Welcome to bplant.org!

bplant.org is a website to help you learn about plants and their ecology and distribution, with an eye towards preserving, protecting, and restoring biodiversity.

Contents

Recently Updated Plant Articles

Scarlet Pimpernel

Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis)

Updated June 30th, 2025

A small annual with distinctive coral-red flowers, native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa, and introduced in North America.

View Full Article

Dwarf Cinquefoil

Dwarf Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis)

Updated May 5th, 2025

A native, creeping perennial of Eastern North America, occurring on dry to mesic, lightly-shaded sites with acidic soil.

View Full Article

Tall Thoroughwort

Tall Thoroughwort (Eupatorium altissimum)

Updated April 17th, 2025

An upright perennial of dry, sunny, disturbed habitats, often on high-pH soils, native to the eastern to central US and expanding into the northeast.

View Full Article

Recently Updated Ecoregion Articles

tall, narrow coniferous trees in the foreground, and a hilly landscape with a few areas of now in the background
North America » Northern Forests » Boreal Plain »

Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands

Updated April 10th, 2025

A hilly region central along the Alberta-British Columbia border, east of the Canadian Rockies, covered in boreal forest.

View Full Article

overlook from a somewhat open deciduous forest in winter, with water in the background
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.

View Full Article

Recently Updated ID / Comparison Guides (See All)

collage of Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod and Mountain Decumbent Goldenrod

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) vs. Mountain Decumbent Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii)

Updated July 20th, 2025

These two species are closely-related, visually similar, and occupy similar habitats. They can usually be distinguished by closely examining their stems, growth habit, and lower leaves, and they have a few other subtle differences. S. curtisii is restricted to the Southern Appalachians, prefers moister conditions, and tolerates greater shade. S. caesia has a much broader range, is more common at lower elevations, and ranges into sunnier, drier conditions.

View Full Guide

collage of Early Goldenrod and Sweet Goldenrod

Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) vs. Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora)

Updated July 20th, 2025

These two goldenrods are frequently confused in their small range of overlap. Both bloom early, have smooth leaves, upper leaves that lack serrations, and grow in dry habitats, often those with sandy, acidic soil. They are easily distinguished by inflorescence shape, floret count per flowerhead, leaf bases, and serrations on lower leaves. S. juncea ranges farther north, prefers more nutrient-rich, less-acidic soil, and is more likely in anthropogenic or human-disturbed habitats. S. odora ranges farther south and is strictly limited to sites with acidic, nutrient-poor soils, but less likely on sites disturbed or altered by humans.

View Full Guide

collage of Tall Goldenrod and Sweet Goldenrod

Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) vs. Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora)

Updated July 20th, 2025

These two goldenrods are sometimes confused; both tend to grow in dry habitats. They are usually easy to tell apart by close examination of the leaves, and they have numerous other differences. S. altissima ranges farther north and much farther west, and prefers richer, finer-textured soils, ranges onto higher-pH soils, and tolerates much greater levels of disturbance. S. odora is more restricted to the southeast and is strictly limited to acidic, nutrient-poor soils, and is more shade-tolerant, but less tolerant of disturbance.

View Full Guide

Want to get involved? Sign up for our interest list!