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Rhomboid Mercury (Acalypha rhomboidea)

A common annual native to eastern to central North America, found in a range of habitats that have been disturbed in late spring to early summer.

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Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)

A scrubby, fire-adapted pine that often grows in harsh conditions, such as dry, acidic, sandy or rocky soil.

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White Avens (Geum canadense)

An perennial with inconspicuous flowers native and common across much of central to eastern North America.

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Copper Plateau

A cold, flat, poorly-drained region in Southcentral Alaska, surrounded by ice-covered mountains.

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Interior Highlands and Klondike Plateau

An area of interior Alaska and western Yukon with hilly terrain, mostly unglaciated and only spottily forested.

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East Central Texas Plains

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Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) vs. Common Velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus)

These grasses, both introduced and invasive in North America, are easily confused as they are similar in height, often have bluish foliage, have largely overlapping bloom times. They can be easily distinguished by the presence or absence of pubescence, by their ligules, and by the structure of their inflorescences. Holcus lanatus prefers wetter conditions, benefits more from disturbance, and can be found in wetlands, whereas Dactylis glomeratus ranges farther into the interior of the continent, persist longer in undisturbed habitats, and is not usually found in wetlands but ranges into drier conditions.

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Whitegrass (Leersia virginica) vs. Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

These two species, one native and one invasive, are easily confused. They often are found together in moist, partly-shaded habitats, especially along paths. Both have a sprawling habit with branching stems that can root at nodes. Leersia virginica ranges farther west, north, and south, is more restricted to partly-shaded, moist to mesic conditions, and prefers habitats with only light to moderate disturbance levels, whereas Microstegium vimineum also ranges into slightly drier and sunnier conditions, and higher levels of disturbance, and can also occur in lawns.

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Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) vs. Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica)

These two species are visually similar, but there are numerous small differences that can be used to distinguish them, particularly when they are in bloom. They have a narrow band of overlap through VA, MD, WV, OH, MI, and MN, but both can be planted in gardens outside their native ranges. These species are closely related and can hybridize in the wild, horticultural hybrids are widely planted, and hybrids are fertile thus leading to backcrosses and intergrades, so it may not be possible to identify all plants to species level. These species mostly inhabit similar habitats. I. versicolor may tolerate slightly more shade, whereas I. virginica may be slightly more likely to occur in disturbed habitats like roadside ditches.

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