Herbaceous Plants Trees & Shrubs

Family Anacardiaceae
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)The single most important food source for birds and some mammals during the winter months. Over 26 species of birds feed on poison ivy. Easily identified by its three irregularly lobed leaflets, hence the saying, "Leaves of three, let it be." Vines growing up are very hairy and grow close to the trunk.


Its poisonous oil may cause a rash upon contact, although some people are not as susceptible as others. Foliage turns red or orange in the fall. Often confused with Virginia Creeper or just about any other vine or box elder seedlings.

Family Asteraceae
Hemp Vine (Mikania scandens) This herbaceous vine has opposite triangular leaves on long petioles. Clusters of small white flowers smell like vanilla.

Family Bignoniaceae Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata) Each leaf has a forked tendril and two opposite leaflets. Showy, 2-inch yellow and orange flowers in spring. A good nectar source for ruby-throated hummingbirds, since it flowers earlier than other nectar sources. Rabbits and other animals enjoy the fruit. The stem is sometimes smoked like a cigar.

Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) Woody high-climbing vine without tendrils. Leaves are opposite with serrated margins, 7-13 leaflets. Large, trumpet-shaped, brilliant reddish-orange flowers all summer which attract ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Family Caprifoliaceae Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Bird-introduced exotic. Shreddy-barked woody vine is brown and slightly hairy even when young. Opposite leaves, 1-3 inches long, oblong, with rounded base. White or yellow fragrant flowers in late summer. White-eyed vireo, white-throated sparrow, purple finch, and American goldfinch enjoy this vine in January, and cottontails graze on the foliage year-round. In Japan, the leaves and flowers are made into tea and drank as a tasty beverage, or commonly used to treat colds, fever, or laryngitis.

Family Convolvulaceae Morning Glory (Ipomoea sp.) There are several species of small herbaceous vines called "morning glories." Easily recognized by round flowers in pink, purple, or white. Flowers close up at night and open in the morning, hence the name. Variable leaves may be triangular or lobed. Seen most often in sunny, disturbed areas.

Tie Vine (Jacquemontia tamnifolia)  Small herbaceous vine. ½ inch bluish flowers in clusters bloom in fall. Sepals are very hairy. Prefers sunny, disturbed sites. Called "tie vine" because this fast-growing annual vine will tangle up row crops. Seeds are eaten by seed-eating songbirds in the fall.