Plant Identification videos – Identify that Plant

During the summer, American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) blooms with tiny flowers hidden among its leaves. The fertilized flowers develop into small green berries which grow around the leaf axils. These berries gradually turn from green to purple. When fully mature … Continue reading →

Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) is a native perennial in the southeastern portion of the United States. During winter, its leaves are mottled with white.  This next image shows the winter leaves along with the bright green spring leaves of new … Continue reading →

When Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) blooms in spring, people stop and take notice. The bright white “petals,” which are actually bracts, surround a cluster of small flowers in the center.  These flowers are only one-quarter inch in diameter and exude … Continue reading →

This beautiful and rare native orchid — Large whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata) — grows in woods in eastern North America.  The plant’s colors blend well with its habitat. In this close view of the flower, you can see a small … Continue reading →

If you walk on a patch of Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) leaves at any time of the year, you’ll notice a distinctive odor rising from the bruised leaves.  This plant, now growing throughout North America, is a member of the … Continue reading →

The Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) tree blooms early in the spring.  Its bright red flowers — contrasted with the fresh green leaves — delight both people and hummingbirds.  Flowers grow at the tips of branches. The flowers bloom from the … Continue reading →

Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) is an annual native plant in North America (eastern and central regions).  It blooms starting in mid-summer and continues blooming until the first hard frost in the fall.  Flowers are quite small so it takes a … Continue reading →

A native plant in central and eastern North America, Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) blooms during the summer.  Typically, it can be found along roadsides and fields. The spring shoots arise from underground root buds or from newly germinating seeds. A … Continue reading →

Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a common plant in North America — growing along roadsides, waste places and in cultivated gardens (where it’s usually not wanted).  The above photo shows its compound leaves with three heart-shaped leaflets, along with … Continue reading →

The golden flowers of Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) begin blooming in mid-summer.  This biennial plant may also grow as an annual if the previous year’s seeds sprout in the spring and the plant matures the same year. Here’s the basal … Continue reading →

Quite a few plants throughout North America have the common name of Blue-eyed grass.  These different species of the Sisyrinchium genus have very similar identifying characteristics.  This plant portrait features Sisyrinchium angustifolium. The leaves are thin, linear and smooth — arising … Continue reading →

The fragrant flowers of Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) appear during the spring season. The inflorescence contains unopened flower buds, opening buds, and fresh flowers.  Flowers are usually a bit high on the tree, so it helps to have binoculars to … Continue reading →

Sweet everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) is one of those weedy plants, growing throughout central and eastern North America, which we tend to notice only as it begins to bloom. Its flowers may seem a bit strange since they don’t look like … Continue reading →

Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) blooms prolifically during spring and early summer in moist places throughout central and eastern North America. The basal leaves in spring . . . , , ,  become more numerous . . . . . .  … Continue reading →

When Redbud (Cercis canadensis) blooms, spring has definitely arrived in North America.  The flowers grow first, with short stalks, directly from the tree’s branches.  While the flowers bloom, new Redbud leaves begin to break from their winter buds and make … Continue reading →

Dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata) is a native wildflower which blooms in the spring.  It grows in moist open woodlands in eastern and southern parts of the U.S. The short plant — in comparison to most irises — grows about … Continue reading →

This plant can be found throughout the world — in open fields and waste places.  It’s English plantain (Plantago lanceolata).  The flowering spike is commonly used in child’s play while the leaves have medicinal uses as well as nutritional value. … Continue reading →

When the leaves of Fire pink (Silene virginica) emerge in the spring, the plant is unremarkable in appearance.  However, when it begins to bloom, the bright red flowers grab the eye and shout “Look at me!” This next photo shows … Continue reading →

The “woodland,” “wild,” or “mountain” Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) grows within the eastern portion of the U.S.  Although the plant is small and its flowers are equally small,  Stonecrop catches the eye when it blooms. Each cluster of white flowers consists … Continue reading →

Roadsides throughout North America are cheerfully graced with groupings of Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) during summer months. Each plant has a single flower stalk which splits into two racemes of flower buds and flowers.  Here’s a close view of some Daylily … Continue reading →