White Avens (Geum canadense)
Updated June 30th, 2022An perennial with inconspicuous flowers native and common across much of central to eastern North America.
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White Avens (Geum canadense) vs. Spring Avens (Geum vernum)
Updated July 1st, 2022These species are sometimes confused where both occur. They are easy to distinguish by bloom color and timing, as well as fruit size and structure. Although both species have highly variable leaf shapes, there are differences in leaf shape and texture, and leaves on the stem are particularly easy to distinguish. G. canadense has a much broader range and is also found in a wider range of habitats, including sunnier, drier conditions, anthropogenic habitats, and adverse soil conditions. G. vernum is less tolerant of sunny, dry conditions, and is more restricted to deciduous woodlands with rich, loamy soil.
Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) vs. Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)
Updated June 17th, 2022These visually-similar species often occur together in the same habitat. Flowers can be distinguished by width and count of rays; leaf bases clasp the stem on E. philadelphicus but not on E. annuus. There are other major differences in leaves and growth habit, but the variability of both species makes these characteristics trickier to rely on for identification. On average, E. philadelphicus blooms earlier, but both species have variable bloom times. E. annuus ventures into slightly drier and slightly more disturbed sites, whereas E. philadelphicus is more restricted to moist sites.
Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium) vs. Sweetscented Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Updated June 16th, 2022These plants are occasionally confused in the region where their ranges overlap; both tend to have 3-4 leaves per whorl. They are usually easily distinguished by leaf vein pattern, and the color and density of the inflorescence can also provide ID clues. Populations in the north can be easily distinguished by stems. E. purpureum averages taller than E. dubium, but their heights overlap. However, their habitats are almost entirely non-overlapping, with E. dubium preferring acidic, wet ground in sunnier conditions, and E. purpureum preferring drier, shadier habitats.
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