Plant List for Appalachian Flora class, Pre-summer session 2004. Dr. Tim McDowell, East Tennessee State University
List prepared by Laticia Humphrey and Taska Randolph
Scientific name Common Name Family Date recorded Locality Key characters
Acer negundo L. Ash leaved maple Aceraceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals Box elder most  common name
Acer pensylvanicum L. Striped maple Aceraceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Young bark striped or green
Acer rubrum L. Red maple Aceraceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland
Rhus copallina L. Winged sumac Anacardiaceae 28-May-04 Classroom Copal-like droplets
Rhus glabra L. Smooth sumac Anacardiaceae 2-Jun-04 Breckenridge Trace
Rhus radicans L. Poison Ivy Anacardiaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Leaves three parted
Conium maculatum L. Poison hemlock Apiaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Umbel
Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC Honewort Apiaceae 2-Jun-04 Warrior's Path Leaves ternately divided
Apocynum sibircum Jacq. Clasping d Apocynaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus
Ilex opaca Aiton American Holly Aquifoliaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery twigs minutely pubescent, sharp teeth
Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott. Jack in the pulpit Araceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt.
Peltandra virginica (L.) Kunth Arrow leaf Araceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Arrow shaped leaf
Asarum canadense L. Wild ginger Aristolochiaceae 3-Jun-04 rhizome creeping and elongate
Asclepias exaltata L. Poke milkweed Asclepiadaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Leaves opposite and tappering at both ends
Thelypteris noveboracensis L. New York Fern Aspleniceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest leaf tapers at both ends
Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow Asteraceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland White flower
Chichorium intybus L. Chicory Asteraceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Long taproot
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (L.) Bernh. Ox-eye daisy Asteraceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. Oxeye daisy Asteraceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery White petals, yellow center
Erigeron annuus (L.) Persoon Daisy Fleabane Asteraceae 2-Jun-04 Breckenridge Trace
Erigeron philadelphicus L. Daisy fleabane Asteraceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Looks like a daisy
Hieracium pratense Field hawkweed Asteraceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Hairy basal leaves
Hieracium venosum L. Rattlesnake weed Asteraceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest milky white substance
Senecio aureus L. Golden ragwort Asteraceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain Yellow
Tragopogon dubios Scopoli. Yellow goatsbeard Asteraceae 2-Jun-04 Breckenridge Trace Corolla yellow
Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Blue cohosh Berberidaceae rounded-lobed bicompound leaves
Podophyllum peltatum L. Mayapple Berberidaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest white flowers
Alnus crispa (Michx) House Green alder Betulaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain
Alnus serrulata (Ait.)Willd. Tag Alder Betulaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Black fruit
Betula lutea Michx. Yellow birch Betulaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Wintergreen smell
Catalpa bignonioides Walter Cigar Tree Bignoniaceae 28-May-04 Classroom thin bark
Myosotis scorpioides L. Forget-me-not Boraginaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals corolla blue with a yellow eye
Alliaria petiloata (Bieb.) Cavara and Grande Garlic mustard Brassicaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals petals white, garlic smell
Arabis laevigata (Muhl.) Poiret Smooth rockcress Brassicaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Slique fruit capsules
Brassica rapa L. Field Mustard Brassicaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Yellow flowers
Cardamine diphylla (Michaux) A. Wood Toothwort Brassicaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge
Hesperis matronalis L. Dame's violet Brassicaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals purple or white flower
Nasturtium officinale R. Brown Watercress Brassicaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Aquatic plant
Calycanthus floridus L. Hairy old spice Calycanthaceae 28-May-04 Classroom
Specularia perfoliata (L.) Tanfani Venus' looking glass Campanulaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals Purple
Lonicera  japonica Thunb. Japanese honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals corolla 2-lipped, white or pink, fades to yellow
Sambucus canadensis L. common elder Caprifoliaceae 28-May-04 Classroom 5 parts, white flowers, toothed and opp. Leaves
Sambucus pubens (Michx.) Koehne Red-berry elder Caprifoliaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain Creamy white or yellowish, 5-7 leaflets
Viburnum acerifolium L. Maple-leaf arrowwood Caprifoliaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Black berries
Viburnum nudum L. Southern wild-raisin Caprifoliaceae 28-May-04 Classroom peduncles 1-4
Dianthus armeria L. Deptford pink Caryophyllaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Deep pink flower dotted with white
Silene virginica L. Fire pink Caryophyllaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Red flower with five petals
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunberg Asiatic bittersweet Celastraceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals 1-3 flowered axillary cyme
Euonymus americanus L. Wild strawberry bush Celastraceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Opposite leaves; green flowers
Tradescantia virginiana L. Spiderwort Commelinaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Petals blue to purple
Cornus amomum Miller. Silky dogwood Cornaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Pith dark brown
Nyssa sylvatica Marshall Black gum Cornaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Carpinus caroliniana Walt. Ironwood Corylaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Alternate leaves, toothed
Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) BSP. Atlantic white cedar Cupressaceae 28-May-04 Classroom Bark gray to brown
Juniperus virginiana L. Red cedar Cupressaceae 2-Jun-04 Warrior's Path Dark brown, shreddy bark
Cyrilla racemiflora L. TiTi Cyrillaceae 28-May-04 Classroom Tall shrub or small tree
Galax aphylla L. Galax Diapensiaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Leaves evergreen, stamens united
Drosea rotundifolia L. Sundew Draseraceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Corolla white or tinged with pink
Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Silver leaf Elaeagnacea 27-May-04 Beauty spot Silvery leaves
Kalmia latifolia L. Mountain Laurel Ericaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Spring loaded stamen; white flower
Leiophyllum buxifolium (Bergius) Elloit Sand Myrtle Ericaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain White
Oxydendrum arboretum L. Sour wood Ericaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery
Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr. Flame azalea Ericaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Orange or scarlet blossoms; hair on leaves and twigs
Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. Red laurel Ericaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain big leaves
Vaccinium corymbosum L. Highbush blueberry Ericaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain small tastey fruit
Vaccinium vacillans Torrey Early low blueberry Ericaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Geenish white or Greenish pink flowers
Cercis canadensis L. Red Bud tree Fabaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals Bean-like fruit
Coronilla varia L. Crown vetch Fabaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Superior ovary, alternate pinnate leaves
Lathyrus latifolius L. Everlasting pea Fabaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Broadly winged stem
Medicago lupulina L. Black medic Fabaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Black snail shaped fruit
Melilotus alba Desr. White sweet clover Fabaceae 3-Jun-04 Johnson City Corolla white 
Melilotus officinalis Pallas. Yellow sweet clover Fabaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Yellow flower
Robinia cf. hispida L. Bristly locust Fabaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Purplish to redish purple flowers
Robinia pseudo-acacia L. Black Locust Fabaceae 3-Jun-04 Johnson City Large shrub, branches with spines, coarse bark
Trifolium pratense L. Red Clover Fabaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. 3 leaflets, big purple flower cluster
Trifolium repens L. White Clover Fabaceae 18-May-04 ETSU Campus 3 leaflets, common in lawn, white flower cluster
Trifolium repens L. White clover Fabaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals 3 leaflets
Vicia villosa Roth. Hairy vetch Fabaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Leaves alternate compound, hairy stem and leaves
Quercus alba L. White Oak Fagaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery leaves have rounded lobes
Dicentra exima (Ker Gawler) Torr. Bleeding hearts Fumariaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Pink flower 
Geranium carolinianum L. Carolina cranesbill Geraniaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Bill shaped fruit
Geranium maculatum L. Cransebill Geraniaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Pink and purple flowers
Ribes hirtellum Michx. Smooth gooseberry Grossulariceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain
Hamamelis virginiana L. Witch-hazel Hamamelidaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Shrub
Aesculus octandra Marsh Yellow buckeye Hippocastanaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest opposite palmately compound leaves
Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx. Fern-leaved phacelia Hydrophyllaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Petals not fringed
Iris pseudacorus L. Yellow iris Iridaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Yellow flower
Carya ovata (Miller) K. Koch. Hickory Juglandaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot 5 leaflets, hairy serration
Juglans nigra L. Black walnut Juglandaceae 28-May-04 Classroom alternate and compound leaves
Glecoma hederacea L. Ground ivy Lamiaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Purple flower
Salvia lyrata L. Lyre-leaved sage Lamiaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Square, hairy stem
Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume Spice bush Lauraceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Sassafras albidum (Nuttall) Nees Sassafras Lauraceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. 3 different leaves (1,2 and 3 lobed)
Clintonia umbellulata (Michx.) Morong. White clintonia Liliaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest white flower with basal leaves
Disporum lanunginosum (Michaux) Nicholson Nodding mandarin Liliaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest branched leafy stalk resembling Solomon's Seal
Hypoxys hirsuta L. Yellow stargrass Liliaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Yellow flower, six parts, basal leaves
Maianthemum canadense Desf Mayflower Liliaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Alternate leaves, star-like flower tops
Medeola virginiana L. Indian cucumber root Liliaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Monocot; Whorled leaves
Polygonatum biflorum (Walt.) Ell. Common Solomon's Seal Liliaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Flowers 1-4 in cluster
Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf. Flase Solomon's Seal Liliaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Fl in a branched pyramidal  cluster.
Trillium erectum L. Red trillium Liliaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain 3 parts, deep purle color, stinks
Magnolia fraseri Walter Frasier Magnolia Magnoliaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest
Magnolia grandfolia L. Magnolia Magnoliaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus White strongly scented flowers
Magnolia tripetala (L.) L. Umbrella magnolia Magnoliaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge
Magnolia virginiana L. Sweet bay Mognoliaceae 28-May-04 Classroom white flowers, leathery entire leaves
Morus rubra L. Red mulberry Moraceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals Fruit dull red
Myrica pennsylvanica Loisel Northern Bay Berry Myricaceae 28-May-04 Classroom pubescent beneath
Fraxinus americana L. White ash Oleaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Leaflets 5-9
Ligustrum vulgare L. Common privet Oleaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Superior ovary, entire hairy leaves
Oenothera speciosa Nutt. Primrose Onagraceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Pink flower
Aplectrum hyemale (Muhl.) Torr. Puttyroot Orchidaceae 3-Jun-04 rootstock like a coarse chain
Cypripedium acaule Aiton Pink Lady slipper Orchidaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Pink flower with yellowish green sepals and petals
Conopholis americana (L.) Wallr. Squaw root Orobanchaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Cone-like white no color
Oxalis stricta L. Sour grass Oxalidaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Sanguinaria canadensis L. Bloodroot Papaveraceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Bright orange petal; red juice
Phytolacca americana L. Pokeweed Phytolaccaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery berries dark purple, poisonous
Lysimachia nummularia L. Moneywort Pimulaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Yellow flower
Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poiret Frasier Fir Pinaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain
Pinus strobus L. White pine Pinaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. Canadian Hemlock Pinaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery
Plantago lanceolata L. English plantain Plantaginaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus
Platanus occidentalis L. Sycamore tree Platanaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland
Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl. Cane Poaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Dactylis glomerata L. Orchard grass Poaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals
Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc. Japanese knotweed Polygonaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Stout erect perennial
Rumex acetosella L. Field sorrel Polygonaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Slender creeping roots
Rumex crispus L. Curled dock Polygonaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Green flower
Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx) Schott. Christmas Fern Polypodiaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt.
Lysimachia quadrifolia L. Whorled loosestrife Primulaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Corolla streaked with black red at the base
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx) Moore Hay scented fern Pteridaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Base leaflets kick out
Delphinium tricorne Michx. Dwarf larkspur Ranunculaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Purple flower
Ranunculus bulbosus L. Buttercups Ranunculaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Yellow flowers with bulb at the base, hairy
Rhamnus caroliniana Walt. Carolina buckthorn Rhamnaceae 28-May-04 Classroom leaves elliptic
Crataegus sp. L. Hawthorne Rosaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot thorny
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild Strawberry Rosaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest thorny with big red fruits
Gillenia trifoliata L. Bowman's root Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery
Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim Ninebark Rosaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Fruit pink, green, and white
Potentilla canadensis L. Dwarf Cinquefoil Rosaceae 19-May-04 Pisgah National Forest Yellow flower with basal leaves
Potentilla recta L. Rough-fruited cinquefoil Rosaceae 2-Jun-04 Breckenridge Trace Stems and leaves densely hirsute
Prunus avium L. Sweet cherry Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Fruits red to black, sweet
Prunus cerasus L. Sour cherry Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Peach tree Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery
Prunus serotina Ehrhart Black cherry Rosaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Slippery leaves and glands at top of petiole
Pyrus communis L. Domestic pear Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery bark is gray-brown to reddish-brown, scaly ridges
Pyrus malus L. Domestic apple Rosaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Leaves ovate, 2-3 inches long
Rosa multiflora Thunb. Multiflora rose Rosaceae 21-May-04 Sycamore Shoals ciliate stepal
Rubus allegheniensis Porter Blackberry Rosaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt.
Rubus flagellaris Willd. Prickly dewberry Rosaceae 3-Jun-04 Johnson City Long creeping prostrate
Rubus occidentalis L. Black rasberry Rosaceae 28-May-04 Classroom red to black fruit
Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim. Wineberry Rosaceae 2-Jun-04 Warrior's Path Stems bristly and thorny, bristles red
Sorbus americana Marshall Mountain ash Rosaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain
Houstonia serpifolia Michaux. Quaker ladies Rubiaceace 24-May-04 Roan Mountain 4 pedals, purple with white center
Cephalanthus occidentalis L. Buttonbush Rubiaceae 28-May-04 Classroom leaves whorled and entire
Galium triflorum Michx Cleavers Rubiaceae 3-Jun-04 leaves mostly 6 in a whorl
Houstonia purpurea (L.) T. & G. Large Houstonia Rubiaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot
Houstonia purpurea L. Woodland bluet Rubiaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Corolla deep lavender to white
Salix babylonica L. Weeping willow Salicaceae 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery Long reaching branches
Salix nigra Marshall. Black willow Salicaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus
Philadelphus inodorus L. Common mock-orange Saxifragacea 1-Jun-04 Laurels Nursery White blossams have distinct orange smell
Paulownia tomentosa (Thunberg) Stuedel Princess Tree Scrophulariaceae 2-Jun-04 Breckenridge Trace Brownish gray bark, leaves opposite, ovate
Ailanthus altisima Tree of Heaven Simaroubaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge
Smilax bona-nox L. Bullbrier Greenbrier Smilacaceae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt.
Solanum carolinense L. Horsenettle Solanaceae 26-May-04 E.T.S.U. campus Weed
Taxodium distichum Richard Baldcypress Taxodiaceae 28-May-04 Classroom Flat needles, alternate
Typha latifolia L. Cat tail Typhaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland
Almus alata Michx winged elm Ulmaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot winged petioles
Celtis laevigata Willd. Hackberry Ulmaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Drupe pinkish orange
Ulmus americana L. Elm tree Ulmaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Leaves have uneven base with a smooth surface
Ulmus rubra Muhl. Slippery Elm Ulmaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Leaves rough on top and hairy beneath
Osmorhiza claytoni Michx. Sweet cicely Umbelliferae 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt. Umbel; hairy stem; style shorter than petals
Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr) DC. Aniseroot Umbelliferae 27-May-04 Beauty spot smells like liquorish
Urtica dioica L. Stinging nettle Urticaceae 3-Jun-04 very bristly and stinging with stiff bristles
Valerianella radiata (L.) Dufr. Corn salad Valerianaceae 25-May-04 Bowmantown Wetland Tiny white flower in clusters
Viola pallens (Banks) C.L. Hitchc Northern white violet Violaceae 24-May-04 Roan Mountain small flowers
Violia papilionacea Pursh Common blue violet Violaceae 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge Flowere blue to violet
Parathenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch Virginia creeper Vitaceae 27-May-04 Beauty spot Creeping vine
Vitis vulpina L. High climbing vine Vitaceae 28-May-04 Classroom
liverwort (Hepatophyte) sp. Liverwort 20-May-04 Doe River Gorge No flowers; fruit
Polytrichium sp. Hair cap moss 18-May-04 Buffalo Mnt.
Quercus coccinea Muenchh Scarlet oak 28-May-04 Classroom Tufts of hair