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Have you found a plant that you can't identify? We can help! Send us a photo of the plant along with the other information listed below. We'll let the experts take a look at it and post the results (or an educated guess) on this page!
You may also want to check Name That Plant (www.namethatplant.net), a native plant identification website created by SC Native Plant Society member Janie Marlow. Rules for submitting your inquiry:
Send mail to: Steven Hill, PO Box 3188, Champaign, IL 61826-3188, or e-mail Steve at srhill50@msn.com. Please place "SCNPS Plant ID" in the subject line. You will receive an e-mail response from Dr. Hill but not all submissions will be posted on the website. Dr. Steven R. Hill is a botanist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. Formerly the Curator of the Clemson University Herbarium (1987-1994), he is still a member of SCNPS, a land owner in Oconee County, and he plans to retire in South Carolina. Recent Submissions:
March 9, 2010 Dr. Hill, I photographed this flower at Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve in Lancaster County, SC in May 09. It was growing under a cedar tree at the edge of the large rock area; I saw only two blooms. I thought I would be able to identify it easliy because of its unique structure, but so far I have been unable to do so. Can you help? I plan to search for it again this spring. Best regards, Dear Bill, This one REALLY threw me! I sent it to Dr. Alan Weakley, University of North Carolina, upon whom I rely in very difficult cases, and he 'nailed' it. I was thinking 'flower' because of your message, and I could think of no flower that resembled this. Dr. Weakley came back with the name Krigia virginica, the common Dwarf dandelion, and that blew me away, because what you photographed is a fruit cluster - not a flower - unusual because it has 5 scales that look like petals and 5 symmetrical capillary hairs that look like elongated stigmas on the top of each fruit. It is interesting how the mind works - I did not even consider that this could be a fruit - so I missed it. One truly must 'think outside the box'. The Dwarf dandelion is a native annual, and it has a small yellow head of flowers that looks just like the common dandelion, but everything is smaller [leaves, flowers, plant]. It is very common in the state, and likes thin soils that have been disturbed, like those on granite outcrops, but also in many other habitats. You can find out more about it here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=KRVI Thanks for the challenge - and please keep photographing these beautiful small natural objects and sharing them with us! Sincerely,
Dr. Hill, This plant is growing under a huge oak tree . It grows straight up on a single stalk. Flowers are on the very top. Look similar to Fusha. We haven't found it anywhere else on our place. We have About 36 acres. No one around here can tell us about it. Comes back every year from seed. We live between Gillisonville and Grays, SC off of Grays Hwy. (Hwy 278). Can you tell me what it is? Catherine Hi Catherine, Your plant is Clerodendrum indicum, the Tubeflower, a non-native plant occasionally grown in southern gardens. It can rarely become invasive, but not usually in the Carolinas because it is not very hardy here. I have seen it only in Florida. Here is a link to a site that explains a great deal about the plant: http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cler_ind.cfm. I consider it a desireable plant because it can attract interesting night-flying sphinx moths to pollinate it. I'm not certain how common the plant is today in the Carolinas, but it has been reported from South Carolina. Perhaps Dr. Weakley can fill us in on that. I hope this helps ! Thank you for your interest. Sincerely,
Hi Dr. Hill, This tree has been growing in our yard in Oconee Co., SC since before 1992 and I've not been able to identify it. The bark seems to be its most distinctive feature with those nodules. There are two examples near each other. Maybe it's a common tree with some sort of disease? Bob H. Hi, Bob, Thank you for the additional images. I am rather sure that your tree is Celtis occidentalis var. georgiana (Small) Ahles, using the terminology in the older Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. Many now put this variant within the common hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, such as this one: http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3886 It has also been included within the species Celtis tenuifolia Nutt., as it is here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CETE and it has been placed into various families, including Celtidaceae and Cannabaceae, but I still accept it as a member of the Elm family, Ulmaceae, its traditional placement. A good summary of the tree is here: http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_ceoc.pdf I am copying this reply to Dr. Weakley and Bert Pittman who may wish to update my nomenclature, or who may wish to correct my identification - but it seems an excellent match to me. As I mentioned in my first reply, this bark is not diseased - it shows an unusual and characteristic secondary growth on certain parts of the outside bark, the cork cambium, producing these odd annual rings. In age, these corky outgrowths will grow together producing a thick corky bark rather resistant to fires. Thanks again for your interest! Sincerely,
Dear Dr. Hill, We are presently working on a study of spiders associated with this plant (see attachments), shown here with both pink inflorescences and yellow fruits. We have at least three related species in the area, in southern Greenville County , SC. Your assistance in classification of this plant is greatly appreciated. Dr. David H. Dear David, Great images! It made my work relatively easy. Your plant is Acalypha gracilens A.Gray, Euphorbiaceae. A common name is Slender three-seeded mercury. This is a native plant found throughout the eastern half of the country. For additional information, this is a good place to start: Sincerely,
Dr. Hill- I saw this plant along the roadside on a vacant lot in a Lexington County subdivision near Lake Murray . It appears that this vine has grown up into the adjacent shrub - isn't it stunning? I wonder what the plant is with the berries and if it is deer resistant or would it be an attraction to deer? Could it be propagated by a cutting? Thank you, Donna Yes, Donna, this is a stunning vine ! I am surprised that no-one else has sent this to me for identification because it is so conspicuous. This is called, often, Carolina coralbead or just Coralbeads, but I prefer another common name - Carolina moonseed. The scientific name is Cocculus carolinus (L.) DC. and it is in a very uncommon, mostly tropical, plant family the Menispermaceae. We have only one other representative of this family, Menispermum canadense, which has blue berries. It can generally be propagated by cuttings with rootstock attached or by the seeds, though they may be slow to germinate. Experts can probably root stem cuttings using rootone or something similar. White-tailed deer and birds will eat the fruits. Some also consider the vine to be invasive, but I would say that is not generally a problem. I notice that it is growing on a Groundsel-bush [Baccharis halimifolia] which is also somewhat invasive or spreading in range. There is a lot more information on this at these sites: Some sources say that all parts are toxic if eaten by people or pets, but they certainly are not toxic to birds or deer. I recommend this vine as an ornamental, as long as one is aware of the possible problems, because of the very attractive berries and leaves. However, it should be noted that this plant is dioecious - each vine is either male or female - and the male vines, of course, do not produce the berries, but are necessary for pollination. So clones of the two sexes are needed to guarantee fruits. This is also generally true for plants like holly and, to an extent, for Bittersweet [Celastrus] and kiwi fruit. Thanks for asking!
Dr. Hill, This plant grows in full sun at my niece's house beside her driveway and all around anywhere that is not mowed. It seems very invasive and at first I thought it was mint, but it has little or no smell, grows about 36" high, has red stems, and these lovely lavender flowers. Her house is near Fort Mill , SC and the plants were growing there when they bought the house several years ago. The house is near a creek, but not close enough that their soil is wet. It sort of reminds me of Late Boneset but the leaves are more rounded and the color is wrong. Sincerely, Dear Karen, Your plant is quite conspicuous and interesting at this time of year - it is the mistflower or wild ageratum, traditionally named Eupatorium coelestinum but currently called Conoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC. "Coelestinum" means "heavenly", and the bright blue flower color refers to that. This is a rather common perennial found most commonly on the coastal plain, but it can occasionally be found all the way to the mountains. It especially likes wet roadside ditches. There are some nice web sites on this plant, including: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COCO13 This is a good example of a plant that has been put into cultivation that is often just as common in gardens as it is in the wild, and it is sometimes difficult to tell where it is truly native. I hope this helps ! Sincerely, Steve Hill SCNPS
September 23, 2009 Dr. Hill, We live in Blythewood , SC and noticed this plant the other day. We live in a very wooded area and have never run across this before. It is located in a deep shaded area, on the bank of a dried up drainage ditch next to our paved driveway. We would love to know what this plant is because of the unusual foliage we would like to propagate if possible. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Susan Hi Susan, This must be a very good year for this plant - because yours is the third inquiry to me this year about it. Also, it is very conspicuous when it has mature fruits, though not at all conspicuous when it is in flower or when it has very young fruits. Your plant is Euonymus americanus L. in a plant family called the Celastraceae, or Bittersweet Family. It has one of my favorite common names - "Hearts-a-bustin'-with-Love". The name comes from the appearance of the fruits. It has some other common names like 'Strawberry-bush', but I like the other one better. Here are some links below, which should fill you in on that and more: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=euam9 It is a very popular plant. I've had trouble with caterpillars in the upstate on this, but I don't think they are everywhere. Despite the nice looking fruits, they are not edible - so be careful - don't try them. Usually you can find young plants or even rooting stems in the vicinity of the plants in fruit, and those are fairly easy to transplant. The roots are usually shallow. I have not had luck germinating the seeds - they probably must go through the digestive system of a bird before they germinate - so scarifying them may help. There will probably be more information on this on the Internet elsewhere. Stems will probably root in moist peat. By the way, this is certainly a shade plant, a small shrub usually. I hope this helps ! Thanks for your interest.
September 19, 2009 Dr Hill, I was pulling weeds in the yard in Columbia, SC today and happened to grab hold of this plant. I immediately experienced a burning/stinging sensation all over the palm of my hand. I went inside and scrubbed my hand for about 5 minutes before it stopped burning. I can't find this plant in my wildflower books. Can you tell me what it is? Needless to say, I won't be touching it again without gloves. The plant is less than 6 inches high and grows in sun and partial shade under pine trees in sandy soil covered with pine mulch and needles. The stems are either hairy or prickly - I didn't touch to find out. Thanks for your help. Nora Hi, Nora, Well, you grabbed one of the most painfully-stinging plants in the Carolinas, Spurge nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus), also known as Tread-softly and Finger Rot. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae, or Spurge family. Some call the plant Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, and it is, indeed, stimulating ! This plant is usually found in sandy soil, especially in the sandhills and towards the coast. It is a close relative of Jatropha, which is usually spineless and edible, but Cnidoscolus is known for these stinging hairs which actually inject an irritant liquid under the skin. There are probably folk remedies to get rid of the stinging, but I don't personally know of any. The plant, actually, has an edible tuberous root and edible seeds, and so it protects itself. You can find out more about the plant here: While it is an interesting plant to botanists, it can literally be a pain for gardeners. Nice pictures, by the way. I hope this helps ! Sincerely, Steve Hill [ SCNPS]
September 11, 2009
Dear Dr. Hill, I wonder if you would be so kind as to help me identify this wild flower that is growing in the back and side yards of my home. It is in a partially shaded area and it is blooming at this time. In the picture you can tell the size by the elephant ears that are in the photo and pine needles among the flowers. Thank you in advance for you help in identifying this wild flower. Sincerely, Mary Anne Dear Mary Anne, Thank you very much for your inquiry and the nice images. Your plant, an herbaceous vine, is Clematis terniflora, formerly called Clematis dioscoreifolia. This is one of the plants called Clematis or Virgin's Bower, or Sweet Autumn Clematis [Virginsbower], in the Ranunculaceae - the buttercup family. It is not native here but it has spread widely since being introduced from China and Korea , most likely as an ornamental, and it can become weedy and a pest. However, others cultivate it, so tastes differ. The seeds have a feather-like appendage and can blow around, or they can be in various types of mulch or duff. It is normally a climber and could be trained onto a trellis. Your plant is really healthy! and it is probably 'looking' for a place to climb. Here are some links that should help: It is a matter of personal taste whether one considers it a nice garden plant or a noxious weed. I tend to agree with the latter, as once established it is really hard to eliminate by trimming or pulling, and it will overtop any plant it grows upon. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
September 11, 2009 To whom it may concern, We have affectionally called this plant the sticky bush. I have moved a sprout everytime i moved from the original plant. Anyway when i moved here to Lady's Island SC, i decided to plant a sprout just above my septic system. To my suprise it grew real big real fast and began to sprout flowers. All the years we had these plants around we never saw one bloom. So can you tell me the name of it and how often one blooms? Thanks. Shawn C. Shawn, Your plant appears to be Yucca gloriosa, often called mound lily or Spanish bayonet [but there are several called this]. It is traditionally placed in the lily family, Liliaceae. It grows best near the coast. With age, it can develop a small trunk. You can find out more about it here: There are several named cultivars. I hope this helps - the plant really likes it where you have planted it - and it should continue to send up some new stems. Sincerely,
August 20, 2009 Dr. Hill, Please ID this strange plant growing on our back porch next to a rather withered tomato plant in a large pot. Thank you....Dennis H. Hi, Dennis, Well, you picked an easy one for me because this is in the plant family that I study, the Malvaceae [cotton or mallow family]. Also, in the midwest it is one of the most common weeds in cropfields - but not so common in South Carolina because it does best in alkaline rather than acid soils. Its name is Abutilon theophrasti L., and it is usually called Velvetleaf. It is listed as a noxious weed in quite a few states, and is native to Asia . Because I like the family, I consider it interesting, though common. You can find out a lot more about it at these links: The seeds appear to survive in soil for at least 50 years, so it comes up in places that have not seen the plant for years when those areas are disturbed, causing the seeds to germinate. It can also get around in birdseed and cropseed. Thank you very much for your interest, and I hope this helps. Sincerely,
August 6, 2009 Dr. Hill, Can you please identify this tree? It's about 5 foot tall. I first saw it growing in the swamps in Georgetown, SC. Also would it transplant to the upstate in a swamp like area? Hi Nancy, Your plant is Daubentonia punicea, also known as Sesbania punicea, sometimes called 'rattlebox'. It is supposed to be poisonous if eaten. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, but is commonly found as a weedy escaped subshrub. I have had no experience transplanting these, but I suppose a small plant could be moved. They are better known to be grown from the seeds - which are in a 4-sided winged bean. You can find out more about this plant here: I hope this helps ! --Steve Hill - SCNPS July 26, 2009
Dr. Hill, We are most perplexed by this shrub which literally appeared in our side rose bed (7-8 hrs afternoon sun daily) about 2-3 months ago. At first I thought it was an agressive weed, but noticed it had some pretty columnar white flowers so I just let it be and decided to watch it. I've never seen anything grow quite this fast. It is now 4' x 4' and the white flowers have turned into berries and on some of the columns, the berries are starting to turn blue from the bottom up. I'm sure it is probably an easy ID, but certainly something we've never seen before here in the James Island area of Charleston , SC. Would appreciate an ID -- and particularly if it's anything poisonous, would like to know how best to remove. Thanks so much!! Melissa F. Dear Melissa, This certainly appears to be Pokeweed - the one usually called Phytolacca rigida. Some people call this a synonym of Phytolacca americana, but your plant certainly does not look like the typical form of this. I wondered if it might be a newly introduced exotic pokeweed, but I don't think so. I am copying other botanists for other opinions. The plant is both poisonous and edible. Many people eat the first sprouts of the season [less than 1 ft tall] as a salad, but the mature plant and fruits are quite toxic. They are not poisonous to touch, just to eat. You can find more information here: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Phytoam.htm I hope this helps! Thanks for your interest. Sincerely, Steve Hill [SCNPS] Note: This follow-up message was received from another botanist concerning this plant ID: Hi! This is indeed Phytolacca rigida. In the Carolinas it is a "maritime plant", occurring on barrier islands and adjacent mainland shores. It IS a native weed. I regard this as a species separate from Phytolacca americana . It has smaller leaves and upright fruiting racemes and other differences. Some prefer varietal status (because apparently there are some intergrades in Florida), but to me they seem pretty cleanly seperated through nearly all their distributions. -- Alan June 16, 2009
My husband said they always called this a "headache" flower. They grow wild along the roads and edges of the woods here in Calhoun County SC. We live in Elloree, SC and they are all over the place and then they are gone. They look like a spider lily but I am not sure. Can you please tell me what they are and if you can buy them to plant in the yard. Sincerely, Hi, Debbie Your plant is more generally called Wild Azalea, and it appears to be Rhododendron canescens. This is found throughout your area. It is a beautiful spring flowering shrub, and very showy when in flower. There are several other species of wild azalea in your area, but yours is most likely this one, as the others are either uncommon or more often have white flowers. Here are some links to more information: A few places that sell it are listed here: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2481/ Thanks for your interest!
June 1, 2009 The first plant is a sparse shrub type of plant. It has a woody stem and the tallest one on my property is about 5 feet. It has a central "trunk" with branches that alternate. Each branch has smaller branches that are opposite one another with a single leaf at the end. Some branches have 4 leaves, most have 2 as shown in the picture. Overall, very few leaves. Each leaf has a tiny 5-petaled flower suspended above it. The leaves are approximately 2 inches long. Perhaps slightly shorter. Grows under pines and other dense trees. The second is some kind of herb... I suspect some kind of cress? It has a sweet taste when you chew the tender leaves and more of a peppery taste after you have chewed it a while. I have not seen any flowers on these yet. Seems to grow in damp, sandy soil. Also more of a shady area. If more pictures are required for identification, I can do that. Thanks in advance -- Hi, Frankie - I like your style. Are you from NYC? Just curious. Your first plant I know well - it is Euonymus americanus L. in a plant family called the Celastraceae, or Bittersweet Family. It has one of my favorite common names - "Hearts-a-bustin'-with-Love". To understand how it got this common name, you need to see the fruits ! Sure, it has some other common names like 'Strawberry-bush', but I like the other one better. Here are some links below, which should fill you in on that and more: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=euam9 It is a very popular plant. I've had trouble with caterpillars in the Upstate of SC on this, but I don't think they are everywhere. Despite the nice looking fruits, they are not edible - so be careful - don't try them. Now your second plant, the herb, was much harder. Sometimes I can get immature plants, sometimes not. Your remark about sweetness is interesting - what made you try it ? Be careful of testing unknowns! My best guess, is that these are young plants of the common daisy - called either Chrysanthemum leucanthemum or Leucanthemum vulgare. Those basal leaves are a very good match, and it wouldn't surprise me if they are a little sweet. This is in the aster family, Asteraceae. Check out these sites on the internet and let me know what you think - otherwise, we will have to wait until it flowers. The first image seems to be an exact match. http://i.pbase.com/g6/61/680161/2/69531957.DpydQdF7.jpg I like a challenge! This herb was one of those! Cordially,
June 1, 1009 Please help identify this plant. My dad called them hackberry, but I think he was wrong? Sparkleberry maybe? They have edible blackish berries in the fall. As always, THANKS. Hi, Wesley! While the fruits are a little similar, this is not hackberry. Sparkleberry is correct, Vaccinium arboreum Marshall. The urn-shaped flowers are often a marker for its family, the Heath family, or Ericaceae. The fruits are not very tasty, though it is a close relative of the edible blueberries, also in this genus. The leaves always seem to be shiny and leathery. These shrubs usually like dry open woodlands. You can find out lots more about it at these sites: It is an attractive shrub, also great in native plant landscaping. Thanks for asking! Cordially,
May 16, 2009 Hello Steve - My husband and I just got back from a camping trip at Jones Gap (Greenville County, SC). I notice this flower near a camp site (wooded area, on hill side) that looks something like a Canada Mayflower. Is it? Thanks, Pam J. Hi, Pam, You are close - it is also in the lily family like Canada mayflower. Your plant is Clintonia umbellulata, the Speckled Wood-lily, a very nice wildflower found only in the Appalachian mountains from Virginia to South Carolina . It likes lots of moist humus and shade, and it usually grows in colonies. You can find out more about it here: I hope this helps - and thanks for asking! Sincerely, Steve Hill SCNPS
May 12, 2009 We got a "tree" from the Arbor Day Foundation, dutifully planted it, and can no longer identify it. We've used three or four "Instant Tree Identification" books and can't find our mystery tree....what's more it seems to be more of a bush than a tree. I'm attaching pictures of the leaves, and of the "bush" itself. I hope you can help. It is a wonderful thing you are doing for us...the public.... I am very grateful for any help you can give me. Linda S. Hi Linda, You can find out much more about it here at these links: I hope this helps - and thanks also for the compliment! Sincerely,
May 11, 2009 Steve, I have a plant I have never seen before. I found it on the creek bank near my house. It appears to be a creeping plant with a white cross shaped flower about 1/2" in diameter. The flower is hairy. Thanks for your help. Wesley P. Hi Wesley, Your plant is called Partridgeberry, and its scientific name is Mitchella repens. It is actually in the plant family Rubiaceae, the same plant family as coffee. It is an evergreen vine usually found climbing over rocks or on dry banks in shade, as it cannot stand being covered by leaves all winter - it photosynthesizes, as most evergreens, in the winter as well as the rest of the year. You can find out lots more about this plant at these sites: Thanks for asking! Sincerely,
May 9, 2009 Dear Dr. Hill, I live in the Red Bank area of Lexington County, SC. I was just trying to identify this flower I found while working on my property. The petal structure of the flower reminds me of an orchid but I know orchids do not have compound leaves. The plant is about 14" high and is growing in a pine wooded area, partial sun/shade. (I took seven photos of it yesterday, May 8, and they can be seen at the following link.) It was suggested to me this might be in the Fabaceae family and it does resemble some specimens I've seen on the web but I did not see anything with the yellow/pink color combination of this specimen.
I also wanted to thank you because while viewing the SCNPS web site I saw that you identified for someone else a different plant I found last year, the Ipheion uniflorum. The ones I found are much more pink than lavender and appear to be the Charlotte Bishop variety. I just love it because it is such an unassuming little plant but it flowers for a very long time. I put one in a pot on my front porch and every day there were between five and twelve lovely little pink flowers. Thank you for your time, Gary C. Dear Gary, thank you for your interest and the link to your nice images. Your plant is a legume, or a member of the Bean family - Leguminosae or Fabaceae. It is usually called Goat's-Rue, Tephrosia virginiana (L.) Persoon. It does have an attractive bicolored flower, and it is a strong perennial usually growing in colonies in open woodlands. You can find out lots more about this plant at the links below: It is a widespread species, but I wouldn't say it is common everywhere. I've never tried it in a garden, but it would probably make a good garden plant. I suspect it would be difficult to transplant, though, as it has a deep, complex rhizome and root system, and the colonies may be clones. Anyway, I hope that this helps, and thank you very much for your nice message! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
May 9, 2009 I apologize for not getting all the info or photos of plant parts needed, but have been searching the Internet for days trying to find out what this plant is. It was photographed in the month of May on Pinkney Island Wildlife Preserve, but I saw many other plants blooming near the edge of wild areas while driving in Bluffton SC. The flowers have a pungent fragrance. Eileen M. Hi, Eileen, your plant is a rather commonly found small tree called China-berry, scientific name Melia azedarach L. It is quite pretty, and it was introduced as an ornamental, but it commonly escapes. It has 1-seeded yellowish tan spherical fruits in the fall, about 1/2" in diameter. It is especially interesting to botanists because it is our only member of the Meliaceae, the Mahogany family in our area, though not native. Usually this small tree is fast-growing but not long-lived. In some areas it is considered to be an invasive or noxious weed. I personally, like it. Please note that the fruits and leaves are poisonous if large quantities are eaten, but not at all good for you even in small amounts. Some sources say that 6 fruits can kill you. I haven't tried this! Apparently, birds sometimes get drunk on the fruits. You can find more about it here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MEAZ http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/node/266 http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/dbpages/55.html http://www.floridata.com/ref/M/meli_aze.cfm Thanks for your question, and I hope that this helps. Sincerely, Steve Hill May 4, 2009
This plant is growing in my friend's Greenville, SC front yard garden. She did not plant it and has no idea what it to think it is. Since last year it has multiplied a bit but does not seem to be strongly invasive. Can you help us? Barb ....... Thanks Steve! Dear Barb, I was VERY surprised when I looked at this image to see this plant from South Carolina! I have never seen it in the Eastern United States, but I have seen it in Oregon, Washington, and California as well as in the mountains in Mexico. It is common in the west and only during cool moist weather. Your plant is called Miner's lettuce - named either Claytonia perfoliata or Montia perfoliata. It is a very edible plant in the purslane family, the Portulacaceae. You plant is in a pot, so was it really in the ground there? If it was there outside of cultivation it may be a new record for the state, and perhaps even for the Carolinas . It probably came in with a plant ordered from the west coast, as it can be weedy out there. I'm just very impressed to see a record of it from South Carolina! A great find! You can find more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claytonia_perfoliata Thanks for sharing ! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
April 21, 2009
Toddie M. and I came up on this fragrant, flowering tree near a pond (at their farm near Winnsboro) and leaning out from under pine, cedar, oak. Just one trunk, maybe 6" in diameter, beginning to leaf out. I thought it was full of wysteria, but on closer inspection found a tree I had never seen. Later, Chandler M. told us he had cut some down leaning out from under a bunch of redbuds. He thinks it is a "trash tree." Toddie and I were really charmed with these huge flowering spikey branches, but we don't know what it is. Can you identify? Flowers are bell-shaped with bud covering of fuzzy brown, The end of the branch holds these blossoms and curves upward. Thanks, Pud Hi, Pud, I can understand why your friend called it a trash tree because it spreads fast and it is not native. But I like it. Your tree is the Princesstree - Paulownia tomentosa - a soft-woody, fast growing member of the snapdragon family, Scrophulariaceae. The flowers are attractive, and it was introduced for its valuable wood - there are even plantations of it. See this site: http://www.paulowniatrees.org/ You can find a lot more about it, with pictures, at this site: http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PATO2 I guess some people say it can get out of hand, but to me it is no more invasive than catalpa is, and the flowers are nice to look at. Thanks for asking! --Steve Hill - SCNPS April 21, 2009
Please help me ID this plant: Growing on bank of Little Lynches River, Kershaw, SC. Photos were taken April 16,2009. Initially thought it was a fern but flowers did not confirm theory. My sister looked on Ladybird Johnson's site www.wildflower.org and said, "The plant is a LOUSEWORT...there are many types and I haven't been able to determine the exact one that ya'll have..." I would appreciate your reply. Julia B. Hi, Julia, your sister is correc ! This is a Lousewort, but far prettier than most. It is the Canadian lousewort, Pedicularis canadensis. Your plant has more red pigment than most, making it really attractive. Most others are just yellow. It is in the snapdragon family, Scrophulariaceae. You can find out a lot more about it at this site: http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PECA These are, as you discovered, usually found on riverbanks in the Carolinas, often in areas with paw-paws. They do not transplant well, as they are partly parasitic as I understand, and so the root system is connected with those of other plants making them very fragile. Anyway, I hope this help ! --Steve Hill - SCNPS April 20, 2009
First time on the site was this a.m. impressive. These flowers are in an open area in and older Pecan Grove. They had blooms on top 1/3rd of plant, but have lasted only a week. Pictures show two tops and one stem. Most plants are 12" or taller. They seem to reseed with prevaling wind direction about 20 to 25 yds. Small seeds. Thank You Hi William, Thank you for sending the nice flower images. It makes it so much easier for me when they are of such fine quality. Your plant is known as 'Toadflax', or Linaria canadensis (L.) Chaz. - and some people are accepting the scientific name Nuttallanthus canadensis (L.) D.A.Sutton. Yours may be the var. texana (Scheele) Pennell, distinguished mostly by its range and its larger flowers. This is a common winter annual herb, especilly in crop fields - it can be so common that an old field may look blue - and it often grows with Rumex hastatulus, a red flowered plant, making some fields blue and red and some with patches of both colors in the early spring before the fields are planted. This is a popular plant and there are many pages on it on the internet. Here are a few you might find interesting: http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/fguide/pdf/lincan.pdf http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?mode=Scientific+Name&keywordquery=Nuttallanthus+canadensis http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Linaria+canadensis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linaria_canadensis Taxonomy is in a period of change, so while I still place this in the family Scrophulariaceae, the Snapdragon Family, others may place it in the Veronicaceae. It goes through the winter as a small patch of basal leaves radiating from a central point, then sends up its flower stalk as soon as it gets warm. They usually like sandy soil. I hope this helps, and thank you for your interest! Sincerely, Steve Hill [SCNPS] April 8, 2009
Hello Dr. Hill, In my recent wanderings, I've come across a neat looking tree (shrub?). It was growing on the edge of what used to be a pine forest. Any ideas? Thank you. Micah Hi Micah, I think I can help you with this. Your shrub is called 'sweetleaf' or 'horse-sugar' because if you break the leaf and lick the edge it is very sweet, like saccharine. The scientific name is Symplocos tinctoria (L.) L'Her. It is in the family Symplocaceae. You can find out more about it at these sites: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SYTI, http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Symplocos+tinctoria and there are many other sites on the internet. It is a very interesting shrub as the family itself is not at all common in North America . There are other species in China , and in the tropics. Nice pictures! I hope this helps, and thank you for your interest! Sincerely, April 8, 2009
I found these growing in a field near the house - moved them to my yard. I have asked several local folks for identification and have not had any luck. The started blooming about a week ago and I would guess they are at their maximum. Thanks for any help. Hi John, your plants are called Ipheion uniflorum (Lindl.) Raf.. and I pronounce the genus name 'iffy-on'. It is not a native plant, but it has naturalized in our area. It is actually native to Argentina, and it is related fairly closely to onions - but I don't know if it is edible so don't eat it without doing more research! Some place it in the family Liliaceae and others in the segregated family Alliaceae - taken out of the Liliaceae to include the onion and its relatives only. You can find more information on it here: http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Ipheion http://www.paghat.com/ipheion.html It has gone under several names, but Ipheion is the one generally accepted. I hope this helps, and thanks for your interest! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS September 16, 2008
I recently moved to Charleston from Miami and find that most of the wild plants here are strange to me. But one especially is really strange. It is flourishing in the construction lot next to my home. The plant is tall-often over six feet and flourishes in great numbers, like a small forest. The trunk and branches are thin and the leaves resemble those of a small fern. The plant has small flowers that come in two varieties on different plants--yellow and a combination of yellow and brownish red. They are favorites of bumblebees and hummingbirds. Now these plants are producing an abundance of small pea pods. Some plants carry these pods in such numbers that they actually bend with the burden. I wonder if, like peas, these pods afre edible. The plant seems to like direct sun. Thanks, James Hi, James, Your plant appears to be Sesbania exaltata, also known as Sesbania macrocarpa and Sesbania herbacea - the last perhaps the most correct name. The common name is danglepod, or bigpod sesbania. It is a bean, but not edible; in fact the seeds may be poisonous to people. In Kentucky it is considered to be a noxious weed. I have even seen it in southern Illinois. Here are a few links with more information: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Sesbania+herbacea http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SEHE8 http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/species/coffeeweed/coffeeweed.htm I think it is a nice looking plant - it just gets out of hand sometimes. I hope this helps. Thanks for your interest ! Cordially,
June 24, 2008 My wife and I found these plants on a walking trail at the Harbison State Forest just outside of Columbia, SC. It is a typical midlands forest with lots of tall pines and some under growth. These plants were found in shaded areas mostly. Richard, Columbia SC Hi Richard, your plant is Amorpha herbacea var. Walter, sometimes known as clusterspike false indigo, but many people call the genus Lead-plant or Indigo Bush. It is not a true indigo, but it is a legume or bean, as is true indigo. This is a nice native species, somewhat restricted in range to the southeastern states, and there are about 5 species in the Carolinas. As a nitrogen-fixer, they are very good for the soil and they seem to be popular with bees. The flowers are very unusual for a bean, and the contrast of orange anthers and purple petals is very interesting - and quite nice when magnified. Some more information can be found here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AMHE More images can be found here, with some additional descriptive information. http://www.namethatplant.net/plantdetail.shtml?plant=2307 I hope that this helps. Thanks for your interest ! Cordially, Steve Hill - SCNPS
June 9, 2008 Hi. I'm hoping you might be able to help me identify this tree. We have several (15-20) of them growing on our 5 acres of land. They only grow to appx.10-12ft in height and seem to grow in groups, or clusters. They are currently flowering (see close up photo) and have been since the beginning of May. We have fairly poor, sandy soil and most of the trees get partial shade, though this one in particular gets full sun and seems to fair as well as the others. Any help identifying this tree would be really helpful. Thanks! Hi Sarah, Your tree is generally called Sparkleberry, but I have also heard it called Farkleberry. It is a type of blueberry, Vaccinium arboreum, in the family Ericaceae. It often has evergreen leaves in warmer places, and they are quite shiny. It is especially good for wildlife. I don't think the berries are particularly good to us - they are safe, but, as I remember, bitter. It is a good landscape tree, slow growing, and rather attractive at all seasons in my opinion. I hope this helps ! Thanks for your interest. There is more information on it at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VAAR Cordially, Steve Hill SCNPS
May 29, 2008 Hi Steven, I found this plant while on my way to Pinnacle Peak in Table Rock State Park near Greenville, SC on May17, 2008. The plant is about 1 ft. tall and the pink flower is 1 to 1.5 inches long. It was found at an elevation of about 3000 feet in moderate shade. Thanks, Andy Hi Andy, You have sent in a beautiful image of one of the showiest and popular wildflowers of the eastern USA, the Pink Ladyslipper Orchid, Cypripedium acaule. It was one of these that turned me onto botany when I was young. There is lots of information on this on the internet, but a good place to start is: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CYAC3 It has also been called 'moccasin flower' because of the fancied resemblance to an old fashioned Indian moccasin. The other Cypripediums are generally called 'lady's-slipper' so I prefer this name. It likes acidic humus, and is usually associated with pines. They are not too common and can be easily wiped out from an area, so it is generally best just to photograph them unless an area is to be developed. This is certainly one of our largest and most popular native orchids ! Thanks for asking ! Cordially, Steve Hill - SCNPS
May 29, 2008 This plant is growing in our yard, on the edge of the woods. I suspect it is not a wild plant, as I have not seen any others in the area.I live in South Carolina. Mike Dear Mike, you have a very interesting plant there, and it is native, and it is found only in SC, GA and FL. It is Baptisia perfoliata, and while you did not tell me exactly where you live, you must live in the sandhills in southern SC because that is where it grows. It is in the bean family, Fabaceae, and it is sometimes called 'catbells'. It is apparently not rare, because it is not listed as threatened anywhere, but it is restricted in range. It is a fascinating plant, and probably worth protecting. As I remember, when it is dry at the end of the year, you can cut the stems and use them as a dried decoration. I've seen it only in south Georgia, I think.
May 15, 2008 Hi Steven, My husband and I found the attached wildflower on Bull Pen Road near the Chattooga River. (Bull Pen Road is just inside the NC line and is a back road into Highlands.) I’ve searched my wildflower books but have not been able to find anything that resembles this plant. Can you help me? Sincerely, K Henderson Hi, K ! Well, this is certainly one of my favorite wildflowers, but a bit early for it now - you must have taken the photo in the summer sometime. It is the yellow fringed orchid - Platanthera ciliaris. Many other people love it besides me. It is so bright that it looks like someone has spray-painted it with fluorescent paint - it can be seen from a great distance. It is rather scarce, and reproduces slowly, and does not transplant well. I've seen it in bogs as well as dry land near mountain laurel - so it has wide tolerances. There are many sources about this plant - I suggest this one because of the tremendous pictures and information: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PLCI2 As you can see on this site, this orchid is threatened or endangered in at least 10 states ! I'm glad you asked about it. Treasure it ! Cordially, Steve Hill - SCNPS
HI, This is the only photo I have. The plant is about 2ft tall. The pic was taken May 10, 2008 about 2 miles south of Oconee Ga. The area is shady, soil is red clay. Its the only one in the area, growing with briars and other weeds. Thanks, Brian Brian, that is an excellent image. Your plant is a nice native vine, called Carolina milkvine - Matelea carolinensis. The maroon flowers are distinctive, though there are a couple of other species of Matelea with maroon flowers [such as Matelea decipiens] but yours best matches the Carolina milkvine. More information on this can be found at: ...and there are many others. These vines are related to the common milkweeds, Asclepias, and are in the milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae. The vines usually have milky-white sap. Thanks for your interest !
May 12, 2008 Hi, I found one tree along the roadside next to a field in Aiken County. The blossoms measure about 3/4 inch across and the leaves are about 2 1/2 inches long. Can you please tell me what they are? Thanks, Fred Jackson, SC. Hi, Fred, Your plant is usually called 'Chinaberry', scientific name Melia azedarach. Not native, but it is commonly planted as an ornamental but escapes easily and is sometimes considered to be a pest. I personally like it because of the attractive leaves, flowers and fruits - and there are far worse weeds than this tree. It is related to mahogany, family Meliaceae, but it is short-lived and does not have a very good wood. I think it is native to India, but it has been planted all over the globe. A good start for more information is here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MEAZ but there are many more sites on the internet for it. I hope this helps ! and thanks for asking ! Cordially, Steve Hill - SCNPS
May 10, 2008 Hello, I live outside of Great Falls South Carolina and I found a shrub along side the road where I walk. It was just on the margin of a forested area along a rural road and is the only one I have seen along that way or anywhere else. I don't think it is native as I cannot find it in any of my native references. I have attached some pictures. My digital camera is old so I hope you can get a good look at it. Description: Deciduous shrub, approximately. 4ft, leaves are simple opposite, lanceolate to ovate, margins entire but some larger leaves have a few gland-like points along the edge, almost like some Ilex species but not barbs. Venation appears to be mildly arcuate(almost looks parallel in young leaves). Underside of leaves are lightly pubescent with small light colored hairs. Flowers: White, four petals, four small green sepals, many anthers and four stigmas, bright yellow (similar to rose) slightly aromatic(sweet). New growth is green and previous branches appear to have a thin layer of red-brown bark that comes off easy,becoming gray further down to base. I did not see fruit nor did I look at the roots. I did not get a good sample of the leaf scars or any terminal buds. Leaf scars may be round to heart shaped but not sure. It's a very delicate and pretty shrub. I hope you can help or at least point me in the right direction. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Rachel Hi, Rachel, I can give you some information about your plant, but possibly not THE answer. This shrub is a Mockorange, genus Philadelphus. The species is more of a problem - and I have sometimes found these hard to identify, because there are several in cultivation as well as a couple of native species. If the flowers are fragrant, I think it could be Philadelphus lewisii [see: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/19496/ ]. If they are not fragrant, it could be Philadelphus inodorus [see: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PHIN5 ]. There are a few more possibilities, but several of those have hairy leaf undersides, and it appears that yours does not. I will copy this to a few other people in case they wish to make a guess, but this is the best I can do for now. I hope it helps ! Thanks for your interest. Cordially, Steve Hill - SCNPS May 6, 2008
Hi – Saw this plant in our yard. Is in partial shade. Only have seen one other one in our area (Ware Place, SC). Can you tell me what it is? Thanks! Pete Hi, Pete, Your small tree is called Fringe tree - Chionanthus virginianus. They are quite attractive and fragrant when in bloom - and while they have a large range they are usually not found in large colonies. It is related to privet and the olive tree, as well as to the ash. I hope this helps - and thanks for your interest ! --Steve Hill SCNPS May 6, 2008 Dear Dr. Hill, I am writing a play that takes place in South Carolina in the years just before the Civil War. In one scene I want to use a flower as a metaphor for the southern way of life. I need a flower that is richly beautiful and fragrant, somewhat fragile, and unable to live anyplace else. Can you suggest one? I would be deeply grateful. Thanks so much. Best, Catherine Catherine, Try the opium poppy - Papaver somniferum. It was grown in all southern gardens as a medicinal and one of ther most important plants used to heal the soldiers. I was surprised to know hoe widespread it was grown - not native, but crucial to the south. Otherwise there is always the camellia, magnolia, carolina jessamine, and so on. --Steve March 25, 2008 Dr. Hill
I saw this plant March 23 in Oconee County. It was in a forest, in deep shade, on the western slope a culvert that was fairly moist. I've looked in several books but have not been able to identify it. I hope you can help. Thank you. Elizabeth Hi, Elizabeth, Your plant is one of the earliest of the upstate wildflowers, and a favorite of many! it is called 'Hepatica' or 'Liverleaf' [I don't know anyone who actually calls it the latter, though) and I use the scientific name Hepatica americana (DC.) Ker. for it. I say that because some have considered it to be the same as a European species, and others now have merged it with the very closely related genus Anemone - but not me in either case ! It is in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and the petals are shed quickly so that it is not visible in flower for long. The leaves are evergreen, though, and give it an early start in the spring. We have one other species, the Sharp-leaved Hepatica, Hepatica acutiloba, but H. americana has rounded lobes on the leaf. It has been called 'liverleaf' because the leaves are 3 lobed, rather like a human liver, and so people thought it was a good liver medicine, but there is no evidence at all for this. Thanks for asking ! Enjoy your Spring ! Cordially, Steve Hill SCNPS March 25, 2008 Dr. Hill,
Mark Hi Mark, Trilliums are among my favorite southern [& northern!] wildflowers! Your trillium is Trillium cuneatum Raf., common name: Little Sweet Betsy. In this case you made it easy for me, because this is the only sessile-flowered trillium that looks like this at Issaqueena Falls, as well as at Station Falls and other nearby areas. Relict trillium is mostly around Aiken, and the stem is 'S' shaped, being partly decumbent; Trillium decumbens, as far as I know, is not in the Carolinas but it is in GA and TN, at least, and its stem lies flat on the ground. Trillium discolor, another sessile-flowered species is not too far from Issaqueena Falls, but it has yellow petals that widen towards the tip. Trillium maculatum and Trillium lanceolatum, two other SC sessile-flowered species do not reach Oconee County - the closest they come to the upstate that I know of is also Aiken and McCormick counties. Trillium cuneatum also has a yellow-flowered form [var. luteum], easily distinguished from Trillium discolor by the petals that are the same shape as yours and do not expand towards the tip. Thanks for asking ! Cordially, Steve Hill SCNPS March 22, 2008 Hello,
Gina After attempts at identification via the internet, Gina was referred to Bob McCartney at Woodlander's Nursery in Aiken. The following reply was received from Gina: Hey Steve, We went to Woodlanders Nursery today, and met Bob McCartney. We took him a branch with the leaves on it, and a piece of one of the tree trunks. He took one look at it and said, that's Cyrilla (Cyrilla racemiflora). He was very nice, friendly and knowledgeable about trees, plants, etc. He said it flowers in July and showed us what the flowers look like. We have never seen any flowers. He said that it's possible that our trees don't get enough sunlight to bloom. You can bet we will be looking for them this July! Thanks for recomending him to us. Thank you so much for all your help!!! Gina April 8, 2008
My husband found this beautiful flower in the woods in Laurens county near Clinton,SC. The star shape in the center is very distinct. It had started to rain when this picture was taken. The yellow on the leaves is pollen from the pine trees, not part of the color of the leaves. Can you identify it for me? Thank You, Hi Vickie, Your plant is a pretty one, I agree. Not a wildflower, however. This is 'Bigleaf Periwinkle' [Vinca major], a rather commonly planted and escaped garden plant. It is popular not only for the nice blue flowers, but because it is evergreen, and a good groundcover that does not become such a pest as the common periwinkle, Vinca minor, can. Both can persist at old house sites and can also escape and become established, especially where people have tossed their garden clippings. You can find out more about this plant at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VIMA and at other similar sites on the internet. Thanks for asking !
March 21, 2008 Can you identify this plant for me? Thanks! I found it growing along the Mountain Bridge Wilderness trail in jones Gap State Park on march 15, 2008. It was growing on a ridgetop in a mature hardwood forest slightly north facing. Thanks! Anthony, Hi, Anthony, Your plant is called Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis - and it is in the poppy family (Papaveraceae). A lot of people miss the flower because it is really early and it only lasts a day or so. The sap of the rootstock is blood red, but it is generally considered to be toxic if consumed. The Indians had uses for the plant though, and it entered folklore because of the 'blood' in the underground parts. The leaf is very immature at this stage, and it will get much larger - to about 6 ' or so across. This is not a rare plant, but it is more common in the northern states. Many people grow it in wildflower gardens, though it is not too fond of the very acid soils or extreme heat. Thanks for sending this to me, and I hope that you will keep looking for more unusual plants ! Sincerely, Steve Hill SCNPS
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