Chapter 1
Introduction
Why it is Important to Preserve Open Space
Safeguarding the natural resources and processes that provide benefits for all of us (such as clean
air, clean water, waste decomposition, and nutrient recycling) ranks among the greatest contemporary environmental challenges. In 1968 Garrett Hardin published a landmark paper entitled
“The Tragedy of the Commons” in which he described the consequences of our failure to take
individual or collective ownership of vital ecosystem components. The subsequent passage by
the federal government of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act,
and the Environmental Quality Act in the late 1960s and early 1970s was an important regulatory
step taken to protect these vital functions of the environment. However, the continuing reality of
global warming, species extinctions, dwindling water supplies, depletion of fisheries, and collapse of ecosystems is compelling proof that stronger action is needed.
The intention in this update of the Montgomery County Natural Areas Inventory is to identify
landscapes of several thousand acres each in which important ecological functions can be preserved and or restored, and to outline management strategies needed to promote the continuation
of those essential ecological functions.
Ecosystem Services
Open space protects the life support system for humans as well as wildlife. While we humans
may not live directly in the fields, forests or streams, we depend on those natural systems to carry
out essential ecosystem services such as water purification, oxygen production, and waste decomposition. Other services provided by natural systems include ground water recharge, flood
control, soil building, climate moderation, pollination, and mineral recycling. Natural systems
also contain a reservoir of biological diversity in the myriad organisms large and small that are
part of functioning ecosystems.
Stream Health – We withdraw water from aquifers, streams and reservoirs, use it, treat it, and
return it to the natural system for further purification. Even after household wastewater has
passed through a sewage treatment facility and been discharged into a stream, more cleansing
takes place as the flowing water is exposed to sun and oxygen from the atmosphere and the action of microorganisms. If a stream receives too much waste, its ability to restore water quality
may be exceeded, leading to algae blooms and fish kills. Flow in the Wissahickon Creek, for
example, can be as much as 90 percent sewage treatment plant effluent during periods of drought
when many of the stream’s smaller tributaries dry up.
The health of our streams is also dependent on sufficient ground water to maintain stable minimum flow year round. Protecting open space insures that there are forested areas where rain and
melting snow can soak into the ground, thus maintaining the underground aquifer that feeds the
streams. Soil permeability is greatest in forested land; however, with the loss of natural vegeta-
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
tion, runoff increases and ground water recharge is reduced. When too much of the land surface
is covered with impermeable or less permeable surfaces such as roofs, paving, and even lawns,
water cannot penetrate as well.
Water Supply – A lowered water table can have a negative impact on water supply, aquatic
habitats, and soil erosion. Ten percent of Montgomery County residents and approximately 30
percent of the public water systems in the county depend on wells. Reductions in the water table
may mean that wells go dry, which could leave these residents and purveyors without a reliable
water supply. In addition, streams may have drastically reduced flow between storms, especially
in the summer, which results in the loss of aquatic habitat. Furthermore, when rainstorms occur,
the rapid runoff from impervious surfaces results in frequent flooding, accompanied by scouring.
These conditions leave little life in the streams. Bank erosion is accelerated and suspended silt
further degrades water quality.
Because the water cycle’s proper functioning is closely related to the existence of open space
we must carefully manage the impact development is having on our streams, to insure that water
supplies remain reliable into the future.
Floodplains – Floodplains are an important part of the hydrological system. Formed by the action of streams over time, floodplains are the waterway’s safety valve. They provide a place for
water to spread out during periods of high flow. The speed of water movement is slowed and silt
is deposited, building up alluvial floodplain terraces. Floodplains have their own community of
plants and animals that are adapted to occasional inundation.
Carbon Sequestration – Forests and other natural vegetation remove carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis, and incorporate it into carbon-containing
compounds in plant tissue and organic resides such as leaf litter. Carbon sequestration is an
important process for slowing the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere that has been linked to
climate change.
Quality of Life
A network of open space makes Montgomery County a more desirable place to
live, visit, and work through protection
of its distinctive resources. Studies have
shown that open space and associated
amenities such as trails are often considered by businesses looking to relocate.
For residents, quality of life benefits
include the following areas:
Spring-beauty is a common early spring wildflower in moist woods
Recreation – The popularity of the
throughout the county
Schuylkill and Perkiomen Trails is evidence of the demand for outdoor recreation opportunities such as bicycling and hiking. Natural
areas foster peace of mind, enjoyment, and recreation through such activities as bird watching,
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
wild flower observation, nature photography, hunting, and fishing. Bird watching, in particular,
is a rapidly growing outdoor activity with many local adherents. Pennsylvania Audubon’s designation of three Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the county has further stimulated this interest.
In addition, wildflower diversity, which is especially high in the areas of diabase geology in the
western part of the county (see section of geology and physiography below), has long stimulated
the interest of local amateur botanists.
Health – A quiet walk in the woods can provide a respite from the human-dominated landscape
and restore one’s mental and spiritual health. Merely driving a scenic country road can provide
relaxation and pleasure. In addition, outdoor active recreation provides health benefits by promoting physical activity such as walking, bicycling, and jogging.
Economic – Open space can benefit communities through the positive economic impact that they
can generate. New businesses may choose to locate in the area due to open space amenities that
enhance community attractiveness and redevelopment initiatives. In addition, preserved open
space often increases surrounding property values.
Social/Cultural – Montgomery County’s network of open space contributes to community
building by linking communities along trails and greenways. It offers places where people can
interact with other members of the community. People may also build pride in their community
assets such as heritage areas, farms, and rural areas. Residents and visitors can also choose to
take advantage of educational opportunities that the out-of-doors provides.
Study Methods
Designation of Landscapes
In commissioning a re-examination of natural areas in Montgomery County, the planning commission specified a “systems” approach focused on “sustainable landscapes.” Our first step was
to examine aerial photography of the county looking for areas that retained a high percentage of
forest cover. Using ArcGIS version 9 and spatial data sets obtained from the planning commission and Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) website we created overlays of the highest
priority sites from the 1995 Natural Areas Inventory, publicly owned land, floodplains, and wetlands. We also took into consideration planned and existing trail corridors and areas designated
as Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
By drawing polygons that included areas of continuous, or nearly continuous, forest cover we
identified 13 conservation landscapes, each with a core area of protected land (Figure 1.1). Not
surprisingly, the landscapes were either rocky areas of diabase geology or riparian corridors. All
but one of the 18 highest priority sites from the previous Natural Areas Inventory were included
in our landscapes. Norritonville Woods was excluded because it did not meet the criteria for
connectivity or presence of a core area of protected land.
The intent of taking a landscape approach to open space preservation is to maximize the potential for long-term sustainability of individual sites by protecting the landscape context and
enhancing connectivity. The landscapes, at several thousand acres each, are intended to be
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big enough to preserve important ecological functions critical to maintaining the life support
system for the county as a whole. This approach will be implemented through a combination
of public and private ownership, easements, and voluntary implementation of appropriate management strategies and techniques.
Survey Methods
Surveys were conducted of selected tracts within each landscape to document elements of biological diversity including plants, plant communities, reptiles and amphibians, and birds. Of
necessity, surveys were focused on publicly owned land and private lands where permission to
enter could be obtained. Two years is not enough time to conduct a complete inventory; an ongoing program is needed to examine additional sites and continue to monitor conditions.
Plant Diversity – Vegetation surveys were carried out by Drs. Ann F. Rhoads and Timothy
A. Block. The plant lists were obtained by surveying core areas in each landscape during
2006 - 2007. Most sites were visited several times at different seasons to record the maximum number of species. Botanical searches employed random walk techniques as well as
targeted searches of each habitat type present at a site. Plant identification and nomenclature
follow The Plants of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, by Rhoads and Block. Herbarium specimens were collected of selected plants and deposited in the herbarium of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. Occurrences of state-listed plants were reported to
the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program database.
Plant Communities – Quantitative data on forest composition were obtained by placing 100meter transects at selected locations throughout the landscapes. These transects were used to
sample the composition of the canopy, shrub, and seedling layers of the forest using the point
quarter method for canopy trees, three 100 meter square plots for shrubs, and ten 1 meter square
plots for herbaceous plants. The relative importance value (RIV) for each species observed was
calculated with a formula that uses data on cover, frequency,
and abundance of each species. RIV data were used to assign
specific forest types to each plant community and to assess the
extent of deer browse and its impact on the forest composition
and structure.
Reptiles and Amphibians – Surveys of reptiles and amphibians were conducted by Marlin Corn, naturalist, who was a
subcontractor employed by the Morris Arboretum. Surveys
were conducted of selected areas in each of the conservation landscapes using standard survey techniques including
General Herpetological Collecting and Anuran Calling Surveys during breeding seasons. General collecting included
traveling through the survey areas on foot observing exposed
animals and searching under cover objects such as logs, rocks
and other debris, searching wetlands at night with a flashlight,
and driving roads near areas of probable habitat at night during wet weather during amphibian breeding seasons. Turtles
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Tim Block and intern, Carolyn
Beans, collecting data on forest
composition
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
13
were also searched for using binoculars or a spotting scope and by canoe and/or kayak. A
global positioning system (GPS) receiver was used to record locations and all finds were also
documented with photographs.
The Setting
Geology and Physiography
The geology of Montgomery County is dominated by Newark Basin sedimentary rocks of Triassic and early Jurassic origin which comprise the Piedmont Lowlands (Figure 1.2). From north
to south, the Brunswick Formation consisting of red shale, mudstone, and siltstone, gives way to
a band of argillite and shale of the Lockatong Formation. Stockton Formation sandstones occupy the southeastern edge of the basin. The northwestern part of the county is also marked by
a series of diabase dikes and sills that were intruded as molten magma into the Brunswick shale
during the early Jurassic period. Subsequent erosion of the softer shale has created ridges and
uplands where the more resistant diabase is exposed.
These boulder-strewn diabase landscapes are often erroneously assumed
to have been created by glaciers;
however, Montgomery County is well
south of the southernmost extent of
glaciation in Pennsylvania. Diabase
intrusions are generally bordered by a
zone of hornfels, partially metamorphosed shales created by the heat of
the intruded magma.
Diabase boulder fields in which the rocks
ring when tapped with a hammer are
The boulder field at Ringing Rocks Park
present at two sites in Montgomery
County and three in Bucks County (Box 1.1). The boulder fields are characterized by an open
expanse of rocks lacking intervening vegetation. A line from Bridgeport to Norristown and Fort
Washington marks the western edge of a complex band of older rocks including quartzite, gneiss,
schist, and limestone referred to as the Piedmont Uplands, which occupies the extreme southeastern part of the county.
Box 1.1 — Why the Rocks Ring
Diabase boulder fields with rocks that ring with a clear bell-like tone when tapped with a hammer exist
at two locations in Montgomery County, Ringing Rocks Park (Stone Hills Conservation Landscape)
and Fulshaw Craeg Preserve (Unami/Ridge Valley Creek Conservation Landscape). The boulder
fields are characterized by an open expanse of rocks lacking intervening vegetation. The ringing is
due to weathering of the outer layer of the boulders, which creates tension on the core. Strain resulting from the tension alters the resonant frequency of the rock. Similar rocks in the shade of adjacent
woodlands do not ring, nor do all of the rocks in the open areas. Apparently even partial shading by
lichens or adjacent boulders is enough to alter the weathering process such that the inner tension does
not develop (Gibbons and Schlossman 1970).
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Montgomery County does not include any areas of Tertiary or Quaternary (recent) sediments associated with the Atlantic Coastal Plain, although an area of quartzite and sandstone near Willow
Grove supports a community of coastal plain plants.
Box 1.2 — Rings of Diabase Rock
Circular formations several miles in diameter consisting of diabase ridges surround the Red Hill/
Pennsburg/East Greenville and New Hanover areas in Upper Montgomery County. A similar
formation exists around Quakertown in Bucks County. These unusual geologic formations are
thought to have originated when diabase sheets were intruded into the existing Brunswick shale
about 200 million years ago. As the diabase layer spread horizontally it responded to variations in
the overlying topography. Where there was a hill, greater downward pressure created a depression in the diabase sheet. Subsequent erosion exposed the rim, but shale continues to cover the
diabase within the basins. The only other place that formations like these have been identified is
in South Africa (Meyboum and Wallace 1978).
Two geological features in the county are identified as outstanding scenic geological features of
Pennsylvania: Port Kennedy Cave in Valley Forge National Historical Park and Ringing Rocks
near Pottstown. (A description of the Port Kennedy Cave is included in Chapter 13). We suggest
that the rings of diabase that surround the East Greenville/Pennsburg/Red Hill corridor in northern Montgomery County and the Quakertown basin in Bucks County should also be designated
as outstanding scenic geologic features (Figure 1.2 and Box 1.2).
Commercial development of mineral resources of Montgomery County has included about a
dozen early copper and lead mines. Another early enterprise involved quarrying limestone for
agricultural use and lime manufacture; kilns erected for the purpose of converting limestone to
lime are preserved in several locations. Gneiss and schist were quarried for building stone. Evidence of surface cutting of diabase boulders (also known as trap rock) for building stone, cobblestones, and curbs (Belgian blocks) is visible in the woods at many locations in upper Montgomery County. Quarrying of argillite and hornfels for construction aggregate continues today.
Climate
Montgomery County is subject to a
humid continental climate featuring
warm, humid summers and moderately
cold winters. Monthly average temperatures range from 28° F in January to 73° F in July. Average annual
precipitation is 42 inches; rainfall is
distributed throughout the year. On the
average, precipitation exceeds the loss
of moisture through evapotranspiration
except in the warmest months (June,
July, and August). The average length
of the growing season is 160 days.
Diabase ridge in the Mill Hill/Deep Creek Conservation Landscape
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Watersheds and Hydrology
Most of Montgomery County is within the Schuylkill River watershed. Upper and central portions of the county are drained by the Perkiomen Creek and its tributaries including the East
Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, Skippack Creek, Unami Creek, Swamp Creek, and Hosensack
Creek. The Perkiomen flows into the
Schuylkill River near Valley Forge
just below Audubon. In addition, several small creeks drain directly into the
Schuylkill River in the southwestern
part of the county. The Wissahickon
Creek, another tributary of the Schuylkill
River, drains the area from Lansdale
to Fort Washington. Small areas in the
eastern part of the county lie within the
Neshaminy Creek, Pennypack Creek,
Tookany Creek, and Poquessing Creek
watersheds, which drain directly to the
View of the Schuylkill River near Valley Forge in early spring
Delaware River (Figure 1.3).
Of the county’s waterways, only Valley Creek, which forms part of the boundary with Chester
County in the southeast, is classified by The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an EV (exceptional value) stream. A 1997 petition to upgrade the Unami Creek to
EV status was rejected by DEP; it is designated as HQ-TSF (high quality, trout stocked fishery).
A petition to upgrade the Upper Perkiomen to EV status and the Macoby Creek to HQ status was
submitted to DEP in December 2006.
The Stroud Water Research Center’s Schuylkill Project involves long-term sampling to monitor water quality. Montgomery County streams were rated based on an index (MAIS) reflecting
macroinvertebrate data for 10 years from 1996 to 2006.
Water quality of the Schuylkill River was severely affected by effluent from early industry and
fine particles (culm) from years of mining and transporting coal. By the 1940s it was clear that
a cleanup was needed. With funding from the federal and state governments a dredging project was undertaken starting in 1947. Desilting basins and impoundment basins for disposal
of dredge spoil were constructed. Several impoundment basins were located in Montgomery
County; one, located just below the Pawlings Road Bridge in Valley Forge National Historical
Park, now provides habitat for several rare plants.
Today, water quality in the river has improved to the point that restoration of shad has become
feasible. Fish ladders are in operation at the Fairmount Dam in Philadelphia and the Flat Rock
Dam in Lower Merion Township to facilitate the upstream migration of spawning fish. An additional ladder is under construction at Norristown and one is planned for the Black Rock Dam
above Mont Clare in 2008.
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Table 1.1 — Stream Quality Classifications for Montgomery County
Stream
DEP Classification*
Stroud MAIS Rating*
TSF
not assessed
East Branch Perkiomen Creek
TSF
not assessed
Hosensack Creek
CWF
good
WWF, MF
fair
Macoby Creek
TSF
fair
Manatawny Creek
CWF
not assessed
Mill Creek
TSF
not assessed
Mine Run
TSF
not assessed
not assessed
poor
TSF, MF
not assessed
WWF
not assessed
not assessed
poor
WWF, MF
not assessed
not assessed
poor
TSF
fair to poor
Sprogels Run
WWF
not assessed
Swamp Creek
TSF, MF
poor
not assessed
poor
Deep Creek
Lower Perkiomen Creek
Minister Creek
Pennypack Creek
Sanatoga Creek
Schlegel Run
Schuylkill River
Scioto Creek
Skippack Creek
Towamencin Creek
Unami Creek
HQ, TSF
fair
Upper Perkiomen Creek
TSF
good
Valley Creek
EV
not assessed
West Branch Perkiomen Creek
CWF
good
Wissahickon Creek
TSF
not assessed
not assessed
poor
Zacharias Creek
* CWF = cold water fishery, EV = exceptional value, HQ = high quality,
MF = migratory fishes, TSF = trout stocked fishery, WWF = warm water fishery
Biological Resources
Plant Diversity
Documentation of the flora of Montgomery has continued over the past 300 years. Bean’s 1884
history of the county included a list of 825 indigenous and naturalized plants. An essay on
botanical exploration in the county by Ann Newbold was included in Montgomery County, The
Second Hundred Years.
The current flora total includes 1,559 species of wild plants documented for Montgomery County
in the Pennsylvania Flora Database. Of those, 1065 species are native and 494 (31.7 percent) are
non-native species that have become established since European settlement. The full list, including scientific names, is included in Appendix 1.B.
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Table 1.2 — Summary of Plant Diversity in Montgomery County
Native
Aquatic plants
54
Ferns and other spore-bearing plants
Introduced
Total
9
63
49
0
49
Grasses, sedges, and rushes
228
58
286
Wildflowers and other herbaceous species
543
328
871
Trees, shrubs, and woody vines
191
99
290
1,065
494
1,559
Totals
Species of Special Concern – Sixty-three plants classified as endangered, threatened, rare,
or undetermined in Pennsylvania have been found in Montgomery County over the years.
Thirty-nine (39) have not been seen in over 50 years and are probably extirpated locally.
Small whorled pogonia, which is also listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered
Species Act, was last seen in 1929.
Of the listed plants, 22 were known from a single site, Frazier’s Bog, in Upper Moreland
Township. The bog, described as a “Coastal Plain outlier,” still exists, but few of the rare
species remain. A discussion of this site is included in the Chapter 11 on the Pennypack
Conservation Landscape.
Table 1.3 — Montgomery County Plants Classified as
Endangered, Threatened, Rare or Undetermined in Pennsylvania
(Source: Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Database)
20
Common Name
Eared false-foxglove
Scientific Name
Agalinis auriculata
Status*
G3/S1/PE
Last Observed
1950
Tall bentgrass
Agrostis altissima
Colic-root
Aletris farinosa
Coastal juneberry
Amelanchier obovalis
Puttyroot
Aplectrum hyemale
Western hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta
Missouri rockcress
Arabis missouriensis
G5?Q/S1/PE
1987
Red milkweed
Asclepias rubra
G4G5/SX/PX
1902
White milkweed
Asclepias variegata
G5/S1/TU/PE
1902
Brown sedge
Carex buxbaumii
G5/S3/TU
2006
Cloud sedge
Carex haydenii
False hop sedge
Carex lupuliformis
Mead’s sedge
Sterile sedge
Indian paintbrush
Spring coralroot
G4/SX/PX
1946
G5/S1/TU/PE
1902
G4G5/S1/TU/PE
1951
G5/S3/PR
2007
G5/S1/TU/PE
1989
G5/S1S2/TU/PT
1959
G4/S1/TU
1902
Carex meadii
G4G5/S1/TU/PE
2006
Carex sterilis
G4/S1/PT/PE
1921
Castilleja coccinea
G5/S2/TU/PT
2006
Corallorhiza wisteriana
G5/S1/TU/PE
2006
Dodder
Cuscuta campestris
G5T5/S2/N/TU
2006
Many-flowered umbrella-sedge
Cyperus lancastriensis
G5/S2/N/TU
2006
Tall tick-trefoil
Desmodium glabellum
G5/SU/TU
1907
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
American dragonhead
Dracocephalum parviflorum
G5/SH/TU
1936
Long-tubercled spike-rush
Eleocharis tuberculosa
G5/SX/PX
1898
Downy willow-herb
Epilobium strictum
G5?/S3/PE/PR
1923
Slender cotton-grass
Eriophorum gracile
G5/S1/PE
1910
Round-leaved eupatorium
Eupatorium rotundifolium
G5/S3/TU
1898
Grass-leaved goldenrod
Euthamia tenuifolia
G5/S1/PT
1946
Dwarf huckleberry
Gaylussacia dumosa
G5/SH/PE
1893
Striped gentian
Gentiana villosa
G4/S1/TU/PE
1971
Blunt manna-grass
Glyceria obtusa
G5/S1/PE
1964
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Inkberry holly
Ilex glabra
Slender blue iris
Iris prismatica
G4G5/S1/PE
1943
Small whorled pogonia
Isotria medeoloides
G2/S1/PE LT
1929
Grass-leaved sedge
Juncus biflorus
G5/S2/TU/PT
2006
Forked rush
Juncus dichotomus
G5/S1/PE
2006
Thread rush
Juncus filiformis
G5/S3/PR
1965
Sandplain wild flax
Linum intercursum
G4/S1/PE
1902
Staggerbush
Lyonia mariana
G5/S1/PE
1951
Sweetbay magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
G5/S2/PT
2006
Adder’s tongue
Ophioglossum vulgatum
G5/S1/PE
1800s
Prickly-pear cactus
Opuntia humifusa
G5/S3/PR
1946
Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
PV
2006
Long-leaf panic-grass
Panicum longifolium
G4/S1/TU/PE
1944
Shining panic-grass
Panicum lucidum
GNR/S1/TU/PE
1993
Downy phlox
Phlox pilosa
G5/S1S2/TU/PE
1993
Crested yellow orchid
Platanthera cristata
G5/SX/PX
1898
Cross-leaved milkwort
Polygala cruciata
G5/S1/PE
1898
Bushy cinquefoil
Potentilla paradoxa
G5/S1/PE
1945
Beach plum
Prunus maritima
G4/S1/PE
1907
Southern red oak
Quercus falcata
G5/S1/PE
2006
Tufted buttercup
Ranunculus fascicularis
G5/S1S2/PE
2005
Tooth-cup
Rotala ramosior
G5/S3/PR
2006
Few-flowered nutrush
Scleria pauciflora
G5/S2/PT
1899
Narrow-leaved white-topped aster
Sericocarpus linifolius
G5/S1/PE
1901
Stiff goldenrod
Solidago rigida
G5/S1/TU/PE
1989
Showy goldenrod
Solidago speciosa
G5T5/SNR/N/PT
2006
Hooded ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes romanzoffiana
G5/S1/PE
1918
Spring ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes vernalis
G5/S1/PE
1920
Bushy aster
Symphyotrichum dumosum
G5/S2/TU
1898
Long-leaved aster
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
G5/S2/PT
1902
Buffalo clover
Trifolium reflexum
G3G4/SX/PX
1899
Horse-gentian
Triosteum angustifolium
G5/S1/TU/PE
1920
Nodding pogonia
Triphora trianthophora
G3G4/SH/PE
1890
Tawny ironweed
Vernonia glauca
G5/S1/PE
1985
Possum haw viburnum
Netted chain fern
Viburnum nudum
Woodwardia areolata
G5/S1/PE
G5/S2/N/PT
1944
1993
PV
2006
G5/SX/PX
1950
* See Appendix 1.A for an explanation of status codes.
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Plant Communities
Montgomery County lies within the Piedmont section of the oak-chestnut forest region of the
eastern deciduous forest. When European settlers arrived the area was almost entirely forested
except for clearings created and maintained by Native Americans. Common canopy trees included red oak, white oak, beech, chestnut, hickory, red maple, white ash, and tuliptree. On northfacing slopes and ravines hemlock was prominent and on dry upper slopes chestnut oak, black
oak, sourgum, sassafras, and chestnut,
were the dominant species.
Since the arrival of the settlers, many
changes have occurred in the county’s
forests; the loss of American chestnut,
decline of oaks due to preferential feeding by gypsy moth caterpillars and deer,
and the rise of red maple have resulted
in shifts in species abundance. Further
change may result from the spread of
invasive, non-native insects and diseases
such as the hemlock woolly adelgid,
Successional area on the floodplain of the Perkiomen Creek, the reddogwood anthracnose, and the emerald
cedar trees show a browse line.
ash borer (responsible for killing millions of ash trees in the Midwest and was recently detected in western Pennsylvania).
Our field studies indicate that the following mature forest types are present. In addition, successional forests characterized by eastern red-cedar, ash, and red maple are common.
Table 1.4 — Mature Forest Types of Montgomery County*
Dry oak – heath forest
Dry oak - mixed hardwood forest
Dry hemlock - oak forest
Upland Forest Types
Mixed oak – hardwood forest
Red oak – mixed hardwood forest
Red maple terrestrial forest
Sugar maple – basswood forest
Tuliptree – beech - maple forest
Bottomland oak – hardwood palustrine forest
Red maple – black ash palustrine forest
Lowland Forest Types
Red maple palustrine forest
Sycamore – (river birch) – box-elder floodplain forest
Silver maple floodplain forest
Sugar maple floodplain forest
*As defined by Fike (1999)
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Reptiles and Amphibians
Forty-two (42) species of reptiles and amphibians were listed for Montgomery County in
Montgomery County the Second Hundred Years. The statewide Herpetological Atlas Project
carried out between 1996 and 2002 resulted in current records for 23 of 42 species for which
historical records existed. In addition two species new to the county were documented raising the overall total to 44 species known from the County. Three species are believed to be
extirpated (see Table 1.6).
The effort to document the County’s reptiles and amphibians is continuing. Herpetological
surveys conducted by Tiebout in 2003 and Marlin Corn in 2006-2007 as part of this project have
documented the presence of 35 species in Montgomery County (Table 1.6). Profiles of all species and management recommendations are included in Appendix 1.C.
Species of Special Concern – The bog turtle, for which there have been several Montgomery
County records, is listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The New
Jersey chorus frog and the redbelly turtle are listed as endangered and threatened respectively in
Pennsylvania. The red-eared slider is an introduced species. Two species of frog and one snake
species are believed to be extirpated in the County.
Table 1.5 — Reptiles and Amphibians of Montgomery County
(Compiled by Marlin Corn from current and historical records)
Common Name
Scientific Name
Status
Salamanders
Four-toed Salamander
Hemidactylium scutatum
*
Longtail Salamander
Eurycea longicauda longicauda
Marbled Salamander
Ambystoma opacum
Northern Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus fuscus fuscus
Northern Red Salamander
Psuedotriton ruber ruber
Northern Redback Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
Northern Slimy Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus
Northern two-lined Salamander
Eurycea bislineata
Red-spotted Newt
Notopthalmus viridescens viridescens
Spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum
*
Frogs and Toads
American Toad
Bufo americanus
Bullfrog
Rana catesbieana
Fowler’s Toad
Bufo woodhouseii fowleri
Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor
Green Frog
Rana clamitans melanota
New Jersey Chorus Frog
Psuedacris triseriata kalmi
Northern Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans
*
Northern Leopard Frog
Rana pipiens
*
**G5T4/S1/PE
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
23
Pickerel Frog
Rana palustris
Southern Leopard Frog
Rana utricularia
Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
Upland Chorus Frog
Psuedacris triseriata feriarum
Wood Frog
Rana sylvatica
*
**
Turtles
Bog Turtle
C. muhlenbergii
*G3/S1S2/PE/LT
Common Musk Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina serpentina
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
Eastern Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta picta
Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera spinifera
Common map Turtle
Graptemys geographica
Midland Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta marginata
Redbelly Turtle
Pseudemys rubriventris
G5/S2/PT
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
introduced
Wood Turtle
Clemmys insculpta
Snakes
Black Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta obsolete
Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platyrhinos
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Eastern Smooth Earth Snake
Haldea valeriae valeriae
*
Eastern Worm Snake
Carphophis amoenus amoenus
*
Northern Black Racer
Coluber constrictor constrictor
Northern Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi dekayi
Northern Copperhead
Akistrodon contortrix mokasen
Northern Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
Northern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata
Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus
**G5/S3S4
*
* Not observed but expected to be present on the basis of historical records.
** Probably extirpated.
Birds
The first checklist of birds of Montgomery County, which appeared in 1884, included 232
species. One hundred years later a list of 173 species identified at the Audubon Sanctuary
at Mill Grove was included in Montgomery County, The Second Hundred Years. Subsequent efforts to document the bird life of the state have included the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas Project and the Second Breeding Bird Atlas survey currently underway.
Three Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been designated in Montgomery County: Unami
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Creek Valley, Green Lane Reservoir, and the Ambler Reservoir.
Drawing on Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas records, species lists for most of the landscapes
in this study can be developed. Where available, lists prepared by reliable local observers
were substituted.
Species of Special Concern – Of the birds known from Montgomery County, six species are
classified by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program.
Table 1.6 — PNHP-listed Birds of Montgomery County
(Source: http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us)
PNHP Status*
Great Blue Heron
G5/S3S4B/S4N
Upland Sandpiper
G5/S1S2/PE
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
G5/S1B/PE
Prothonotary Warbler
G5/S2S3B/Candidate at risk (proposed)
Virginia Rail
G5/S3B
Bald Eagle
G5/S2B/PT/PS: LT,PDL
* See Appendix 1.A for an explanation of status codes.
In addition to the listed species, several groups of birds, including forest interior species, birds
of riparian areas, and grassland birds, are of concern because of their dependence on declining
habitats. See sections on sources and sinks, grassland management, and riparian corridors below
for additional discussion.
Mammals
Thirty-five (35) species of mammals were listed in Bean’s 1884 History of Montgomery
County. One hundred years later Baccari and Baccari listed 56 species of mammals known
from the county.
Species of Special Concern – Only the Northern myotis (a bat) is classified by the Pennsylvania
Natural Heritage Program; its status is CR (candidate rare). No new mammal inventories were
conducted as part of this project.
There is always some concern when providing information on plant and animal species of
special concern that doing so encourages or enables ‘collectors’ to harvest these species
from the wild. Such actions are reprehensible and damaging to Montgomery County’s biodiversity. Removing any species from the wild reduces the reproducing population of that
species, and threatens the ongoing viability of the population. However, as there is a need to
prioritize and focus preservation and management efforts, information on species of special concern is also valuable to planning and preservation oriented organizations. With the
assistance of DCNR and other jurisdictional agencies, this report has balanced the need to
provide useful information and prevent illegal or undesirable harvesting of species. General
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locations are given (for example, the species’ habitat is found within the conservation landscape), but specific locations have not been provided.
Historical and Current Land Use Patterns
Montgomery County was established in 1784; prior to that it was part of Philadelphia County.
The area that became Montgomery County was settled primarily by Germans, Swedes, Welsh,
and English beginning in the late 1600s. Following initial clearing of native vegetation, the area
became an agricultural landscape with scattered villages centered on streamside mills that served
the farms. An early industrial corridor developed along the Schuylkill River, also based on waterpower. Other early industries included tanning of leather, ice harvesting, gunpowder manufacturing (centered in Sumneytown), and cigar making (centered in Gilbertsville).
In 1826 the Schuylkill Navigation Company completed a 110 mile-long series of canal segments,
locks, and dams designed to improve navigability of the river. The system was expanded in 1846
to increase the capacity to move coal from the anthracite fields in the north to Philadelphia, a
further stimulus to industrial growth along the entire Schuylkill corridor.
The railroads were a major factor in the transition of Montgomery County from an agrarian to a suburban landscape. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, which paralleled the
Schuylkill River, was completed
in 1841. It soon replaced the river
as the major form of transportation. Construction of the Perkiomen Railroad between 1868 and
1874, which connected with the
Philadelphia and Reading tracks at
the mouth of the Perkiomen Creek
and extended to Allentown, opened
much of the County to more intensive development. Towns such as
Oakes, Arcola, Audubon, Yerkes,
Collegeville, Trappe, Ironbridge,
Creamery, Graterford, SchwenksLock 60 of the Schuylkill Canal, restored by the Schuylkill Canal Association
ville, Zieglerville, Spring Mount,
Perkiomenville, Green Lane, Red Hill, Pennsburg, East Greenville, and Palm sprang up
along the railroad. Today bicycles and hikers have replaced steam locomotives with the
conversion of the old rail bed to the Perkiomen Trail.
Agricultural use remained dominant through the early 1900s. But at the same time the pastoral
landscape of Montgomery County hosted numerous privately operated amusement parks and
summer camps. Serving town and city residents, the parks and camps were reached by trolleys
and later by automobile. The camps, and to a lesser degree the parks, occupied large tracts of
land often in forested sites along the major streams. Some of the camps are still operating, such
as the Boy Scout camps on the Unami Creek, Camp Green Lane on Ridge Valley Creek, and
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Camp Laughing Waters, Camp Joy, and Camp ArthuReeta in the Swamp Creek valley. These
large tracts are prime targets for land protection. Some former camps have been acquired as
open space. The Boy Scout camps are now under conservation easements and negotiations are
underway with others.
With the ascendancy of the automobile as the predominant transportation mode, the southern half
of Montgomery County has become a suburban landscape. This trend continues to spread along
major highways and threatens to engulf the remainder of the county within 30 years. The percentage of agricultural or undeveloped land in the county dropped from 46.3 percent in 1970 to
20.4 percent in 2000. In addition, areas of light industry are now found throughout the county.
Location and Overall Condition of Remnants of Natural Vegetation
Land that could be farmed easily is also land that can most readily be developed for residential,
commercial, or industrial uses. Consequently it is no surprise that the areas that remain forested
in today’s landscape are associated with environmental conditions such as steep slopes, extremely rocky land, floodplains and wetlands. Aerial photography shows that areas of forest cover in
upper Montgomery County matches areas of diabase geology. Stream corridors and associated
steep slopes, floodplains, and wetlands also stand out as ribbons of green. Forest accounted for
19.8% of the county’s land surface in 2000 (Figure 1.4).
Although there are a few large forest expanses remaining, many of the forest remnants are
small patches representing farm woodlots left to grow on marginal or poorly drained sites
or narrow strips along streams. Their small size and exposure to adjacent disturbed landscapes leaves them vulnerable to invasion by non-native species that have become part of
the naturalized flora and fauna.
Some of the most damaging of these newcomers included the gypsy moth (introduced at Medford MA in 1869), hemlock woolly adelgid, Chestnut blight (introduced in New York in 1904),
dogwood anthracnose, starling, house sparrow, and red fox. Invasive plants that have become
widespread include multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, mile-a-minute weed, tree-of-heaven,
Amur honeysuckle, Morrow’s honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, Oriental bittersweet, porcelain-berry, lesser celandine, Japanese stiltgrass, Japanese barberry, garlic mustard, arthraxon
grass, and purple loosestrife.
Our largest extant native herbivore, the Virginia white-tailed deer has also become a serious
threat to the diversity and structure of native vegetation. Overabundance of deer developed after
deer were restored to Pennsylvania following their near extirpation about 1900. The elimination of large predators followed by the enactment of overly protective hunting regulations has
allowed the herd to grow to levels exceeding the carrying capacity of native ecosystems. The
result is forests stripped of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and seedling trees and constant damage to
agricultural and residential plantings.
Large forested areas are scarce in the built-up areas of the county. In the Eastern portion off
the county, substantial woodlands are found in and around Fort Washington State Park, in Bryn
Athyn Borough, and along the Mill Creek in Lower Merion Township. Extensive woodlands are
located in the western part of the county, including the woodlands running from Upper Potts-
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27
grove to Lower Frederick, and a large second-growth forest in Marlborough, Salford, and Upper
Salford Townships along the Unami and Ridge Valley Creeks. The latter example is unique: it
is part of the largest contiguous forest in southeastern Pennsylvania and is within the Highlands
Region, which stretches from Pennsylvania through western Connecticut.
Open Space Programs
Federal
The diabase region of Bucks and Montgomery counties is included in a region designated as the
Highlands by the United States Forest Service. The region, which extends from southern New
York across New Jersey to eastern Pennsylvania, has remained largely forested and serves as an
important source of water and provides other natural benefits. The Highlands Coalition, composed of federal, state and local organizations, has the goal of protecting and enhancing the sustainability of the Highlands region. The Unami Hills and Ridge Valley Creek, Stone Hill, Spring
Mountain, the Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed, and the Schuylkill River Watershed have been
identified as critical treasures of Pennsylvania’s Highlands.
Regional
An analysis by the Green Space Alliance identified 12 focal areas for the preservation of
large areas of continuous open space including the Schuylkill River corridor, the Wissahickon Green Ribbon, and the (diabase) highlands of northern Montgomery and adjacent areas of
Bucks County.
The Schuylkill Watershed Conservation Plan included the following recommendations aimed at
preservation of the natural features of the watershed:
• Protect and restore forest buffers
• Protect and restore wetlands and areas of hydric soils
• Protect Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program sites
• Proactively protect, restore and create identified greenway corridors
• Control invasive species and deer densities to enhance forest regeneration and native plants
County
The 1995 Montgomery County Natural Areas Inventory (and 1999 update) identified and ranked
locations of rare plants, animals, and natural communities for preservation. The 18 top-ranked
sites are listed in Table 1.7.
Table 1.7 — Highest Priority Sites From 1995 Natural Areas Inventory
(including 1999 addendum)
Site Name
28
Municipality
Significance
County Rank
Green Lane Marsh and
New Goshenhoppen Meadows
Upper Hanover Township
Statewide
1
Spring Mountain Woods
Upper Salford Township
Statewide
1
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Deep Creek Marsh
New Hanover Township
Statewide
2
Fraziers Bog
Upper Moreland Township
Statewide
2
Knight Road Bluffs
Marlborough & Upper Hanover Townships
Statewide
2
Linfield Bluffs
Limerick Township
Statewide
2
Niantic Northeast Woods
Upper Hanover & Douglass Township
Statewide
2
Ridge Valley Site
Salford Township
Statewide
2
Bethayres Swamp
Abington & Lower Moreland Townships
Local
high
Henning Road Woods
New Hanover Township
Local
high
New Road Swamp
New Hanover Township
Local
high
Whites Mill Meadow
Salford Township
Local
high
Whites Mill Swamp
Marlborough & Salford Townships
Local
high
Church Road Floodplain
Upper Hanover Township
Local
medium
Eagleville Woods
Lower Providence Township
Local
medium
Mill Hill Woods
Upper Hanover Township
Local
medium
Mont Clare Cliffs/Ravines
Upper Providence Township
Local
medium
Norritonville Woods
Worcester Township
Local
medium
In 1993 the County Commissioners established a $100 million, 10-year program to preserve
open space called the Green Fields, Green Towns Program. Municipalities were required to
develop open space plans and were encouraged to include sites identified in the NAI. As of July
31, 2003 nearly $66 million had been expended resulting in the protection of 8,923 acres and
completion of 23 miles of trails. Notable open space acquisition projects included Mill Hill,
Spring Mountain, Whites Mill, and parts of the Unami Hills. Permanently protected lands, including state, county and local holdings, are shown in Figure 1.5.
Table 1.8 — Disbursements Under the
Montgomery County Open Space Program: 1993-2003
Type of Disbursement
Total Amount
Total Area
$49,467,862
4,388 acres
Trails
7,404,389
23 miles
County acquisitions
1,237,135
290 acres
Farmland preservation
7,650,000
4,131 acres
Grants to municipalities/organizations
A second round of open space protection, funded by a $150 million bond issue approved by the
voters, was adopted in December 2003.
In 2004 the Montgomery County Planning Commission completed a comprehensive open space
plan that outlined goals to link open space with a network of trails, protect environmentally sensitive lands, provide park facilities, and protect scenic roads, vistas, and viewsheds.
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
31
Ecological Concepts
Forest Fragmentation and Habitat Islands
The land surface of Montgomery County was at one time nearly completely covered with forest.
Native Americans cleared small fields adjacent to their villages to grow corn and other crops and
burned the forest undergrowth to facilitate hunting. But it wasn’t until the arrival of European
settlers that forest removal began in earnest driven by the need for wood for building material
and fuel, as well as land clearance for agriculture. By the early 1800s, forest cover remained
only in areas unsuitable for farming. Aerial photography from 1937 - 1947 shows an agrarian
landscape with tree cover restricted to stream valleys, steep slopes, and boulder-strewn areas of
diabase geology. Isolated farm woodlots representing localized areas of poor drainage or high
water table are also visible. That pattern continues today (Figure 1.4).
This pattern is similar to that described in a study of suburban areas surrounding Wilmington,
Delaware. The only forests older than 100 years were on rock fields and steep slopes. Successional growth on marginal lands on which agriculture had been abandoned accounted for an
increase in forest cover from only 5 percent in 1890 to 22 percent by 1990. Close examination
of the 1947 aerial photography of Montgomery County also reveals indications of this trend of
abandonment of agriculture and subsequent re-vegetation of marginal lands.
However, as agricultural land in the county continues to be converted to housing and/or commercial uses, the potential for restoration of extensive areas of forest on well-drained upland
fields decreases. The resulting pattern of land use continues to restrict forest cover to riparian
strips and steep or rocky areas. The influence of diabase geology on land use in upper Bucks and
Montgomery Counties is readily visible in current aerial photography. Even though scattered
houses have been built in the woods, extensive forest cover remains in areas of diabase rock such
as the Unami Creek valley, Mill Hill, Spring Mountain, and Stone Hill (Figure 1.5).
Forest fragmentation leads to the isolation of small populations of plants and animals in habitat
islands. Reduced breeding opportunities and restricted gene flow are serious problems that can
result, especially in organisms with restricted mobility. Plants with limited seed dispersal and/or
localized pollen movement are also vulnerable, as are reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals
such as shrews.
Furthermore, the theory of island biogeography demonstrates that island size and proximity to
similar habitat islands affect the number of species an area will support. The smaller the island
and the more isolated, the fewer species present.
Edge Effects
Forest edges differ from true forest interior habitat in several ways. For example, more light and
wind reach the forest floor causing warming and drying. Soil moisture and relative humidity
are lower as a result. Snow loads and wind throw (trees uprooted by wind) are greater. Invasive
plant species penetrate the boundary and are often concentrated in the forest edge where they
compete with native species. On the other hand, some native species benefit from the greater
light availability at the forest edge; for example, flowering dogwood blooms more prolifically at
the edge although it also occurs throughout the forest understory.
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
How far the edge effect extends into the forest varies with the type of forest, the age of the forest,
the exposure, and the time since the edge was created. Old edges where understory plants have
created a wall of foliage from the ground to the lowest branches of the canopy trees, have less
impact than newly created edges. North-facing edges are less affected by light penetration than
south or west-facing edges. Estimates of the depth of penetration of edge-related changes in the
habitat range from 500 meters (1,500 feet) to 5 m (15 feet). For practical reasons a standard 50meter buffer was chosen for calculating forest interior areas for this project.
Forest interior areas for each landscape were calculated using aerial photography to delineate forested areas and applying a 50-meter buffer from the forest edge. In interpreting those numbers, it
must be kept in mind that a parcel completely surrounded by forest may be 100% forest interior,
but if surrounding lands are cleared, the forest interior area will shrink accordingly.
Another question arises as to what constitutes a significant break in forest continuity. A house
surrounded by an acre or two of mowed and landscaped grounds within a large forest matrix may
not be a serious interruption for forest birds. However, that could change if domestic cats were
present. Furthermore, landscape plants such as winged euonymus or discarded garden residue
can serve as sources of invasion. A narrow country road with trees overarching is not a barrier to
birds, but could be a serious impediment to salamanders, which need to travel to and from vernal
pools where they breed.
Sources and Sinks
Birds are affected by the amount and quality of forest area. The Brown-headed Cowbird, a nest
parasite of many songbird species, preferentially inhabits forest edges. Other generalist predators including domestic cats, raccoons, opossums, and crows are also more abundant near edges.
The forest interior, on the other hand, provides favorable habitat for birds such as Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Eastern
Wood Pewee, Pileated Woodpecker, and Barred Owl.
Large tracts of interior forest such as Mill Hill, Spring Mountain, and Unami Hills serve as
source areas that support bird populations throughout the region. Due to high rates of breeding success, young birds from these “source” areas spread out into the surrounding landscape
seeking breeding territories of their own; and often must settle for less favorable sites, referred
to as “sinks,” where they experience higher mortality. Only because of the continual outflow
“For a given species, good quality habitats yield a demographic excess
(natality > mortality), and are designated as ‘source’. Lower quality habitats yield a demographic deficit (mortality > natality); these are designated
as ‘sink’ and may not persist without immigration from sources.
It is important to identify source habitats for conservation or management,
even if they represent but a small fraction of the landscape. Preserving only
sink habitats will probably produce population extinction.”
— Diaz
from large forested source areas as young birds seek new territory in which to nest can residents
throughout the county continue to experience high bird diversity in their neighborhoods.
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
33
Bats are also area sensitive, requiring large forest tracts for foraging and summer roosting
habitat. The Northern myotis, a candidate for rare status in Pennsylvania, is known to occur in
Montgomery County.
Corridors and Connectivity
One way of mitigating some of the isolating effects of forest fragmentation is to connect
smaller tracts with a network of wildlife corridors. Corridors can achieve several purposes:
allowing daily or seasonal movement of wildlife to and from breeding and/or feeding areas,
allowing genetic exchange among small populations in fragmented habitats, allowing movement in response to environmental
change or natural disasters, and allowing replenishment of populations
from other areas. Recent research has
documented increases in plant species
richness, pollen movement and fruit set,
pollen transfer by butterflies, and seed
dispersal by birds in habitat patches
connected by corridors compared to
isolated patches of the same size.
A recent study found that corridors could
be effective in promoting dispersal of
Pennypack Creek corridor
butterflies even if the corridors did not
support resident populations. Research on the movements of winter resident bird species revealed that chickadees were equally likely to travel through forest habitat or hedgerows (corridors), but less likely to cross openings.
It has been suggested that corridors might also serve as dispersal channels for invasive
plants. However, in the study on species richness mentioned above, although the number of
native species increased in connected patches, there was no detectable effect on the number
of exotic species.
Rivers, streams, and associated riparian areas often form natural corridors linking larger habitat
patches while at the same time protecting water quality and providing recreation opportunities.
Other landscape features that can serve to enhance connectivity include roadside vegetation,
fencerows, trail corridors, greenways, and greenbelts.
While ideally a corridor should provide habitat continuity, in some situations it may be desirable
to design a corridor specifically to meet the needs of a specific organism or group of organisms.
An example of this type could be a culvert under a busy road designed to allow amphibians to
move between upland forest and lowland breeding areas.
Riparian Corridors as Habitat – Riparian corridors are also habitat for a variety of plants and
animals. Floodplain trees such as sycamore, silver maple, box-elder, honey-locust, and slippery
elm line stream banks throughout the county. Floodplains are also the setting for a seasonal suc-
34
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
cession of wildflowers from the early spring display of Virginia
bluebells to the graceful flowering stems of lizard’s-tail along the
water’s edge, giving way to the thin-leaved sunflower, and finally
the brilliant red of cardinal flower.
Birds that are dependent on riparian habitat along the larger
streams and rivers in the county include several species that
are rare in the county. Yellow-throated Warblers nest in clusters
of sycamore trees common in riparian areas. Black-crowned
Night-heron, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, and Northern Parula are additional rare riparian specialists. Green Heron, Great
Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Merganser,
Canada Goose, Belted Kingfisher, Mallard, Wood Duck, and
Warbling Vireo are other more widespread species that are
found along rivers and streams.
Lizard’s-tail
Invasive Species
Among the changes that have occurred in the natural landscapes of Montgomery County are
those brought about by the deliberate or accidental introduction of non-native species. Chestnut
blight, caused by a fungus, was first found in Bronx, NY in 1904. It spread rapidly, soon reaching Pennsylvania. Efforts to stop it were unsuccessful and the American chestnut, once the most
abundant forest tree in Pennsylvania, was reduced to minor status. Sprouts from old root crowns
still can be found, but usually fall victim to the disease before reaching flowering or fruiting age.
Insects and Other Invertebrates
The gypsy moth entered North America at Medford, Massachusetts in 1869. It too, spread
quickly and continues to go through periodic cycles of abundance in which serious defoliation
leading to death of trees can occur. Oak, hemlock, and hickory are particularly susceptible.
Another introduced insect pest that is affecting forest composition is the hemlock wooly adelgid,
a sucking insect that is causing mortality of hemlock throughout eastern Pennsylvania. Other
introduced insect pests that threaten to impact us locally are the emerald ash borer and the Asian
longhorn beetle; both have recently been found in neighboring states.
Earthworms, once considered indicators of healthy soil, have become too abundant in many areas. The problem has arisen where non-native earthworms have invaded floodplains and spread
into all but the driest upland areas. Accidentally introduced beginning with the arrival of the
earliest colonists and subsequently by fishermen when they discarded unused bait, the worms
churn the soil and deplete the leaf litter, reducing opportunities for seeds to germinate and increasing erosion. Salamanders, which feed on soil invertebrates that normally inhabit leaf litter
are affected due to reductions in their food source. Bare soil with a surface layer of 2 to 3 inches
of worm castings has become commonplace throughout the county, especially on floodplains
and adjacent lower slopes. Forest soils are normally important sinks for carbon, but when earthworms consume all the leaf litter that function, too, decreases.
The rapid consumption of forest floor leaf litter by non-native worms is altering soil chemistry
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
35
as well as soil structure. Forest ecosystems normally depend on fungi to gradually break down
litter and release nutrients. Worms shift the microbial component of the soil away from a system
based on fungi to one in which bacteria dominate. Soil pH is raised in the process. Research in
New Jersey has linked higher densities of non-native earthworms and two invasive plants (Japanese stiltgrass and Japanese barberry) to alterations in nitrogen cycling in the soil.
Plants
Invasive, non-native plants are another serious environmental problem. Introduced species such
as Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, mile-a-minute, Japanese knotweed, Japanese stiltgrass,
Amur honeysuckle, Morrow’s honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, Norway maple, winged euonymus, tree-of-heaven, arthraxon grass, and many more are found throughout the county.
Riparian areas are especially vulnerable.
Not only are they often narrow forested
strips that are entirely edge habitat, but
they are also subjected to natural disturbance due to flood scouring and a constant source of seeds and other propagules that are carried in from upstream
sources and spread by floodwaters.
Ecological Impacts – Invasive plants
compete with native species for space
and resources. They alter forest strucMile-a-minute is spreading along streams in Montgomery County; carture and composition and affect the
ried by water and birds.
functioning of ecosystems. For example, research at Drew University in New Jersey has shown that the diversity of native species
in the forest understory was reduced under a canopy of Norway maple compared to sugar maple.
A study of nesting success by Wood Thrushes and Robins found predation of nests was higher in
non-native honeysuckle and buckthorn shrubs compared with native shrubs.
A butterfly, the West Virginia white, is threatened by the abundance of the non-native garlic mustard, which competes with toothwort, a native forest wildflower that is the butterfly’s larval food
plant. A toxin in the leaves of garlic mustard is fatal to the larvae.
Research at the Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County, Pennsylvania has shown that
aquatic ecosystems can be affected by the nature of streamside vegetation. Leaf litter consisting
of multiflora rose, Oriental bittersweet, and princess tree (all non-native terrestrial species) resulted in reduced survival in mayfly nymphs compared to litter of white ash, hickory, and American beech. Mayflies are aquatic in their immature stages.
Effects of Japanese stiltgrass on forest soils in New Jersey included increased pH and thinned
litter and organic layers. Garlic mustard has recently been found to suppress the growth of forest
trees by inhibiting fungi in the soil that form beneficial associations with the trees’ roots known
as mycorrhizae.
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Deer overabundance compounds the invasive species problem in several ways. Deer clearly prefer native species over non-natives with the result that, as native species disappear, thus the forest
understory is opened up to the spread of exotics such as winged euonymus, bush honeysuckles,
and wineberry. In addition deer have been shown to serve as dispersers of seed of non-native
species including autumn olive and honeysuckle.
Management Strategies – Management of invasive plants must take into consideration such
issues as the ability of seeds to remain viable in the soil for a number of years (the seed bank), as
well as the constant influx of seeds or other propagules from outside the target area. The most effective strategy is to target species that have just begun to invade an area, removing them before
a local seed bank can build up.
Another important consideration is the importance of maintaining an intact forest canopy. Although some invasives can grow in the shade, most will decline and eventually disappear if the
canopy remains intact.
The dumping of garden refuse in forested areas is the source of some invasions. Garden waste
often contains seeds, plant fragments, or even entire plants that can take root and compete with
native forest species. Groundcovers such as Japanese pachysandra, English ivy, or periwinkle
can be particularly damaging, as they are shade tolerant and spread aggressively. We recommend
signs at access points to publicly owned open space to educate people about this problem and
discourage the practice of discarding garden refuse in the woods.
Some non-native invasive plants are so widespread and pervasive that control in all but a very
limited area is impossible. Lesser celandine, garlic mustard, and Japanese stiltgrass are in this
category. There are signs that multiflora rose, which also grows everywhere, may be on the decline due to rose rosette, a lethal virus disease that is spread by mites.
Deer Overabundance
Some generalist wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, gray squirrels,
raccoons, and opossums have adapted very successfully to living in close proximity to humans.
While this provides opportunities for local residents to view wildlife, it also brings problems.
The lack of large predators and limited
hunting opportunities have allowed deer
to multiply in suburban areas. Damaged
crops and nibbled home landscaping are
frequent sights, and in some parts of the
county Lyme disease is epidemic.
However, the impact of overabundant
deer on forested areas is more than a
backyard nuisance; it constitutes a serious ecological problem. Throughout the
county, forested areas show the effects of
depletion (or even elimination) of shrub
layers and forest floor plants. Some
Over browsed slope along Swamp Creek
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
37
especially vulnerable species, including showy wildflowers, have been lost completely. At many
sites a browse line is visible, resulting from severe browsing of all vegetation below a height of
about five feet.
The forest canopy is also affected; while mature trees are out of reach of hungry deer and continue to produce seeds, seedling and sapling trees that represent the future of the forest but are very
vulnerable to both browsing and buck rub (damage caused by mature male deer scraping their
antlers against saplings). Many Montgomery County forests currently show little or no regeneration of canopy or understory trees as a result. Very rocky areas that are relatively inaccessible to
deer, such as those that exist on some diabase ridges, may continue to support diversity that has
been lost in more accessible forest areas.
Loss of forest structure and regeneration potential also affect the ability of forest stands to sequester carbon. More carbon is stored in forest communities that retain maximum vertical complexity including well-developed understory, shrub, and ground-level herbaceous layers.
Over browsing by deer also affects other forest animals; studies have shown that consumption
of acorns by deer can negatively affect small mammals such as squirrels and white-footed mice.
Loss of forest understory due to over browsing was shown to affect the diversity of birds in a
ten-year study in northwestern Pennsylvania. Birds that nest on
the ground (such as Ovenbirds) or in the shrub or understory layers are most vulnerable.
In addition, over browsing by deer is thought to be the cause of a
decline of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly in Maryland due
to reduction in turtlehead plants, the larval food plant of the butterfly. Turtlehead also grows along stream banks and in wetlands
throughout Montgomery County.
Reducing deer numbers is critical to preserving forest habitat and
the diversity of species in Montgomery County and throughout
the region and the state. Several recent publications address current options for managing deer in suburban areas:
Turtlehead
A Guide to Deer Management in Developed Areas of Pennsylvania, Version 1.9.
Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Deer Management Section, www.pgc.state.pa.us.
Managing White-tailed Deer in Suburban Environments, A Technical Guide. By
Anthony J. DeNicola, Kurt C. VerCautern, Paul D. Curtis, and Scott E. Hygnstrom.
Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Research and Outreach Cooperative.
http://wildlifecontrol.info/NEWDMC/Publications/PDFs/FS655.pdf.
Community-Based Deer Management, A Practitioner’s Guide. By Daniel J. Decker,
Dniela B. Raik, and William F. Siemer. Northeast Wildlife Damage Management
Research and Outreach Cooperative. http://wildlifecontrol.info/NEWDMC/Publications/PDFs/FS655.pdf.
38
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Forest Management
While there may be a few old trees scattered on steep slopes, there is no true old growth forest
remaining in Montgomery County. The county’s forest resources have been tapped again and
again for timber and firewood. Existing forests represent second- or third-growth forests that
have regenerated following partial or complete cutting or land clearance. Timber harvesting
continues to be an option open to owners of forested land.
There are several approaches to harvesting trees. The first option is a clearcut that removes all
trees at once. Another approach is highgrading in which the largest and most commercially
valuable trees are cut. This method can change the species composition over time, as few seed
trees of desirable species remain to restock the forest. In a third option, known as a selection
cut, selected larger canopy trees are removed and the understory is thinned to allow shade intolerant species, such as oaks, to regenerate.
Regardless of the method used, current conditions that affect the ability of the forests to regenerate must be considered. Deer overabundance is a major factor. Deer are consuming seedling
and sapling trees, leaving little opportunity for replacement plants to reach the understory or the
canopy. On some sites, sugar maple and beech, which are less preferred by deer, are the only
species able to grow past the browse line. This will cause a shift in species composition from the
mixed hardwood canopy now present in many areas.
At the same time that native species are being inhibited by deer, invasive species, which deer
generally do not eat, benefit from canopy openings created when mature trees are harvested.
Dense thickets of Oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose and wineberry have resulted in some
areas, further interfering with tree regeneration. Also, Japanese stilt grass often colonizes haul
roads and staging areas in logging operations.
On large tracts, branches and
other debris left on the ground
when trees are harvested
may provide some temporary
shelter for tree seedlings and
saplings. While this may
permit regrowth of some fast
growing trees, it does not address the long-term concerns
about forest structure and
species diversity. Shrubs and
wildflowers never outgrow the
reach of deer.
Japanese stilt grass invading a timber harvest site in the Unami Forest
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
39
Grassland Management
Declining populations of grassland birds is a problem throughout the eastern United States according
to a study recently released by the National Audubon Society. Eastern meadowlark has declined 72
percent since 1967. Field Sparrow and Grasshopper Sparrow are down 68 percent and 65 percent
respectively; Horned Lark has declined 56 percent
in the same time interval. While most grassland
species are centered in the prairie states of the MidHorned Lark, photo by Howard Eskin
west, local populations have persisted in habitats
ranging from native grasslands to pastures, hayfields, and early successional old fields. Populations of grassland birds are present at sites included in two of the conservation landscapes selected as focal areas in this study, and efforts are underway to establish habitat in two more.
Table 1.9 — Grassland Birds of Pennsylvania
(Sources: McWilliams and Brauning 2000; Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology 2007;
Mass. Audubon 2007; R.H. Mellon, personal communication)
Bird
Breeding Habitat
Status
Barn owl
Farm buildings
declining
Bobolink
Short, dense cool season grasses <18”
Eastern Meadowlark
Short, dense cool season grasses <18”
USFWS Management Concern
Dickcissel
Hayfields; stripmines
Not currently known from Mont. Co.
Field Sparrow
Overgrown fields and pastures
Grasshopper Sparrow
Mixture of warm season grasses
declining
Henslow’s Sparrow
Meadows; uncut hayfields
Audubon watchlist, USFWS Mgt.
Concern; no recent Mont. Co. records
Horned Lark
Bare ground or sparse vegetation
Loggerhead Shrike
Open fields and pastures with hedgerows
or scattered trees
declining
Northern Bobwhite
Grass; croplands; abandoned fields
declining
Savannah Sparrow
Mixture of warm season grasses; hayfields
Upland Sandpiper
Short, thin vegetation
S1S2, Audubon watchlist
Vesper Sparrow
Bare ground or sparse vegetation
Declining, no recent Mont Co. records
Grasslands Types in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, located in the eastern deciduous forest zone, is primarily a forested state. Natural grasslands are limited to sites such as serpentine barrens, limestone barrens, scoured riverine flats, and marshes where conditions for tree growth are limited by low nutrient availability,
droughty soils, constant disturbance, or standing water. There is historical evidence that frequent
burning by Native Americans in the past increased the extent of open habitat. Early successional
old fields, another source of grassland bird habitat, are a temporary stage in the re-colonization of
abandoned farmland by forest. In the absence of repeated disturbance such as mowing, grazing,
40
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
or burning, they will succeed to forest. Revegetated stripmines have also contributed to grassland habitat in parts of Pennsylvania, but they too are successional and will eventually support
woody vegetation.
Warm Season Grasses – In recent
years, there has been a great deal of interest among natural resource managers
in the establishment of native warm season grasses on former agricultural fields
and pastures. Warm season grasses
have evolved physiological adaptations
that allow them to grow most vigorously
under the intense sunlight and hot, dry
conditions characteristic of mid-summer.
These species grow slowly early in the
growing season and do not reach their
Meadow restoration site at the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
full development until late summer. Of
the 255 species of grasses known to occur in Pennsylvania, 100 are warm season grasses and 65
of those are native species. Similarly, there are 155 species of cool season grasses known to occur in Pennsylvania and 100 species are native. The best growth periods of cool season grasses
are the spring and the fall.
The Natural Lands Trust has developed effective methods for establishing robust stands of warm
season grasses at the Gwynedd Preserve, located in the Wissahickon Creek Conservation Landscape. However, it is not clear that these stands are good grassland bird habitat. Most grassland
birds require openings where they can forage, perform mating displays, or move quickly to avoid
predators. A dense stand of tall grass may not meet those needs. Efforts to introduce wildflowers
into the plots have not been successful due to the high stem density of grasses. Part of the problem may be that former agricultural fields are just too fertile and too moist to produce the type of
grassland that would develop naturally on more nutrient-limited sites.
Many pastures and hayfields in our area contain a mixture of cool season grasses, warm
season grasses, and forbs. In order for hayfields to be good bird habitat though, mowing
schedules must be adjusted to avoid the nesting season. In pastures, although light grazing
probably helps to maintain openings that provide habitat structure needed by birds, heavy
grazing would be destructive.
Fields at Valley Forge National Historical Park support breeding populations of Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and Vesper Sparrows; Grasshopper Sparrows have also been seen during the
breeding season. The Valley Forge fields are dominated by a mixture of native and non-native
grasses including both cool and warm season species such as orchard grass, red fescue, timothy,
broom-sedge, redtop, tall fescue, panicgrass, and purpletop, as well as a variety of forbs.
Habitat Size Considerations
Just as some forest species are dependent on forest interior conditions, grassland birds too,
are sensitive to the size of tracts of grassland habitat. Field interiors are preferred over edges
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
41
Bobolink, photo by Howard Eskin
(defined as within 50 feet of adjacent wooded lands). In
addition, to meet the habitat needs of a variety of grassland
species, fields need to have a mosaic consisting of denser
and sparser, more open areas. Sparse vegetation with occasional openings is important to species such as the Upland Sandpiper, Horned Lark, and Vesper Sparrow, while
Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow,
Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink prefer denser stands.
In addition, Eastern Meadowlarks need singing perches in
the form of occasional tall shrubs, small trees, or snags.
Grasshopper Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and Vesper
Sparrows prefer lower singing perches.
Fields at least 100-250 acres in size, are required to meet the needs of a variety of species successfully. Smaller grassland tracts may serve as marginal habitat for a single species, but over
the long run populations will be dependent on immigration from more favorable source areas.
More research is needed to determine what constitutes ideal grassland bird habitat in our area
and how best to establish and maintain it. A report entitled Keystone Grasslands: Restoration
and Reclamation of Native Grasslands, Meadows, and Savannas in Pennsylvania State Parks
and State Game Lands by Roger Latham and James F. Thorne, recently submitted to the Wild
Resources Conservation Program of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
contains valuable information on the history of grasslands in the state and extensive list of native
grassland plants. In addition, a research project currently underway at Valley Forge National
Park should provide further insight.
Conclusions
The thirteen conservation landscapes identified in this report are described in Chapters 2 to 14.
Together they comprise a total of 74,711 acres, 24 percent of the area of Montgomery County.
They are located along riparian corridors and on rocky diabase ridges in areas that retain extensive forest cover. Each landscape includes a core area of protected land, but much more remains
to be done to preserve the natural resources in these landscapes.
The landscapes include large forested tracts, stream corridors, wetlands, known sites of rare
plants and animals, and areas of high natural biological diversity. Although every effort was
made to characterize the landscapes and document the important natural resources they contain,
much more remains to be done. Surveys of additional areas are needed as well as ongoing monitoring to determine the effectiveness of management actions.
One of the 18 highest priority sites from the 1995 Natural Areas Inventory, Norritonville Woods,
was not included in this report. It was excluded because it does not lie within a larger context
of continuous forest cover or riparian connectivity. Other similar sites exits within Montgomery
County, which are significant at a neighborhood scale, but too isolated to meet the conservation
landscape criteria.
42
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
A PPENDIX 1 .A
Rare Species Status Codes
Global (G) and State (S) Ranks (assigned by The Nature Conservancy)
G5 or S5 - Secure
G4 or S4 - Apparently secure
G3 or S3 - Vulnerable
G2 or S2 - Imperiled
G1 or S1 - Critically imperiled
Pennsylvania Status
PE – Pennsylvania endangered
PT – Pennsylvania threatened
PR – Pennsylvania rare
PX – Pennsylvania extirpated
PV – Pennsylvania vulnerable
TU – Tentatively undetermined
PC – Candidate
CR – Candidate rare
Federal Status (Endangered Species Act of 1973)
LE – Listed endangered
LT – Listed threatened
PDL – Proposed for delisting
Origin (N/I)
N – Native
I – Introduced
Source: Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program website http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/rankstatusdef.aspx, accessed
12/13/2006.
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A PPENDIX 1 .B
Complete List of the Plants of Montgomery County
(Source: Pennsylvania Flora Database, Morris Arboretum
of the University of Pennsylvania, www.paflora.org. )
Common Name
Scientific Name
Family
N/I
Status
Wetland*
Aquatics
Sweet flag
Acorus calamus
Acoraceae
I
N
OBL
Broad-leaved water-plantain
Alisma subcordatum
Alismataceae
N
N
OBL
Water-starwort
Callitriche heterophylla
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
Water-starwort
Callitriche palustris
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
Water-starwort
Callitriche stagnalis
Plantaginaceae
I
N
OBL
Water-starwort
Callitriche terrestris
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FACW+
Coontail
Ceratophyllum demersum
Ceratophyllaceae
N
N
OBL
Brazilian waterweed
Egeria densa
Hydrocharitaceae
I
N
OBL
Needle spike-rush
Eleocharis acicularis
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Creeping spike-rush
Eleocharis palustris
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Ditch-moss
Elodea canadensis
Hydrocharitaceae
N
N
OBL
Waterweed
Elodea nuttallii
Hydrocharitaceae
N
N
OBL
Mud-plantain
Heteranthera reniformis
Pontederiaceae
N
N
OBL
Floating pennywort
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Araliaceae
N
N
OBL
Water flag
Iris pseudacorus
Iridaceae
I
N
OBL
OBL
Northern blue flag
Iris versicolor
Iridaceae
N
N
Engelmann’s quillwort
Isoetes engelmannii
Isoetaceae
N
N
OBL
Water-willow
Justicia americana
Acanthaceae
N
N
OBL
Duckweed
Lemna minor
Araceae
N
N
OBL
Star duckweed
Lemna trisulca
Araceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
Marsh-purslane
Ludwigia palustris
Onagraceae
N
N
Northern water-milfoil
Myriophyllum sibiricum
Haloragaceae
N
PE
N
Eurasian water-milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Haloragaceae
I
N
OBL
Northern waternymph
Najas flexilis
Hydrocharitaceae
N
N
OBL
Slender waternymph
Najas gracillima
Hydrocharitaceae
N
PT/N
OBL
Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Brassicaceae
I
N
OBL
Spatterdock
Nuphar advena
Nymphaeaceae
N
N
OBL
Spatterdock
Nuphar microphylla
Nymphaeaceae
N
TU
OBL
Fragrant water-lily
Nymphaea odorata
Nymphaeaceae
N
N
OBL
Waterfringe
Nymphoides peltata
Menyanthaceae
I
N
OBL
Goldenclub
Orontium aquaticum
Araceae
N
PR/N
OBL
Arrow-arum
Peltandra virginica
Araceae
N
N
OBL
Pickerel-weed
Pontederia cordata
Pontederiaceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
Bigleaf pondweed
Potamogeton amplifolius
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
Curly pondweed
Potamogeton crispus
Potamogetonaceae
I
N
OBL
Snailseed pondweed
Potamogeton diversifolius
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Ribbonleaf pondweed
Potamogeton epihydrus
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Leafy pondweed
Potamogeton foliosus
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Illinois pondweed
Potamogeton illinoensis
Potamogetonaceae
N
TU/PR
OBL
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
243
Floating pondweed
Potamogeton natans
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Longleaf pondweed
Potamogeton nodosus
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Sago pondweed
Potamogeton pectinatus
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Pondweed
Potamogeton pusillus
Potamogetonaceae
N
N
OBL
Common mermaid-weed
Proserpinaca palustris var. crebra
Haloragaceae
N
N
OBL
White water-crowfoot
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus
Ranunculaceae
N
N/PR
OBL
Appalachian arrowhead
Sagittaria australis
Alismataceae
N
N
OBL
Wapato
Sagittaria latifolia var. latifolia
Alismataceae
N
N
OBL
Wapato
Sagittaria latifolia var. pubescens
Alismataceae
N
N
OBL
Arrowhead
Sagittaria rigida
Alismataceae
N
N
OBL
Lizard’s-tail
Saururus cernuus
Saururaceae
N
N
OBL
Bulrush
Schoenoplectus purshianus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
Great bulrush
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Cyperaceae
N
N
Water-parsnip
Sium suave
Apiaceae
N
N
OBL
Bur-reed
Sparganium americanum
Sparganiaceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
Bur-reed
Sparganium eurycarpum
Sparganiaceae
N
N
Greater duckweed
Spirodela polyrhiza
Araceae
N
N
OBL
Pale meadowgrass
Torreyochloa pallida var. pallida
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Water-chestnut
Trapa natans
Lythraceae
I
N
OBL
Narrow-leaved cat-tail
Typha angustifolia
Typhaceae
N
N
OBL
Common cat-tail
Typha latifolia
Typhaceae
N
N
OBL
Tape-grass
Vallisneria americana var. americana
Hydrocharitaceae
N
N
OBL
Dotted water-meal
Wolffia borealis
Araceae
N
TU/N
OBL
Water-meal
Wolffia columbiana
Araceae
N
N
OBL
Ferns and Other Spore-Bearing Plants
Walking fern
Asplenium rhizophyllum
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Wall rue spleenwort
Asplenium ruta-muraria
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Lady fern
Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Southern lady fern
Athyrium filix-femina var. asplenioides
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Cut-leaved grape-fern
Botrychium dissectum
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
FAC
Triangle moonwort
Botrychium lanceolatum
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
FACW
Daisy-leaved moonwort
Botrychium matricariifolium
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
N
Blunt-lobed grape fern
Botrychium oneidense
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
N
FACU
Rattlesnake fern
Botrychium virginianum
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
Hairy lip fern
Cheilanthes lanosa
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Bulblet bladder fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Fragile fern
Cystopteris fragilis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Protruding bladder fern
Cystopteris protrusa
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
FACU
Fragile fern
Cystopteris tenuis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
Hay-scented fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Silvery glade fern
Deparia acrostichoides
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
FACU-
Deep-rooted running-pine
Diphasiastrum digitatum
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
Deep-rooted running-pine
Diphasiastrum tristachyum
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
N
Narrow-leaved glade fern
Diplazium pycnocarpon
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Spinulose wood fern
Dryopteris carthusiana
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC+
Log fern
Dryopteris celsa
Polypodiaceae
N
N/PE
OBL
Crested shield fern
Dryopteris cristata
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACW+
Goldie’s wood fern
Dryopteris goldiana
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC+
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Evergreen wood-fern
Dryopteris intermedia
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Marginal wood fern
Dryopteris marginalis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Field horsetail
Equisetum arvense
Equisetaceae
N
N
FAC
Woodland horsetail
Equisetum sylvaticum
Equisetaceae
N
N
FACW
Common oak fern
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Polypodiaceae
N
N
UPL
Shining firmoss
Huperzia lucidula
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
FACW-
Appressed bog clubmoss
Lycopodiella appressa
Lycopodiaceae
N
PT
FACW+
Round-branch ground-pine
Lycopodium dendroideum
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Hickey’s ground-pine
Lycopodium hickeyi
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Flat-branched ground-pine
Lycopodium obscurum
Lycopodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Ostrich fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACW
Sensitive fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACW
Northern adder’s-tongue
Ophioglossum pusillum
Ophioglossaceae
N
N
N
Southern adder’s-tongue
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Ophioglossaceae
N
PX/PR
FACW
Cinnamon fern
Osmunda cinnamomea
Osmundaceae
N
N
FACW
FAC
Interrupted fern
Osmunda claytoniana
Osmundaceae
N
N
Purple cliffbrake
Pellaea atropurpurea
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Long beech fern
Phegopteris connectilis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACU+
Broad beech fern
Phegopteris hexagonoptera
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Appalachian polypody
Polypodium appalachianum
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Common polypody
Polypodium virginianum
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Christmas fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
New York fern
Thelypteris noveboracensis
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FAC
Filmy fern
Trichomanes intricatum
Hymenophyllaceae
N
N
N
Blunt-lobed woodsia
Woodsia obtusa
Polypodiaceae
N
N
N
Netted chain fern
Woodwardia areolata
Polypodiaceae
N
N/PT
FACW+
N
PX
FACU
Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes
Tall bentgrass
Agrostis altissima
Poaceae
Bentgrass
Agrostis elliottiana
Poaceae
I
N
N
Redtop
Agrostis gigantea
Poaceae
I
N
FACW-
Hairgrass
Agrostis hyemalis
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Autumn bent
Agrostis perennans
Poaceae
N
N
FACU
Fly-away grass
Agrostis scabra
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
FACW
Carpet bentgrass
Agrostis stolonifera var. palustris
Poaceae
I
N
Short-awned foxtail
Alopecurus aequalis
Poaceae
N
N/TU
OBL
Carolina foxtail
Alopecurus carolinianus
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
American beachgrass
Ammophila breviligulata
Poaceae
N
PT
FACU-
Big bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Poaceae
N
N
FAC-
Elliott’s beardgrass
Andropogon gyrans
Poaceae
N
N/PR
N
Broom-sedge
Andropogon virginicus
Poaceae
N
N
FACU
Sweet vernalgrass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Povertygrass
Aristida dichotoma var. dichotoma
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Slender threeawn
Aristida longispica var. geniculata
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Slender threeawn
Aristida longispica var. longispica
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Prairie threeawn
Aristida oligantha
Poaceae
N
N
N
Tall oatgrass
Arrhenatherum elatius var. elatius
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Grass
Arthraxon hispidus
Poaceae
I
N
FAC
Oats
Avena sativa
Poaceae
I
N
N
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
245
Brachyelytrum
Brachyelytrum erectum
Poaceae
N
N
N
Bromegrass
Bromus altissimus
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Hairy chess
Bromus commutatus
Poaceae
I
N
N
Smooth brome
Bromus inermis
Poaceae
I
N
N
Japanese chess
Bromus japonicus
Poaceae
I
N
FACU-
Canada brome
Bromus pubescens
Poaceae
N
N
N
Cheat
Bromus secalinus
Poaceae
I
N
N
Barren brome
Bromus sterilis
Poaceae
I
N
N
Downy chess
Bromus tectorum
Poaceae
I
N
N
Sandrush
Bulbostylis capillaris
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Canada bluejoint
Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis
Poaceae
N
N
FACW+
Reedgrass
Calamagrostis cinnoides
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Feathertop
Calamagrostis epigejos
Poaceae
I
N
FAC
Sedge
Carex aggregata
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex albicans
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex albolutescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex annectens
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex appalachica
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex argyrantha
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Bog sedge
Carex atlantica ssp. atlantica
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
OBL
Bog sedge
Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea
Cyperaceae
N
N
Bicknell’s sedge
Carex bicknellii
Cyperaceae
N
PE
N
Sedge
Carex blanda
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC
Sedge
Carex brevior
Cyperaceae
N
N/TU
UPL
Sedge
Carex bromoides
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
FACW
Sedge
Carex bushii
Cyperaceae
N
N
Brown sedge
Carex buxbaumii
Cyperaceae
N
TU/PR
OBL
Sedge
Carex caroliniana
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex cephaloidea
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC+
Sedge
Carex cephalophora
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex communis
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex conjuncta
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex conoidea
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Short hair sedge
Carex crinita var. crinita
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex cristatella
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex davisii
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC-
Sedge
Carex debilis var. debilis
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC
Sedge
Carex debilis var. rudgei
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC
UPL
Sedge
Carex digitalis
Cyperaceae
N
N
Sedge
Carex emmonsii
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex emoryi
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex festucacea
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC
Sedge
Carex folliculata
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex frankii
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex glaucodea
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex gracilescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex gracillima
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex granularis var. granularis
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
246
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Sedge
Carex granularis var. haleana
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Sedge
Carex grayi
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Sedge
Carex grisea
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC
Sedge
Carex gynandra
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Cloud sedge
Carex haydenii
Cyperaceae
N
TU/PT
OBL
Sedge
Carex hirsutella
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex hirta
Cyperaceae
I
N
N
Sedge
Carex hirtifolia
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex hitchcockiana
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex hystericina
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex interior
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex intumescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Sedge
Carex jamesii
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex lacustris
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex laevivaginata
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex laxiculmis var. laxiculmis
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex laxiflora
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex leavenworthii
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex leptalea
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex leptonervia
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex lucorum
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
False hop sedge
Carex lupuliformis
Cyperaceae
N
TU
FACW+
Sedge
Carex lupulina
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex lurida
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Mead’s sedge
Carex meadii
Cyperaceae
N
TU/PE
FAC
FACU
Midland sedge
Carex mesochorea
Cyperaceae
N
N
Sedge
Carex molesta
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex muhlenbergii
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex nigromarginata
Cyperaceae
N
N
UPL
Sedge
Carex normalis
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex oligocarpa
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex pallescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex pedunculata
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex pellita
Cyperaceae
N
N
Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex planispicata
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Broad-leaf sedge
Carex platyphylla
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex prasina
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
FACW
Sedge
Carex projecta
Cyperaceae
N
N
Sedge
Carex radiata
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex retroflexa
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex rosea
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Broom sedge
Carex scoparia
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex seorsa
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex sparganioides
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex spicata
Cyperaceae
I
N
N
Sedge
Carex sprengelii
Cyperaceae
N
N/PR
FACU
Sedge
Carex squarrosa
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
247
Atlantic sedge
Carex sterilis
Cyperaceae
N
PT/PE
OBL
Sedge
Carex stipata var. stipata
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex straminea
Cyperaceae
N
N
Sedge
Carex striatula
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Tussock sedge
Carex stricta
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Sedge
Carex styloflexa
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW-
Sedge
Carex swanii
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Sedge
Carex tonsa var. tonsa
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex torta
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Sedge
Carex trichocarpa
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Cat-tail sedge
Carex typhina
Cyperaceae
N
PE/PT
FACW+
Sedge
Carex umbellata
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex vestita
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex virescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Sedge
Carex willdenovii
Cyperaceae
N
N
UPL
Sandbur
Cenchrus longispinus
Poaceae
N
N
N
Wood reedgrass
Cinna arundinacea
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Grass
Crypsis schoenoides
Poaceae
I
N
N
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Crested dog’s-tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Poaceae
I
N
UPL
Spiny dog’s-tail
Cynosurus echinatus
Poaceae
I
N
N
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus bipartitus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus brevifolioides
Cyperaceae
I
N
N
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus compressus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FAC+
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus echinatus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACU
Redroot flatsedge
Cyperus erythrorhizos
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Yellow nutsedge
Cyperus esculentus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus flavescens
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Houghton’s flatsedge
Cyperus houghtonii
Cyperaceae
N
PE
N
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus lancastriensis
Cyperaceae
N
N/TU
FACU
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus lupulinus
Cyperaceae
N
N
UPL
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus microiria
Cyperaceae
I
N
N
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus odoratus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Schweinitz’s flatsedge
Cyperus schweinitzii
Cyperaceae
N
PR
FACU
Umbrella sedge
Cyperus squarrosus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
False nutsedge
Cyperus strigosus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Thin-leaved flatsedge
Cyperus tenuifolius
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW
Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
FACU-
Northern oatgrass
Danthonia compressa
Poaceae
N
N
Poverty-grass
Danthonia spicata
Poaceae
N
N
N
Common hairgrass
Deschampsia flexuosa
Poaceae
N
N
N
Slender crabgrass
Digitaria filiformis
Poaceae
N
N
N
Smooth crabgrass
Digitaria ischaemum
Poaceae
I
N
UPL
Northern crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinalis
Poaceae
I
N
FACU-
Barnyard-grass
Echinochloa crusgalli var. crusgalli
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Barnyard-grass
Echinochloa muricata
Poaceae
N
N
FACW+
Spike-rush
Eleocharis engelmannii
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Spike-rush
Eleocharis erythropoda
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Wright’s spike-rush
Eleocharis obtusa var. obtusa
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Slender spike-rush
Eleocharis tenuis var. pseudoptera
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Spike-rush
Eleocharis tenuis var. tenuis
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Slender spike-rush
Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa
Cyperaceae
N
PE
FACW+
Long-tubercled spike-rush
Eleocharis tuberculosa
Cyperaceae
N
PX
OBL
Goosegrass
Eleusine indica
Poaceae
I
N
FACU-
Canada wild-rye
Elymus canadensis var. canadensis
Poaceae
N
N
FACU+
Bottlebrush-grass
Elymus hystrix
Poaceae
N
N
N
Riverbank wild-rye
Elymus riparius
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Wild-rye
Elymus villosus
Poaceae
N
N
FACU-
Virginia wild-rye
Elymus virginicus
Poaceae
N
N
FACW-
Lacegrass
Eragrostis capillaris
Poaceae
N
N
N
Stink grass
Eragrostis cilianensis
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Lovegrass
Eragrostis frankii
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Creeping lovegrass
Eragrostis hypnoides
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Lovegrass
Eragrostis minor
Poaceae
I
N
N
Carolina lovegrass
Eragrostis pectinacea
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
India lovegrass
Eragrostis pilosa
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Purple lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Slender cotton-grass
Eriophorum gracile
Cyperaceae
N
PE
OBL
Tawny cotton-grass
Eriophorum virginicum
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Nodding fescue
Festuca obtusa
Poaceae
N
N
FACU
Sheep fescue
Festuca ovina
Poaceae
I
N
N
Red fescue
Festuca rubra
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Hair fescue
Festuca tenuifolia
Poaceae
I
N
N
FACW+
Slender fimbry
Fimbristylis autumnalis
Cyperaceae
N
N
Mannagrass
Glyceria acutiflora
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Rattlesnake mannagrass
Glyceria canadensis
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Coastal mannagrass
Glyceria obtusa
Poaceae
N
PE
OBL
Floating mannagrass
Glyceria septentrionalis
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Fowl mannagrass
Glyceria striata
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Velvetgrass
Holcus lanatus
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Barley
Hordeum vulgare
Poaceae
I
N
N
Sharp-fruited rush
Juncus acuminatus
Juncaceae
N
N
OBL
Grass rush
Juncus biflorus
Juncaceae
N
TU/PT
FACW
Canada rush
Juncus canadensis
Juncaceae
N
N
OBL
Forked rush
Juncus dichotomus
Juncaceae
N
PE
FACW-
Rush
Juncus dudleyi
Juncaceae
N
N
N
FACW+
Soft rush
Juncus effusus var. pylaei
Juncaceae
N
N
Soft rush
Juncus effusus var. solutus
Juncaceae
N
N
OBL
Blackfoot rush
Juncus gerardii
Juncaceae
N
N
FACW+
Sedge rush
Juncus scirpoides
Juncaceae
N
PE
FACW
Rush
Juncus secundus
Juncaceae
N
N
FACU
Rush
Juncus subcaudatus
Juncaceae
N
N
OBL
Path rush
Juncus tenuis var. tenuis
Juncaceae
N
N
FAC-
Rice cutgrass
Leersia oryzoides
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Cutgrass
Leersia virginica
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Ryegrass
Lolium multiflorum
Poaceae
I
N
N
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
249
Perennial ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Poaceae
I
N
FACU-
Darnel
Lolium temulentum
Poaceae
I
N
N
Common woodrush
Luzula echinata
Juncaceae
N
N
FACU
Field woodrush
Luzula multiflora
Juncaceae
N
N
FACU
Stiltgrass
Microstegium vimineum
Poaceae
I
N
FAC
Eulalia
Miscanthus sinensis var. sinensis
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Zebra grass
Miscanthus sinensis var. zebrinus
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Wirestem muhly
Muhlenbergia frondosa
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Muhly
Muhlenbergia mexicana
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Dropseed
Muhlenbergia schreberi
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Creeping muhly
Muhlenbergia sobolifera
Poaceae
N
N
N
Muhly
Muhlenbergia sylvatica
Poaceae
N
N
FAC+
Muhly
Muhlenbergia tenuiflora
Poaceae
N
N
N
Panic grass
Panicum anceps
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Witchgrass
Panicum capillare
Poaceae
N
N
FAC-
Smooth panic grass
Panicum dichotomiflorum
Poaceae
N
N
FACW-
Old witchgrass
Panicum flexile
Poaceae
N
TU
FACU
Witchgrass
Panicum gattingeri
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Long-leaved panic grass
Panicum longifolium
Poaceae
N
TU/PE
OBL
Broomcorn millet
Panicum miliaceum
Poaceae
I
N
N
Panic grass
Panicum philadelphicum
Poaceae
N
N
FAC-
Panic grass
Panicum rigidulum
Poaceae
N
N
FACW+
Panic grass
Panicum stipitatum
Poaceae
N
N
FACW+
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Slender beadgrass
Paspalum setaceum var. muhlenbergii
Poaceae
N
TU
FACU+
Slender beadgrass
Paspalum setaceum var. psammophilum
Poaceae
N
TU
FACU+
Slender beadgrass
Paspalum setaceum var. setaceum
Poaceae
N
TU
FACU+
Slender beadgrass
Paspalum setaceum var. supinum
Poaceae
I
TU
FACU+
FACW
Reed canary-grass
Phalaris arundinacea
Poaceae
N
N
Canary-grass
Phalaris canariensis
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Timothy
Phleum pratense
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Woodland bluegrass
Poa alsodes
Poaceae
N
N
FACW-
Annual bluegrass
Poa annua
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
FACU
Canada bluegrass
Poa compressa
Poaceae
I
N
Bluegrass
Poa cuspidata
Poaceae
N
N
N
Wood bluegrass
Poa nemoralis
Poaceae
I
N
FAC
Fowl bluegrass
Poa palustris
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Kentucky bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Woodland bluegrass
Poa sylvestris
Poaceae
N
N
FACW
Rough bluegrass
Poa trivialis
Poaceae
I
N
FACW
Alkali grass
Puccinellia distans
Poaceae
I
N
OBL
White beak-rush
Rhynchospora alba
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Beak-rush
Rhynchospora capitellata
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium
Poaceae
N
N
FACU
Chairmaker’s rush
Schoenoplectus pungens
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Black bulrush
Scirpus atrovirens
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Wool-grass
Scirpus cyperinus
Cyperaceae
N
N
FACW+
Wood bulrush
Scirpus expansus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
250
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Bulrush
Scirpus georgianus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Bulrush
Scirpus hattorianus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Bulrush
Scirpus microcarpus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Bulrush
Scirpus pendulus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Bulrush
Scirpus polyphyllus
Cyperaceae
N
N
OBL
Reticulated nut-rush
Scleria muhlenbergii
Cyperaceae
N
PE
OBL
Few-flowered nut-rush
Scleria pauciflora
Cyperaceae
N
PT
FACU+
Rye
Secale cereale
Poaceae
I
N
N
Giant foxtail
Setaria faberi
Poaceae
I
N
UPL
Foxtail millet
Setaria italica
Poaceae
I
N
FACU
Yellow foxtail
Setaria pumila
Poaceae
I
N
FAC
Green foxtail
Setaria viridis var. viridis
Poaceae
I
N
N
Indian-grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Broom-corn
Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor
Poaceae
I
N
UPL
Wedgegrass
Sphenopholis nitida
Poaceae
N
N
N
Slender wedgegrass
Sphenopholis obtusata var. major
Poaceae
N
N
FAC-
Prairie wedgegrass
Sphenopholis obtusata var. obtusata
Poaceae
N
N
FAC-
Wedgegrass
Sphenopholis obtusata x pensylvanica
Poaceae
N
N
FAC
Swamp-oats
Sphenopholis pensylvanica
Poaceae
N
N
OBL
Small rushgrass
Sporobolus neglectus
Poaceae
N
N
FACUUPL
Poverty grass
Sporobolus vaginiflorus
Poaceae
N
N
Club-rush
Trichophorum planifolium
Cyperaceae
N
N
N
Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Poaceae
N
N
FACU
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Poaceae
I
N
N
Six-weeks fescue
Vulpia octoflora var. glauca
Poaceae
N
N
UPL
Butter-print
Abutilon theophrastii
I
N
UPL
Wildflowers and Other Herbaceous Species
Malvaceae
Slender mercury
Acalypha gracilens
Euphorbiaceae
N
N
N
Three-seeded mercury
Acalypha rhomboidea
Euphorbiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Three-seeded mercury
Acalypha virginica
Euphorbiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Common yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Doll’s-eyes
Actaea pachypoda
Ranunculaceae
N
N
UPL
FAC-
Northern maidenhair
Adiantum pedatum
Polypodiaceae
N
N
Allegheny-vine
Adlumia fungosa
Papaveraceae
N
N
N
Goutweed
Aegopodium podagraria
Apiaceae
I
N
FACU
Fool’s parsley
Aethusa cynapium
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Eared false-foxglove
Agalinis auriculata
Orobanchaceae
N
PE
N
Small-flowered false-foxglove
Agalinis paupercula
Orobanchaceae
N
PE
FACW+
False-foxglove
Agalinis purpurea
Orobanchaceae
N
N
FACW-
Slender false-foxglove
Agalinis tenuifolia
Orobanchaceae
N
N
FAC
FACU
Yellow giant-hyssop
Agastache nepetoides
Lamiaceae
N
N
Purple giant-hyssop
Agastache scrophulariifolia
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Agrimony
Agrimonia gryposepala
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Small-fruited agrimony
Agrimonia microcarpa
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Southern agrimony
Agrimonia parviflora
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW
Downy agrimony
Agrimonia pubescens
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Woodland agrimony
Agrimonia rostellata
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
251
Roadside agrimony
Agrimonia striata
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU-
Corn cockle
Agrostemma githago
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Carpet bugleweed
Ajuga reptans
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Colic-root
Aletris farinosa
Melanthiaceae
N
TU/PE
FAC
Garlic-mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Brassicaceae
I
N
FACU-
Wild onion
Allium canadense
Alliaceae
N
N
FACU
Field garlic
Allium oleraceum
Alliaceae
I
N
N
Ramp
Allium tricoccum
Alliaceae
N
N
FACU+
Field garlic
Allium vineale
Alliaceae
I
N
FACU-
Tumbleweed
Amaranthus albus
Amaranthaceae
N
N
FACU
Prostrate pigwed
Amaranthus blitoides
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Amaranth
Amaranthus blitum
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Pigweed
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Palmer’s amaranth
Amaranthus palmeri
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACU
Amaranth
Amaranthus powellii
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Green amaranth
Amaranthus retroflexus
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACU
Spiny amaranth
Amaranthus spinosus
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACU
Common ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Giant ragweed
Ambrosia trifida
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
Fly-poison
Amianthium muscaetoxicum
Melanthiaceae
N
N
FAC
Hog peanut
Amphicarpaea bracteata
Fabaceae
N
N
FAC
Blue-star
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Apocynaceae
I
N
FACW
Scarlet pimpernel
Anagallis arvensis
Myrsinaceae
I
N
UPL
Pearly everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Wood anemone
Anemone quinquefolia
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FACU
FACU
Tall anemone
Anemone virginiana
Ranunculaceae
N
N
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Deadly angelica
Angelica venenosa
Apiaceae
N
N
N
Overlooked pussytoe
Antennaria neglecta
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Plantain-leaved pussytoe
Antennaria plantaginifolia
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Corn chamomile
Anthemis arvensis
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Mayweed
Anthemis cotula
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU-
Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Ground-nut
Apios americana
Fabaceae
N
N
FACW
Puttyroot
Aplectrum hyemale
Orchidaceae
N
PR
FAC
Pink dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Apocynaceae
N
N
N
Wild columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FAC
Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
Ranunculaceae
I
N
N
Mouse-ear cress
Arabidopsis thaliana
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Sicklepod
Arabis canadensis
Brassicaceae
N
N
N
Towercress
Arabis glabra
Brassicaceae
N
N
N
Hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta var. adpressipilis
Brassicaceae
N
TU/PE
FACU
Hairy rockcress
Arabis hirsuta var. pycnocarpa
Brassicaceae
N
TU/PE
FACU
Smooth rockcress
Arabis laevigata var. laevigata
Brassicaceae
N
N
N
Lyre-leaved rockcress
Arabis lyrata
Brassicaceae
N
N
FACU
Missouri rockcress
Arabis missouriensis
Brassicaceae
N
PE
N
Spreading rockcress
Arabis patens
Brassicaceae
N
N/PT
N
Bristly sarsaparilla
Aralia hispida
Araliaceae
N
N
N
252
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Wild sarsaparilla
Aralia nudicaulis
Araliaceae
N
N
FACU
Spikenard
Aralia racemosa
Araliaceae
N
N
N
FACU-
Common burdock
Arctium minus
Asteraceae
I
N
Wooly burdock
Arctium tomentosum
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Thyme-leaved sandwort
Arenaria serpyllifolia ssp. leptoclados
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FAC
Green-dragon
Arisaema dracontium
Araceae
N
N
FACW
Small jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum ssp. pusillum
Araceae
N
N
FACW-
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum ssp. triphyllum
Araceae
N
N
FACW-
Virginia snakeroot
Aristolochia serpentaria
Aristolochiaceae
N
N
UPL
Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Sweet wormwood
Artemisia annua
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Common mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Asteraceae
I
N
N
FACU
Poke milkweed
Asclepias exaltata
Apocynaceae
N
N
Swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata ssp. incarnata
Apocynaceae
N
N
OBL
Swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata ssp. pulchra
Apocynaceae
N
N
OBL
FACU
Purple milkweed
Asclepias purpurascens
Apocynaceae
N
N
Four-leaved milkweed
Asclepias quadrifolia
Apocynaceae
N
N
N
Red milkweed
Asclepias rubra
Apocynaceae
N
PX
OBL
Common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Apocynaceae
N
N
FACU-
Butterfly-weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Apocynaceae
N
N
N
White milkweed
Asclepias variegata
Apocynaceae
N
TU/PE
FACU
Whorled milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
Apocynaceae
N
N
N
Green milkweed
Asclepias viridiflora
Apocynaceae
N
N
N
Garden asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Asparagaceae
I
N
FACU
Ebony spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
Polypodiaceae
N
N
FACU
Seashore orach
Atriplex littoralis
Amaranthaceae
N
N
N
Spreading orach
Atriplex patula
Amaranthaceae
N
N
FACW
Halberd-leaved orach
Atriplex prostrata
Amaranthaceae
N
N
N
Yellow false-foxglove
Aureolaria flava var. flava
Orobanchaceae
N
N
N
Cut-leaf false-foxglove
Aureolaria pedicularia
Orobanchaceae
N
N
N
Downy false-foxglove
Aureolaria virginica
Orobanchaceae
N
N
N
Blue false-indigo
Baptisia australis
Fabaceae
N
N/TU
N
Wild indigo
Baptisia tinctoria
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Early wintercress
Barbarea verna
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Screwstem
Bartonia paniculata
Gentianaceae
N
N/TU
OBL
Bartonia
Bartonia virginica
Gentianaceae
N
N
FACW
Blackberry-lily
Belamcanda chinensis
Iridaceae
I
N
N
English daisy
Bellis perennis
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hoary alyssum
Berteroa incana
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Spanish needles
Bidens bipinnata
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Bur-marigold
Bidens cernua
Asteraceae
N
N
OBL
Beggar-ticks
Bidens connata
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW+
Beggar-ticks
Bidens frondosa
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Showy bur-marigold
Bidens laevis
Asteraceae
N
N/TU
OBL
Tickseed-sunflower
Bidens polylepis
Asteraceae
I
N
FACW
Beggar-ticks
Bidens vulgata
Asteraceae
N
N
N
False nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica var. cylindrica
Urticaceae
N
N
FACW+
False nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica var. drummondiana
Urticaceae
N
N
FACW+
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
253
Brown mustard
Brassica juncea
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Black mustard
Brassica nigra
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
False boneset
Brickellia eupatorioides
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Bastard alkanet
Buglossoides arvense
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Hare’s ear
Bupleurum rotundifolium
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Grass-pink
Calopogon tuberosus
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW+
Japanese bindweed
Calystegia pubescens
Convolvulaceae
I
N
N
FAC-
Hedge bindweed
Calystegia sepium
Convolvulaceae
N
N
Small-fruited false-flax
Camelina microcarpa
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Tall bellflower
Campanula americana
Campanulaceae
N
N
FAC
Marsh bellflower
Campanula aparinoides
Campanulaceae
N
N
OBL
Creeping bellflower
Campanula rapunculoides
Campanulaceae
I
N
N
Hemp
Cannabis sativa
Cannabaceae
I
N
N
Shepherd’s-purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Brassicaceae
I
N
FACU
Toothwort
Cardamine angustata
Brassicaceae
N
N
FACU
Bittercress
Cardamine bulbosa
Brassicaceae
N
N
OBL
Toothwort
Cardamine concatenata
Brassicaceae
N
N
FACU
Hairy bittercress
Cardamine hirsuta
Brassicaceae
I
N
FACU
Bittercress
Cardamine impatiens
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Small-flowered bittercress
Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola
Brassicaceae
N
N
FACU
OBL
Pennsylvania bittercress
Cardamine pensylvanica
Brassicaceae
N
N
Thistle
Carduus acanthoides
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Nodding thistle
Carduus nutans
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Caraway
Carum carvi
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Indian paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Orobanchaceae
N
TU/PT
FAC
Blue cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Berberidaceae
N
N
N
Celosia
Celosia argentea
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Bachelor’s button
Centaurea cyanus
Asteraceae
I
N
N
N
Brown knapweed
Centaurea jacea
Asteraceae
I
N
Black knapweed
Centaurea nigra
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Knapweed
Centaurea nigrescens
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Lesser centuary
Centaurium pulchellum
Gentianaceae
I
N
N
Common mouse-ear chickweed
Cerastium fontanum ssp. triviale
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FACU-
Mouse-ear chickweed
Cerastium glomeratum
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
UPL
Nodding chickweed
Cerastium nutans
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
FAC
Snow-in-summer
Cerastium tomentosum
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Dwarf snapdragon
Chaenorrhinum minus
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Slender chervil
Chaerophyllum procumbens
Apiaceae
N
N
FACW
Partridge-pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Fabaceae
N
N
FACU
Wild sensitive-plant
Chamaecrista nictitans
Fabaceae
N
N
FACU-
Devil’s-bit
Chamaelirium luteum
Melanthiaceae
N
N
FAC
Greater celandine
Chelidonium majus
Papaveraceae
I
N
UPL
Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
Lamb’s quarters
Chenopodium album var. album
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACU+
Lamb’s quarters
Chenopodium album var. missouriense
Amaranthaceae
N
N
N
Goosefoot
Chenopodium berlandieri
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Oak-leaved goosefoot
Chenopodium glaucum
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACW-
Nettle-leaved goosefoot
Chenopodium murale
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Maple-leaved goosefoot
Chenopodium simplex
Amaranthaceae
N
N
N
Woodland goosefoot
Chenopodium standleyanum
Amaranthaceae
N
N
N
N
Pipsissewa
Chimaphila maculata
Ericaceae
N
N
Skeleton-weed
Chondrilla juncea
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Golden aster
Chrysopsis mariana
Asteraceae
N
PT/PE
UPL
Golden saxifrage
Chrysosplenium americanum
Saxifragaceae
N
N
OBL
Blue chicory
Cichorium intybus
Asteraceae
I
N
N
OBL
Beaver-poison
Cicuta maculata var. maculata
Apiaceae
N
N
Tall thistle
Cirsium altissimum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Field thistle
Cirsium discolor
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Swamp thistle
Cirsium muticum
Asteraceae
N
N
OBL
Pasture thistle
Cirsium pumilum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Bull-thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU-
Spring-beauty
Claytonia virginica
Portulacaceae
N
N
FAC
Purple clematis
Clematis occidentalis
Ranunculaceae
N
N
N
Sweet autumn clematis
Clematis terniflora
Ranunculaceae
I
N
FACU-
Virgin’s-bower
Clematis virginiana
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FAC
Spider-flower
Cleome hasslerana
Cleomaceae
I
N
N
Wild basil
Clinopodium vulgare
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Horse balm
Collinsonia canadensis
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC+
Collomia
Collomia linearis
Polemoniaceae
I
N
N
Bastard toadflax
Comandra umbellata
Santalaceae
N
N
FACU-
Asiatic dayflower
Commelina communis var. communis
Commelinaceae
I
N
FAC-
Asiatic dayflower
Commelina communis var. ludens
Commelinaceae
I
N
FAC-
Poison-hemlock
Conium maculatum
Apiaceae
I
N
FACW
N
Squaw-root
Conopholis americana
Orobanchaceae
N
N
Hare’s-ear mustard
Conringia orientalis
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Garden larkspur
Consolida ajacis
Ranunculaceae
I
N
N
Lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majalis
Ruscaceae
I
N
N
Field bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis
Convolvulaceae
I
N
N
Horseweed
Conyza canadensis var. canadensis
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Spotted coralroot
Corallorhiza maculata
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACU
Autumn coralroot
Corallorhiza odontorhiza
Orchidaceae
N
N
N
Wister’s coralroot
Corallorhiza wisteriana
Orchidaceae
N
TU/PE
FAC
Longstalk tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Plains tickseed
Coreopsis tinctoria
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC-
Tall tickseed
Coreopsis tripteris
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
Crown-vetch
Coronilla varia
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Wartcress
Coronopus didymus
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Yellow fumewort
Corydalis flavula
Papaveraceae
N
N
FACU
Rock harlequin
Corydalis sempervirens
Papaveraceae
N
N
N
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Orange cosmos
Cosmos sulphureus
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawk’s-beard
Crepis capillaris
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawk’s-beard
Crepis tectorum
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Rattlebox
Crotalaria sagittalis
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Hogwort
Croton capitatus
Euphorbiaceae
N
N
N
Honewort
Cryptotaenia canadensis
Apiaceae
N
N
FAC
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
255
Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbitaceae
I
N
N
Common dittany
Cunila origanoides
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
FAC-
Blue waxweed
Cuphea viscosissima
Lythraceae
N
N
Dodder
Cuscuta campestris
Convolvulaceae
N
N/TU
N
Dodder
Cuscuta compacta
Convolvulaceae
N
N/TU
N
Clover dodder
Cuscuta epithymum
Convolvulaceae
I
N
N
Common dodder
Cuscuta gronovii var. gronovii
Convolvulaceae
N
N
N
N
Field dodder
Cuscuta pentagona
Convolvulaceae
N
N/TU
Hound’s-tongue
Cynoglossum officinale
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Wild comfrey
Cynoglossum virginianum
Boraginaceae
N
N
N
Pink lady’s-slipper
Cypripedium acaule
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACU-
Downy thorn-apple
Datura meteloides
Solanaceae
I
N
N
N
Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Solanaceae
I
N
Queen Anne’s-lace
Daucus carota
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Showy tick-trefoil
Desmodium canadense
Fabaceae
N
N
FAC
Hoary tick-trefoil
Desmodium canescens
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Tick-clover
Desmodium ciliare
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Tick-clover
Desmodium cuspidatum
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Sticky tick-clover
Desmodium glutinosum
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Smooth tick-clover
Desmodium laevigatum
Fabaceae
N
N/TU
N
Maryland tick-clover
Desmodium marilandicum
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Naked-flowered tick-trefoil
Desmodium nudiflorum
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Tick-trefoil
Desmodium obtusum
Fabaceae
N
N/TU
N
Tick-trefoil
Desmodium paniculatum
Fabaceae
N
N
UPL
Tick-trefoil
Desmodium perplexum
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Round-leaved tick-trefoil
Desmodium rotundifolium
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Deptford pink
Dianthus armeria
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Sweet-william
Dianthus barbatus
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Squirrel-corn
Dicentra canadensis
Papaveraceae
N
N
N
Dutchman’s-breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
Papaveraceae
N
N
N
Rough buttonweed
Diodia teres
Rubiaceae
N
N
N
Chinese yam
Dioscorea batatas
Dioscoreaceae
I
N
N
Wild yam
Dioscorea villosa
Dioscoreaceae
N
N
FAC+
Fuller’s teasel
Dipsacus sativus
Dipsacaceae
I
N
N
Teasel
Dipsacus sylvestris
Dipsacaceae
I
N
N
Shooting-star
Dodecatheon meadia
Primulaceae
N
PE
FACU
Flat-topped white aster
Doellingeria infirma
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Whitlow-grass
Draba verna
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Dragonhead
Dracocephalum parviflorum
Lamiaceae
N
TU
FACU-
Indian strawberry
Duchesnea indica
Rosaceae
I
N
FACU-
Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Asteraceae
I
N
N
FAC
Prickly cucumber
Echinocystis lobata
Cucurbitaceae
N
N
Viper’s bugloss
Echium vulgare
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Yerba-de-tajo
Eclipta prostrata
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
Waterpod
Ellisia nyctelea
Boraginaceae
N
PT
FACU
Elsholtzia
Elsholtzia ciliata
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Beechdrops
Epifagus virginiana
Orobanchaceae
N
N
N
Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
Onagraceae
N
N
FAC
256
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Willow-herb
Epilobium ciliatum
Onagraceae
N
N
FAC-
Purple-leaved willow-herb
Epilobium coloratum
Onagraceae
N
N
FACW+
OBL
Willow-herb
Epilobium leptophyllum
Onagraceae
N
N
Downy willow-herb
Epilobium strictum
Onagraceae
N
PE/PR
OBL
Daisy fleabane
Erigeron annuus
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Daisy fleabane
Erigeron philadelphicus
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Robin’s-plantain
Erigeron pulchellus
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
FACU+
Daisy fleabane
Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus
Asteraceae
N
N
Red-stem filaree
Erodium cicutarium
Geraniaceae
I
N
N
Treacle-mustard
Erysimum cheiranthoides
Brassicaceae
I
N
FAC
Treacle-mustard
Erysimum repandum
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Yellow trout-lily
Erythronium americanum
Liliaceae
N
N
N
N
California poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Papaveraceae
I
N
White-bracted eupatorium
Eupatorium album
Asteraceae
N
PX
N
Hyssop-leaved eupatorium
Eupatorium hyssopifolium
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW+
Ragged eupatorium
Eupatorium pilosum
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Round-leaved eupatorium
Eupatorium rotundifolium var. rotundifolium
Asteraceae
N
TU
FAC-
Late eupatorium
Eupatorium serotinum
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC-
Upland eupatorium
Eupatorium sessilifolium
Asteraceae
N
N
N
N
Flowering spurge
Euphorbia corollata
Euphorbiaceae
N
N
Cypress spurge
Euphorbia cyparissias
Euphorbiaceae
I
N
N
Leafy spurge
Euphorbia esula
Euphorbiaceae
I
N
N
Caper spurge
Euphorbia lathyris
Euphorbiaceae
I
N
N
Snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia marginata
Euphorbiaceae
I
N
UPL
White wood aster
Eurybia divaricata
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Bigleaf aster
Eurybia macrophylla
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Schreber’s aster
Eurybia schreberi
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum
Polygonaceae
I
N
N
False-mermaid
Floerkea proserpinacoides
Limnanthaceae
N
N
FAC
Sow-teat strawberry
Fragaria vesca ssp. americana
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Sow-teat strawberry
Fragaria vesca ssp. vesca
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Cottonweed
Froelichia gracilis
Amaranthaceae
I
N
N
Showy orchis
Galearis spectabilis
Orchidaceae
N
N
N
Goat’s-rue
Galega officinalis
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Quickweed
Galinsoga quadriradiata
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Bedstraw
Galium aparine
Rubiaceae
N
N
FACU
Rough bedstraw
Galium asprellum
Rubiaceae
N
N
OBL
FACU
Northern bedstraw
Galium boreale
Rubiaceae
N
N
Wild licorice
Galium circaezans var. circaezans
Rubiaceae
N
N
UPL
Wild licorice
Galium circaezans var. hypomalacum
Rubiaceae
N
N
UPL
N
Wild licorice
Galium lanceolatum
Rubiaceae
N
N
White bedstraw
Galium mollugo
Rubiaceae
I
N
N
Cleavers
Galium obtusum
Rubiaceae
N
N
FACW+
Bedstraw
Galium pilosum
Rubiaceae
N
N
N
Bedstraw
Galium tinctorium
Rubiaceae
N
N
OBL
Sweet-scented bedstraw
Galium triflorum
Rubiaceae
N
N
FACU
Our-lady’s bedstraw
Galium verum var. verum
Rubiaceae
I
N
N
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
257
Yellow bedstraw
Galium verum var. wirtgenii
Rubiaceae
I
N
N
Gaura
Gaura biennis
Onagraceae
N
N
FACU
Meadow closed gentian
Gentiana clausa
Gentianaceae
N
N
FACW
Soapwort gentian
Gentiana saponaria
Gentianaceae
N
TU/PE
FACW
Striped gentian
Gentiana villosa
Gentianaceae
N
TU/PE
N
Eastern fringed gentian
Gentianopsis crinita
Gentianaceae
N
N
OBL
Wild geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Geraniaceae
N
N
N
FACU
Wood geranium
Geranium maculatum
Geraniaceae
N
N
Dove’s-foot cranesbill
Geranium molle
Geraniaceae
I
N
N
Herb-robert
Geranium robertianum
Geraniaceae
N
N
N
Siberian cranesbill
Geranium sibiricum
Geraniaceae
I
N
N
Spring avens
Geum vernum
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Cream-colored avens
Geum virginianum
Rosaceae
N
N
FAC-
Gill-over-the-ground
Glechoma hederacea
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACU
Low cudweed
Gnaphalium uliginosum
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
FACU-
Downy rattlesnake-plantain
Goodyera pubescens
Orchidaceae
N
N
Hedge hyssop
Gratiola neglecta
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
Beggar’s-lice
Hackelia virginiana
Boraginaceae
N
N
FACU
American pennyroyal
Hedeoma pulegioides
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Sneezeweed
Helenium amarum
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU-
Common sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW+
Southern sneezeweed
Helenium flexuosum
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC-
Frostweed
Helianthemum canadense
Cistaceae
N
N
N
Frostweed
Helianthemum propinquum
Cistaceae
N
N/TU
N
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Asteraceae
I
N
FACFACU
Thin-leaved sunflower
Helianthus decapetalus
Asteraceae
N
N
Rough sunflower
Helianthus divaricatus
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Swamp sunflower
Helianthus giganteus
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Sawtooth sunflower
Helianthus grosseserratus
Asteraceae
I
N
FACW
Showy sunflower
Helianthus laetiflorus
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Ashy sunflower
Helianthus mollis
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Rough-leaved sunflower
Helianthus strumosus
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Jerusalem artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC
Ox-eye
Heliopsis helianthoides
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Orange day-lily
Hemerocallis fulva
Hemerocallidaceae
I
N
UPL
Yellow day-lily
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Hemerocallidaceae
I
N
N
Cow-parsnip
Heracleum lanatum
Apiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Dame’s-rocket
Hesperis matronalis
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Alum-root
Heuchera americana
Saxifragaceae
N
N
N
Halberd-leaved rose-mallow
Hibiscus laevis
Malvaceae
N
N
OBL
Rose-mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos
Malvaceae
N
N
OBL
N
Flower-of-the-hour
Hibiscus trionum
Malvaceae
I
N
Orange hawkweed
Hieracium aurantiacum
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawkweed
Hieracium flagellare
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawkweed
Hieracium gronovii
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
European hawkweed
Hieracium lachenalii
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Wall hawkweed
Hieracium murorum
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawkweed
Hieracium paniculatum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
258
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Mouse-ear hawkweed
Hieracium pilosella
Asteraceae
I
N
N
King-devil
Hieracium piloselloides
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawkweed
Hieracium sabaudum
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Hawkweed
Hieracium scabrum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Rattlesnake-weed
Hieracium venosum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Blue plantain-lily
Hosta ventricosa
Agavaceae
I
N
N
Bluets
Houstonia caerulea
Rubiaceae
N
N
FACU
Japanese hops
Humulus japonicus
Cannabaceae
I
N
FACU
Green-violet
Hybanthus concolor
Violaceae
N
N
FACU-
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Ranunculaceae
N
N
N
Marsh pennywort
Hydrocotyle americana
Araliaceae
N
N
OBL
Lawn pennywort
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides
Araliaceae
I
N
N
Virginia waterleaf
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Boraginaceae
N
N
FAC
Canadian St.John’s-wort
Hypericum canadense
Hypericaceae
N
N
FACW
St.John’s-wort
Hypericum dissimulatum
Hypericaceae
N
N
FACW
OBL
Pale St. John’s-wort
Hypericum ellipticum
Hypericaceae
N
N
Orange-grass
Hypericum gentianoides
Hypericaceae
N
N
UPL
Dwarf St. John’s-wort
Hypericum mutilum
Hypericaceae
N
N
FACW
St. John’s-wort
Hypericum perforatum
Hypericaceae
I
N
N
Spotted St. John’s-wort
Hypericum punctatum
Hypericaceae
N
N
FAC-
Cat’s-ear
Hypochoeris radicata
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Yellow star-grass
Hypoxis hirsuta
Hypoxidaceae
N
N
FAC
Candytuft
Iberis umbellata
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Garden balsam
Impatiens balsamina
Balsaminaceae
I
N
N
Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
Balsaminaceae
N
N
FACW
FACW
Pale jewelweed
Impatiens pallida
Balsaminaceae
N
N
Elecampane
Inula helenium
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Stiff-leaved aster
Ionactis linariifolius
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Red morning-glory
Ipomoea coccinea
Convolvulaceae
I
N
FACU
Ivy-leaved morning-glory
Ipomoea hederacea
Convolvulaceae
I
N
FACU
Man-of-the-earth
Ipomoea pandurata
Convolvulaceae
N
N
FACU
Common morning-glory
Ipomoea purpurea
Convolvulaceae
I
N
UPL
Cypress-vine
Ipomoea quamoclit
Convolvulaceae
I
N
UPL
Bearded iris
Iris germanica
Iridaceae
I
N
N
Slender blue flag
Iris prismatica
Iridaceae
N
PE
OBL
Small whorled-pogonia
Isotria medeoloides
Orchidaceae
N
PE
FACU
Whorled-pogonia
Isotria verticillata
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACU
Creeping lettuce
Ixeris stolonifera
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Twinleaf
Jeffersonia diphylla
Berberidaceae
N
N
N
Toad rush
Juncus bufonius
Juncaceae
N
N
FACW
Cancerwort
Kickxia elatine
Plantaginaceae
I
N
FAC
Belvedere
Kochia scoparia
Amaranthaceae
I
N
UPL
Dwarf dandelion
Krigia biflora
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Dwarf dandelion
Krigia virginica
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Korean-lespedeza
Kummerowia stipulacea
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU
Japanese clover
Kummerowia striata
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU
Blue lettuce
Lactuca biennis
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Woodland lettuce
Lactuca floridana var. floridana
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU-
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
259
Woodland lettuce
Lactuca floridana var. villosa
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU-
Prickly lettuce
Lactuca serriola
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC-
Henbit
Lamium amplexicaule
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Purple dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Wood-nettle
Laportea canadensis
Urticaceae
N
N
FAC
Beggar’s-lice
Lappula squarrosa
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Nipplewort
Lapsana communis
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Perennial sweetpea
Lathyrus latifolius
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Thyme-leaved pinweed
Lechea minor
Cistaceae
N
N/TU
N
Pinweed
Lechea pulchella
Cistaceae
N
N
N
Pinweed
Lechea racemulosa
Cistaceae
N
N
N
Pinweed
Lechea villosa
Cistaceae
N
N
N
Common motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Motherwort
Leonurus marrubiastrum
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Fieldcress
Lepidium campestre
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Wild pepper-grass
Lepidium densiflorum
Brassicaceae
I
N
FAC
Poor-man’s-pepper
Lepidium virginicum
Brassicaceae
N
N
FACU-
Round-headed bush-clover
Lespedeza capitata
Fabaceae
N
N
FACU-
Bush-clover
Lespedeza cuneata
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Bush-clover
Lespedeza hirta
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Nuttall’s bush-clover
Lespedeza hirta x intermedia
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Bush-clover
Lespedeza intermedia
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Trailing bush-clover
Lespedeza procumbens
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Creeping bush-clover
Lespedeza repens
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Slender bush-clover
Lespedeza violacea
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Slender bush-clover
Lespedeza virginica
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Canada lily
Lilium canadense ssp. canadense
Liliaceae
N
N
FAC+
Canada lily
Lilium canadense ssp. editorum
Liliaceae
N
N
FAC+
Wood lily
Lilium philadelphicum
Liliaceae
N
N
FACU+
Turk’s-cap lily
Lilium superbum
Liliaceae
N
N
FACW+
Old-field toadflax
Linaria canadensis
Plantaginaceae
N
N
N
Butter-and-eggs
Linaria vulgaris
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
False pimpernel
Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
False pimpernel
Lindernia dubia var. dubia
Plantaginaceae
N
N
Sandplain wild flax
Linum intercursum
Linaceae
N
PE
N
Yellow flax
Linum medium var. texanum
Linaceae
N
N
FACU
Ridged yellow flax
Linum striatum
Linaceae
N
N
FACW
Common flax
Linum usitatissimum
Linaceae
I
N
N
Slender yellow flax
Linum virginianum
Linaceae
N
N
FACU
Lily-leaved twayblade
Liparis liliifolia
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACU-
Yellow twayblade
Liparis loeselii
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
FACW+
Cardinal-flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Campanulaceae
N
N
Indian-tobacco
Lobelia inflata
Campanulaceae
N
N
FACU
Great blue lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Campanulaceae
N
N
FACW+
Spiked lobelia
Lobelia spicata var. spicata
Campanulaceae
N
N
FAC-
Sweet alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Bird’s-foot trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
False loosestrife
Ludwigia alternifolia
Onagraceae
N
N
FACW+
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Water-primrose
Ludwigia hexapetala
Onagraceae
I
N
OBL
Primrose-willow
Ludwigia peploides ssp. glabrescens
Onagraceae
N
N
OBL
Honesty
Lunaria annua
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Water-horehound
Lycopus americanus
Lamiaceae
N
N
OBL
European water-horehound
Lycopus europaeus
Lamiaceae
I
N
OBL
Gypsy-wort
Lycopus rubellus
Lamiaceae
N
PE
OBL
Bugleweed
Lycopus uniflorus
Lamiaceae
N
N
OBL
Bugleweed
Lycopus virginicus
Lamiaceae
N
N
OBL
Fringed loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata
Myrsinaceae
N
N
FACW
Lance-leaved loosestrife
Lysimachia hybrida
Myrsinaceae
N
N/PT
OBL
Creeping-charlie
Lysimachia nummularia
Myrsinaceae
I
N
FACW-
Whorled loosestrife
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Myrsinaceae
N
N
FACU-
Swamp-candles
Lysimachia terrestris
Myrsinaceae
N
N
OBL
Garden loosestrife
Lysimachia vulgaris
Myrsinaceae
I
N
FAC+
Winged loosestrife
Lythrum alatum
Lythraceae
N
TU/PE
FACW+
Hyssop loosestrife
Lythrum hyssopifolia
Lythraceae
I
N
OBL
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Lythraceae
I
N
FACW+
Plume-poppy
Macleaya cordata
Papaveraceae
I
N
N
Canada mayflower
Maianthemum canadense
Ruscaceae
N
N
FAC-
Green adder’s-mouth
Malaxis unifolia
Orchidaceae
N
N
FAC
UPL
Musk mallow
Malva moschata
Malvaceae
I
N
Cheeses
Malva neglecta
Malvaceae
I
N
N
Anglepod
Matelea obliqua
Apocynaceae
N
PE
N
Wild camomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Mazus
Mazus miquelii
Phrymaceae
I
N
N
FACU-
Japanese mazus
Mazus pumilus
Phrymaceae
I
N
Indian cucumber-root
Medeola virginiana
Liliaceae
N
N
N
Black medic
Medicago lupulina
Fabaceae
I
N
UPL
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Cow-wheat
Melampyrum lineare var. americanum
Orobanchaceae
I
N
FACU
White sweet-clover
Melilotus alba
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU
Yellow sweet-clover
Melilotus officinalis
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
Lemon-balm
Melissa officinalis
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
FACW
Field mint
Mentha arvensis
Lamiaceae
N
N
Horse mint
Mentha longifolia
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACU
Spearmint
Mentha spicata
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACW
Red mint
Mentha x gentilis
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACW
Virginia bluebell
Mertensia virginica
Boraginaceae
N
N
FACW
Climbing hempweed
Mikania scandens
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW+
Winged monkey-flower
Mimulus alatus
Phrymaceae
N
N
OBL
Muskflower
Mimulus moschatus
Phrymaceae
N
N
OBL
Allegheny monkey-flower
Mimulus ringens
Phrymaceae
N
N
OBL
Rock sandwort
Minuartia michauxii
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
Four-o’clock
Mirabilis jalapa
Nyctaginaceae
I
N
N
Heart-leaved umbrellawort
Mirabilis nyctaginea
Nyctaginaceae
I
N
FACU-
Partridge-berry
Mitchella repens
Rubiaceae
N
N
FACU
Bishop’s-cap
Mitella diphylla
Saxifragaceae
N
N
FACU
Blunt-leaved sandwort
Moehringia lateriflora
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
FAC
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261
Carpetweed
Mollugo verticillata
Molluginaceae
I
N
FAC
Bee-balm
Monarda clinopodia
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Bee-balm
Monarda didyma
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC+
Bee-balm
Monarda media
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Pinesap
Monotropa hypopithys
Ericaceae
N
N
N
Indian-pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU-
Grape-hyacinth
Muscari botryoides
Hyacinthaceae
I
N
N
Yellow and blue scorpion-grass
Myosotis discolor
Boraginaceae
I
N
UPL
Wild forget-me-not
Myosotis laxa
Boraginaceae
N
N
OBL
Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides
Boraginaceae
I
N
OBL
Forget-me-not
Myosotis stricta
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Garden forget-me-not
Myosotis sylvatica
Boraginaceae
I
N
UPL
Spring forget-me-not
Myosotis verna
Boraginaceae
N
N
FAC-
Giant chickweed
Myosoton aquaticum
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FACW
Poet’s narcissus
Narcissus poeticus
Alliaceae
I
N
N
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACU
Pennywort
Obolaria virginica
Gentianaceae
N
N
N
Wood aster
Oclemena acuminata
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Evening-primrose
Oenothera biennis
Onagraceae
N
N
FACU-
Sundrops
Oenothera fruticosa ssp. fruticosa
Onagraceae
N
N
FAC
Sundrops
Oenothera fruticosa ssp. glauca
Onagraceae
N
N
FAC
Cut-leaved evening-primrose
Oenothera laciniata
Onagraceae
N
N
FACU-
Evening-primrose
Oenothera nutans
Onagraceae
N
N
N
Evening-primrose
Oenothera oakesiana
Onagraceae
N
N/TU
FACU-
Sundrops
Oenothera perennis
Onagraceae
N
N
FACFAC
Sundrops
Oenothera pilosella
Onagraceae
N
TU/N
Scotch thistle
Onopordum acanthium
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Eastern prickly-pear cactus
Opuntia humifusa
Cactaceae
N
PR
N
Star-of-Bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Hyacinthaceae
I
N
FACU
Broom-rape
Orobanche uniflora
Orobanchaceae
N
N
FACU
One-sided shinleaf
Orthilia secunda
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Sweet-cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii
Apiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Anise root
Osmorhiza longistylis
Apiaceae
N
N
FACU
FACU
Creeping yellow wood-sorrel
Oxalis corniculata
Oxalidaceae
I
N
Southern yellow wood-sorrel
Oxalis dillenii ssp. filipes
Oxalidaceae
N
N
N
Common yellow wood-sorrel
Oxalis stricta
Oxalidaceae
N
N
UPL
Violet wood-sorrel
Oxalis violacea
Oxalidaceae
N
N
N
Cowbane
Oxypolis rigidior
Apiaceae
N
TU/PT
OBL
Allegheny-spurge
Pachysandra procumbens
Buxaceae
I
N
N
Japanese pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Buxaceae
I
N
N
Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
Araliaceae
N
PV
N
Corn poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Papaveraceae
I
N
N
Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum
Papaveraceae
I
N
N
Pellitory
Parietaria pensylvanica
Urticaceae
N
N
N
Grass-of-parnassus
Parnassia glauca
Parnassiaceae
N
PE
OBL
Forked chickweed
Paronychia canadensis
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
Whitlow-wort
Paronychia fastigiata var. fastigiata
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
American fever-few
Parthenium integrifolium
Asteraceae
N
TU/PX
N
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Wild parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Forest lousewort
Pedicularis canadensis
Orobanchaceae
N
N
FACU
FACW
Swamp lousewort
Pedicularis lanceolata
Orobanchaceae
N
N/PE
Beard-tongue
Penstemon calycosus
Plantaginaceae
I
N
UPL
Tall white beard-tongue
Penstemon digitalis
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FAC
Northeastern beard-tongue
Penstemon hirsutus
Plantaginaceae
N
N
N
Eastern white beard-tongue
Penstemon pallidus
Plantaginaceae
I
N
FACU
Ditch stonecrop
Penthorum sedoides
Penthoraceae
N
N
OBL
Perilla
Perilla frutescens
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACU+
Saxifrage pink
Petrorhagia saxifraga
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Petunia
Petunia x hybrida
Solanaceae
I
N
N
Miami-mist
Phacelia purshii
Boraginaceae
N
N
N
Wild bean
Phaseolus polystachios
Fabaceae
N
N/TU
N
Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata ssp. divaricata
Polemoniaceae
N
N
FACU
Blue phlox
Phlox divaricata ssp. laphamii
Polemoniaceae
I
N
N
Summer phlox
Phlox paniculata
Polemoniaceae
N
N
FACU
Downy phlox
Phlox pilosa
Polemoniaceae
N
TU/PE
FACU
Moss-pink
Phlox subulata ssp. subulata
Polemoniaceae
N
N
N
Lopseed
Phryma leptostachya
Phrymaceae
N
N
FACU-
Fog-fruit
Phyla lanceolata
Verbenaceae
N
TU/N
OBL
Chinese-lantern
Physalis alkekengi
Solanaceae
I
N
N
Clammy ground-cherry
Physalis heterophylla
Solanaceae
N
N
N
Hairy ground-cherry
Physalis pubescens var. integrifolia
Solanaceae
N
N
FACU-
Ground-cherry
Physalis subglabrata
Solanaceae
N
N
N
Virginia ground-cherry
Physalis virginiana
Solanaceae
N
TU/PE
N
False dragonhead
Physostegia virginiana
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC+
Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Phytolaccaceae
N
N
FACU+
Ox-tongue
Picris hieracioides
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Clearweed
Pilea pumila
Urticaceae
N
N
FACW
Burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella saxifraga
Apiaceae
I
N
N
Pinellia
Pinellia ternata
Araceae
I
N
N
Bristly plantain
Plantago aristata
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
English plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Plantaginaceae
I
N
UPL
Broad-leaved plantain
Plantago major
Plantaginaceae
I
N
FACU
Rugel’s plantain
Plantago rugelii
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FACU
Dwarf plantain
Plantago virginica
Plantaginaceae
N
N
UPL
Clubspur orchid
Platanthera clavellata
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW+
Crested fringed-orchid
Platanthera cristata
Orchidaceae
N
PX
FACW+
Tubercled rein-orchid
Platanthera flava var. herbiola
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
Large purple fringed-orchid
Platanthera grandiflora
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
Ragged fringed-orchid
Platanthera lacera
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Berberidaceae
N
N
N
Rose pogonia
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Orchidaceae
N
N
OBL
Spreading Jacob’s-ladder
Polemonium reptans
Polemoniaceae
N
N
FACU
Cross-leaved milkwort
Polygala cruciata
Polygalaceae
N
PE
FACW+
Bird-on-the-wing
Polygala paucifolia
Polygalaceae
N
N
FACU
Field milkwort
Polygala sanguinea
Polygalaceae
N
N
FACU
Whorled milkwort
Polygala verticillata var. ambigua
Polygalaceae
N
N
UPL
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
263
Whorled milkwort
Polygala verticillata var. isocycla
Polygalaceae
N
N
UPL
Whorled milkwort
Polygala verticillata var. verticillata
Polygalaceae
N
N
UPL
Solomon’s-seal
Polygonatum biflorum var. biflorum
Ruscaceae
N
N
FACU
Solomon’s-seal
Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum
Ruscaceae
N
N
FACU
Solomon’s-seal
Polygonatum pubescens
Ruscaceae
N
N
N
Jointweed
Polygonella articulata
Polygonaceae
N
TU/PE
N
Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
Polygonaceae
I
N
FACU
Erect knotweed
Polygonum erectum
Polygonaceae
N
N
FACU
Slender knotweed
Polygonum tenue
Polygonaceae
N
N
N
Moss-rose
Portulaca grandiflora
Portulacaceae
I
N
N
Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Portulacaceae
N
N
FAC
Cinquefoil
Potentilla canadensis
Rosaceae
N
N
N
FACU
Strawberry-weed
Potentilla norvegica ssp. monspeliensis
Rosaceae
N
N
Sulfur cinquefoil
Potentilla recta
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Old-field cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU-
Rattlesnake-root
Prenanthes alba
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Rattlesnake-root
Prenanthes altissima
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU-
Lion’s-foot
Prenanthes serpentaria
Asteraceae
N
N/TU
N
Gall-of-the-earth
Prenanthes trifoliolata
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Heal-all
Prunella laciniata
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Heal-all
Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACU+
Heal-all
Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris
Lamiaceae
I
N
FACU+
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum clinopodioides
Lamiaceae
N
N/TU
N
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum incanum
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. verticillatum
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC
Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC
Wild lily-of-the-valley
Pyrola americana
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Wintergreen
Pyrola chlorantha
Ericaceae
N
N/TU
UPL
Shinleaf
Pyrola elliptica
Ericaceae
N
N
UPL
Common meadow buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculaceae
I
N
FAC+
Water-plantain spearwort
Ranunculus ambigens
Ranunculaceae
N
N/TU
OBL
Bulbous buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus
Ranunculaceae
I
N
UPL
FACU
Early buttercup
Ranunculus fascicularis
Ranunculaceae
N
PE
Lesser celandine
Ranunculus ficaria
Ranunculaceae
I
N
N
Small-flowered crowfoot
Ranunculus micranthus
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FACU
Hooked crowfoot
Ranunculus recurvatus
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FAC+
Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Ranunculaceae
I
N
FAC
OBL
Celery-leaved crowfoot
Ranunculus sceleratus
Ranunculaceae
I
N
Wild radish
Raphanus raphanistrum
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Garden radish
Raphanus sativus
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Meadow-beauty
Rhexia virginica
Melastomaceae
N
N
OBL
Field yellowcress
Rorippa austriaca
Brassicaceae
I
N
FAC-
Creeping yellowcress
Rorippa sylvestris
Brassicaceae
I
N
FACW
Tooth cup
Rotala ramosior
Lythraceae
N
PR
OBL
Eastern coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida
Asteraceae
N
N/TU
FAC
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Black-eyed-susan
Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU-
Garden sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Polygonaceae
I
N
FACU
Sheep sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Polygonaceae
I
N
UPL
Tall dock
Rumex altissimus
Polygonaceae
N
N
FACW-
Curly dock
Rumex crispus
Polygonaceae
I
N
FACU
Bitter dock
Rumex obtusifolius
Polygonaceae
I
N
FACU-
Common marsh-pink
Sabatia angularis
Gentianaceae
N
N
FAC+
N
Pearlwort
Sagina decumbens
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
Japanese pearlwort
Sagina japonica
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Bird’s-eye
Sagina procumbens
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
FACW-
Russian-thistle
Salsola tragus
Amaranthaceae
I
N
FACU
Lyre-leaved sage
Salvia lyrata
Lamiaceae
N
N
UPL
Woodland sage
Salvia nemorosa
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Meadow sage
Salvia pratensis
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Lance-leaved sage
Salvia reflexa
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Sage
Salvia verticillata
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Water pimpernel
Samolus parviflorus
Theophrastaceae
N
TU/PE
OBL
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Papaveraceae
N
N
UPL
American burnet
Sanguisorba canadensis
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW+
Black snake root
Sanicula marilandica
Apiaceae
N
N
UPL
FACU
Yellow-flowered sanicle
Sanicula odorata
Apiaceae
N
N
Large-fruited sanicle
Sanicula trifoliata
Apiaceae
N
N
N
Bouncing-bet
Saponaria officinalis
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FACU-
Pitcher-plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Sarraceniaceae
N
N
OBL
Swamp saxifrage
Saxifraga pensylvanica
Saxifragaceae
N
N
OBL
Early saxifrage
Saxifraga virginiensis
Saxifragaceae
N
N
FAC-
Knawel
Scleranthus annuus
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FACU-
Lanceleaf figwort
Scrophularia lanceolata
Scrophulariaceae
N
N
FACU+
FACU-
Eastern figwort
Scrophularia marilandica
Scrophulariaceae
N
N
Hairy skullcap
Scutellaria elliptica var. elliptica
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Hyssop skullcup
Scutellaria integrifolia
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW
Mad-dog skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW+
Small skullcap
Scutellaria leonardii
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Skullcap
Scutellaria nervosa
Lamiaceae
N
N
FAC
Love-entangle
Sedum acre
Crassulaceae
I
N
OBL
Orange stonecrop
Sedum kamtschaticum ssp. ellacombianum Crassulaceae
I
N
N
Orpine
Sedum sarmentosum
Crassulaceae
I
N
N
Orpine
Sedum spurium
Crassulaceae
I
N
N
Garden orpine
Sedum telephium
Crassulaceae
I
N
N
Meadow spikemoss
Selaginella apoda
Selaginellaceae
N
N
FACW
Rock spikemoss
Selaginella rupestris
Selaginellaceae
N
N
N
Common groundsel
Senecio vulgaris
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Northern wild senna
Senna hebecarpa
Fabaceae
N
N
FAC
White-topped aster
Sericocarpus asteroides
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Narrow-leaved white-topped aster Sericocarpus linifolius
Asteraceae
N
PE
N
Sesame
Pedaliaceae
I
N
N
Sesamum indicum
Field-madder
Sherardia arvensis
Rubiaceae
I
N
N
Bur cucumber
Sicyos angulatus
Cucurbitaceae
N
N
FACU
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
265
Prickly sida
Sida spinosa
Malvaceae
I
N
UPL
Sleepy catchfly
Silene antirrhina
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
Garden catchfly
Silene armeria
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Wild pink
Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
Forked catchfly
Silene dichotoma
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
White campion
Silene latifolia
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Night-flowering catchfly
Silene noctiflora
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
N
Starry campion
Silene stellata
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
Bladder campion
Silene vulgaris
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Cup-plant
Silphium perfoliatum
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Charlock
Sinapis arvensis
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Tumble-mustard
Sisymbrium altissimum
Brassicaceae
I
N
FACU-
Blue-eyed-grass
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Iridaceae
N
N
FACW-
Eastern blue-eyed-grass
Sisyrinchium atlanticum
Iridaceae
N
PE
FACW
Blue-eyed-grass
Sisyrinchium mucronatum
Iridaceae
N
N
FAC+
Carrion-flower
Smilax herbacea
Smilacaceae
N
N
FAC
Carrion-flower
Smilax pulverulenta
Smilacaceae
N
N
FACU
Horse-nettle
Solanum carolinense
Solanaceae
N
N
UPL
Black nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Solanaceae
I
N
N
Buffalo-bur
Solanum rostratum
Solanaceae
I
N
N
FACU
Late goldenrod
Solidago altissima
Asteraceae
N
N
Forest goldenrod
Solidago arguta var. arguta
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Silver-rod
Solidago bicolor
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Canada goldenrod
Solidago canadensis var. canadensis
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Canada goldenrod
Solidago canadensis var. hargeri
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Zigzag goldenrod
Solidago flexicaulis
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU
Smooth goldenrod
Solidago gigantea var. gigantea
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Smooth goldenrod
Solidago gigantea var. serotina
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW
Early goldenrod
Solidago juncea
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Gray goldenrod
Solidago nemoralis
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Downy goldenrod
Solidago puberula
Asteraceae
N
N
FACU-
Stiff goldenrod
Solidago rigida
Asteraceae
N
TU/PE
UPL
Seaside goldenrod
Solidago sempervirens
Asteraceae
I
N
FACW
Ragged goldenrod
Solidago squarrosa
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Elm-leaved goldenrod
Solidago ulmifolia var. ulmifolia
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Field sow-thistle
Sonchus arvensis ssp. uliginosus
Asteraceae
I
N
UPL
Spiny-leaved sow-thistle
Sonchus asper
Asteraceae
I
N
FAC
Common sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Asteraceae
I
N
UPL
FACW
Sand-spurrey
Spergularia media
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
Nodding ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes cernua
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
Southern slender ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACU-
Shining ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes lucida
Orchidaceae
N
N/TU
FACW
Yellow nodding ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes ochroleuca
Orchidaceae
N
N
FACW
Hooded ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes romanzoffiana
Orchidaceae
N
PE
OBL
Slender ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes tuberosa
Orchidaceae
N
TU/PX
FACU-
Spring ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes vernalis
Orchidaceae
N
PE
FAC
Creeping hedge-nettle
Stachys tenuifolia
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW+
Bog chickweed
Stellaria alsine
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
OBL
266
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Lesser stitchwort
Stellaria graminea
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
FACU-
Long-leaved stitchwort
Stellaria longifolia
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
FACW
Common chickweed
Stellaria media
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Great chickweed
Stellaria pubera
Caryophyllaceae
N
N
N
Wild bean
Strophostyles helvola
Fabaceae
N
N
FACU
Pencil-flower
Stylosanthes biflora
Fabaceae
N
TU/PE
N
Bushy aster
Symphyotrichum dumosum
Asteraceae
N
TU
FAC
Smooth blue aster
Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Smooth blue aster
Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Panicled aster
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolaAsteraceae
tum var. lanceolatum
N
N
N
Calico aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
N
N
FACW-
Asteraceae
Smooth heart-leaved aster
Symphyotrichum lowrieanum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
FACW+
New York aster
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. novi-belgii
Asteraceae
N
PT
Late purple aster
Symphyotrichum phlogifolium
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Heath aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Heath aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pringlei
Asteraceae
N
N
UPL
Zig-zag aster
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides
Asteraceae
N
N
FAC
FAC
Small white aster
Symphyotrichum racemosum
Asteraceae
N
N
Clasping heart-leaved aster
Symphyotrichum undulatum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Aster
Symphyotrichum urophyllum
Asteraceae
N
N
N
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Boraginaceae
I
N
N
Skunk cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
Araceae
N
N
OBL
Yellow pimpernel
Taenidia integerrima
Apiaceae
N
N
N
Common tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Common dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU-
Goat’s-rue
Tephrosia virginiana
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Wild germander
Teucrium canadense var. virginicum
Lamiaceae
N
N
FACW
Early meadow-rue
Thalictrum dioicum
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FAC
Tall meadow-rue
Thalictrum pubescens
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FACW+
Purple meadow-rue
Thalictrum revolutum
Ranunculaceae
N
N
UPL
Rue anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides
Ranunculaceae
N
N
FACU-
Meadow-parsnip
Thaspium barbinode
Apiaceae
N
N
UPL
Meadow-parsnip
Thaspium trifoliatum var. trifoliatum
Apiaceae
N
N
N
Garlic pennycress
Thlaspi alliaceum
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Field pennycress
Thlaspi arvense
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Pennycress
Thlaspi perfoliatum
Brassicaceae
I
N
N
Creeping thyme
Thymus pulegioides
Lamiaceae
I
N
N
Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Commelinaceae
N
N
FAC
FACU
Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
Commelinaceae
N
N
Yellow goatsbreard
Tragopogon dubius
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Oyster-plant
Tragopogon porrifolius
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Meadow salsify
Tragopogon pratensis
Asteraceae
I
N
N
Marsh St. John’s-wort
Triadenum virginicum
Hypericaceae
N
N
OBL
Caltrop
Tribulus terrestris
Zygophyllaceae
I
N
N
False pennyroyal
Trichostema brachiatum
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Blue-curls
Trichostema dichotomum
Lamiaceae
N
N
N
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
267
Star-flower
Trientalis borealis
Myrsinaceae
N
N
FAC
Rabbit’s-foot clover
Trifolium arvense
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Large yellow hop-clover
Trifolium aureum
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Low hop-clover
Trifolium campestre
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Little hop-clover
Trifolium dubium
Fabaceae
I
N
UPL
Alsike clover
Trifolium hybridum
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
Crimson clover
Trifolium incarnatum
Fabaceae
I
N
N
FACU-
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Fabaceae
I
N
Buffalo clover
Trifolium reflexum
Fabaceae
N
PX
N
White clover
Trifolium repens
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
Nodding trillium
Trillium cernuum var. cernuum
Melanthiaceae
N
N/TU
FACW
Nodding trillium
Trillium cernuum var. macranthum
Melanthiaceae
N
N/TU
FACW
Huger’s trillium
Trillium cuneatum
Melanthiaceae
N
N
N
Purple trillium
Trillium erectum var. album
Melanthiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Purple trillium
Trillium erectum var. erectum
Melanthiaceae
N
N
FACU-
Large-flowered trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Melanthiaceae
N
N
N
Venus’s looking-glass
Triodanis perfoliata var. perfoliata
Campanulaceae
N
N
FAC
Horse-gentian
Triosteum angustifolium
Caprifoliaceae
N
TU/PE
FAC+
Horse-gentian
Triosteum perfoliatum
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
N
Nodding pogonia
Triphora trianthophora
Orchidaceae
N
PE
UPL
Dutch-lily
Tulipa sylvestris
Liliaceae
I
N
N
Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara
Asteraceae
I
N
FACU
Great nettle
Urtica dioica ssp. dioica
Urticaceae
I
N
FACU
Great nettle
Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis
Urticaceae
N
N
FACU
Dog nettle
Urtica urens
Urticaceae
I
N
N
Bellwort
Uvularia perfoliata
Colchicaceae
N
N
FACU
Bellwort
Uvularia sessilifolia
Colchicaceae
N
N
FACU-
Cow-cockle
Vaccaria hispanica
Caryophyllaceae
I
N
N
Corn-salad
Valerianella locusta
Valerianaceae
I
N
N
Corn-salad
Valerianella umbilicata
Valerianaceae
N
N
FAC
False hellebore
Veratrum viride
Melanthiaceae
N
N
FACW+
Moth mullein
Verbascum blattaria
Scrophulariaceae
I
N
UPL
Mullein
Verbascum phlomoides
Scrophulariaceae
I
N
N
Common mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Scrophulariaceae
I
N
N
Blue vervain
Verbena hastata
Verbenaceae
N
N
FACW+
Hoary vervain
Verbena stricta
Verbenaceae
I
N
N
White vervain
Verbena urticifolia var. leiocarpa
Verbenaceae
N
N
FACU
White vervain
Verbena urticifolia var. urticifolia
Verbenaceae
N
N
FACU
Appalachian ironweed
Vernonia glauca
Asteraceae
N
PE
N
New York ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Asteraceae
N
N
FACW+
American brooklime
Veronica americana
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
OBL
Brook-pimpernel
Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Plantaginaceae
I
N
Corn speedwell
Veronica arvensis
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Bird’s-eye
Veronica chamaedrys
Plantaginaceae
I
N
UPL
Creeping speedwell
Veronica filiformis
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Ivy-leaved speedwell
Veronica hederifolia
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Speedwell
Veronica longifolia
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Common speedwell
Veronica officinalis
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FACU-
268
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Neckweed
Veronica peregrina ssp. peregrina
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FACU-
Bird’s-eye speedwell
Veronica persica
Plantaginaceae
I
N
N
Marsh speedwell
Veronica scutellata
Plantaginaceae
N
N
OBL
Thyme-leaved speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia
Plantaginaceae
I
N
FAC+
Culver’s-root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Plantaginaceae
N
N
FACU
Purple vetch
Vicia americana
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Canada pea
Vicia cracca
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Vetch
Vicia hirsuta
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Common vetch
Vicia sativa ssp. nigra
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
Common vetch
Vicia sativa ssp. sativa
Fabaceae
I
N
FACU-
Slender vetch
Vicia tetrasperma
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Hairy vetch
Vicia villosa ssp. varia
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Hairy vetch
Vicia villosa ssp. villosa
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Common periwinkle
Vinca minor
Apocynaceae
I
N
N
Black swallow-wort
Vincetoxicum nigrum
Apocynaceae
I
N
N
LeConte’s violet
Viola affinis
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
Sweet white violet
Viola blanda
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
Blue marsh violet
Viola cucullata
Violaceae
N
N
FACW+
Southern wood violet
Viola hirsutula
Violaceae
N
N
N
American dog violet
Viola labradorica
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
OBL
Sweet white violet
Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens
Violaceae
N
N
Early blue violet
Viola palmata
Violaceae
N
N
N
Birdfoot violet
Viola pedata
Violaceae
N
N
N
Primrose violet
Viola primulifolia
Violaceae
N
N
FAC+
Downy yellow violet
Viola pubescens var. scabriuscula
Violaceae
N
N
N
FACU
Long-spurred violet
Viola rostrata
Violaceae
N
N
Round-leaved violet
Viola rotundifolia
Violaceae
N
N
FAC+
Ovate-leaved violet
Viola sagittata var. ovata
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
Arrow-leaved violet
Viola sagittata var. sagittata
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
Striped violet
Viola striata
Violaceae
N
N
FACW
Johnny-jump-up
Viola tricolor
Violaceae
I
N
N
Barren strawberry
Waldsteinia fragarioides
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Yellow-eyed-grass
Xyris torta
Xyridaceae
N
N/PT
OBL
Adam’s needle
Yucca flaccida
Agavaceae
I
N
N
Golden-alexander
Zizia aptera
Apiaceae
N
N
FAC
Golden-alexander
Zizia aurea
Apiaceae
N
N
FAC
White fir
Abies concolor
I
N
N
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines
Pinaceae
Fiveleaf aralia
Acanthopanax sieboldianus
Araliaceae
I
N
N
Hedge maple
Acer campestre
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Amur maple
Acer ginnala
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Box-elder
Acer negundo
Sapindaceae
N
N
FAC+
Black maple
Acer nigrum
Sapindaceae
N
N
FACU
Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Norway maple
Acer platanoides
Sapindaceae
I
N
UPL
Sycamore maple
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Sapindaceae
N
N
FACW
Mountain maple
Acer spicatum
Sapindaceae
N
N
FACU-
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
269
Ohio buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Sapindaceae
N
N
FACU+
Horse-chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Bottlebrush buckeye
Aesculus parviflora
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Tree-of-heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Simaroubaceae
I
N
FACU-
Akebia five-leaf
Akebia quinata
Lardizabalaceae
I
N
N
Black alder
Alnus glutinosa
Betulaceae
I
N
FACW-
Smooth alder
Alnus serrulata
Betulaceae
N
N
OBL
Shadbush
Amelanchier arborea
Rosaceae
N
N
FAC-
Shadbush
Amelanchier canadensis
Rosaceae
N
N/TU
FAC
Smooth serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Coastal juneberry
Amelanchier obovalis
Rosaceae
N
TU/PE
FACU
Low juneberry
Amelanchier stolonifera
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
FACW
False-indigo
Amorpha fruticosa
Fabaceae
N
N
Porcelain-berry
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Vitaceae
I
N
N
Japanese angelica-tree
Aralia elata
Araliaceae
I
N
N
Hercules’-club
Aralia spinosa
Araliaceae
N
N
FAC
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Annonaceae
N
N
FACU+
Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Berberidaceae
I
N
N
European barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Berberidaceae
I
N
N
Black birch
Betula lenta
Betulaceae
N
N
FACU
FACW
River birch
Betula nigra
Betulaceae
N
N
Gray birch
Betula populifolia
Betulaceae
N
N
FAC
European white birch
Betula pubescens
Betulaceae
I
N
FAC+
Paper-mulberry
Broussonetia papyrifera
Moraceae
I
N
N
Butterfly-bush
Buddleja davidii
Scrophulariaceae
I
N
N
FAC
Trumpet-vine
Campsis radicans
Bignoniaceae
N
N
Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Betulaceae
N
N
FAC
Bitternut hickory
Carya cordiformis
Juglandaceae
N
N
FACU+
FACU-
Pignut hickory
Carya glabra
Juglandaceae
N
N
Shellbark hickory
Carya laciniosa
Juglandaceae
N
N
FAC
Shagbark hickory
Carya ovata
Juglandaceae
N
N
FACU
Mockernut hickory
Carya tomentosa
Juglandaceae
N
N
FACU
American chestnut
Castanea dentata
Fagaceae
N
N
N
UPL
Catalpa
Catalpa bignonioides
Bignoniaceae
I
N
New Jersey tea
Ceanothus americanus
Rhamnaceae
N
N
N
Oriental bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Celastraceae
I
N
UPL
American bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
Celastraceae
N
N
FACU-
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Rubiaceae
N
N
OBL
Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Fabaceae
N
N
N
Fringe-tree
Chionanthus virginicus
Oleaceae
N
N/PT
FAC+
Sweet-fern
Comptonia peregrina
Myricaceae
N
N
N
Alternate-leaved dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Cornaceae
N
N
N
Silky dogwood, kinnikinik
Cornus amomum ssp. amomum
Cornaceae
N
N
FACW
Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida
Cornaceae
N
N
FACU-
Gray dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Cornaceae
N
N
FAC-
Round-leaved dogwood
Cornus rugosa
Cornaceae
N
N
N
Red-osier dogwood
Cornus sericea
Cornaceae
N
N
FACW+
American filbert
Corylus americana
Betulaceae
N
N
FACU-
270
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
Beaked hazelnut
Corylus cornuta
Betulaceae
N
N
FACU-
Pear hawthorn
Crataegus calpodendron
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Red-fruited hawthorn
Crataegus coccinea
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Cockspur hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Biltmore hawthorn
Crataegus intricata
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Washington hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Rosaceae
I
N
FAC
Frosted hawthorn
Crataegus pruinosa
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Dotted hawthorn
Crataegus punctata
Rosaceae
N
N
N
One-fruited hawthorn
Crataegus uniflora
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Scotch-broom
Cytisus scoparius
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Deutzia
Deutzia scabra
Hydrangeaceae
I
N
N
Bush-honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
N
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Ebenaceae
N
N
FAC-
Autumn-olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
Elaeagnaceae
I
N
N
Trailing-arbutus
Epigaea repens
Ericaceae
N
N
N
Winged euonymous
Euonymus alatus
Celastraceae
I
N
N
Hearts-a-bursting
Euonymus americanus
Celastraceae
N
N
FAC
Burning-bush
Euonymus atropurpureus
Celastraceae
N
N
FACU
European spindletree
Euonymus europaeus
Celastraceae
I
N
N
Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei
Celastraceae
I
N
N
FACU
American beech
Fagus grandifolia
Fagaceae
N
N
Forsythia
Forsythia suspensa
Oleaceae
I
N
N
White ash
Fraxinus americana var. americana
Oleaceae
N
N
FACU
Biltmore ash
Fraxinus americana var. biltmoreana
Oleaceae
N
N
FACU
Black ash
Fraxinus nigra
Oleaceae
N
N
FACW
FACW
Red ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Oleaceae
N
N
Teaberry
Gaultheria procumbens
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU
Black huckleberry
Gaylussacia baccata
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU
Dwarf huckleberry
Gaylussacia dumosa
Ericaceae
N
PE
FAC
Dangleberry
Gaylussacia frondosa
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Honey-locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Fabaceae
N
N
FAC-
Carolina silverbell
Halesia carolina
Styracaceae
I
N
N
Witch-hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Hamamelidaceae
N
N
FACU+
N
English ivy
Hedera helix
Araliaceae
I
N
Rose-of-sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Malvaceae
I
N
N
Sevenbark
Hydrangea arborescens
Hydrangeaceae
N
N
FACU
Shrubby St. John’s-wort
Hypericum prolificum
Hypericaceae
N
N
FACU
St. Andrew’s-cross
Hypericum stragulum
Hypericaceae
N
N/TU
N
American holly
Ilex opaca
Aquifoliaceae
N
PT
FACU
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Aquifoliaceae
N
N
FACW+
Butternut
Juglans cinerea
Juglandaceae
N
N
FACU+
FACU
Black walnut
Juglans nigra
Juglandaceae
N
N
Common juniper
Juniperus communis
Cupressaceae
N
N/TU
N
Eastern red-cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Cupressaceae
N
N
FACU
Sheep laurel
Kalmia angustifolia
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Mountain laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU
Golden rain-tree
Koelreuteria paniculata
Sapindaceae
I
N
N
Fetter-bush
Leucothoe racemosa
Ericaceae
N
TU/PT
FACW
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271
Mountain dog-laurel
Leucothoe walteri
Ericaceae
I
N
N
Amur privet
Ligustrum amurense
Oleaceae
I
N
N
Obtuse-leaved privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium
Oleaceae
I
N
N
California privet
Ligustrum ovalifolium
Oleaceae
I
N
N
Common privet
Ligustrum vulgare
Oleaceae
I
N
FACU
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Lauraceae
N
N
FACW-
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Altingiaceae
N
N
FAC
Tuliptree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnoliaceae
N
N
FACU
Mountain honeysuckle
Lonicera dioica var. dioica
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
FACU
Fragrant honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
N
Amur honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
N
Morrow’s honeysuckle
Lonicera morrowii
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
N
FACU
Trumpet honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
Honeysuckle
Lonicera standishii
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
N
Tartarian honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
FACU
Matrimony-vine
Lycium barbarum
Solanaceae
I
N
N
Chinese matrimory-vine
Lycium chinense
Solanaceae
I
N
N
Maleberry
Lyonia ligustrina
Ericaceae
N
N
FACW
Staggerbush
Lyonia mariana
Ericaceae
N
PE
FAC-
Osage-orange
Maclura pomifera
Moraceae
I
N
UPL
Umbrella-tree
Magnolia tripetala
Magnoliaceae
N
PT/PR
FACU
Sweet-bay magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Magnoliaceae
N
PT
FACW+
Apple
Malus pumila
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Moonseed
Menispermum canadense
Menispermaceae
N
N
FACU
White mulberry
Morus alba
Moraceae
I
N
UPL
FACU
Red mulberry
Morus rubra
Moraceae
N
N
Bayberry
Myrica pensylvanica
Myricaceae
N
N
FAC
Sourgum
Nyssa sylvatica
Nyssaceae
N
N
FAC
Hop-hornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
Betulaceae
N
N
FACU-
Virginia-creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vitaceae
N
N
FACU
Boston ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Vitaceae
I
N
N
Empress-tree
Paulownia tomentosa
Paulowniaceae
I
N
N
Japanese corktree
Phellodendron japonicum
Rutaceae
I
N
N
Corktree
Phellodendron lavallei
Rutaceae
I
N
N
Mock-orange
Philadelphus coronarius
Hydrangeaceae
I
N
N
Mock-orange
Philadelphus inodorus var. grandiflorus
Hydrangeaceae
I
N
N
Photinia
Photinia villosa
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW-
Short-leaf pine
Pinus echinata
Pinaceae
N
N/TU
N
Pitch pine
Pinus rigida
Pinaceae
N
N
FACU
Eastern white pine
Pinus strobus
Pinaceae
N
N
FACU
Virginia pine
Pinus virginiana
Pinaceae
N
N
N
Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Platanaceae
N
N
FACW-
Hardy orange
Poncirus trifoliata
Rutaceae
I
N
N
White poplar
Populus alba
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera
Salicaceae
N
PE
FACW
Eastern cottonwood
Populus deltoides
Salicaceae
N
N
FACU-
Bigtooth aspen
Populus grandidentata
Salicaceae
N
N
FACU-
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Black poplar
Populus nigra
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Quaking aspen
Populus tremuloides
Salicaceae
N
N
N
FACU-
Wild plum
Prunus americana
Rosaceae
N
N
Sweet cherry
Prunus avium
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Pie cherry
Prunus cerasus
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Beach plum
Prunus maritima
Rosaceae
N
PE
N
European bird cherry
Prunus padus
Rosaceae
I
N
N
FACU-
Pin cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Rosaceae
N
N
Peach
Prunus persica
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Sand cherry
Prunus pumila var. susquehanae
Rosaceae
N
N/PT
N
Wild black cherry
Prunus serotina
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Choke cherry
Prunus virginiana
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
FAC
Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
Rutaceae
N
PT
Kudzu
Pueraria lobata
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Callery pear
Pyrus calleryana
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Pear
Pyrus communis
Rosaceae
I
N
N
White oak
Quercus alba
Fagaceae
N
N
FACU
Saul oak
Quercus alba x montana
Fagaceae
N
N
N
Swamp white oak
Quercus bicolor
Fagaceae
N
N
FACW+
Scarlet oak
Quercus coccinea
Fagaceae
N
N
N
FACU-
Southern red oak
Quercus falcata
Fagaceae
N
PE
Scrub oak
Quercus ilicifolia
Fagaceae
N
N
N
Shingle oak
Quercus imbricaria
Fagaceae
N
N
FAC
Bur oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Fagaceae
N
N
FAC-
Blackjack oak
Quercus marilandica
Fagaceae
N
N
N
FACW
Chestnut oak
Quercus montana
Fagaceae
N
N
Yellow oak
Quercus muhlenbergii
Fagaceae
N
N
UPL
Pin oak
Quercus palustris
Fagaceae
N
N
FACW
Bartram oak
Quercus phellos x rubra
Fagaceae
N
N
N
Dwarf chestnut oak
Quercus prinoides
Fagaceae
N
N
N
English oak
Quercus robur
Fagaceae
I
N
N
Northern red oak
Quercus rubra
Fagaceae
N
N
FACU-
Post oak
Quercus stellata
Fagaceae
N
N
UPL
Black oak
Quercus velutina
Fagaceae
N
N
N
Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Rhamnaceae
I
N
N
Buckthorn
Rhamnus davurica
Rhamnaceae
I
N
N
Flame azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum
Ericaceae
N
PX
N
Rosebay
Rhododendron maximum
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Pinxter-flower
Rhododendron periclymenoides
Ericaceae
N
N
FAC
Swamp azalea
Rhododendron viscosum
Ericaceae
N
N
FACW+
Jetbead
Rhodotypos scandens
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Shining sumac
Rhus copallina var. latifolia
Anacardiaceae
N
N
N
Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra
Anacardiaceae
N
N
N
Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina
Anacardiaceae
N
N
N
Wild black currant
Ribes americanum
Grossulariaceae
N
N
FACW
Northern wild gooseberry
Ribes hirtellum
Grossulariaceae
N
N
FAC
Buffalo currant
Ribes odoratum
Grossulariaceae
I
N
N
Garden red currant
Ribes rubrum
Grossulariaceae
I
N
N
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Bristly locust
Robinia hispida
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Black locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Fabaceae
N
N
FACU-
Dog rose
Rosa canina
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Pasture rose
Rosa carolina
Rosaceae
N
N
UPL
Cinnamon rose
Rosa cinnamomea
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Sweetbrier
Rosa eglanteria
Rosaceae
I
N
N
French rose
Rosa gallica
Rosaceae
I
N
N
FACU
Multiflora rose
Rosa multiflora
Rosaceae
I
N
Swamp rose
Rosa palustris
Rosaceae
N
N
OBL
Rugosa rose
Rosa rugosa
Rosaceae
I
N
FACU-
Prairie rose
Rosa setigera
Rosaceae
I
N/TU
FACU
Wild rose
Rosa virginiana
Rosaceae
N
TU
FAC
Memorial rose
Rosa wichuraiana
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Common blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU-
Southern dewberry
Rubus enslenii
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Prickly dewberry
Rubus flagellaris
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Swamp dewberry
Rubus hispidus
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW
Red raspberry
Rubus idaeus var. strigosus
Rosaceae
N
N
FAC-
Cut-leaved blackberry
Rubus laciniatus
Rosaceae
I
N
UPL
Black-cap
Rubus occidentalis
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Purple-flowering raspberry
Rubus odoratus
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Blackberry
Rubus pensilvanicus
Rosaceae
N
N
N
Wineberry
Rubus phoenicolasius
Rosaceae
I
N
N
Dwarf blackberry
Rubus pubescens
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW
Dewberry
Rubus recurvicaulis
Rosaceae
N
N
FACU
Bristly blackberry
Rubus setosus
Rosaceae
N
TU
FACW
Long-beaked willow
Salix bebbiana
Salicaceae
N
N
FACW
Goat willow
Salix caprea
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Gray willow
Salix cinerea
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Pussy willow
Salix discolor
Salicaceae
N
N
FACW
Diamond willow
Salix eriocephala
Salicaceae
N
N
FACW+
Crack willow
Salix fragilis
Salicaceae
I
N
FAC+
Upland willow
Salix humilis var. humilis
Salicaceae
N
N
FACU
Dwarf upland willow
Salix humilis var. tristis
Salicaceae
N
N
FACU
Shining willow
Salix lucida ssp. lucida
Salicaceae
N
N
FACW
Black willow
Salix nigra
Salicaceae
N
N
FACW+
Bay-leaved willow
Salix pentandra
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Basket willow
Salix purpurea
Salicaceae
I
N
N
Silky willow
Salix sericea
Salicaceae
N
N
OBL
American elder
Sambucus canadensis
Adoxaceae
N
N
FACW
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Lauraceae
N
N
FACUFACU
Catbrier
Smilax glauca
Smilacaceae
N
N
Bristly greenbrier
Smilax hispida
Smilacaceae
N
N
N
Catbrier
Smilax rotundifolia
Smilacaceae
N
N
FAC
Trailing nightshade
Solanum dulcamara var. dulcamara
Solanaceae
I
N
FAC
Meadow-sweet
Spiraea alba
Rosaceae
N
N
FACW+
Japanese spiraea
Spiraea japonica
Rosaceae
I
N
FACU-
Meadow-sweet
Spiraea latifolia
Rosaceae
N
N
FAC+
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Bladdernut
Staphylea trifolia
Staphyleaceae
N
N
FAC
Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus var. albus
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
FACU-
Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus
Caprifoliaceae
I
N
FACU-
Coralberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Caprifoliaceae
N
N
UPL
Sapphire-berry
Symplocos paniculata
Symplocaceae
I
N
N
Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Oleaceae
I
N
N
Canadian yew
Taxus canadensis
Taxaceae
N
N
FAC
FACU
Basswood
Tilia americana var. americana
Malvaceae
N
N
Poison-ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
Anacardiaceae
N
N
FAC
Poison sumac
Toxicodendron vernix
Anacardiaceae
N
N
OBL
Canada hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Pinaceae
N
N
FACU
American elm
Ulmus americana
Ulmaceae
N
N
FACW-
Chinese elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Ulmaceae
I
N
N
Red elm
Ulmus rubra
Ulmaceae
N
N
FAC-
Low sweet blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU-
Highbush blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Ericaceae
N
N
FACW-
Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Ericaceae
N
N
OBL
Lowbush blueberry
Vaccinium pallidum
Ericaceae
N
N
N
Deerberry
Vaccinium stamineum
Ericaceae
N
N
FACU-
Maple-leaved viburnum
Viburnum acerifolium
Adoxaceae
N
N
N
Witherod
Viburnum cassinoides
Adoxaceae
N
N
FACW
Southern arrow-wood
Viburnum dentatum
Adoxaceae
N
N
FAC
Linden viburnum
Viburnum dilatatum
Adoxaceae
I
N
N
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
Adoxaceae
N
N
FAC
Possum-haw
Viburnum nudum
Adoxaceae
N
PE
OBL
Guelder-rose
Viburnum opulus
Adoxaceae
I
N
N
Doublefile viburnum
Viburnum plicatum
Adoxaceae
I
N
N
Black-haw
Viburnum prunifolium
Adoxaceae
N
N
FACU
Downy arrow-wood
Viburnum rafinesquianum
Adoxaceae
N
N
N
Northern arrow-wood
Viburnum recognitum
Adoxaceae
N
N
FACW-
Tea viburnum
Viburnum setigerum
Adoxaceae
I
N
N
Siebold viburnum
Viburnum sieboldii
Adoxaceae
I
N
N
Highbush-cranberry
Viburnum trilobum
Adoxaceae
N
TU/PR
FACW
Summer grape
Vitis aestivalis
Vitaceae
N
N
FACU
Fox grape
Vitis labrusca
Vitaceae
N
N
FACU
Frost grape
Vitis riparia
Vitaceae
N
N
FACW
FAC
Frost grape
Vitis vulpina
Vitaceae
N
N
Chinese wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
Fabaceae
I
N
N
Prickly-ash
Zanthoxylum americanum
Rutaceae
N
N
FACU
* OBL = obligate wetland species
FACW = facultative wetland species
FAC = facultative species
FACU = facultative upland species
UPL = upland species
FAC+ species are considered wetter than FAC species.
FAC- species are considered drier than FAC species.
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
275
APPENDIX 1 .C
Species Profiles of Reptiles and Amphibians
of Montgomery County
and Management Recommendations
(Prepared by Marlin Corn, Herpetological Consultant)
Montgomery County is home to a great diversity of reptiles and amphibians. The list of species resulting from this inventory should not be considered conclusive, but rather a glimpse into
the realm of Montgomery County’s herpetofauna. Since the study was focused on the thirteen
designated conservation landscapes within the county, much of the county was not investigated.
Indeed, much of the territory within the designated landscapes was not investigated, as many areas were inaccessible. While large portions of Montgomery County are heavily urbanized, there
are many locations outside of the designated landscapes containing suitable habitat for undetected species. There are recent, reliable records for at least two species in Montgomery County
that were not detected during the course of this inventory. There are older records for a number
of species undetected during this study that may possibly still exist in the county. Many species
listed in this inventory were not found in all of the landscapes, and it is almost certain that many
exist in landscapes other than where they were detected. Furthermore, other professionals and
amateur enthusiasts may have recent data that might increase the list of species detected during
this study. The sharing and consolidation of existing data would be valuable to the conservation
efforts of Montgomery County’s reptiles and amphibians. Future surveys are recommended to
‘fill the gaps’ that are still open in the understanding of species distribution within the county.
Continued monitoring of known populations of species of special concern is also recommended.
Species Accounts
Salamanders
Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum
88 observations. Egg masses were observed at three locations where no adults were seen. Adult
salamanders and egg masses were observed at several sites within the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley
Creek Landscape, and egg masses were observed during daylight surveys in vernal pools in the
Skippack Creek and Pennypack Creek Landscapes. Dependent on seasonal, fishless pools for
breeding, efforts to locate such habitat may yield additional populations.
Red-spotted Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens
21 observations. Valley Forge NH Park was the only location in which this species was detected
during the course of this inventory. Twenty of these specimens were adults found in wetlands
adjacent to the desilting basins of the Walnut Hill region of the park. One specimen was a terrestrial eft phase, found under a log in the same area. Historical records (1935-1942) are on file
at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for the Sumneytown area, and one site in the Abington region. Red-spotted newts are on the list of reptiles and amphibians of Evansburg State Park,
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Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
provided by the park superintendent (although he does not know who compiled the list), but none
were detected during this inventory. A fairly common species throughout the commonwealth,
further searching may possibly yield additional populations in Montgomery County.
Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus
431 observations. This diminutive woodland salamander is likely the most common salamander,
if not the most common vertebrate animal, in Pennsylvania. It was found in most of the thirteen
landscapes, primarily in wooded areas. Further, properly timed investigations would likely show
it to be present in all landscapes.
Northern Slimy Salamander, Plethodon glutinosus
Two observations. Only two specimens found, one on Mount Joy in Valley Forge National
Historical Park, and one on the summit of Spring Mountain. The findings of this study suggest
that the slimy salamander is not a common species in Montgomery County, but further concentrated investigations would likely turn up more specimens in more landscapes, as it is a secretive
species. Historical findings in the Sumneytown region are on record at the Carnegie Museum of
Natural History. In the scientific community there have been recent concerns about the impact of
invasive earthworms on woodland salamanders, which is food for thought. Evidence of invasive
earthworms was observed at most sites visited.
Northern Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus fuscus fuscus
33 observations. Found in the Mill Hill/Deep Creek, Swamp Creek, Stone Hill, and Middle
Schuylkill Landscapes. All were found under rocks adjacent to small streams and creeks. Further
investigations of small streams would likely reveal additional populations within these landscapes, and at least some of the other landscapes where they were not observed during this study.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History holds records for the Lower Schuylkill Landscape, as
well as the Jenkintown area. I have a record from recent years for the Pennypack Creek Landscape, which is reflected in the range map of the Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project.
Northern Red Salamander, Pseudotriton ruber ruber
Three observations. Observed only three times, twice under rocks in small woodland streams
and once under a log near a woodland stream, northern red salamanders are likely far more
common in Montgomery County than this inventory would suggest. They were observed in the
Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek, Upper Perkiomen/Greenlane Reservoir and Middle Schuylkill
Landscapes during this project. Typically found under rocks along and in cold water streams,
further efforts concentrated on this type of habitat would likely yield many more specimens in
additional landscapes.
Northern 2-lined Salamander, Eurycea bislineata
166 observations. This species was detected in all landscapes except two: the Middle Perkiomen
and the Upper Schuylkill Landscapes. Most specimens observed were adults found under rocks
adjacent to small streams, and several larval specimens were observed swimming within some of
the streams. One of the most common salamanders in the state of Pennsylvania, it is likely present in small waterways of all landscapes.
Natural Areas Inventory Update 2007
277
Longtail Salamander, Eurycea longicauda longicauda
15 observations. Longtail salamanders were observed in the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek,
Swamp Creek and Middle Schuylkill Landscapes. I also recall finding a longtail salamander in
a tributary of the Wissahickon Creek in the late 1990s while training volunteers of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association on herpetological survey techniques. Judith Gratz, on
staff at the WVWA reported finding it on their preserve in recent years. Typically associated
with water, it is interesting to note that several observations were in terrestrial habitat. One
specimen was found under debris at the ruins of an old house at Whites Mill, approximately 25
meters from Ridge Valley Creek. Another was found under a small diabase boulder, perched
atop a pile of similar sized rocks that someone had previously piled in the forest. This location was at least 50 meters from the nearest water source. Most specimens observed in Valley
Forge NH Park were found under rocks on the bank of the Valley Creek, but three specimens
were observed along the trail above the creek; two under a large flat rock. The third, the most
unusual observation, was of a large specimen that ran downhill from a talus slide at least 30
meters from the creek, out onto the trail. Scanning the area with binoculars, a long tail shrew
was seen moving in and out of the talus.
Frogs and Toads
American Toad, Bufo americanus
108 observations of adults, hundreds of newly metamorphosed specimens, and thousands of tadpoles. Observations were made in all but the Stone Hill Landscape. Undoubtedly they exist in that
landscape as well, as this is one of the most cosmopolitan of amphibians. Eggs and tadpoles were
observed in numerous locations, most notably in the Unami and Swamp Creeks where the shallows
were teeming with thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of tadpoles in late spring. Hundreds
of newly emerged toadlets were observed along the banks of Swamp Creek on June 6, 2007.
Fowlers Toad, Bufo woodhousii fowleri
Eight adult observations, scores of newly metamorphosed specimens. Fowler’s toads were
observed on three different dates, only within the floodplain of the Schuylkill River in the Linfield area. Six adult specimens were found under boards, at least 200 meters from the river. Two
were found actively moving through vegetation closer to the river on an overcast day. Scores
of newly emerged toadlets were observed on the bank of the river, mid-day of June 12, 2007.
There are records for Valley Forge NH Park, which straddles the Schuylkill River, and the range
map for this species in the final report of the Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project shows
a record which appears to be on the lower Perkiomen. A historical record exists for Prospectville. Other populations likely exist but may possibly be restricted to the Schuylkill River and
the lower reaches of its larger tributaries, as Fowler’s toads are generally found in environments
containing loose, sandy soils which are usually associated with this type of habitat.
Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
1065+ observations of adults and over 1000 tadpoles. The bulk of spring peeper observations
were auditory estimates of choruses, and observations of tadpoles, particularly in the wetlands of
the Pennypack watershed. They were observed in the Mill Hill/Deep Creek, Unami Creek/Ridge
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Valley Creek, Middle Perkiomen Creek, Skippack Creek, Middle Schuylkill, and Pennypack
Creek Landscapes. Further investigations of wetlands at the appropriate time of year would
likely reveal more populations in at least some of the other landscapes.
Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor
49 observations. Gray treefrogs were detected in only three designated landscapes: Middle
Schuylkill, Central Perkiomen and Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek. All were detected during
calling amphibian monitoring surveys. Two populations were found in different areas of Valley
Forge NH Park. A population was detected in Berks County, just north of the Upper Perkiomen/
Green Lane Reservoir Landscape. The Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project range map
shows a record for the Pennypack Creek Landscape, but none were detected there by this study.
Additional calling amphibian monitoring surveys, on moist nights in the months of May and
June, would likely turn up more populations of gray tree frogs within Montgomery County.
Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica
137 observations of adults and numerous egg masses. Most observations of wood frogs and their
egg masses were made in the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek and Mill Hill/Deep Creek Landscapes. One specimen was encountered moving through forest adjacent to Green Lane reservoir,
and wood frog egg masses were observed in a man-made pond at the Natural Lands Trust Meng
Preserve in the Stone Hill Landscape. As with Ambystomid salamanders, wood frogs are dependent on fishless pools for breeding, and locating additional sites with this type of habitat would
likely yield more populations. There are recent records for Valley Forge NH Park, and the Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project shows a record in the southeastern region of Montgomery
County, but none was detected in that region during the course of this inventory.
Pickerel Frog, Rana palustris
156 observations. Pickerel frogs were observed in eight of the 13 landscapes during these surveys, sometimes seeming ubiquitous. They were not observed in the Spring Mountain, Stone
Hills, Middle Perkiomen Creek, Skippack Creek or Wissahickon Creek Landscapes. They were
most often found moving through the wet vegetation of forests and wetlands, but also in a variety
of aquatic situations. Further investigations would likely turn up specimens in at least some of
these landscapes.
Green Frog, Rana clamitans melanota
415 observations. One of the most common frogs in Pennsylvania, unsurprising, the green frog
was found in all landscapes. Specimens of many shades of green were observed from late March
through early October (latest seasonal survey date was October 9, 2006) in most aquatic habitats
visited, including larger creeks and rivers, where it could be found in quieter backwater areas.
Smaller specimens frequently were encountered under rocks in smaller streams.
Bullfrog, Rana catesbieana
109 observations. Bullfrogs were encountered in a variety of aquatic situations, but most often
along the banks of ponds and lakes. They were observed in all landscapes except Spring Mountain, Skippack Creek, Middle Perkiomen Creek and Lower Schuylkill. Further investigations
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would likely reveal bullfrogs in the aquatic habitats of these landscapes as well. It is interesting
to note that the majority of bullfrog observations were made in the more urbanized regions of
the county. It is possible that the bullfrog is more common in Montgomery County now than in
the past, as it has been widely introduced to new locations throughout the state. The Carnegie
Museum of Natural History has no historical records for this species in Montgomery County.
Snakes
Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon
47 observations. The most commonly observed snake during the course of this inventory, most
were observed, appropriately enough, in association with water. Many were found under rocks
adjacent to creeks and streams, and many were observed basking on branches or debris overhanging water, or on the banks. At least two were observed more than 50 meters from the nearest water. Observed in ten of the 13 landscapes, northern water snakes would likely turn up in
the remaining three landscapes upon further investigations of their waterways.
Northern Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi
One observation. Detected only in the Upper Perkiomen/Green Lane Reservoir Landscape,
this species proved elusive during the course of this inventory. Numerous specimens have been
reported from Valley Forge NH Park, and the range map in the final results of the Pennsylvania
Herpetological Atlas Project also documents it in the Middle Schuylkill Landscape as well as the
Pennypack Creek Landscape. Jennica Nobre, on staff at the Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Trust claims to have found it in that landscape in recent years. Intensive searches, particularly
where cover objects are abundant, could possibly yield more specimens in other landscapes.
Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
36 observations. Garter snakes were found in all landscapes except the Upper Schuylkill, and the
Wissahickon Creek, although it almost undoubtedly resides in those as well. A large percentage
of observed garter snakes were found under cover objects and many were seen actively moving about in a variety of habitats. Three specimens were found dead, and two were identified by
shed skins.
Northern Ringneck Snake, Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
14 observations. Found in all but four landscapes; Stone Hills, Middle Perkiomen Creek, Upper Schuylkill, and the Wissahickon Creek Corridor (Should we mention that Ann, Tim, and I
found one on the prison property, as this is in the Middle Perk Landscape area?). Intense searching of rocky areas in these four regions might well turn up specimens of this relatively common,
but secretive species. The fact that one specimen (incidentally the tiniest specimen) was found
in the most urbanized setting that was surveyed (under a rock next to a junk yard in the Lower
Schuylkill Landscape, near Philadelphia) suggests that the northern Ringneck snake is a very
adaptable species.
Northern Black Racer, Coluber constrictor constrictor
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10 observations. Found in the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek, Spring Mountain, Skippack
Creek, Middle Schuylkill and Wissahickon Creek Corridor Landscapes. All but two specimens,
which were found under cover objects, where observed out in the open basking or actively moving. All specimens were found in relatively open habitat. Quick and alert, racers are difficult
to approach and even more difficult to capture. They are likely to be present in additional landscapes in Montgomery County.
Black Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
Two observations. One observation came from a shed skin found in a woodpile in the Unami
Creek/Upper Ridge Valley Creek Landscape, and a live specimen was captured moving along
the edge of a mixed hardwood and red-cedar forest, adjacent to a power line swath, in the Upper
Perkiomen/Green Lane Reservoir Landscape. Although I have heard of sightings in various parts
of Montgomery County over the years, the only documented records I came across were specimens reported in Valley Forge NH Park in 1985, and another record from the Upper Perkiomen
region. Black rat snakes may occur in other parts of Montgomery County, but apparently are far
from widespread.
Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Two observations. One adult was found under a cover board along a power line swath in the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek Landscape. A juvenile specimen was found in the Swamp Creek
Landscape. A very secretive species, it was frustrating not to find more specimens. Milksnakes
are likely present in many of the thirteen designated landscapes, particularly where old farm
buildings exist, as they are predators of the rodents these buildings tend to attract.
Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
No copperheads were observed in Montgomery County during this inventory. Tiebout et. al.
reported a DOR specimen dead on the road at the base of Mount Joy, in Montgomery County in
their 2003 study. This is the only population in Montgomery County that has been confirmed in
recent years. There are numerous historical records (1932-1962) from the Unami Creek drainage, confirmed by voucher specimens in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. No specimens were observed in that area despite intensive searching.
Turtles
Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina
23 observations. The common snapping turtle was observed in seven of the 13 landscapes, but
it is likely present in all, as it is a habitat generalist and often moves from one body of water to
another. Two large specimens were observed nesting, and another was seen walking along the
power line swath at Mill Hill Woods Preserve in the Mill Hill/Deep Creek Landscape. All other
specimens were observed in aquatic situations. At least two were seen basking on floating logs
and most of the others were either floating at the surface or actively moving underwater. One
large dead specimen was observed on a bank of Swamp Creek.
Common Musk Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus
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13 observations. Observed in Middle Schuylkill, Middle Perkiomen Creek, Swamp Creek, and
Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek Landscapes. Further investigations of waterways in the other
designated landscapes in Montgomery County would likely turn up additional specimens. Since
this turtle was observed in the Schuylkill River, it is quite possible for it to exist in any of this river’s tributaries. All specimens were observed either basking, or actively foraging in shallow water.
Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina
24 observations. Observed in the Mill Hill/Deep Creek, Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek, Upper Perkiomen/Green Lane Reservoir, Spring Mountain, Swamp Creek, Stone Hill and Middle
Perkiomen Creek Landscapes, it appears that box turtles are still faring well in the less developed
northern half on the county. None were observed in the southern half, although sixteen observations were reported in Valley Forge NH Park during a 2003 inventory. Jennica Nobre of the
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust reported finding a box turtle on that preserve in recent
years. Judith Gratz of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association reported seeing a specimen
several years ago on their preserve. Since the southern half of the county has more roads and
more people, it has likely suffered greater impact from collecting and road mortality there than
in the north. These are considered to be two of the leading causes for an overall decline in the
northeast in recent years.
Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii (formerly Clemmys muhlenbergii)
No bog turtles were observed during the course of this inventory. It is possible other populations
exist in yet to be documented locations. Suitable habitat was found at several locations, although
most were small tracts of marginal habitat. One site investigated in the northern end of the
county was the most promising; approximately ten acres of open wetland with vegetation, soil
and hydrology consistent with bog turtle habitat.
Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata
Two observations. Only two spotted turtles were found during the course of this inventory, in
a large wet meadow in the northern end of the county. No other records for spotted turtles in
Montgomery County were found. Efforts to locate and survey other sites with suitable habitat
might possibly yield additional populations within the county. Considered a species of special
concern in Pennsylvania, protection of this, and any other newly discovered populations should
be vigilant.
Wood Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta
Three observations. A mating pair of wood turtles was observed in a grassy meadow and another specimen was found in a tall-grass meadow in the Upper Perkiomen/Green Lane Reservoir
Landscape. A wood turtle was observed basking on debris in the Schuylkill River, near Lower
Pottsgrove, in 2002. A local enthusiast, Bill Moses, provided a photograph of a wood turtle that
he took in Valley Forge NH Park recently. It is possible that these two turtles may have been
wanderers, using the Schuylkill River as a travel corridor. It is possible that wood turtles exist
in other landscapes in Montgomery County, however they are believed to have suffered serious
decline throughout the commonwealth in recent years. For that reason they are currently consid-
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ered a species of special concern.
Common Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica
10 observations. One small map turtle was found dead on a road adjacent the Schuylkill River.
It was not a casualty of an automobile, but appeared to have become trapped; unable to climb the
high curbs once on the road, and likely died of dehydration. All other specimens were observed
basking on the river. The Schuylkill River is likely the only place map turtles naturally exist in
Montgomery County, as it provides the only habitat that they are typically found in; lakes or rivers larger than 50 meters wide. In past years I have observed this species on the Schuylkill River
as far north as Lower Pottsgrove.
Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta
308+ observations. Easily the most common turtle to be observed during this inventory, except
in the Spring Mountain and Upper Schuylkill Landscapes. Further investigations of waterways
would undoubtedly reveal them in these landscapes as well. The painted turtles in the Delaware
drainage, of which the Schuylkill is part, have been demonstrated to be intergrades of the midland and eastern subspecies, so no efforts to determine subspecies were made during this inventory. The frequency of sightings during this inventory support the belief that the painted turtle is
the most common species in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans
42 observations. Observed in the Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek, Upper Perkiomen/Green
Lane Reservoir, Stone Hill, Middle Perkiomen Creek, Middle Schuylkill and Pennypack Creek
Landscapes. It is likely that they are present in more, if not all of the landscapes. All specimens
were observed either in ponds or in the Schuylkill River, except one large specimen seen basking on a rock in the middle of the Perkiomen Creek. In the large pond of the Saratoga Creek
in the Sanatoga Memorial Park, red-eared sliders greatly out-numbered painted turtles. In the
Betzwood bridge area of the Schuylkill River, more red-eared sliders were observed than painted
turtles on two different dates. Several hatchlings were captured in that area as well, strongly suggesting that this species is breeding there.
Redbelly Turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris
21 observations. The redbelly turtle is listed as a threatened species in the state of Pennsylvania. Most observations were made in the Schuylkill River and Green Lane Reservoir. Observations were also made in the Perkiomen and Skippack Creeks. One large female was found
out wandering a mowed grassy area in the Deep Creek region of Green Lane Reservoir, during
the nesting season. As there are records for redbelly turtles in the Schuylkill River at least as
far north as Lower Pottsgrove, it is likely they could be found in the lower reaches of any of
the Schuylkill’s tributaries.
Spiny Softshell Turtle, Trionyx spiniferus spiniferus
Two observations. One softshell turtle was observed surface basking on the Schuylkill River
in Valley Forge NH Park. Another turtle was seen basking on the bank of the Schuylkill in the
Norristown area. The closest previously documented softshell turtles occur in the Neshaminy
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Creek of Bucks County. They have also been observed in the Delaware River, and two lakes
in southern Bucks County in recent years. According to Hulse, et. al., 2002, these turtles are
likely the result of human intervention since they don’t occur outside the Ohio/Allegheny
drainage systems.
Management Recommendations
At least thirty-five species of reptiles and amphibians are present in Montgomery County. One
species, the bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, is federally listed as threatened, and in Pennsylvania, it is listed as endangered. The redbelly turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris is listed as
threatened in our state. As many as seven others are species of special concern because they are
believed to be in serious decline in our state; eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina,
wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata, Fowler’s toad, Bufo woodhousii fowleri and copperhead, Aksitrodon contortrix mokasen have all been confirmed as a result of
this study. In addition, there are records for queen snake, Regina septemvittata in recent years.
While all of the other species listed in this report are regarded more or less as common in Pennsylvania, reptiles and amphibians in general are sensitive to ecological disturbances. Below are
some suggestions for the protection of Montgomery County’s herpetofauna.
Preserving and Protecting Habitat
The best way to protect species is to preserve and protect the land on which they are found.
Montgomery County still has some vast areas of scenic open space, particularly in the north,
thanks to the efforts of conservation organizations, concerned citizens, landowners and governmental entities. Yet when visiting any of these protected areas, one does not need to travel far to
find a new housing, commercial or industrial development in progress. There may be unknown
populations of rare herpetological species on private landholdings, which could be imperiled by
the sale and development of that land. Known populations on protected parcels may be affected
by the development of neighboring properties by resultant degradation of water quality, lowering
water tables, and increased road building. Many herpetological species are seasonal wanderers, and may travel on and off protected land at different times of the year. New developments
may destroy habitat that is critical to these seasonal movements, and increased road building
subjects wandering species to increased peril. Some of the most sensitive species are dependent
on wetlands and waterways for part, or all of the year. The protection of waterways and remaining wetlands, including seasonal pools, should be paramount. The protection of lands buffering
these areas is also vital to the well being of wetland herpetological species.
Protecting and Improving Water Quality
Most amphibians depend on an aquatic habitat for at least part, if not all of their life cycles. Due
to the thin, moist skin through which cutaneous respiration occurs, they are extremely sensitive
to changes in water pH and purity. Certain reptiles depend on aquatic habitat as well, and while
they may not be as physiologically at risk as amphibians from degraded water quality, some of
their prey species are. For example, queen snakes are dietary specialists, feeding almost exclusively on soft-shelled crawfish, which are dependent on unpolluted streams. Continued protection and improvement of the water quality of Montgomery County’s lakes, rivers and streams is
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important to the conservation of its herpetofauna.
Controlling Invasive Species
Non-native, invasive species of plants were observed on virtually every site visited during this
inventory. Invasive plant species are known to degrade habitat, reduce biodiversity, and ultimately affect native species in a given landscape. There has been a great deal of education on this
topic, as well as eradication efforts by many governmental, conservation and educational entities.
Continued education and eradication efforts are strongly recommended.
Non-native, invasive earthworms were observed in all landscapes and on most sites. This species is believed to impact forest ecology by devouring leaf litter far more quickly than it normally takes to decompose. There is a concern that this may be affecting woodland salamander
populations in the northeast by eliminating the cover and food source of their prey species, as
well as eliminating cover for the salamanders themselves. Studies by various academic institutions in the northeastern U.S. are being conducted on ways to control this invasive species.
Close monitoring of these studies by land management entities is recommended for possible
future control measures.
Red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans, an introduced species of turtle, was observed at
a number of sites; it was one of the most commonly observed turtle species in the section of the
Schuylkill River that runs through Valley Forge National Historical Park. Red-eared sliders are
believed by some to be aggressive competitors of other turtle species for available basking sites,
which are often sparse in a given area. This may be particularly problematic for the state-threatened redbelly turtle. Trapping and removal of this species wherever it is found in the county is
recommended. The installation of basking platforms where redbelly turtles are known to occur
may help alleviate the competition for basking sites by red-eared sliders.
Enforcement of Laws Prohibiting the Collection of Species
Many species of reptiles and amphibians have suffered serious population declines in Pennsylvania. As a result, new regulations regarding the collection of many species recently have
been instituted. The enforcement of these regulations by law enforcement officers and park
personnel, as well as vigilance on the part of land-owners and citizens will help the long-term
survival prospects of these species. PA Code Chapter 45 Conservation of Pennsylvania Wild
Plants, Sections 45.31 through 45.33 states that “A person, other than the landowner, a person
having a bona fide property interest in the affected land or Bureau of Forestry personnel in the
performance of their official duties, may not disturb, pick, take, possess, destroy, mutilate, remove, collect or transplant plants classified as Pennsylvania Endangered, Pennsylvania Threatened, (or) Pennsylvania Vulnerable.”
Redbelly Turtle Management
The redbelly turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris, listed as a threatened species in Pennsylvania, is
present in several landscapes in Montgomery County. Most observations were made on the
Schuylkill River and in the Green Lane Reservoir, with additional observations in the Perkiomen
and Skippack Creeks. Because it occurs in the Schuylkill, it has the potential to show up in any
of the tributaries of this river. Red-eared sliders, an introduced species, were often observed in
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close proximity to redbelly turtles. This may constitute a threat to the redbelly, as these two species compete for the same ecological niche. The potential for this problem could be reduced by
the trapping and removal of red-eared sliders and the installation of artificial basking platforms
to reduce competition for basking habitat. Mowed lawns are frequently used by female redbelly
turtles for nesting habitat. The continued mowing of areas adjacent to known redbelly populations may be advisable, as established populations may be dependent on them for reproduction.
Queen Snake Management
Queen snakes recently have been documented in sections of the Valley Creek in Valley Forge NH
Park, and Brandon Ruhe claims to have observed them along the upper Perkiomen Creek. This
species has apparently declined in Pennsylvania, and they are rare at best in Montgomery County. Dependent on soft-shelled crawfish as their primary food source, any compromise of water
quality of these streams may have serious consequences for this species. Ample cover objects
adjacent to the streams queen snakes inhabit are also critical to their success. For that reason
it may be advisable to evaluate and monitor the stream banks that queen snakes are known to
inhabit for cover habitat, and possibly install additional cover objects in those areas.
Bog Turtle and Spotted Turtle Management
A few populations of bog turtles have been recently documented in Montgomery County, and
one population of spotted turtles was confirmed during the course of this inventory. Bog turtles
are listed as endangered in Pennsylvania, and spotted turtles have declined significantly. Thus
it would be prudent to protect these populations as much as possible. The wetland the spotted turtles reside in is currently protected, but all of the land surrounding this area may not be.
Future development of those areas might impact the wetland at some point in the future. A farm
lies adjacent the wetland, and the possible use of fertilizers and pesticides could easily affect the
site. Maintaining secrecy as to the location of this site is advisable to thwart potential poaching.
Continued monitoring of the known populations of bog turtles and spotted turtles is advisable.
Wood Turtle and Box Turtle Management
Both wood turtle and box turtle populations have declined in Pennsylvania. Over-collecting, loss
of habitat, and habitat fragmentation are believed to be the primary reasons for these declines.
Strict enforcement of no-collecting policies by public parks is advisable. Maintaining secrecy of
known population sites is advisable to reduce the potential for poaching. Possibly the most important consideration is the avoidance of habitat fragmentation and road-building in areas where
populations of these turtles exist.
Reducing Road Kills
Several DOR specimens of reptiles and amphibians (and many other animals) were observed
during the course of this survey, including two box turtles. Proactive measures to reduce the
road mortality of turtles and other animals might include reducing the speed limit in areas of
known populations, the installation of culverts under roads at sites that turtles are frequently observed crossing (generally where roads traverse wetlands), and education of the general public.
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