (5-35 ) with terminal clusters of pinkish white cup-shaped flowers; grows in damp woodlands and forested wetlands. Deciduous medium tall shrub with attractive form and foliage; grows in forested wetlands and swamp edges; attractive and aromatic flowers after leaves emerge; prefers partial shade. Fast growing large shrub (15') that spreads by root suckering; found in dry sandy to moist areas; red fruit is food for birds. Swamp Rose Rosa palustris Rose with attractive pink flowers; medium size (5-7'); green foliage becomes multicolored in fall; rose hips are food for many birds including cardinals, wild turkeys, wood thrushes, and mockingbirds; provides nesting habitat for many birds. Virginia Rose Rosa virginiana Medium size shrub (6'); large pink flowers; persistent small red fruit;tolerates adverse conditions. Pussy Willow Salix discolor Meduim-large shrub found in swamps and along streams; fuzzy flowers in spring;valuable food source for many wildlife species; good erosion control plants. Sand Bar Willow Salix exigua Low growing shrub (2-4') considered excellent for streambed restoration and erosion control for sandy and gravelly sites. 4
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis Medium height shrub; fast growing; spreads by root sprouts; found growing in wet meadows and marshes; white umbrell flowers in summer forms black fruit in fall; fruit is valued food source for many bird species. Meadowsweet Spirea latifolia Low shrub (2-4'); grows in wet or moist fields; attractive white to pinkish flowers in summer. - Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium augusttifolium Wild Raisin Vaccinium cassinoides - Highbush Blueberry American Cranberry Witherod Viburnum Arrowwood Viburnum/ Northern Arrowwood Vaccinium corymbosum Vaccinium macrocarpon Viburnum cassinoides Viburnum dentatum Much smaller (1 ) and drier species of blueberry than Highbush blueberry; brilliant autumn foliage; provides dense cover and food for smaller species of wildlife including Bobwhite and Eastern box turtles. Medium to tall shrub (6-10') found in swamps and forested wetlands; white flowers produce dark blue berries. Medium shrub with interesting branching habit; aromatic flowers in spring; berries highly valued as wildlife food source; brilliant red fall foliage; thrives in acid soil; tolerates shade. Provides low (8-10 ) spreading ground cover and important food source for wildlife; attractive pink flowers and red berries. Woodland shrub (5') with small white flowers in June; dense, rounded, slow-growing; fruit changes from green to red to blue-black in September. Medium shrub (6-12') common in shrub swamps and forested wetlands; toerlates partial shade; flat-topped creamy white flowers in May/June; blue fruit in October; durable and adaptable for hedging and dense plantings. Nannyberry Viburnum lentago Tall growing elliptical leaf viburnum with arching branches; forms clumps; white flowers in late spring;black berries form in late summer/early fall. - + U- - - American Cranberrybush Viburnum trilobum Maple-leaf type viburnum; vigorous grower; medium height (10');white umbrel flowers in May/June; red berries in fall and winter; 5
tolerates full shade; grows in moist woods and bogs; important food source for birds. Sweetflag Acorus calamus Long sword-shaped leaves; grows up to 4' tall; found in wet meadows and on muddy stream banks advancing into water - - Bog Rosemary Bearberry Andromeda polifolia Arctostaphylos uvi-ursa Water Plantain Alisma plantagoaquatica Swamp Ascelepias Milkweed incarnata Butterfly Ascelepias Milkweed tuberosa New England Aster Aster novaeangliae Evergreen groundcover 2 high, narrow leathery leaves with whitish undersides become plum colored with a silvery sheen in winter; white to pale pink flowers in clusters. Fast-spreading evergreen groundcover (4-6 high) for sunny locations; grows well in poor soils and sand; glossy green foliage turns bronze in winter; small whitish bell-shaped flowers; scarlet berries. rows in wet soils and into shallow water; waterfowl, beaver, and muskrat feed on plant. Attractive plant reaching 4'; flowers ranging from pink to purple in color. Dark green willow-like foliage (18-24 ); bright orange flower heads in July-August; attracts butterflies. Late blooming flower usually blooming in early fall; commonly has violet flowers, but may vary from rose to magenta. Swamp Aster Aster puniceus rows in swamps and wet meadows; flowers range from light violet to blue-violet. Blue Joint Calamagrostis Common grass of northern bogs and swamps; rass canadensis forms clumps or hummocks on wet sites. Marsh Caltha palutris Wetland plant with bright yellow flowers; Marigold entire plant is eaten by deer; seeds are food source for various birds. Bearded sedge Carex comosa Clump-forming sedge which grows to 2-4'; provides cover for many wetland birds including Virginia and Sora rails. - + Fringed Sedge Carex crinita Shade tolerant sedge; also thrives in full sun. Bladder Sedge Carex Sedge forming clumps in wetlands 1-2.5' in + intumescens height; provides cover for wildlife and species diversity to wetlands. Lake Sedge Carex lacustris Medium height Sedge on non-tidal marshes, swamps and lakeshores; provides cover for many wetland birds. Hop Sedge Carex lupulina Sedge similar in form to C. intumescens, but 6
taller (2-4') and has less inflated seed sac; prefers sites wetter than C. intumescens. Lurid Sedge Carex lurida Excellent pioneer species; grows to 3' in height; thrives in disturbed sandy or gravelly sites. Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pennsylvanica Low upland sedge commonly found in oak forests; spreads by stolons; forms patches over large areas. Tussock Sedge Carex stricta Hummock-forming sedge; used by geese and other birds for nesting. Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoides Sedge common to wet meadows; provides good cover for nesting birds. Turtlehead Chelone glabra Small plant (1-3'); produces attractive white flower in mid to late summer. - Bunchberry Stout Wood- Reedgrass Three-Way Sedge Mayflower/ Trailing Arbutus Cornus candensis Erect stems from creeping rootstock have white bracts above whorl of leaves; 3-8 high; develops tight cluster of bright red berry-like drupes Cinna arundinacea Dulichium arundinaceum Epigaea repens Spike Rush Eleocharis palustris Joe-Pye Weed Eupatoriaadelphus maculatus/purpureus - Wintergreen/ Teaberry/ Checkerberry aultheria procumbens Tall grass (3-5'); provides excellent cover for wildlife and species diversity to wetlands; grows in moist wooded areas. Species can form dense mats (1-2') of vegetation in bogs and wet meadows; provides excellent cover for smaller wildlife. State flower of MA; prostrate-growing with leathery foliage and waxy light pink to white flowers; thrives in partial shade in rich humus-type acid soil. rows in dense clumps as high as 3'; provides good soil stabilization, cover, and food for various wildlife. Tall (6'+) wet meadow plant; provides cover for a variety of wildlife. Creeping groundcover (3 ) of woodlands; bright green foliage turns reddish in autumn; pinkish white flowers; long lasting red berries; thrives in acidic, rich woodsy soil. Fowl Manna rass lyceria canadensis Tall grass (5'); provides excellent cover for wildlife. Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor Beautiful blue flowers on green sword-like leaves; rhizomes anchor soil in marshes, wet meadows, and wetlands subject to flooding. UPL - + / U 7
Canada Rush Juncus canadensis rows in bogs and hummocks; adds diversity to planting plan. Soft Rush Juncus effusus ood pioneer species; provides cover for wildlife; root system offers erosion protection. Rice rass Leersia oryzoides Tall grass (4'); provides excellent protective cover for wildlife. Cardinal Lobelia cardinalis Brilliant red flowers add color to wetlands Flower and attract hummingbirds. reat Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica Medium height perennial (5 ) forming terminal spikes with blue flowers in August- Septemeber; found in forested wetlands, stream banks, and freshwater marshes. Ostrich Fern Matteuccia Attractive 4' fern with beautifully shaped struthiopteris fronds; common fern of flood plains. - Partridgeberry Mitchella repens Trailing evergreen creeper (4-12 ) with funnel-shaped white flowers; red edible berry-like fruit; dry or moist woodlands. Monkey Flower Mimulus ringens Flower of wet meadows and stream banks; grows to 3'; beautiful lavendar flowers in summer. Yellow Water Lily White Water Lily Nuphar luteum rows in water up to 3' deep; provides shade and cover for fish and macroinvertebrates; waterfowl and wildlife feed on seeds and leaves; good in detention basins. Nymphea odorata rows in water from several inches to 5' deep; provides food for beavers, waterfowl, and other wildlife; provides cover for fish and amphibians; grows well in detention basins. Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis Common fern found in forested wetlands and wet meadows; provides cover in a variety of wet conditions. Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea Fern common to woodlands; provides foraging areas for wildlife; Ruby-throated hummingbirds line their nests with fur from stem Royal Fern Osmunda regalis Attractive fern often found in wet conditions; graceful with blue-green stems on mature plants; provides cover for wildlife. Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Tall grass (5-7') often found in drier sandy soils along upland edge of marsh; good + + U 8
- Virginia Creeper/ Woodbine Parthenocissus quinquefolia Arrow Arum Peltandra virginica forage species; leaves provide food for deer and other wildlife; birds eat seeds. Vigorous creeping vine with large, deeply lobed leaves which turn scarlet in autumn. Deep green plant that grows along pond and lake edges; provides cover and food for waterfowl; improves water quality. Fowl Bluegrass Poa palustris Tall grass (3.5') of marsh edges and and wet meadows; forms dense stands that exclude other wetland species; wildlife and ground nesting birds use grass for cover and nesting. Water Smartweed Polygonum amphibium Solomon s Seal Polygonum biflorum Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata Ribbon-leaf Potamogeton Pondweed epihydrus Long-leaf Potamogeton Pondweed nodosus Sago Pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus Northern Arrowhead/ Duck Potato Hard-Stem Bulrush Sagittaria latifolia Scirpus acutus Form of emergent species depends on degree of wetness; aquatic form has floating leaves; terrestrial form stands erect (1-3'). Light green foliage on graceful arching stems (2-3 ); greenish white bell-shaped flowers. Purple flowers and deep green leaves add color to wetlands; provides cover for waterfowl along shore and in up to 1" of water. Excellent for uptake of dissolved phosphorus. rows in ponds and slow moving streams; provides cover for fish and food for wildlife. ood food source for waterfowl, beaver, and muskrat. ood source of food for waterfowl; provides good cover for small fish and water quality benefits. rows along shore and in up to 2' of water; important food source for waterfowl; good for water quality basins. rows well in shallows of ponds, rivers, ditches, and lakes; usually found in water up to 5' deep; removes heavy metals and nutrients. reen Bulrush Scirpus atrovirens ood soil stabilizer; many of same benefits as woolgrass; resistent to both flooding and short periods of drought. Woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus Aggressively rooting plant valuable for erosion control; provides dense cover for U 9
wildlife and web support for spiders. River Bulrush Scirpus fluviatilis Found in marshes, shores, and river banks; provides cover for waterfowl and other wildlife; excellent for bank stabilization. Common Scirpus pungens Reaches height of 4'; grows well in fresh and Three-square Saltmarsh Bulrush Soft-stem Bulrush Scirpus robustus Scirpus validus Burreed Sparganium americanum Skunk Casbbage Symplocarpus foetidus Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris Narrow-leaved Cattail Common Cattail Typha angustifolia Typha latifolia Wild Celery Vallisneria americana brackish water; provides food for waterfowl. row to 3-5' in marshes, shores, and river banks; provides cover for waterfowl and other wildlife; excellent for bank stabilization. Thrives on shorelines and shallow standing water; does well in organic or sandy soils; good erosion control species. Prefers sites along pond edges and shallows; provides food and cover for waterfowl; seeds do not stick to clothes or pets; excellent for nutrient uptake. Common plant of forested swamps and stream banks; seeds eaten by many birds. Attractive fern of bogs and wet meadows; fiddleheads provide food for birds and mammals. Very important food source for wildlife; provides excellent cover; takes up heavy metals and other pollutants improving water quality; salt tolerant. Very important food source for wildlife; provides good cover; takes up heavy metals and other pollutants improving water quality; Perennial submerged aquatic plant; provides excellent cover for small fish and food for waterfowl and adult fish; excellent in wet detention basins. Blue Vervain Verbena hastata Small blue flowers; provides food for rabbits, muskrats, mice and larval Verbena moth; seeds eaten by birds. + + Blue Marsh Violet Viola cucullata Erect deeply divided dark green foliage (4-10 ); clump-forming; light blue flowers in March-June; seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. UPL 10
Northern White Violet Viola pallens Dark green kidney-shaped foliage (10 ); clump-forming; white flowers in April-May; found in wet woods and beside brooks; seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Birdfoot Violet Viola pedata Erect heart-shaped leaves (10 ); clumpforming; violet blue flowers in April-June; found in forested wetlands and wet soils; seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis Shorter (3-7'), but similar to Joe-Pye Weed; flowers range from pink to blue and form more open clusters. + + *CATEORY KEY: U UPL Plants that almost always occur in wetlands under natural conditions. Plants that usually occur in wetlands, but occasionally are found in nonwetlands. Plants that are equally likely to occur in wetlands and non-wetlands. Plants that usually occur in non-wetlands, but occasionally are found in wetlands. Plants that almost always occur in non-wetlands under natural conditions. Note that when a + sign follows a designation it means slightly wetter; a - sign means slightly drier. PLANT SOURCES: New England Wetland Plants, Inc. Weston Nurseries 800 Main St. E. Main St. (Route 135), PO Box 186 Amherst, MA 01002 Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: (413) 256-1752 Phone: (508) 435-3414 Russell's Nursery Boston Post Road (RT. 20) Wayland, MA 01778 Southern Tier Consulting, Inc. 2701-A Route 305, PO Box 30 West Clarksville, NY 14786 Phone: (716) 968-3120 11