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