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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. If senders do not wish their email inquiries / responses posted on this website, please indicate this in the original ID Request email to Dr. Hill. 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:
January 23, 2012 Dr. Hill, This mushroom looking plant pops up usually after rain in my mulch areas and gives off a rotten like odor. I have tried to use roundup to get rid of them but they keep coming back. I have no idea what it is to get rid of them. Help! Troy R., Columbia, SC Hi Troy, Well, I am not a fungus expert [they are not plants], so I sent your picture to a mycologist with whom I work, and here is his reply:
You can see the bias! Well, anyway, all I can suggest is to apply a general fungicide to the area where they come up. I hope this helps a little! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
September 29, 2011 Dr. Hill, This plant was growing in late September at Huntington Beach State Park (Murrells Inlet, SC). The plant was growing on the beach above the high water mark. It was in very sandy, beach soil in close proximity to sea oats. Originally, I thought that it was Amaranthus pumilus (seaside amaranth). But, I'm not sure that's correct. I'd sure like to know its identity, because it's the first time that I have seen the plant. I'd appreciate any comments that you might have on its ID. Thanks, Hi Ken, Your plant is a fairly common seashore dune plant called Croton punctatus, in the spurge family [Euphorbiaceae]. It only gets as far north as NC, but it continues south and west and so is often called Gulf croton. I like the plant. The hairs are quite interesting when viewed with a hand lens or microsope. You can find out more about it here: http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/crpu.html http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/plants/croton.htm http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CRPU6 Thanks for asking!
September 2, 2011 Can you please help me ID this plant? I live in Charlotte, NC and this plant 2-3 months old, It started out in my yard/garden area and it looked like a Okra plant but the flowers were purple, the flower have turn into these green pickley pods that are up to 1-2". After the pod turns brown it opens and there are brown seed inside. The 1st picture is of the stem base of plant. 2nd pic is pod scale to pencil and you can see a dried purple flower also. 3rd & 4th are of leaves and pod I can send more pics if you need... Sherry Hi Sherry, your plant is called Jimson Weed, Datura stramonium, in the Solanaceae - the same family as tomato and potato - but it is not at all edible. In fact it is considered poisonous, and it was first called Jamestown Weed after Jamestown, Virginia - where the early colonists were taught to smoke it with tobacco to instil visions - because it can be hallucinogenic - but it is deadly if too much is taken. It is a native, but is weedy. In many places it is concentrated around pig stys and other agroicultural areas because even pigs will not eat it. On the good side, it has relatives called moonflowers that are grown as ornamentals - interesting because they flower at night and are very fragrant. Sincerely,
August 16, 2011 Dear Steve, We found this plant and its berries growing in partial shade on a slight incline. The area is mostly sandy as well, I couldn't find any berries that looked like it or grew individually instead of in bunches or groups, we wanted to see if the berries are edible. We are assuming they are not because there are a lot on the ground and birds dont mess with them. Thank you, Hi Nicole, your shrub is called Deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum. This is actually a species of blueberry, so, technically, the fruits are edible, but in reality this species has very bitter and unpleasant fruits, to people anyway. I am not sure if only deer eat them, but the size alone may be a problem for birds. This is a common and, in my opinion, an attractive native shrub, very desireable for wildlife. I hope this helps. Sincerely,
May 25, 2011 Good Afternoon Dr. Hill, I ran across this vine while hiking in the mountains of northern Pickens County, SC back on May 1, 2011. At first glance, I thought it was a Redbud tree due to the large heart shaped green leaves. However, after a closer look I noticed the leaves are part of a vine with odd trumpet shaped flowers underneath the leaves. The heart shaped leaves were about 5 inches wide and the trumpet like flowers were about 2 inches tall. The trumpet like flowers were beige with a burgundy round center. I have attached a few pictures that I hope will help to identify the plant. Thanks, Eddie P. Hi Eddie, This is an uncommon plant in South Carolina, but it becomes common in the mountains of western North Carolina. It is the Dutchman's pipe vine, or Aristolochia macrophylla. It has also been called Aristolochia durior. There are many species of Aristolochia, and they all have a distinctive flower, which has no petals but instead has an interesting calyx. Many are pollinated by fruit flies or flies in general. Quite a few are grown as ornamentals. They are the favorite host for the Pipevine swallowtrail butterfly. Some are surprised to learn that they are a very close relative of wild ginger - such as Asarum canadense, and also of the species often put into the genus Hexastylis. You can find out more at these links: Thanks for asking !
May 19, 2011 Dr. Hill, These weeds have almost taken over almost every lawn, open field and vacant lot in the area around Fort Mill, SC. I first started noticing them when I moved back home in 1982. I thought they were dandelions until I looked more closely at them. The leaves are almost like a succulent plant in that they are thicker and hairier than dandelions and they lay flat on the ground. This allows them to kill anything living under them even zoysia grass. I'm assuming they are some invasive species since I don't remember them being around before 1978. I'd really like to know what these are and how to get rid of them. I've attached two photos of them. They grow anywhere from 6 inches across to 16 depending on the amount of water and nutrients they get. The flowers are the same size as the average bloom on a dandelion. Thank you. Karen O. Hi Karen, Yes, your plant is one of our worst weeds. It is called Hairy Cat's-ear, or Hypochaeris radicata. It is related to a dandelion, but much tougher. I have noticed its increase as well. In the 1968 Flora of the Carolinas it was shown to be common in North Carolina, but in only 10 SC counties - now it is undoubtedly in every county. However, it may have been misidentified in SC as another species in the genus - because I think that all the Hypochaeris in that book may have been this species, though referred there to three. It is quickly spreading around the country as well. See these links: I would guess that any broadleaf herbicide, that can be safely used for Dandelions, would also kill this plant - but do check the Internet links for more details. You have my sympathies. Cordially, Steve Hill, SCNPS
May 5, 2011 Dr. Hill, Just found these in my backyard in Columbia, SC. I finally found out with a little help that these are called Starfish Fungi. It looks like it grows in tropical climates like Hawaii and Australia. I wonder why it was growing here? Just thought I would send the pictures. - J Raley, MD Image was forwarded to Dr. Andrew Miller at University of Illinois. His response: Steve, this is Aseroe rubra. I saw it a couple of times while in New Zealand. You are correct, this is an Australian fungus, but apparently, it is being brought in via soil to the USA. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aseroe_rubra - Andy Response: Thanks, Andy. I would imagine it would a be a new record for SC - if you know of anyone that might be tracking SC fungi, I would be happy to forward the information to them. Sincerely,
April 20, 2011 Hello. I got your email address from SC Native Plant Society website. I didn’t follow the rules on how to take the photos because I had the photos before I found the website. I have had several “it looks like…” responses, but nothing seems to be the perfect answer. Do you know what this is? I used to get several of them every year, but this is the only one so far this year. I plan to move it to a protected flower bed in hopes of making it stay. If you have any tips on moving it, I’d appreciate it. It’s in a spot now where it will get mowed if I don’t move it. You can tell from my address below the conditions it grows in: sand, very hot, direct sun, no feeding, whatever rain it can get. It’s the type of conditions, obviously if you saw my property, that red cedar trees and native cacti and sandspurs thrive in. Also, interestingly, after 8 years on this property, for the first time ever, I have found red honeysuckle. I also plan to propogate that. Thanks very much for your time and advice. Marty H Hi Marty, your plant is a lupine, variously called 'sandhills lupine' or 'sky-blue lupine', technical name Lupinus diffusus. It is a fine wildflower. It is very closely related to Lupinus villosus, and right now I cannot remember the differences. This site has photos of both: http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/plants/fabaceae.htm I really doubt that this can be moved successfully. They are better grown from seed, so that I would wait until the plant is 'done' for the year and gather its seeds and scatter them where you want them. The seeds may germinate over a period of years. The individual plants are usually short-lived - a couple of years or so at most. They depend on the re-seeding. The roots are fragile, though a deep taproot, but this makes them hard to transplant. If you do want to try and move it, you should wait until it is dormant in the autumn. It is a special plant, and is declining as the sandhills are being developed, and it would be great to increase its cultivation especially since it is native where you live. Can you put a protective cage or structure around it that will prevent its mowing ? The sandhills have a very special flora, and the natives are to be encouraged. Too many people try to transform them into typical piedmont lawns, and it is sad. I wish you good luck with the plant. I hope you can protect it. Sincerely,
April 18, 2011 Steven, I found a profusion of these growing near a wooded stream in Wilkes County, NC. Do you know what they are? Thanks, Hi Andy, your plant is an anemone, or windflower, specifically I would call this the 'mountain thimbleweed', Anemone lancifolia. It is sometimes considered to be a variant of the more common wood anemone, Anemone quinquefolia. It has a rather narrow distribution, as you can see at this link: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ANLA This is a very nice group of wild flowers in the same family as the buttercups, Ranunculus, family Ranunculaceae. I hope this helps. Thanks for your interest. Sincerely,
April 6, 2011 Could you please tell what kind of tree this is? Thank you, Hi Janet, your shrub is called 'Sweetleaf' or 'horse-sugar', and its scientific name is Symplocos tinctoria. It is a member of a mostly tropical plant family named the Symplocaceae. This species is rather common both in the mountains and along the coast in South Carolina and other places in the southeast. The common name comes from the fact that if you break and taste the leaf, it is very sweet - like saccharin. A nice native shrub. Thanks for asking ! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
April 1, 2011 Can you tell me what this plant is? It is about 8 inches tall with the small white flower under the leaves. The leaves are about 5 inches across. I thought it was a Trillium, but don't they all have three leaves? I do have a Trillium plant that does have three leaves and it is not as tall as this plant. Thanks, Stan W. Hi Stan, Your plant is a Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum. "Peltatum" means 'with the leaf stalk inserted at the middle of the blade', like an umbrella. This is a fairly well-known plant that has been used as a medicinal, in cancer studies, and it can be toxic, but the ripe fruit, which is rarely seen, is edible. There are many, many Internet sites on this plant. This is a very nice native wildflower for the garden and it does often grow with Trilliums in the same rich soild in shade. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
February 24, 2011 Dear Dr. Hill This plant is a brier, that may belong to the Smilax family. Near the ground there is a black thorny brier that is woody (similar to the Multi-Flora Rose in my home state of New York). At the top end there is a thin green vine with willow shaped leaves and and tentacles that wrap around small twigs on trees. The unripened fruit is white berries, I believe, while the mature fruit is dark blue or black, like wild blueberries. The thorns, although sharp, did not stop me from pulling the vine out of the shrub or tree it was attached to. And the thorns didn't prevent me from breaking the cane quite easily by bending it in half while wearing leather gloves. Generally, the canes were not close together, and often did not seem to have any berries, but one shrub seemed to be taken over by the vine. The vines there had both unripened, ripened, and shriveled up berries. I believe this may be because there are both male and female vines, and if both sexes aren't present there is no fertilization, flowers, or berries. These pictures were taken in February on the outskirts of Myrtle Beach, in Horry County, South Carolina in a large brush lot, about 5 miles inland. The soil is sandy, but not well drained, as the sand is very compacted. I am primarily interested in the local common name of the vine, but the scientific name would help me find more out about the vine. I am visiting my son for a short time, so I haven't had a chance to see the vines in different seasons. In fact, this the first time I have noticed the vines. Thank you very much. Harry N. Dear Harry, thank you very much for your detailed message. It is great to get your observations and nice images. You are correct - this is a smilax, the genus Smilax, often put into its own family the Smilacaceae. Yours is Smilax laurifolia L. This is quite common along the coast in wet sand, and it can form impenetrable spiny thickets. Another distinctive feature is the fact that it is evergreen, and that it has leathery leaves that are rather narrow at the base. While most people in the southeast don't like this plant very much, I like it somewhat because it is so characteristic of the coastal Carolinas, and it does not reach as far north as New England, where I am from. It often grows with other plants interesting to me, like the wild Magnolia or Sweet bay, Magnolia virginiana, Sweet-leaf, Symplocos, Red bay, Persea, and many others. You mentioned common names, and this one has had several but I am not always sure what it would be called locally. The classic Manual of the Vascular Plants of the Carolinas calls it 'bamboo' or 'bamboo vine', so I would suspect a lot of coastal Carolinians would call it this, though that has not been my experience. Most people call it 'Laurel greenbrier' because the leaves are very similar to the laurel leaf [bay leaf], and I'm sure a lot just give it some obscene curse name because of all the bloodshed it has caused! In fact, some call it 'Blaspheme vine' for this reason ! You will also see the common names 'Laurel brier' or the more general name 'Catbrier' used. There are a few less commonly used names as well, to be found at some of the links below, which also have more information on the plant. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SMLA http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101937 http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/subthumb.cfm?sub=12490 Surprising to some, it has even been sold as an ornamental vine. In general I, also, do not like Smilax species because of how they rip and tear the skin and clothing, but there are some native species that are really attractive and not so noxious, especially Smilax pumila and Smilax walteri, both of which have bright red holly-like berries and which normally lack any spines. They are wonderful ornamentals for the South. You are also correct that these vines are dioecious, meaning that the sexes are on different plants, so that you would need, as in hollies, both sexes of a given species to get the fruits [which are not edible, by the way]. I often eat the tender young stems or branch tips in the spring when they are actively growing, and they are similar to 'sourgrass' or sorrel and edible at this stage when they are still soft. Indians used the roots with their abundant starch as a food. I think that some people used to carve pipes out of the larger woody rootstocks, which generally lack spines. Thanks for asking! Sincerely, Steve Hill [SCNPS]
February 24, 2011 Dr. Hill, Attached is a picture of a plant I can't ID. I see it in the low country (SC), it seems to only grow near creeks or soil with a high moisture content. Appreciate the help Rob F. Hi Rob, your plant is our wild bamboo, which most people in the area call 'cane'. When it forms a thick stand the thicket is termed a 'canebrake'. The scientific name is a bit more debatable. The older Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas calls it all Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl. but currently there are three species recognized by many. The one in the upstate in the mountains is now called Arundinaria appalachiana Triplett, Weakley & L.G.Clark, or 'hill cane'. Arundinaria gigantea is still accepted by many as is Arundinaria tecta (Walter) Muhl., and some have argued that Arundinaria macrosperma Michx. is also a good species. The conservative approach would be to call most if not all of the downstate plants Arundinaria gigantea - but some would still argue this. There is a fair discussion of this here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundinaria The plants really vary a lot in size and in how evergreen they are, and they are rarely seen to flower or fruit. Watch out for 'canebrake rattlesnakes' - a darker variant of the timber rattlesnake that loves these thickets. I hope this helps. Thanks for asking! --Steve Hill SCNPS
February 22, 2011 Dr. Hill, I took this photo several years ago at Hanging Rock in Lancaster County SC in a wooded area. It appeared to be a vine and I suspect it is in the pea family. I have not been successful at finding any photos on other websites to identify what it is exactly. Mary B. Hi Mary, A very nice photo! You are certainly correct that this is in the pea / bean family, Fabaceae. The common name is 'Butterfly pea', and the scientific name is Centrosema virginianum. It is rather common in the state along with its similar relative, Clitoria mariana, also called Butterfly pea. Here are a few internet links that will tell you more and that have more pictures: http://alabamaplants.com/Bluealt/Centrosema_virginianum_page.html http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CEVI2 http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/cevi2.htm http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Centvirg As you can see from the sites, this attractive native perennial vine is a favorite of photographers! Thanks for asking, and don't hesitate to send more images! Sincerely, Steve Hill (SCNPS)
January 7, 2011 Hi Dr. Hill, I am trying to ID a plant and stumbled across SC Native Plant Society. This image was taken at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in Charleston County (SC). The plant occurs on many of the barrier islands that are out there. In many instances I found it close to Purslane, but have struggled with ID. Would you know what it is? For scale, the egg next to it is close to the size of a small chicken egg. Thanks, Dear Gillian, I have looked into the identification of your plant with the help of two other botanists. It is certainly a seacoast spurge, in the Euphorbiaceae, but could be one of two species, either Euphorbia polygonifolia or Euphorbia bombensis. The former is generally more common and widespread. These are also commonly placed in the genus Chamaesyce. This is far as we can get from the photograph. According to Dr. Paul Berry at the University of Michigan: Steve - it could be either E. polygonifolia L. or E. bombensis Jacq. Both are beach plants that are reported to occur in South Carolina. They are closely related species and are generally distinguished based on the larger seed side of polygonifolia, something we'll not be able to tell from the photograph. Maybe Alan knows better what has been recorded from this locality. If so, I'd be interested in hearing more. Best wishes, Paul In a follow-up, Alan Weakley said that both species could be in the area that you are working. By the way, what is the bird egg in the photo - a tern or plover? One of us could identify this to species from a little fertile material, but that is as far as we can go from your image. I hope this helps! Sincerely,
December 1, 2010 Hello, This small tree/shrub is growing on our land in the northern part of Greenville county, off hwy 11, near Glassy Mountain. Not too far from the Poinsett Bridge and Camp Old Indian. The leaves appear to be growing directly across from each other…very symmetrically... and the wrinkled up seed pods (look like a dried up pear or apple) are filled with several brown seeds. We’ve never noticed the tree when the “fruit” is ripe so don’t know what it looks like not shriveled up! Look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you very much. Hi Suzy, Your plant / shrub, with the interesting fruit, is Calycanthus floridus, the sweet-shrub, in the plant family Calycanthaceae. The fruits are called 'sweet bubbies' locally and are nicely perfumed, as is the entire plant. The flowers in the Spring are a dark reddish-brown and, to me, smell like fermenting bananas - really interesting and nice. Sweet shrub is often cultivated as an ornamental, but is also very common in the upstate area as a native. I also like the common name 'Carolina allspice' for this plant because of its sweet spicy aroma. It is related to both magnolias and paw-paws, though not in the same families as those. It should not be confused with 'Spicebush' which is an entirely different plant [Lindera] related to sassafras. One site on the internet said they were called 'Sweet Betsy' in North Carolina , but that gets confused with a Trillium called that as well. One of my favorite anecdotes about this plant is from a former naturalist at Table Rock State Park who said that one day he went over to look at one of the fruits closely, and it turned out to be a small brown bat with its wings closed, and that it closely mimicked the calycanthus fruit. Maybe this is a common adaptation, but I have heard this story from only one person. I'd love to know if anyone else has seen this. You can find out more about it here: Thank you for your interest, and keep exploring for new and interesting plants! Sincerely, Steve Hill SCNPS
November 4, 2010 Dr. Hill, Mmy sister found this plant for sale a year or two ago @ the Jockey Lot in Anderson, S.C. The fellow that sold it said he found it growing on Lake Hartwell . She has it growing in dry shade. I have only seen the picture as you see it. Looks very similar to a Rhododendron to me with the exception of the flower. Can you please help identify it ? Thank you, Hi Edna, your plant is not one of our natives, but it is possible that it could escape in our area. From what I can see in the images, it is the Florida Star Anise, Illicium floridanum, in the Star Anise family, Illiciaceae. Your plant seems to be in bud. You can find out more about it here, where there is also a picture of an open flower: Sincerely,
September 14, 2010 Here is a picture of this plant growing near my porch. I live in Whitestone outside of Spartanburg SC right near Camp Croft State Forest. The soil is red clay. The plant has slight purplish-white flowers and if i rub any part of the plant it leaves a pungent smell almost like cat pee and cannibus. Leaves smooth, stem green and smooth. I hardly see any bugs on it. If you rub a leave the smell stays on fingers or anything for hours. Need to know what it is, if it poison or what it's good for if any? Please let me know. Matthew B. Hi Matthew, Yes, your plant is known for its odor! It is Pluchea camphorata, in the aster family (Asteraceae) and its common name is Camphorweed. The aroma is usually described as the aroma of camphor. You will probably also like the common name sometimes used - 'Stinkweed'. It is common in South Carolina and widespread. Here is an internet sites that will give you more photos and imformation: http://www.alabamaplants.com/Pinkalt/Pluchea_camphorata_page.html As other references mentioned, this has been used as a medicinal, and even as a tea, for digestion and other uses. It carries a warning: do not use if pregnant! I cannot seem to find too many internet sites that specialize in this plant, but some google searches will get you more information in pieces from many sources. I think it is an interesting plant. It repels both deer and insects, and some people it seems. I hope this helps! Sincerely,
August 28, 2010 Dr. Hill, Can you identify the berries growing on the plant at my company? I have attached two photos. Are they edible? Thanks, Hi Dennis, You are the first to ask me about this plant. It is a vine called 'peppervine', scientific name Ampelopsis arborea, in the grape family, Vitaceae. There is a general profile about the plant here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AMAR5 There are more images of it here: http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/vit/ampelopsis_arborea.htm I am certain that it is native as do most botanists, even though it can be weedy. Some people consider it a pest. I do not know where the TAMU information came from. There are several other species that are not native, but I know of no Asian records for this plant. If you know something I don't please let me know. http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=amar5 I hope this helps.
August 28, 2010 Hello, Can you identify this tree? They are growing in my yard and I have seen it growing along roadsides in SC too. They are growing in full sun under a Pine tree. They have what looks like cluster of seeds that are reddish brown on one side and green on the other. Are there any uses for this tree or its seeds? I am a soapmaker and am looking for natural plants to use in my soaps. I am enclosing pictures. Thanks for your help! Sincerely, Ellen G. Hi Ellen, Your shrub is called Winged Sumac or Shining Sumac, Rhus copallina [sometimes written Rhus copallinum]. As you mentioned it is quite common along roadsides in South Carolina, and it has an extremely wide range in North America. One of its best features are the brilliant red leaves in the Fall. It is rather easily distinguished from other sumacs by the winged leaf axis, and the leaves are usually smaller than those of other sumacs. Here are some general links for additional information and pictures: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHCO It can form a thicket by spreading from underground rhizomes, so it should not be grown in a very small area. It is of some horticultural interest. Regarding uses, the Indians did make a reddish dye from the ripe fruits. I suppose for sopamaking, it might give a reddish color to a soap, but I don't know of any actual "soapy" properties. There are quite a few other uses known for this plant. It contains quite a high amount of tannin in the bark and leaves. The fruits have been used to make a lemonade-like beverage. A few sources have 'suggested' that the sap may cause a rash in sensitive people, but I have been unable to find documentation on this. I think this has been suggested because it is a relative of poison sumac and poison ivy, but not at all a close relative. This site has some excellent information on its uses: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhus%20copallina Thanks for your interest, and have fun with your soapmaking! Sincerely,
June 17, 2010 Dear Dr. Hill, I was vacationing early this June in Edisto Island, SC. While there, I took a day trip to Botany Bay Plantation WMA. Along the side of the dirt road leading out to the beach, I found these shrubs growing about 4-6 ft high. They were surrounded by marsh, out in full sun. The branching and leaf structure remind me of juniper, yet I was struck by the clusters of tiny pink flowers growing at the branch ends. Can you tell me what shrub this is? Is it native to the area? Thanks for your time, Hi Stephanie, I had to chuckle a bit when I saw your photograph - and I will explain in a moment. This is a very pretty plant, and it was introduced as an ornamental. Some people also introduced it as a means to drain excess water because it does so like a sponge. It is a tamarisk - and they are actually rather difficult to identify to species - but the one in SC is usually called Tamarix gallica, the French tamarisk. Someone has reported Tamarisk africana, the African tamarisk, in SC, as well as Tamarix canariensis, and Tamarix ramosissima - the saltcedar - which is actually another likely choice for your plant. They are very salt and drought tolerant, and the roots penetrate deeply. Now, back to my chuckle, this is usually considered to be a noxious weed because it can get out of hand and is sometimes impossible to get rid of. The roots penetrate incredibly deeply, and even burning will not destroy the plant. also it spreads easily. In the western states, it has colonized some of the rare creeks in dry areas and soaked up all the water, causing environmental disasters. I know many western botanists and landowners who curse it - and certainly the Nature Conservancy hates it. At least 11 states have declared Tamarix ramosissima a noxious weed, and have quarantined it. See this link: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TARA Only 5 states have declared Tamarix gallica a noxious weed, but that is still plenty. None of the Tamarisk are native to North America, and they are in their own family - the Tamaricaceae or Tamarisk family: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarix Thank you for bringing it to my attention, because it is a good plant to know. All the best, May 17, 2010
Dear Steve, I have been searching all over the internet trying to identify this unusual vine growing on top of a fairly sunny small hill in Central SC, not too far from Clemson. The long slender black seed pods are what really got my attention. I broke open one of the pods, finding 12 small and very hard round black seeds. Thank you for your time. -Stephen Hi Steve, You have one of the introduced vetches there, a legume, and based on my years of living in Central (my former home) it is probably Vicia grandiflora Scopoli, which has relatively large creamy-yellow flowers earlier in the Spring. there is also a lot of this between Anderson and Clemson and all around Walhalla. It has its beans on it now. You can find out a lot more about it here: http://www.missouriplants.com/Others/Vicia_grandiflora_page.html http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VIGR I hope this helps!
May 9, 2010 There is a tree I cannot identify. A Clemson professor looked at it once and said he thought it was an Ash, but could not tell me the name of the tree. I've seen this tree only at the base of Tamassee Knob in Oconee County . This one is in a depressed area, others near a stream, and a larger one further up the hill.One is covered by something that makes the tree look black about halfway up. Fungus? (No picture of that one today.) There may be more trees further up Tamassee Knob. I could not get a picture of the entire tree as this area is deeply wooded. We have seen what looks like a cluster of yellow flowers (fragrant) on the tree but it isn't blooming now. This tree is at least 80 feet tall. The underside of the leaves look frosted from below, and the stems of the new growth is fuzzy. Thank you for your time. Mozelle L. Dear Mozelle, I agree with the Clemson professor - that it is an ash. Specifically, I would call it Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. pennsylvanica, usually called Red ash. The other variety, var. subintegerrima, the Green ash, unlike yours, has no hairs on the leaves or leaf stalks. However, many people consider both the same species and will often call both Green ash. Here are some links to more information: http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Fraxinus+pennsylvanica In my experience, this ash does not like very acidic soils, so it is not as common in South Carolina forests as it is in the midwest and elsewhere where it can be abundant. That is probably the reason for the limited distribution in your area. When seen, it is usually in the more mesic coves such as at Tamassee Knob or Station Falls, and usually near floodplains or moist areas. The flowers are not fragrant and are usually green - see pictures on the internet. It is possible that you saw the flowers of something else, but I cannot tell. The trees are either male or female - the male flowers look a bit like clumps of fungi on early spring branches, the female flowers are green and whispy and look nothing like the male flowers. Believe it or not, ash is related to the olive tree - Oleaceae. I hope that this helps! Sincerely,
May 5, 2010 Hi Steven, Is this animal, vegetable or mineral? I know you can help! Terry K. Hi Terry, The answer is BOTH. This is an oak gall, possibly the Wool sower gall, on an oak. These are growths caused by the presence of the larva of a small wasp [harmless to us], and this one may be from a Cynipid Wasp, Callirhytis seminator. There is one exactly li ke yours on this blog page: http://www.roundrockjournal.com/?p=607 and this one, also the same, has more information, including information about the wasp: http://www.backyardnature.net/galls.htm. So, I hope this helps! I have seen these also in SC, but this particular one is very widespread, apparently wherever white oaks grow in the US & Canada. Thanks for asking! I like a challenge! Sincerely,
May 3, 2010 A beautiful plant I have enjoyed now for more than a month of blooming pink flowers, right down to the end of the stem and LOTS more to come. Located on the south side of my house, gets sun mostly all day long. We are in Charleston SC , the lowcountry or coastal south as we're called...........can you identify this plant for me? I bought it last year, not familiar with it (& usually keep the tag, but failed this time).........I have had SO MANY compliments on it and embarassed to say "I don't know" when asked WHAT IS IT? PLEEZ, can you help me? If not, could you, would you refer me to a site than can. Thanks, Cheryl M., Hi Cheryl, Your plant appears to be Gaura lindheimeri - a nice plant native mostly to Texas and surrounding areas - but it has become very popular in cultivation. It is often called "Pink Gaura, Wand Flower, or Bee blossom" and it is in the evening primrose family [Onagraceae]. Most of the wild forms have white flowers that turn pink later - but the cultivars have pink flowers from the start. South Carolina has a native species as well - Gaura coccinea - which is similar but not as compact. I'm not sure where the fine pink cultivars were developed - but probably in Texas. You can find out more about it here: There are several selected garden cultivars of this now. I hope this helps! This is a nice garden plant to be sure. Sincerely, Steve Hill - SCNPS
May 1, 2010 Hello Mr. Hill I am hoping you might be able to identify the following plant. We reside in Tega Cay, SC and the last couple of years we have noticed this vine climbing up one of our pine trees in the backyard. It only blooms for a short period of time (beginning of spring) and then disappears as the heat rises. This picture was taken on April 18th, 2010 Thank you, Hi Danita, Your plant is a beautiful native vine called Crossvine, named because of a cross-shaped stem center, and its scientific name is Bignonia capreolata L. Unlike the related Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) this is a much more delicate and non-invasive vine, but the flowers do not last very long. Still, they are attractive, making this a nice vine to have around. It can be grown as a cultivated plant as long as it has something to climb on. It normally will not flower unless the top of the plant has some direct sunlight. In complete shade it remains short and does not bloom. You can find out more about this vine here: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BICA I hope that this helps, and thank you for your interest in SCNPS! Sincerely, Steve Hill [SCNPS]
April 28, 2010 These pictures were taken on April 26 on a sand hill in Aiken County, SC. The area the plant is located in is on the edge of a small field which I have control burned for the last four years. I am observant when out and about and have never seen a plant quite like this. There is nothing in the picture to reference it's height, it's about a foot tall and propped up with a small pine limb for the photo. Brett Hi Brett, Your plant is in the bean family, Fabaceae, and I usually call it Baptisia leucophaea Nutt., but it has been recently re-named as Baptisia bracteata Muhl. var. leucophaea (Nutt.) Kartesz & Gandhi. Common names vary, and include Longbract wild indigo, Buffalo pea false indigo, and Creamy wild indigo. It does seem to benefit from controlled burns. You can find more information about it at: http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BABRL2 http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Baptisia_leucophaea_page.html http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/bap.bra.htm It is a fine wildflower, native, and it is sometimes grown in gardens. At least one cultivar has been produced. The fruits resemble small bladders, and are also interesting. The plant is not edible, however. Thanks for your interest! April 21, 2010 Dr. Hill, I am a fiction writer and South Carolina native working on a story about a man who traffics in poisonous fruits. I'm wondering if there are any tree fruits toxic to humans that grow in the Lowcountry? Thanks so much. I hope all is well. Jeffrey R. Jeffrey, Before I answer, out of curiosity, can you tell me to what purpose the 'person' is trafficing in poisonous fruits? Does it have to be only the lowcountry or can it be all the way up to the blue ridge? I'm sure I can come up with some ideas for you. If possible, let me know if cultivated plants are okay, and if it is only fruits, or perhaps some other plant parts as well. It makes a BIG difference. Complicated, no? --Steve Hill Very complicated. And don't worry, you will not be an accessory to a crime. (Here's a review of my novel in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/books/review/Salvatore-t.html?_r=1) My protagonist runs a business in Awendaw pruning and caring for fruit trees, mostly in private gardens. He wants to exact revenge on a client. Has to be fruit, has to be Lowcountry, preferably trees, cultivated plants are great. The toxin doesn't have to be deadly. In fact, if it has a peculiar effect, all the better. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Jeff Dear Jeff, Believe it or not, there are not a large number of fruits in the lowcountry that would kill someone outright - and it also involves quantity. I am including some possibilities below:
In many of the species, the fruit is not the most poisonous part. Moonseed is in the same family as strychnos - a source of strychnine; apples and the others related are a source of cyanide - as are others such as black locust - one of the most common poisoning agents. Most others are alkaloids. Check these out on the web for more details. Plants are usually not as effective as drugs and things like arsenic... or guns. I'd be pleased to hear what you end up with - if you care to share. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Steve Hill [ South Carolina Native Plant Society]
April 19, 2010 Hi Dr. Hill: I came upon a colony of trillium in the Wateree River swamp while turkey hunting over this past weekend. I have attached a couple of photos and hope that you can assist in identification. Thanks for your consideration. Bob G. Dear Bob, You really have me stumped on this one, and Trilliums are among my favorite plants! I will share the images with others and see if we can come up with something. I have been through the book Trilliums by Fred and Roberta Case (1997) and can find no match. Likewise I have tried to match it in John Freeman's monograph on this group of sessile-flowered Trilliums published in the journal Brittonia in 1975. The flowers have the general aspect of Trillium viridescens, but that occurs nowhere near South Carolina . The leaves do not appear to have any mottling, and essentially all of the sessile-flowered Trilliums I know in the Carolinas do. Based on range, it could be a lime-green petal form of Trillium maculatum, but even that does not fit, especially regarding the lack of leaf mottling. If I am interpreting your images correctly, your plants have recurved sepals - the sepals are found vertically below the leaves. there are only two species known with this characteristic - Trillium recurvatum and Trillium lancifolium. These are related. Trillium recurvatum, the Prairie trillium, has short petals about twice as long as wide, but its southeastern limit is in central Tennessee - and it really does not resemble your plant - except for the stamens. Trillium lancifolium is in South Carolina , but is very rare - known only in Kershaw and McCormick counties, I believe. It has very narrow, heavily mottled leaves, but it does have the longer narrower petals of your plant. Again, it does not look like your images. That leads us to the possibility that your plants may be a new species of Trillium - but I think that someone will correct me! I would like to post your images and email on our website for other opinions as well as sending the images around to some other botanists, and I will try to get an answer to you. I hope you will record or mark where you found this in case it needs to be examined further by botanists. Please protect this information and do not allow anyone to disturb the plants! I may be showing my ignorance here, but I think this could be a very exciting discovery! More as it develops... Sincerely, ADDENDUM: Well, we were 2 years too late on this! Chick Gaddy had already recognized it as a new species, and the comments in his paper could as easily have been mine! I did not know about this new species, but thanks to Alan Weakley, I sure do now! This is the Wateree Trillium, recently described by Chick Gaddy as Trillium oostingii. Chick wrote the following in an email: The Wateree trillium, Trillium oostingii Gaddy, will be published in December of this year. Gaddy, L. L. . 2008. A new sessile-flowered Trillium (Liliaceae: Subgenus Phyllantherum) from South Carolina. Phytologia 90(3):374-382. I have named this species Trillium oostingii for Henry J. Oosting, late professor of botany and ecology at Duke University. Dr. Oosting found this plant on Big Pine Tree Creek, Kershaw County, South Carolina, in April of 1937. A specimen was placed in the Duke University herbarium where it lay in relative obscurity. As far as I can tell, the plant was not seen in the wild by another botanist for 65 years, until I stumbled over it in 2002. Six years and a lot of fieldwork and research later, it is now officially a new species. It is presently known only from Kershaw and Richland Counties. I appreciate the kindness and consideration of the private landowners and land managers who allowed me access to their lands in search of this plant. And I also would like to thank all who read and commented on the paper while it was in draft. Finally, this paper would have been a much lesser work without the assistance of Susan Farmer and Gerald Smith, who, respectively, did DNA and chromosome analyses of the plant. Thanks to all. Alan Weakley, Curator and Adjunct Assistant Professor See attached PDF file: The Wateree trillium, Trillium oostingii Gaddy, will be published in December of this year. Gaddy, L. L. 2008. A new sessile-flowered Trillium (Liliaceae: Subgenus Phyllantherum) from South Carolina. Phytologia 90(3):374-382.
March 31, 2010 Dr. Hill: I have been curious about this plant in my yard. I thought it was a mock orange but a friend of mine says it is not. She has a mock orange and it is not the same blossom. They are in bloom in Columbia , SC now and I have seen several around the neighborhood. The one in my yard, of which I am sending you the pictures, is in a part shade spot. Others I have seen in sunny locations are much fuller. Any ideas what this is? Thanks! Linda M. Hi Linda! Your flowering shrub is a non-native ornamental in the Rose family - named Exochorda racemosa, the Common Pearlbush. It does look a lot like Philadelphus but has flowers in short racemes, which Philadelphus [Mock orange] does not. There is a slight chance that it is a different species of Exochorda, but E. racemosa is the one I usually see and this seems to be it. It only rarely escapes from cultivation. You can see pictures and find out more about it at these sites: Your images were great - the flower closeups especially. I might not have gotten it otherwise - the wide green receptacle in the middle of the flower is also distinctive. Thanks for your interest! Sincerely, Steve Hill
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,
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 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,
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Trillium oostingii, 
