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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. 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:
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
March 3, 2008 Have you seen this plant before? Do you know what the name is? Thanks, David from Australia Hi David, My best guess on this is Polianthes maculosa, a type of tuberose native in Texas and Mexico in dry grasslands and desert-like conditions. It is usually called 'Texas tuberose' , and it is also sometimes named Agave maculosa or Manfreda maculosa. This is a nice healthy one. I grow this in Oconee County, SC, and it has lived for several years there outside, but I don't think it has flowered outside. It is a bit cold for it there. You might want to compare yours with pictures on these sites; in the sun it can turn reddish: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Agave_maculosa.html http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week311.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfreda_maculosa --Steve
Hello Dr. Hill, I'm an amateur plant nerd and I've spotted a neat looking little plant that has caught my eye. I've seen it around before but I'm not sure what it is called. For all I know, it's just a weed, but it looks kind of neat. It looks like it's some sort of grond cover or something. It appears to spread kind of like clover..in patches. I've attached a few pics of it. Please help. Micah from Summerville, SC Hi, Micah, |
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