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↑Recently Updated Plant Articles

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Updated January 8th, 2025

A shade-tolerant deciduous tree of the northeast, often associated with climax communities on rich, mesic sites.

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Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Updated January 8th, 2025

An evergreen conifer native to North America, and a late-successional species found in areas that have not been disturbed recently. The only fir found in the northeast.

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Hollow Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)

Updated December 2nd, 2024

A tall perennial of moist, rich, disturbed sites, native to the eastern U.S.; the tallest Eutrochium.

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↑Recently Updated Ecoregion Articles

North America » Great Plains » South Central Semi-Arid Prairies » Cross Timbers »

Northern Cross Timbers

Updated January 30th, 2025

A region in Oklahoma and slightly into Kansas, with varied topography, soils, and vegetation cover.

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North America » Northwestern Forested Mountains » Western Cordillera » Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills »

Oak/Conifer Foothills

Updated January 23rd, 2025

Oak-pine savanna, transitional between the forested Cascades and open grasslands, straddling the Washington-Oregon border.

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North America » Northwestern Forested Mountains » Western Cordillera »

Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills

Updated January 23rd, 2025

Low mountains, hills, and plateaus in the rain shadow of the cascades, with open forests and grasslands at low elevations.

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↑Recently Updated ID / Comparison Guides (See All)

Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) vs. Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Updated February 15th, 2025

These two goldenrods are challenging to tell apart where their ranges overlap. Both are tall, rhizomatous, grow in sunny habitats, and have triple-nerved leaves and large inflorescences. They can be distinguished by degree of serration on upper leaves, and by involucre and pappus length. Ball galls on the stem identify some plants as S. altissima. There are average differences in inflorescence shape, bloom time, and pubescence on leaves and stems. S. altissima ranges much farther south and west, and tolerates drier conditions. S. canadensis ranges farther north, prefers moister conditions, and is slightly more shade-tolerant. Inconsistent taxonomic treatments complicates ID.

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Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) vs. Giant Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)

Updated February 8th, 2025

These two tall, thicket-forming goldenrods have a large range overlap and are easily confused. Both have triple-veined leaves and similar inflorescences. They are usually easily told apart by texture of the stems and leaves, and they have many other differences. Although their habitats overlap slightly, Solidago gigantea ranges farther north, is more restricted to richer, moister habitats, and is more tolerant of shade and poor drainage. Solidago altissima is more of a generalist, ranges farther south and into drier habitats, but requiring better drainage.

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Giant Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) vs. Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea)

Updated February 7th, 2025

These two goldenrods are sometimes confused, as both tend to bloom earlier and have relatively smooth stems and foliage. Both occur in sun to partial shade, but they otherwise have little habitat overlap. They are usually easily distinguished by growth habit, and they have numerous other differences. S. gigantea ranges much farther west and south, is more restricted to moist sites with richer soil, tolerates flooding and poor drainage, and is more competitive against tall herbaceous vegetation. S. juncea prefers drier sites where competing vegetation is sparser, and is more demanding of good drainage.

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