Redstem Stork's Bill (Erodium cicutarium)
Updated March 31st, 2023An annual or biennial, native to the Mediterranean, and introduced in North America, where it is most abundant in the arid west, but also widespread throughout the continent.
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Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana)
Updated March 29th, 2023A native oak of ridgetops and dry uplands with acidic soils, especially in the Appalachians, named for its resemblance to the American chestnut.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Updated March 8th, 2023A vine native to East Asia and introduced in North America, where it considered invasive, especially in the southeast; can hinder forest regeneration.
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North America » North American Deserts » Cold Deserts »
Northern Basin and Range
Updated February 17th, 2023The northernmost portion of the Great Basin, with sagebrush steppe at low elevations to open coniferous forest at peaks.
North America » Northwestern Forested Mountains » Western Cordillera »
Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills
Updated February 17th, 2023Low mountains, hills, and plateaus in the rain shadow of the cascades, with open forests and grasslands at low elevations.
North America » Northwestern Forested Mountains » Western Cordillera »
Canadian Rockies
Updated December 31st, 2022A long region of rugged mountains extending from northwest Montana through the border of Alberta and British Columbia.
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Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) vs. Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
Updated March 31st, 2023These two species are notoriously difficult to distinguish and have some overlap in characteristics. Black oak is more variable than scarlet oak. Some trees, especially young trees growing in shade, are easily identifiable as black oak, but others can be difficult to distinguish. Mature trees have similar bark. In identifications it is easier to exclude scarlet oak than black oak; black oaks can have pubescence on twigs and petioles. Acorns look similar but can be distinguished by the presence or absence of rings of pits, and the looseness of cap scales. A close view of the buds can also usually distinguish them. Black oak ranges farther north, west, and south and is more of a generalist that prefers dry, nutrient-poor habitats but can also occur in moister, richer habitats. Scarlet oak is less tolerant of shade and more restricted to in dry habitats with poor or thin soil.
Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) vs. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Updated March 8th, 2023These species are visually similar and are easily confused where their ranges overlap. They are easily distinguished by involucres (cluster of bracts under each flowerhead) and the color of leaf undersides, and also by stems and sometimes by flower color. Cirsium discolor is more restricted to mesic conditions whereas Cirsium vulgare ranges much farther west and north, ranges into both moister and drier sites, and is more tolerant of rocky soils. Both can be found in disturbed habitats but C. discolor also occurs in higher-quality natural areas.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) vs. Five-Fingered Aralia (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus)
Updated February 24th, 2023These two species, not closely related, are frequently confused due to superficial similarities: not only are their 5-leaflet compound leaves similar, but they also have inconspicuous green flowers and dark purple fruit. They are easily distinguished by growth habit, presence or absence of thorns or climbing tendrils, and the shape and color of the inflorescence and fruit cluster. Parthenocissus quinquefolia is native and widespread in North America, whereas Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is an introduced, potentially invasive species which is only rarely planted in landscaping, but frequently escapes into the wild near where it is planted.
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