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Go Botany: Native Plant Trust Discover thousands of New England plants

Simple Key

Which group best describes your plant?

Please go through the groups in order.

Plant form: Betula papyrifera. ~ By Arieh Tal. ~ Copyright © 2021 Arieh Tal. ~ http://botphoto.com/ ~ Arieh Tal - botphoto.com Fruits: Comptonia peregrina. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Hamamelis virginiana. ~ By Adelaide Pratt. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Iva frutescens. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Linnaea borealis. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Parthenocissus quinquefolia. ~ By William Cullina. ~ Copyright © 2021 William Cullina. ~ bill[at]williamcullina.com Fruits: Quercus rubra. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Rhododendron maximum. ~ By John Lynch. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Toxicodendron radicans. ~ By Arieh Tal. ~ Copyright © 2021 Arieh Tal. ~ http://botphoto.com/ ~ Arieh Tal - botphoto.com Fruits: Vaccinium corymbosum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Fruits: Abies balsamea. ~ By Jill Weber. ~ Copyright © 2021 Jill Weber. ~ jillweber03[at]gmail.com Bark: Chamaecyparis thyoides. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Fruits: Juniperus communis. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Larix laricina. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit

Woody plants

Trees, shrubs, sub-shrubs, and lianas

Key Characteristics The outer tissues of the stems are thickened; most have bark and winter buds during the dormant season

Exceptions Some very short shrubs can be mistaken for herbaceous plants

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Plant form: Eriocaulon aquaticum. ~ By Cheryl Lowe. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Lobelia dortmanna. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Myriophyllum verticillatum. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Ranunculus flabellaris. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Leaves: Sagittaria cuneata. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Sagittaria graminea. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Sparganium angustifolium. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Zostera marina. ~ By Ben Kimball. ~ Copyright © 2021 Ben Kimball. ~ alpinefin[at]comcast.net Thalli: Lemna minor. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Spirodela polyrrhiza. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net

Aquatic plants

Plants with their leaves and/or stems submerged or floating in water

Key Characteristics Specialized submersed or floating leaves and tissues to withstand flooding

Exceptions Some land plants can be flooded temporarily but cannot live long in water. Also, sometimes aquatic plants are stranded out of water or may be amphibious

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Plant form: Carex crinita. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Plant form: Alopecurus pratensis. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Inflorescences: Dichanthelium clandestinum. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Spikelets: Glyceria canadensis. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Setaria pumila. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Bolboschoenus maritimus. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Plant form: Cyperus strigosus. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers and fruits: Eriophorum vaginatum. ~ By Donna Kausen. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donna Kausen. ~ 33 Bears Den, Addison, ME 04606 Inflorescences: Juncus effusus. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Plant form: Triglochin maritima. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com

Grass-like plants

Grasses, sedges, and other plants with long, narrow leaves

Key Characteristics Leaves consisting of a narrow blade and a tubular sheath around the stem; small, inconspicuous flowers without obvious sepals and petals

Exceptions Some non-grasses have very narrow leaves but produce showy flowers

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Flowers: Arisaema triphyllum. ~ By Adelaide Pratt. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Asparagus officinalis. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Iris versicolor. ~ By Ben Kimball. ~ Copyright © 2021 Ben Kimball. ~ alpinefin[at]comcast.net Fruits: Lilium canadense. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Fruits: Maianthemum canadense. ~ By Adelaide Pratt. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Flowers: Sagittaria latifolia. ~ By Albert Bussewitz. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Leaves: Smilax herbacea. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Cypripedium acaule. ~ By Arieh Tal. ~ Copyright © 2021 Arieh Tal. ~ http://botphoto.com/ ~ Arieh Tal - botphoto.com Plant form: Goodyera pubescens. ~ By Jill Weber. ~ Copyright © 2021 Jill Weber. ~ jillweber03[at]gmail.com Flowers: Platanthera lacera. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Spiranthes cernua. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit

Orchids and related plants

Lilies, orchids, irises, aroids, and other monocots

Key Characteristics Seedlings have a single embryo leaf (cotyledon); plants have flower parts in multiples of 3 and parallel-veined leaves

Exceptions Grasses are also monocots but are grouped under Grass-like Plants

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Plant form: Polypodium virginianum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Asplenium rhizophyllum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Leaf: Botrychium simplex. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Dryopteris cristata. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Leaf: Marsilea quadrifolia. ~ By Cheryl Lowe. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Dendrolycopodium dendroideum. ~ By Donna Kausen. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donna Kausen. ~ 33 Bears Den, Addison, ME 04606 Plant form: Huperzia appressa. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Isoetes echinospora. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Vegetative leaves: Isoetes echinospora. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Vegetative leaves: Isoetes lacustris. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Selaginella apoda. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Equisetum arvense. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Plant form: Equisetum hyemale. ~ By Frank Bramley. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org

Ferns

Ferns, horsetails, quillworts, lycopods, and relatives

Key Characteristics Plants that reproduce by spores; the spores often grouped in specialized structures like sori, sporangia, and/or spore cones

Exceptions Some seed plants have frilly, highly dissected leaves that resemble ferns

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Flowers: Aralia hispida. ~ By Albert Bussewitz. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Flowers: Asarum canadense. ~ By William Cullina. ~ Copyright © 2021 William Cullina. ~ bill[at]williamcullina.com Flowers: Brassica juncea. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Campanula rotundifolia. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Daucus carota. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Leaves: Drosera intermedia. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Euphorbia cyparissias. ~ By Dawn Dentzer. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ dawndentzer[at]gmail.com Flowers: Fallopia japonica. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Flowers: Gentianopsis crinita. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Fruits: Impatiens capensis. ~ By Arieh Tal. ~ Copyright © 2021 Arieh Tal. ~ http://botphoto.com/ ~ Arieh Tal - botphoto.com Flowers: Ipomoea hederacea. ~ By Lawrence Newcomb. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Flowers: Monotropa uniflora. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Oenothera biennis. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Prunella vulgaris. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Sabatia kennedyana. ~ By Dorothy Long. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Plant form: Sarracenia purpurea. ~ By Dorothy Long. ~ Copyright © 2021 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org Flowers: Triosteum aurantiacum. ~ By Donald Cameron. ~ Copyright © 2021 Donald Cameron. ~ No permission needed for non-commercial uses, with proper credit Leaves: Bidens connata. ~ By Glen Mittelhauser. ~ Copyright © 2021 Glen Mittelhauser. ~ www.mainenaturalhistory.org Flowers: Centaurea nigra. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Plant form: Eupatorium perfoliatum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Fruits: Taraxacum officinale. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2021 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com Plant form: Taraxacum officinale. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net Flowers: Xanthium strumarium. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2021. ~ arthurhaines[at]wildblue.net

All other flowering non-woody plants

Asters and all other flowering plants

Key Characteristics Flowering plants without parallel-veined leaves, and flower parts usually in multiples of 4 or 5

Exceptions This is a large group with species that vary widely in characteristics; some narrow-leaved species have only one leaf blade vein, so floral characteristics are important

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