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↑Recently Updated Plant Articles

American Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis)

Updated June 15th, 2026

A tall biennial native to eastern North America, having expanded its range westward as well.

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Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria)

Updated March 31st, 2026

An herbaceous perennial, native to Europe, which spreads aggressively, forming large colonies, by underground rhizomes. Escaped from cultivation at various locations across North America, mostly in the northeast, where it is considered invasive.

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Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

Updated March 31st, 2026

A perennial spring ephemeral native to Europe through Western Asia, invasive in North America, occurring in moist bottomlands where it often escaped from lawns and gardens.

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↑Recently Updated Ecoregion Articles

North America » Eastern Temperate Forests » Ozark, Oauchita-Appalachian Forests » Blue Ridge »

Sauratown Mountains

Updated June 9th, 2026

A mountain range in North Carolina, geologically part of the Blue Ridge, yet isolated within the piedmont.

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North America » Great Plains » West-Central Semi-Arid Prairies »

Nebraska Sand Hills

Updated December 11th, 2025

A unique region with sandy surface soils and glacier-disrupted drainage, with largely-undisturbed prairies.

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North America » Great Plains » West-Central Semi-Arid Prairies »

Northwestern Great Plains

Updated December 8th, 2025

The northernmost unglaciated portion of the Great Plains with mixed-to-shortgrass prairie, and isolated badlands and buttes.

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↑Recently Updated ID / Comparison Guides (See All)

Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) vs. Western Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)

Updated June 3rd, 2026

These two species are visually similar and have significant range overlap in eastern Canada and the north and central US. Vining plants or ones with aerial rootlets are easily identified as T. radicans, which averages hairier and with slightly larger fruit. T. radicans ranges farther southeast, to lower elevations, and into shadier habitats, and is found in a wide range of moisture conditions and soil pH. T. rydbergii ranges farther west and north, is more restricted to higher elevations and open habitats. In the overlap zone, T. rydbergii prefers rocky, usually acidic soils and drier conditions, although deeper in the arid west it is restricted to richer soil in ravines and canyons.

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Southeastern Poison Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) vs. Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

Updated June 2nd, 2026

These species are visually similar and both have highly variable leaf shapes. The range of T. radicans contains nearly the entire range of T. pubescens. They can usually be easily distinguished by differences in growth habit and leaf shape. T. radicans ranges farther north and west, tolerates greater shade, and ranges into moister habitats with richer soil, and is common and abundant in much of its range. T. pubescens is more tolerant of dry, rocky or sandy soils and is more restricted these habitats, and is less abundant in much of its range.

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Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) vs. American Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis)

Updated October 17th, 2025

These two lettuces, one native and one introduced and invasive, are sometimes confused. Although they are usually easy to distinguish, it can be hard to learn how to do so because of high variability within each species. Close examination of the seeds, or presence/absence of prickles are most reliable for ID, whereas the other traits are largely-overlapping. L. serriola ranges farther west and favors drier, sunnier, more barren habitats, in the east strongly favoring anthropogenic habitats, whereas L. canadensis ranges farther north and south in the east, tolerates more shade, and prefers moister, richer soil and more competing vegetation.

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