WELCOME TO
BETTER KNOWN AS…
UNCLE TYLER’S COLLECTION of LEAVES
from
Native and Naturalized Trees
and
Selected Woody Vines and Shrubs
of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed
NATIONAL WETLAND PLANT LIST INDICATOR RATING DEFINITIONS
OBL (Obligate Wetland Plants)—Almost always occur in wetlands.
FACW (Facultative Wetland Plants)—Usually occur in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands.
FAC (Facultative Wetland Plants)—Occur in wetlands and non-wetlands.
FACU (Facultative Upland Plants)—Usually occur in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands.
UPL (Upland Plants)—Almost never occur in wetlands.
SMILACACEAE
Catbrier Family
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Catbrier. FACU
LAURACEAE
Laurel Family
Common Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), a NATIVE shrub. FACW
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a NATIVE tree. FACU
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a NATIVE tree. FACU
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a NATIVE tree. View showing leaf shape variations. FACU
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia Family
Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a large NATIVE tree also known as Tuliptree. FACU
Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a large NATIVE tree also known as Tuliptree. FACU
ANNONACEAE
Custard-apple Family
Common Paw-paw (Asimina triloba), a NATIVE shrub or small tree. FACU
BERBERIDACEAE
Barberry Family
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), a NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Japan.
PLATANACEAE
Planetree Family
Eastern Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Eastern Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Witch-hazel Family
Coastal Witch-alder (Fothergilla gardenii), a NATIVE TRANSPLANT shrub from the coastal plain.
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), a NATIVE shrub. FAC
ALTINGIACEAE
Sweetgum Family
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), a large naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree from the coastal plain. FAC
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), a large naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree from the coastal plain. FAC
ITEACEAE
Sweetspire Family
Virginia Willow (Itea virginica), a NATIVE shrub also known as Virginia Sweetspire or Tasselwhite. OBL
VITACEAE
Grape Family
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Woodbine. FACU
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Woodbine. FACU
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Woodbine. FACU
Frost Grape (Vitis riparia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Riverbank Grape. FACW
Frost Grape (Vitis riparia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Riverbank Grape. FACW
Frost Grape (Vitis riparia), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Riverbank Grape. FACW
CELASTRACEAE
Staff-tree Family
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), a NON-NATIVE shrub also known as Winged Euonymus. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Japan and China.
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), a NON-NATIVE evergreen ground cover that can also take the form of a small shrub or climbing woody vine. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to eastern Asia. Ventral leaf surfaces to the left, dorsal surfaces to the right.
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), a NON-NATIVE woody vine also known as Asiatic Bittersweet. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Japan and China. UPL
SALICACEAE
Willow Family
Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata), a NATIVE tree. FACU
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), a NATIVE tree.
Black Willow (Salix nigra), a NATIVE tree. FACW
FABACEAE
Pea Family
Pink Silktree (Albizia julibrissin), a NON-NATIVE tree also known as Mimosa. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), a small NATIVE tree also known as Judas Tree. FACU
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), a NATIVE tree.
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), a NATIVE tree. FAC
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), a NATIVE tree. FACU
FAGACEAE
Beech Family
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), formerly a large NATIVE tree, now stunted to growth as a shrub or small tree by chestnut blight.
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), formerly a large NATIVE tree, now stunted to growth as a shrub or small tree by chestnut blight.
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
White Oak (Quercus alba), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
White Oak (Quercus alba), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), a large NATIVE tree also known as Mossycup Oak. FAC
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor), a large NATIVE tree also known as Swamp Oak. FACW
English Oak (Quercus robur), a large NON-NATIVE tree. A rare escape from cultivation, native to Europe .
Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), a large NATIVE tree.
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), a large NATIVE tree.
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos), a large NATIVE tree. FAC
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia), a NATIVE shrub also known as Scrub Oak or Holly-leaf Oak.
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia), a NATIVE shrub also known as Scrub Oak or Holly-leaf Oak.
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia), a NATIVE shrub also known as Scrub Oak or Holly-leaf Oak.
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia), a NATIVE shrub also known as Scrub Oak or Holly-leaf Oak. A closeup view showing a holly-like spine at the end of each lobe.
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia), a NATIVE shrub also known as Scrub Oak or Holly-leaf Oak. A closeup view showing pubescence (whitish hairs) on twig and underside of leaves.
Black Oak (Quercus velutina), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
Black Oak (Quercus velutina), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
Black Oak (Quercus velutina), a large NATIVE tree. UPL
JUGLANDACEAE
Walnut Family
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
BETULACEAE
Birch Family
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa), a NON-NATIVE shrub or tree also known as European Alder. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Eurasia. Leaves from a shrub form specimen. FACW
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa), a NON-NATIVE shrub or tree also known as European Alder. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Eurasia. Leaves from a tree form specimen. FACW
Smooth Alder (Alnus serrulata), a NATIVE shrub. OBL
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), a large NATIVE tree also known as Black Birch. FACU
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), a large NATIVE tree also known as Black Birch. FACU
River Birch (Betula nigra), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Paper Birch (Betula papyifera), a NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree of northern Pennsylvania also known as White Birch or Canoe Birch. Naturalized populations in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed fail to survive extended periods of hot weather.
Paper Birch (Betula papyifera), a NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree of northern Pennsylvania also known as White Birch or Canoe Birch. Naturalized populations in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed fail to survive extended periods of hot weather.
Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), a small NATIVE tree also known as Hornbeam. FAC
American Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), a NATIVE tree also known as Hop Hornbeam. FACU
ROSACEAE
Rose Family
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), a NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia. FACU
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a large NATIVE tree also known as Wild Black Cherry. Included is a ventral view of a leaf (bottom center). FACU
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a large NATIVE tree also known as Wild Black Cherry. Closeup, ventral (underside) view showing the fringe of light brown hairs along the basal section of the midrib. FACU
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a large NATIVE tree also known as Wild Black Cherry. FACU
Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium), a NON-NATIVE tree also known as Wild Cherry. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Eurasia.
Black Chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa), a NATIVE shrub also known by the genus and common name Aronia. FAC
Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum), a NATIVE tree. FAC
Smooth Shadbush (Amelanchier laevis), a NATIVE shrub or small tree also known as Smooth Serviceberry, Allegheny Serviceberry, or Smooth Juneberry.
Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana), a NON-NATIVE tree also known as the “Bradford Pear”, the name of a cultivar extensively planted as a street and landscape tree. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to China.
Domestic Apple (Malus domestica), a shrub or small NON-NATIVE tree . A seldom naturalized escape from cultivation derived from M. sieversii, a native of Central Asia. Center specimen showing ventral view.
Domestic Apple (Malus domestica), a shrub or small NON-NATIVE tree . A seldom naturalized escape from cultivation derived from M. sieversii, a native of Central Asia. Center specimen showing ventral view.
ELAEAGNACEAE
Oleaster Family
Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata), a naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT shrub from central North America. Top row second from left showing silvery underside.
Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata), a naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT shrub from central North America. Closeup view showing silvery scales on both the ventral (left) and dorsal (right) surfaces of the leaves.
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), a NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia. Top row center showing the silvery scales which are limited to the ventral side of the leaves.
ULMACEAE
Elm Family
Field Elm (Ulmus minor), a NON-NATIVE tree. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, this species rarely escapes cultivation due to the effects of Dutch elm disease.
Field Elm (Ulmus minor), a NON-NATIVE tree. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, this species rarely escapes cultivation due to the effects of Dutch elm disease. Closeup, ventral (underside) view showing tiny black glands along the leaf veins, a field mark for separating U. minor from other elms.
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), a large NATIVE tree also known as Red Elm. FAC
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), a large NATIVE tree also known as Red Elm. FAC
CANNABACEAE
Hemp Family
Northern Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
MORACEAE
Mulberry Family
White Mulberry (Morus alba), a NON-NATIVE shrub or small tree. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia. UPL
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), a sparsely naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT from the southwestern United States. UPL
MALVACEAE
Mallow Family
American Basswood (Tilia americana), a large NATIVE tree. FACU
Peanut Buttercup (Theobroma cacao reesei), a popular NATIVE snackfood.
SIMAROUBACEAE
Quassia Family
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a large NON-NATIVE tree. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia.
ANACARDIACEAE
Cashew Family
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), a NATIVE woody vine. FAC
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), a NATIVE woody vine. FAC
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), a NATIVE shrub or small tree.
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), a NATIVE shrub or small tree.
SAPINDACEAE
Soapberry Family
Box Elder (Acer negundo), a NATIVE tree also known as Ashleaf Maple. FAC
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum), a small NATIVE tree also known as Moosewood. FACU
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum), a small NATIVE tree also known as Moosewood. FACU
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), a large NON-NATIVE tree. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Europe. UPL
Red Maple (Acer rubrum), a large NATIVE tree. FACW
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), a large NATIVE tree. View to the right s howing the silvery tint to the ventral leaf surface. FACW
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), a large NATIVE tree. View to the right s howing the silvery tint to the ventral leaf surface. FACW
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), a large NATIVE tree also known as Rock Maple. FAC
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava), a scarcely naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree also known as Sweet Buckeye.
CORNACEAE
Dogwood Family
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), a NATIVE shrub. FACW
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), a NATIVE shrub. FACW
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), a small NATIVE tree. FACU
NYSSACEAE
Tupelo Family
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), a NATIVE tree also known as Black Gum or Sour Gum. FAC
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), a NATIVE tree also known as Black Gum or Sour Gum. FAC
EBENACEAE
Ebony Family
Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), a NATIVE tree. FAC
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra Family
Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), a NATIVE shrub. FAC
ERICACEAE
Heath Family
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), a NATIVE evergreen shrub. FACU
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), a NATIVE shrub. FACW
RUBIACEAE
Madder Family
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a NATIVE shrub. OBL
OLEACEAE
Olive Family
Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), a semievergreen NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Europe. FACU
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a large NATIVE tree also known as Red Ash. FACW
BIGNONIACEAE
Trumpet-creeper Family
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), a widely naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree from the lower Mississippi River valley. Also known as Cigar Tree or Catawba Tree. FAC
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), a widely naturalized NATIVE TRANSPLANT tree from the lower Mississippi River valley. Also known as Cigar Tree or Catawba Tree. FAC
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), a NATIVE woody vine also known as Trumpet Vine. FAC
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Holly Family
Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a NATIVE shrub also known as Black Alder. FACW
ADOXACEAE
Muskroot Family
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), a NATIVE shrub. FAC
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), a NATIVE shrub. FAC
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), a NATIVE shrub also known as sheepberry. FAC
Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus), a shrub. FACW
American Elder (Sambucus canadensis), a NATIVE shrub also known as Common Elderberry. FACW
American Elder (Sambucus canadensis), a NATIVE shrub also known as Common Elderberry. FACW
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Honeysuckle Family
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus), a NATIVE shrub also known as Indian Currant. UPL
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), a semievergreen NON-NATIVE woody vine. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia. FAC
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), a semievergreen NON-NATIVE woody vine. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia. FAC
Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), a NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Asia.
Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), a NON-NATIVE shrub. A naturalized escape from cultivation, native to Japan and Korea. FACU
Pretty Honeysuckle (Lonicera x bella), a NON-NATIVE hybrid shrub derived from Morrow’s Honeysuckle (L. morrowii) and Tatarian Honeysuckle (L. tatarica) of central Eurasia. A naturalized escape from cultivation. This hybrid will backcross with the parent species, so expect great variation in naturalized populations. Also known as Bell’s Honeysuckle.
SOURCES
Lichvar, Robert W., Norman C. Melvin, Mary L. Butterwick, and William N. Kirchner. 2012. National Wetland Plant List Indicator Rating Definitions. ERDC/CRREL TN-12-1. Wetland Regulatory Assistance Program. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Washington, DC.
Petrides, George A. 1986. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, NY.
Petrides, George A. 1988. A Field Guide to Eastern Trees. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, NY.
Rhoads, Ann Fowler and Timothy A. Block. 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania Press. Philadelphia, PA.