United States

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Northeastern 

Research Station

General Technical

Report NE-344

Robert B. Coxe

Steven L. Stephenson

Darlene M. Madarish

Gary W. Miller

Vascular Flora of the Fernow 

Experimental Forest and 

Adjacent Portions of the 

Otter Creek Wilderness Area
Published by: For additional copies:

USDA FOREST SERVICE USDA Forest Service 

11 CAMPUS BLVD SUITE 200 Publications Distribution

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073-3294 359 Main Road

 Delaware, OH 43015-8640

September 2006 Fax: (740)368-0152

Visit our homepage at: http://www.fs.fed.us/ne

Abstract

The vascular flora of the region we considered include 94 families representing at least 461 

species. Fifty-four of these or nearly 12 percent are species known to have been introduced. 

Asteraceae (46 species) is the single largest family; Cyperaceae (31), Liliaceae (29), 

Poaceae and Rosaceae (20 each) also are important families in the general study area. The 

461 species of vascular plants recorded constitute only 17.2 percent of the total species 

(2,683) known from the State of West Virginia but account for a larger proportion (31.5 

percent) of all species known from Tucker County or Randolph County.

Manuscript received for publication 7 February 2006

Cover Photos

Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule) and Frasier magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) on the 

Fernow Experimental Forest.
1

INTRODUCTION

Field surveys of the vascular fl ora of the study area described in this report began during 

the summer of 1994 as part of a project that included establishing 105 permanent plots 

(each 0.1 ha) in relatively undisturbed forest communities throughout the Fernow 

Experimental Forest in Tucker County, West Virginia (Muzika et al. 1999). To increase the 

number of plots in forest types (those located at the highest elevations) poorly represented 

on the Fernow, the study area was extended to encompass portions of the Otter Creek 

Wilderness Area adjacent to the southern boundary of the Forest. These additional plots 

(11) were located on McGowan Mountain in northern Randolph County.

Each plot was surveyed by walking through it several times and recording all species of 

vascular plants observed. An effort was made to collect a voucher specimen of each species 

encountered. During the summer of 2000, 60 of the original plots were resampled to 

obtain data on short-term changes in forest vegetation (Stephenson et al. 2003). Plots 

were surveyed for vascular plants in the same manner as in the earlier study. During the 

period between the two major sampling dates (1994 and 2000), additional fi eld surveys 

were conducted at various times throughout the year in both forest 

and nonforest habitats to supplement the list of species already 

recorded from the general study area. Emphasis was placed on 

disturbed habitats, e.g., those along roadsides. Because there always 

is the potential for “new” plant species to invade an area and for 

some of the species already present to be missed during surveys, no 

fl ora can be considered as complete. However, based on the low 

number of additional species recorded during the latter stages of 

the fi eldwork carried out in the context of this project, the total list 

of species compiled includes most of the vascular plants present in 

the general study area. Madarish et al. (2002) also compiled a list 

of vascular plants (90 families and 466 species) from published data 

and unpublished monitoring data collected within the bounds of 

the Fernow Experimental Forest.

This publication includes an annotated checklist of the vascular 

plants (94 families and 461 species) recorded from or known to 

occur on the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions of 

the Otter Creek Wilderness Area of east-central West Virginia.

The Authors

ROBERT B. COXE is an 

ecologist with the Delaware 

Natural Heritage Program, 

Smyrna, Delaware.

STEVEN L. STEPHENSON 

is a Professor of Biology with 

the University of Arkansas, 

Department of Biology, 

Fayetteville.

DARLENE M. MADARISH 

is a botanist with California 

University of Pennsylvania, 

Department of Biological and 

Environmental Sciences.

GARY W. MILLER is a research 

forester with the USDA Forest 

Service, Northeastern Research 

Station, Morgantown, West 

Virginia.
2

GENERAL STUDY AREA

The Fernow Experimental Forest (39°03 ́ N, 79°41 ́ W), located in Tucker County, West Virginia, 

is within the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau Region of the Appalachian Mountains (Fenneman 

1938). Elevations range from 533 to 1,112 m and the topography is rugged, with moderate to steep 

slopes (10 to 60 percent). Soils are predominantly loams and silt loams of the Calvin and BerksMuskingham series (Typic Dystrochreps). These soils originate from acid shales and sandstones on 

the western half of the Forest and from sandstones, shales, and limestones on the eastern half. Soils 

are relatively shallow, with an average soil depth of about 1.0 m. Most soils are fairly acidic, and the 

average soil pH is about 4.5 (Helvey and Kochenderfer 1991). A rainy, cool climate is typical on the 

Fernow; precipitation averages 145 cm per year and is distributed evenly throughout the year. The 

mean annual temperature is about 9°C and the length of the growing season is approximately 145 

days (Northeast. For. Exp. Stn. 1995).

The general study area falls within the Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest Province as described 

by Bailey et al. (1994). At the lowest elevations, the original forests consisted primarily of 

hardwoods, with an admixture of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) along stream bottoms and on 

north slopes. Forests at higher elevations were dominated by red spruce (Picea rubens) and hemlock 

(Core 1966). There were small patches of pure spruce on the tops of the mountains. Braun (1950) 

placed this portion of West Virginia in the Allegheny Mountain Section of the Mixed Mesophytic 

Forest Region. 

The pattern of cutting and regeneration in the general study area is similar to that throughout 

much of the central Appalachians. Logging removed the most valuable species and undesirable 

trees of poor form and unmarketable species were left. Repeated forest fi res burned over the area 

and chestnut blight eliminated 10,440 m3

 of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in the 1930’s 

(Weitzman 1949). This loss represented nearly 25 percent of the volume of the Fernow.

Present-day forest types and conditions refl ect site conditions and past history of the area. Oaks 

(Quercus spp.) are the most common species and are found on all sites along with American beech 

(Fagus grandifolia) and sweet birch (Betula lenta). The most productive sites in coves and on north 

slopes support primarily northern red oak (Q. rubra), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), yellow-poplar 

(Liriodendron tulipifera), black cherry (Prunus serotina), white ash (Fraxinus americana), basswood 

(Tilia americana), cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), and beech. Less productive sites 

on south and west slopes usually support oak communities composed of northern red, white, (Q. 

alba), chestnut (Q. prinus), and scarlet oak (Q. coccinea). Red maple (A. rubrum), sweet birch, 

blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), and sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) also 

are common on such sites. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Fraser magnolia (M. fraseri) are 

consistent but generally minor components of the Forest.

IDENTIFICATION OF FOREST TYPES

Two-way indicator species analysis of the vegetation data set obtained for the 105 permanent plots 

sampled in 1994 delineated eight forest types, each of which was characterized by one to three 

dominant tree species (Muzika et al. 1999). Information on the distribution of each of the eight 

forest types with respect to slope position, aspect, and elevation is provided in Table 1. The number 

of plots assigned to each forest type ranged from 1 to 39. Presumably, these numbers refl ect their 
3

relative abundance in the general study area. Forest types represented by the greatest number of plots 

were red oak/sugar maple (39 of 105 plots), yellow-poplar/sugar maple (27), red maple/red oak (15), 

and chestnut oak/red maple/red oak (14). Less common forest types were red spruce (1 plot), white 

oak (3), black cherry (2), and hemlock/yellow birch/spruce (3). 

Based on analyses of the vegetation data and data obtained in each of the 105 plots for soil 

characteristics and topographic parameters, the overall distribution of the eight forest types across the 

study area can be related most closely to the environmental complex gradients associated with site 

moisture conditions and elevation (Table 1), though soil characteristics, particularly those related to 

major differences (i.e., limestones versus shales and sandstones) in the underlying geological substrate 

also are an important factor. Such a pattern would have been expected since similar results were 

reported by Whittaker (1956), Stephenson (1982), Rheinhardt and Ware (1984), and Lawrence et 

al. (1999) who considered the pattern of forest vegetation in mountainous portions of Eastern North 

America.

SUMMARY

The vascular fl ora of the region we considered include 94 families representing at least 461 species. 

Fifty-four of these or nearly 12 percent are species known to have been introduced. Asteraceae (46 

species) is the single largest family; Cyperaceae (31), Liliaceae (29), Poaceae (20) and Rosaceae 

(20 each) also are important families in the general study area. The 461 species of vascular plants 

recorded constitute only 17.2 percent of the total species (2,683) known from the State of West 

Virginia but account for a larger proportion (31.5 percent) of all species known from Tucker County 

or Randolph County (Harmon et al. 1996; Harmon, P.J., pers. commun.).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The fi eld surveys that generated the plant specimen data presented here were funded in part by the 

USDA Forest Service. We thank Harold S. Adams and Martin Schnittler for their contributions to 

this project. 

Table 1.—Distribution of the eight forest types identifi ed on the Fernow Experimental Forest 

and adjacent portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area 

Forest type Distribution in general study area

Red spruce Upper slopes at highest elevations (generally >1,175 m)

Chestnut oak/red maple/red oak Mid to upper side slopes, usually on southern exposures 

(590-820 m)

White oak Lower side slopes on southern exposures (745-825 m)

Red oak/red maple Upper slopes (582-825 m)

Red oak/sugar maple/Fraser magnolia Mid to upper side slopes, on relatively mesic sites 

(590-1,180 m)

Yellow-poplar/sugar maple Lower side slopes (550-884 m)

Black cherry Upper slopes, usually on northern exposures 

(generally >1,065 m)

Hemlock/yellow birch/red spruce Upper slopes and ridgetops (generally >1,090 m)
4

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey, R.G.; Avers, D.E.; King, T.; McNab, H. 1994. Ecoregions and subregions of the United 

States (map). Washington, DC: U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

Braun, E.L. 1950. Deciduous forests of eastern North America. Philadelphia, PA: Blakiston 

Company. 

Core, E.L. 1966. Vegetation of West Virginia. Parsons, WV: McClain Printing Company.

Fenneman, N.M. 1938. Physiography of the eastern United States. New York: McGraw-Hill Book 

Company.

Harmon, P. J.; Kartesz, J.T.; Jessee, G.M.; McDonald, B.R.; Sargent, B.D. 1996. Checklist of the 

vascular fl ora of West Virginia. Technical Document 95-1, Charleston, WV: West Virginia 

Division of Natural Resources. 

Helvey, J.D.; Kochenderfer, J.N. 1991. Time trends in selected chemical characteristics of 

streamfl ow from an undisturbed watershed in West Virginia. In: Rennie, P.J.; Robitaille, G. 

eds. Effects of acid rain on forest resources: proceedings of the conference. Ottawa, ON: Forestry 

Canada: 429-437.

Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular fl ora of the United States, Canada, 

and Greenland, 2nd ed. Volume I: checklist. Portland, OR: Timber Press.

Lawrence, D.M.; Adams, H.S.; Stephenson, S.L. 1999. Upland forest communities in the midAppalachian region of eastern North America. In: Eckerlin, R.P, ed. Proceedings of the 

Appalachian biogeography symposium. Spec. Publ. 7. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Museum of 

Natural History: 1-18. 

Madarish, Darlene M.; Rodrigue, Jane L.; Adams, Mary Beth. 2002. Vascular fl ora and 

macroscopic fauna on the Fernow Experimental Forest. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-291. Newtown 

Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, 37 p.

Muzika, R..M.; Stephenson, S.L.; Adams, H.S.; Lawrence, D.M.; Miller, G.W. 1999. Patterns of 

composition in the tree stratum of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent portions 

of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area. In: Eckerlin, R.P, ed. Proceedings of the Appalachian 

biogeography symposium. Spec. Publ. 7. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Museum of Natural History: 

35-44.

Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 1995. Forest Research: Fernow Experimental Forest. 

Inf-127-95. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research 

Station. 

Radford, A.E.; Ahles, H.E.; Bell, C.R. 1968. Manual of the vascular fl ora of the Carolinas. Chapel 

Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press. 
5

Rheinhardt, R.D.; Ware, S.A. 1984. The vegetation of the Balsam Mountains of southwest 

Virginia: a phytosociological study. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 111: 287-300.

Stephenson, S.L. 1982. A gradient analysis of slope forest communities of the Salt Pond 

Mountain area in southwestern Virginia. Castanea. 47: 201-215. 

Stephenson, S.L.; Adams, H.S.; Huebner, C.D.; Miller, G.W. 2003. Short-term dynamics of 

forest communities on the Fernow Experimental Forest in Tucker County, West Virginia. 

Southeastern Biology. 50: 114. Abstract.

Strausbaugh, P.D.; Core, E.L. 1977. Flora of West Virginia, 2nd ed. Grantsville, WV: Seneca Books, 

Inc.

Weitzman, S. 1949. The Fernow Experimental Forest. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station.

Whittaker, R.H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecological Monographs. 26: 

1-80.
6

ANNOTATED LIST OF VASCULAR FLORA

Plant specimens were identifi ed using primarily Strausbaugh and Core (1977) and Radford et al. 

(1968), or by direct comparison with material of particular species in the herbarium of West Virginia 

University. The nomenclature follows Kartesz (1994). Family names are arranged alphabetically 

within each of the major groups listed. Within each family, genera and species also are alphabetized. 

The taxonomic name is followed by the common name of the plant and the type of habitat(s) in 

which the species was recorded. Non-native species are indicated with an asterisk. Voucher specimens 

of most of the species included in the checklist are deposited in the herbaria of West Virginia 

University or the USDA Forest Service at Parsons, WV.

PTERIDOPHYTA

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium montanum Willd.; mountain spleenwort; rocky outcrops at high elevations 

Asplenium platyneuron (L.) B.S.P.; ebony spleenwort; open forests, often rocky

Asplenium rhizophyllum L. [Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link.]; walking fern; limestone outcrops in 

moist forests, usually near streams

Dennstaedtiaceae

Dennsteadtia punctilobula (Michx.) T. Moore; eastern hay-scented fern; moist forests on mid to upper 

side slopes and in open areas

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn; northern bracken fern; open forests and forest edges

Dryopteridaceae

Athyrium felix-femina (L.) Roth; subarctic lady fern; moist forests but not common

Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M. Kato [Athyrium thelypterioides (Michx.) Desv.]; silvery spleenwort or 

silvery glade fern; moist forests on lower side slopes

Diplazium pycnocarpon (Spreng.) Broun [Athyrium pycnocarpon (Spreng.) Tidestrom]; glade fern; 

moist forests throughout but not common

Dryopteris campyloptera Clarkson; mountain wood fern; moist forests at the very highest elevations

Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs; spinulose wood fern; moist forests on lower side slopes

Dryopteris goldiana (Hook. ex Goldie) Gray; goldie’s wood fern; moist forests on lower side slopes

Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray; evergreen wood fern or intermediate wood fern; moist 

forests throughout but more common at high elevations

Dryopteris marginalis (L.) Gray; marginal wood fern; moist forests, often rocky

Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newman; northern oak fern; rocky areas in moist forests at high 

elevations

Onoclea sensibilis L.; sensitive fern; wetlands and moist places along roadsides

Polystichum acrostichioides (Michx.) Schott; Christmas fern; moist forests throughout and shaded 

roadside banks

Equisetaceae

Equisetum arvense L.; fi eld horsetail or scouring rush; moist places along roadsides
7

Lycopodiaceae

Huperzia lucidula (Michx.) Trevisan [Lycopodium lucidulum Michx.]; shining club-moss; moist 

forests, usually at high elevations

Lycopodium annotinum L.; stiff ground-pine; moist forests at high elevations

Lycopodium clavatum L.; running ground-pine; moist forests at high elevations

Lycopodium complanatum L.; trailing ground-pine; open forests at low elevations

Lycopodium digitatum Dill ex A. Braun [Lycopodium fl abelliforme (Fern.) Blanch.]; fan ground-pine; 

forests on upper side slopes with a southern exposure

Lycopodium obscurum L.; princess-pine; moist forests at high elevations

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium dissectum Spreng.; cut-leaf grape fern; moist forests throughout but most common on 

lower side slopes

Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw.; rattlesnake fern; moist forests on lower side slopes

Ophioglossum vulgatum L.; southern adder’s tongue; moist forests but not common

Osumndaceae

Osmunda cinnamomea L.; cinnamon fern; moist forests on lower side slopes

Osmunda claytoniana L.; interrupted fern; moist forests on lower side slopes and moist places along 

roadsides

Polypodiaceae

Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. polypodioides (L.) Walt. [Polypodium polypodioides (L.) Watt.]; resurrection 

fern; rock outcrops

Polypodium virginianum L.; rock polypody; rock outcrops and trunks of trees

Pteridaceae

Adiantum pedatum L.; northern maidenhair fern; moist forests on sites with circumneutral soils

Selaginellaceae

Selaginella apoda (L.) Fern.; meadow spikemoss; moist open areas but not common

Thelypteridaceae

Phegopteris connectilis (Michx.) Watt.; narrow beech fern; moist forests at high elevations

Thelypteris novaboracensis (L.) Nieuwl.; New York fern; moist forests throughout

Thelypteris palustris Schott; eastern marsh fern; wetlands

GYMNOPHYTA

Pinaceae

*Picea abies (L.) Karst; Norway spruce; plantation in watershed 6

Picea rubens Sarg.; red spruce; moist forests at the very highest elevations

Pinus strobus L.; white pine; open forests at low elevations

Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.; eastern hemlock; moist forests at high elevations and along streams
8

SPERMATOPHYTA

Aceraceae

Acer pensylvanicum L.; striped maple; moist forests throughout

Acer rubrum L.; red maple; moist forests throughout but usually associated with relatively more acidic 

soils

Acer saccharum Marsh.; sugar maple; moist forests throughout but usually associated with relatively 

less acidic soils

Acer spicatum Lam.; mountain maple; open moist forests on rocky sites, more common at high 

elevations

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthus hybridus L.; smooth amaranth; roadsides, skidroads and disturbed areas at low elevations

Anacardiaceae

Rhus glabra L.; smooth sumac; open areas and along roadsides

Rhus typhina L.; stag-horn sumac; open areas and along roadsides

Toxicodendron radicans L. ssp. radicans [Rhus radicans L.]; poison ivy; dry forests and disturbed areas 

at low elevations

Annonaceae

Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal; pawpaw; moist forests at low elevations, often near streams

Apiaceae

Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC.; Canadian honewort; moist forests but not common

*Daucus carota L.; Queen Anne’s lace; disturbed open areas and along roadsides

Heracleum maximum Bartr.; American cow-parsnip; moist places along roadsides

Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) C.B. Clarke; hairy sweet-cicely; moist forests on lower side slopes and 

shaded roadside banks

Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC.; aniseroot; moist forests on lower side slopes and shaded roadside 

banks

Sanicula canadensis L.; Canadian black-snakeroot; dry forests

Sanicula marilandica L.; Maryland black-snakeroot; moist forests on lower side slopes but not 

common

Sanicula odorata (Raf.) K.M. Pryer and L.R. Phillippe; clustered black-snakeroot; moist forests

Sanicula trifoliata Bickn.; large-fruit black-snakeroot; moist forests on lower side slopes

Taenidia montana (Mackenzie) Cronq.; mountain pimpernel; dry, shaly slopes along roadsides

Thaspium barbinode (Michx.) Nutt.; hairy-joint meadow parsnip; moist forests and roadsides, often 

near streams

Thaspium trifoliatum (L.) Gray; purple meadow-parsnip; moist forests throughout

Zizia aptera (Gray) Fern.; heart-leaf alexander; open forests and roadside banks

Zizia aurea (L.) W.D.J. Koch; golden alexander; moist forests throughout

Zizia trifoliata (Michx.) Fern.; meadow alexander; moist forests throughout
9

Apocynaceae

Apocynum cannabinum L.; indian-hemp; disturbed areas and open roadsides

Aquifoliaceae

Ilex montana Torr. & Gray ex Gray; mountain holly; moist forests at high elevations

Ilex opaca Ait.; American holly; moist forests at low elevations

Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray; winterberry; moist forests at high elevations

Araceae

Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott; jack-in-the-pulpit; moist forests throughout

Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Salisb. ex Nutt.; skunk cabbage; wetlands and moist places near streams

Araliaceae

Aralia nudicaulis L.; wild sarsaparilla; open forests throughout

Aralia racemosa L.; American spikenard; moist forests on upper slopes

Aralia spinosa L.; devil’s walkingstick; disturbed forests and forest edges

Panax quinquefolius L.; ginseng; moist forests but not common

Panax trifolius L.; dwarf ginseng; moist forests, more common at high elevations

Aristolochiaceae

Aristolochia macrophylla Lam.; pipevine or dutchman’s pipe; moist forests, most common at forest 

edges such as along roads

Asarum canadense L.; Canadian wild ginger; moist forests and shaded roadside banks

Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias incarnata L.; swamp milkweed; edges of wetlands and moist places along roadsides

Asclepias purpurascens L.; purple milkweed; dry forests

Asclepias quadrifolia Jacq.; four-leaf milkweed; open forests on upper side slopes

Asclepias syriaca L.; common milkweed; open areas and along roadsides

Asclepias tuberosa L. ssp. tuberosa; butterfl y milkweed or butterfl y weed; open areas and roadside banks

Asteraceae

*Achillea millefolium L.; yarrow; open areas and roadside banks

Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H. E. Robins. var. altissima [Eupatorium rugosum Houtt.]; white 

snakeroot; dry open forests, roadsides and skidroads

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. var. elatior (L.) Descourtils [Ambrosia elatior L.]; annual ragweed; open areas 

and roadsides

Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth.; pearly-everlasting; open areas and skidroads at high elevations

Antennaria neglecta Greene; fi eld pussytoes; open areas and roadsides

*Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.; burdock; open areas and roadsides

Bidens frondosa L.; devil’s pitchfork or beggar’s tick; wet open areas, roadsides and skidroads

*Carduus acanthoides L.; spiny plumeless thistle; open areas and roadsides

*Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.; bull thistle; open areas
10

Coreopsis major Walt.; greater tickseed; dry open forests

Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.; smooth hawk’s beard; roadsides

Doellingeria umbellata var. umbellata (P. Mill.) Nees [Aster umbellatus P. Mill.]; fl at-top white aster; 

moist open areas

Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC.; American burnweed; disturbed areas, open forests and 

roadsides

Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.; daisy fl eabane; open areas and roadsides

Erigeron philadelphicus L.; Philadelphia fl eabane; open areas and roadsides

Erigeron pulchellus Michx.; Robin’s plantain; open areas and roadsides

Eupatorium fi stulosum Barratt; trumpetweed; open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Eupatorium purpureum L.; sweet scented joe-pye-weed; open areas and roadsides

Eurybia divaricata (L.) Nesom [Aster divaricatus L.]; white wood aster; moist forests throughout

Euthamia graminifolia var. graminifolia (L.) Greene [Solidago graminifolia (L.) Salisb.]; fl at-top 

goldenrod; open areas and roadsides

*Galinsoga quadriradiata Cav.; shaggy-soldier; disturbed areas and roadsides

Helianthus decapetalus L.; thin-leaf sunfl ower; moist forests and roadsides

*Hieracium caespitosum Dumort. [Hieracium pratense Tausch.]; meadow hawkweed; open areas and 

roadsides

Hieracium paniculatum L.; Allegheny hawkweed; open forests on slopes with a southern exposure

Hieracium venosum L.; rattlesnake-weed; dry open forests

Krigia bifl ora (Walt.) Blake; two-fl ower dwarf-dandelion; moist forests

*Lactuca serriola L.; prickly lettuce; disturbed open areas and roadsides 

*Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. [Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.]; ox-eye daisy; open areas and 

roadsides

Oclemena acuminata (Michx.) Greene [Aster acuminatus Michx.]; whorled nodding aster; moist 

forests at high elevations

Packera aurea (L.) A. & D. Love [Senecio aureus L.]; golden groundsel; moist places along roadsides

Prenanthes alba L.; white rattlesnake root; moist forests throughout

Prenanthes altissima L.; tall rattlesnake root; moist forests throughout

Rudbeckia hirta L.; black-eyed susan; open areas and roadsides, possibly introduced in a seed mix

Solidago caesia L. var. caesia; wreath goldenrod; moist forests throughout

Solidago fl exicaulis L.; zigzag goldenrod; moist forests and moist places along roadsides 

Solidago rugosa P. Mill.; wrinkle-leaf goldenrod; moist forests and moist places along roadsides

Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd.; elm-leaf goldenrod; dry open forests

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill ssp. asper; spiny-leaf sow-thistle; open areas, usually disturbed

Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) Nesom; common blue American-aster; roadsides

Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom var. dumosum [Aster dumosus L.]; rice-button American aster; 

moist forests throughout

Symphyotrichum laterifl orum (L.) A. & D. Love [Aster laterifl orus (L.) Britt]; farewell-summer; open 

forests

Symphyotrichum patens (Ait.) Nesom [Aster patens Ait.]; late purple American aster; dry open forests

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Muhl. ex Willd.) Nesom [Aster prenanthoides Muhl. ex Willd.]; 

crooked stem aster; open forests at low elevations and skidroads
11

*Taraxacum offi cinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers; dandelion; open areas and roadsides

*Tussilago farfara L.; colt’s foot; roadsides

Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britt. ex Kearney; wingstem; moist forests and roadsides

Balsaminaceae

Impatiens capensis Meerb.; orange-spotted jewelweed; moist forests and shaded roadsides

Impatiens pallida Nutt.; yellow jewelweed; moist forests and shaded roadsides

Berberidaceae

*Berberis thunbergii DC.; Japanese barberry; moist open forests and skidroads

Caulophyllum thalictrioides (L.) Michx.; blue cohosh; moist forests on lower side slopes

Podophyllum peltatum L.; mayapple; roadsides and moist areas at lower elevations

Betulaceae

Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd.; brookside alder; wetlands and moist places along streams at low 

elevations

Betula allegheniensis Britt.; yellow birch; moist forests, more common at high elevations

Betula lenta L.; sweet birch; moist forests throughout but most common on lower side slopes

Carpinus caroliniana var. virginiana (Marsh.) Furlow; American hornbeam; moist places along streams 

at low elevations

Ostrya virginiana var. virginiana (P. Mill.) K. Koch; eastern hop-hornbeam; dry open forests on mid 

to lower side slopes, usually associated with relatively less acidic soils

Boraginiaceae

Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. Ex Link; Virginia bluebells; moist forests at low elevations

Brassicaceae

*Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande [Alliaria offi cinalis Andrz. ex Bieb.]; garlic mustard; edges 

of forests, shaded roadsides and streambanks

*Barbarea vulgaris Ait. f.; yellow rocket; open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Cardamine angustata O.E. Schultz [Dentaria heterophylla Nutt.]; slender toothwort; moist forests 

throughout

Cardamine bulbosa (Schreb. ex Muhl.) B.S.P.; bulbous bittercress; moist areas along streams

Cardamine concatenata (Michx.) Sw. [Dentaria laciniata Muhl. ex Willd.]; cut-leaf toothwort; moist 

forests throughout

Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) Wood [Dentaria diphylla Michx.]; crinkleroot; moist forests throughout

Cardamine hirsuta L.; hairy bittercress; roadsides

Campanulaceae

Campanulastrum americanum (L.) Small; American bellfl ower; moist forests throughout, roadsides 

and skidroads

Lobelia infl ata L.; Indian tobacco; open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Lobelia siphilitica var. siphilitica L.; great blue lobelia; moist places along roadsides and skidroads
12

Caprifoliaceae

*Lonicera morrowii Gray; Morrow’s honeysuckle; open areas and roadsides

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (L.) R. Bolli [Sambucus canadensis L.]; black elder; moist forests, 

wetlands, roadsides and skidroads

Sambucus racemosa L. var. racemosa [Sambucus pubens Michx.]; red elder; moist forests and wetlands

Viburnum acerifolium L.; arrowwood; dry open forests on side slopes

Viburnum lantanoides Michx.; hobblebush; wetlands

Caryophyllaceae

*Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare (Hartman) Greuter and Burdet [Cerastium vulgatum L.]; common 

mouse ear chickweed; open areas and dry roadside banks

Silene virginica L.; fi re pink; open forests and shaded roadside banks

*Stellaria media (L.) Villars.; common chickweed; open areas, usually disturbed

Stellaria pubera Michx.; great chickweed; moist forests throughout

Celastraceae

Celastrus scandens L.; American bittersweet; moist places along edges of woods

Euonymus americana L.; strawberry-bush; moist open forests on lower side slopes

Clusiaceae

Hypericum densifl orum Pursh; bushy St. John’s wort; wetlands and moist roadside banks

Hypericum mutilum L.; dwarf St. John’s wort; moist open areas

Hypericum punctatum Lam.; spotted St. John’s wort; edges of forests and roadsides

Triadenum virginicum (L.) Raf. [Hypericum virginicum L.]; Virginia marsh St. John’s wort; wetlands

Commelinaceae

Tradescantia virginiana (L.) Raf.; Virginia spiderwort; moist forests and shaded roadside banks

Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.F.W. Mey.; man-of-the-earth; disturbed open areas

Cornaceae

Cornus alternifolia L. f.; alternate-leaf dogwood; open forests throughout

Cornus amomum P. Mill.; silky dogwood; moist places, usually along streams

Cornus fl orida L.; fl owering dogwood; open forests, usually on southern exposures

Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.; black tupelo or black gum; dry open forests at low elevations

Crassulaceae

Sedum ternatum Michx.; woodland stonecrop; moist forests, often associated with rocky areas

Cuscutaceae

Cuscuta gronovii Willd. ex J.A. Schultes; scaldweed or dodder; moist areas, including roadsides, 

skidroads and edges of trails (plants were observed growing on white snakeroot)
13

Cyperaceae

Carex aestivalis M.A. Curtis ex Gray; summer sedge; moist forests at high elevations

Carex albursina Sheldon; white bear sedge; moist forests on lower side slopes but not common

Carex appalachica J. Webber & P.W. Ball; Appalachian sedge; moist forests

Carex blanda Dewey; woodland sedge; moist forests

Carex crinita Lam.; fringed sedge; wetlands at high elevations

Carex debilis var. rudgei Bailey; white edge sedge; moist forests

Carex digitalis Willd.; slender woodland sedge; moist forests throughout

Carex gracillima Schwein.; graceful sedge; moist forests throughout 

Carex grayi Carey; Gray’s sedge; wetlands

Carex intumescens Rudge; great bladder sedge; moist forests and wetlands

Carex laxiculmis Schwein.; spreading sedge; moist forests and wetlands

Carex laxifl ora Lam.; broad loose-fl owered sedge; moist forests throughout

Carex leptonervia (Fern.) Fern.; nerveless woodland sedge; moist forests at high elevations

Carex lupulina Muhl. ex Willd.; hop sedge; moist forests and wetlands

Carex pensylvanica Lam.; Pennsylvania sedge; open forests on lower side slopes with a southern 

exposure

Carex plantaginea Lam.; plantain leaf sedge; moist forests throughout

Carex platyphylla Carey; broad leaf sedge; moist forests on lower side slopes

Carex prasina Wahlenb.; drooping sedge; moist forests at high elevations

Carex rosea Schk.; rosy sedge; dry open forests

Carex scabrata Schwein.; eastern rough sedge; wetlands at high elevations

Carex sparganioides Muhl.; burr-reed sedge; low wet areas in moist forests

Carex stricta Lam.; tussock sedge; wetlands

Carex stipata Muhl.; stalk grain sedge; wetlands

Carex swanii (Fern.) Mackenzie; swan’s sedge; moist forests at mid to upper slope positions

Carex trisperma Dewey; three-seed sedge; wetlands at high elevations

Carex tribuloides Wahl.; blunt broom sedge; wetlands

Carex vulpinoidea Michx.; common fox sedge; wetlands and moist places along roadsides

Cyperus strigosus L.; straw color fl at sedge; moist open areas and along roadsides

Scirpus atrovirens Willd.; dark-green bulrush; wetlands

Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth; cottongrass bulrush; wetlands

Scirpus georgianus Harper [Scirpus atrovirens Muhl. var georgianus (Harper) Fern.]; Georgia bulrush; 

wetlands

Dioscoreaceae

Dioscorea quaternata J.F. Gmel.; four-leaf yam; moist forests and shaded roadsides 

Dioscorea villosa L.; wild yam; moist forests throughout and shaded roadside banks

Dipsacaceae

*Dipsacus fullonum L. [Dipsacus sylvestris Huds.]; teasel; open areas and roadsides

*Dipsacus laciniatus L.; cut-leaf teasel; open areas and roadsides
14

Elaeagnaceae

*Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.; autumn olive; open areas, edges of woods, roadsides and skidroads

Ericaceae

Chimaphila maculata (L.) Pursh; spotted wintergreen; dry forests at low elevations

Epigaea repens L.; trailing arbutus; dry forests and roadsides

Gaultheria procumbens L.; eastern teaberry or wintergreen; dry open forests, more common a low 

elevations

Gaylussacia baccata (Wangenh.) K. Koch; black huckleberry; moist open forests

Kalmia latifolia L.; mountain laurel; dry open forests

Menziesia pilosa (Michx.) Juss.; minniebush; moist forests, especially at high elevations

Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC.; sourwood; dry open forests at high elevations

Pyrola americana Sweet; American wintergreen; open forests, usually associated with sandy soils

Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr.; fl ame azalea; moist forests throughout but more 

common at mid to upper slope positions

Rhododendron maximum L.; great laurel or rosebay rhododendron; moist forests on side slopes and 

along streams

Rhododendron periclymenoides (Michx.) Shinners [R. nudifl orum (L.) Torr.]; pink azalea or pinxter 

fl ower; open forests throughout

Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.; late lowbush blueberry; moist forests, especially at high elevations

Vaccinium pallidum Ait. [V. vacillans Torr.]; early lowbush blueberry; dry open forests throughout, 

usually associated with relatively acidic soils

Vaccinium stamineum L.; deerberry; moist forests, usually fairly open

Fabaceae

Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern.; American hog-peanut; moist forests on lower side slopes

Apios americana Medik.; groundnut; disturbed open forests and roadsides

Desmodium nudifl orum (L.) DC.; naked-fl ower tick-trefoil; dry forests throughout

Lespedeza repens (L.) Bart.; creeping bush clover; dry roadside banks

*Melilotus offi cinalis (L.) Lam.; yellow sweet clover; roadsides and skidroads

Robinia pseudoacacia L.; black locust; moist, usually disturbed forests at low elevations

*Trifolium campestre L.; lesser hop clover; skidroads

*Trifolium hybridum L.; alsike clover; skidroads

*Trifolium incarnatum L.; crimson clover; roadsides

*Trifolium pratense L.; red clover; open areas and roadsides

*Trifolium repens L.; white clover; open areas and roadsides

Trifolium stoloniferum Muhl. ex Eat.; running buffalo clover; open areas that are disturbed and 

skidroads

Fagaceae

Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.; American chestnut; dry forests, mostly on southern exposures

Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.; American beech; moist forests throughout but most common on lower side 

slopes
15

Quercus alba L.; white oak; dry forests throughout

Quercus coccinea Muenchh.; scarlet oak; dry forests, mostly on southern exposures

Quercus prinus L.; chestnut oak; dry forests throughout but more common at low elevations

Quercus rubra L.; red oak; moist forests throughout but more common at high elevations

Quercus velutina Lam.; black oak; dry forests, usually on southern exposures

Fumariaceae

Corydalis fl avula (Raf.) DC.; yellow fumewort; open forests and forest edges on rocky sites

Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.; squirrel corn; moist forests throughout

Dicentra cucullaria (L.) Bernh.; Dutchman’s breeches; moist forests throughout

Geraniaceae

Geranium maculatum L.; wild geranium; moist open forests at low elevations and roadsides

Grossulariaceae

Ribes cynosbati L.; eastern prickly gooseberry; rocky sites in rich moist forests, usually at high 

elevations

Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis virginiana L.; witchazel; moist forests throughout but most common at high elevations

Hydrangeaceae

Hydrangea arborescens L.; wild hydrangea; moist forests and shaded roadsides

Hydrophyllaceae

Hydrophyllum canadense L.; Canadian waterleaf; moist forests throughout

Hydrophyllum virginianum L.; Virginia waterleaf; moist forests throughout but most common at low 

elevations

Phacelia dubia (L.) Trel.; small-fl owered phacelia or scorpion weed; moist forests

Iridaceae

Sisyrinchium angustifolium P. Mill.; narrow-leaf blue eyed grass; open areas, often grassy 

Juglandaceae

Carya alba (L.) Nutt. ex Ell. [C. tomentosa Nutt.]; mockernut hickory; moist forests throughout

Carya glabra (P. Mill.) Sweet; pignut hickory; moist forests throughout 

Carya laciniosa (Michx. f.) G. Don; shellbark hickory; moist forests at low elevations but not 

common

Carya ovata (P. Mill.) K. Koch; shag-bark hickory; moist forests throughout

Juglans cinerea L.; white walnut; moist forests at low elevations but not common

Juglans nigra L.; black walnut; moist forests at low elevations
16

Juncaceae

Juncus effusus L.; lamp rush or spike rush; wetlands and moist places along roadsides

Juncus tenuis Willd.; poverty rush or path rush; disturbed areas and roadsides

Luzula multifl ora (Ehrh.) Lej.; common wood rush; moist forests

Lamiaceae

Agastache scrophulariifolia (Willd.) Kuntz; purple giant hyssop; moist forests

Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Benth.; hairy pagoda-plant; moist forests on upper slopes

Collinsonia canadensis L.; richweed or horsebalm; moist forests throughout

Galeopsis tetrahit L.; brittle-stem hemp nettle; disturbed areas and roadside banks

*Glechoma hederacea L.; groundivy; open areas and roadside banks throughout

*Lamium purpureum L.; red henbit; open areas and roadsides at low elevations

Lycopus virginicus L.; Virginia water-horehound; moist open areas

*Mentha x piperita L.; peppermint; moist places along roadsides at low elevations

Monarda clinopodia L.; white bergamot; moist forests, forest edges and roadsides

Monarda didyma L.; scarlet beebalm; moist places at forest edges and along roadsides

*Nepeta cataria L..; catnip; disturbed open areas at low elevations

Prunella vulgaris L.; common self heal or heal-all; disturbed open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Salvia lyrata L.; lyre-leaf sage; dry forests and open areas

Scutellaria ovata Hill; heart-leaf skullcap; rocky areas in moist forests

Lauraceae

Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume; spicebush; moist forests, often near streams

Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees; sassafras; dry open forests throughout

Liliaceae

Allium cernuum Roth; nodding onion; open forests throughout

Allium tricoccum Ait.; ramp; moist forests on side slopes throughout

*Allium vineale L.; crow garlic; open areas, usually disturbed

Chamaelirium luteum (L.) Gray; fairywand; moist open areas and roadsides

Clintonia borealis (Ait.) Raf.; yellow bluebead-lily; moist forests at high elevations

Clintonia umbellulata (Michx.) Morong.; white bluebead lily or Clinton’s lily; moist forests at low 

elevations

Erythronium americanum var. americanum Ker-Gawl; American trout-lily; moist forests throughout 

but more common at mid to low elevations

Lilium canadense L.; Canada lily; shaded roadside banks and edges of forests at high elevations but 

not common 

Lilium superbum L.; turk’s cap lily; moist forests throughout

Maianthemum canadense Desf.; false lily-of-the-valley or Canada mayfl ower; moist forests at high 

elevations

Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link [Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf.]; feathery false solomon’s seal; 

moist forests and shaded roadside banks

Medeola virginiana L.; indian cucumber root; moist forests, more common at high elevations
17

Polygonatum bifl orum (Walt.) Ell.; king solomon’s seal or smooth solomon’s seal; moist forests 

throughout

Polygonatum pubescens (Willd.) Pursh; hairy solomon’s seal; moist forests throughout

Prosartes lanuginosa (Michx.) D. Don [Disporum lanuginosum (Michx.) Nichols.]; yellow fairybells; 

moist forests throughout

Smilax ecirrata L.; upright carrion fl ower; dry open forests but not common

Smilax glauca Walt.; sawbrier; dry open forests throughout

Smilax herbacea L.; smooth carrion-fl ower or herbaceous greenbrier; moist forests

Smilax rotundifolia L.; horsebrier; dry open forests throughout

Smilax tamnoides L. [Smilax hispida Muhl. ex Torr.]; Chinaroot or hispid greenbrier; open forests

Streptopus roseus Michx.; rosy twisted stalk; moist forests at high elevations

Trillium erectum L.; stinking Benjamin, erect trillium or wake robin; moist forests on lower side slopes

Trillium grandifl orum (Michx.) Salisb.; large-fl ower wake robin or large fl owered trillium; moist 

forests and roadside banks

Trillium undulatum Willd.; painted wakerobin; moist forests throughout but more common at high 

elevations

Uvularia grandifl ora Sm.; large-fl ower bellwort; moist forests throughout

Uvularia perfoliata L.; perfoliate bellwort; moist forests throughout

Uvularia puberula Michx. [Uvularia pudica (Walt.) Fern.]; mountain bellwort; moist forests 

throughout

Uvularia sessilifolia L.; sessile bellwort; moist forests throughout

Veratrum viride Ait.; American false hellbore; wetlands and moist places along streams

Magnoliaceae

Liriodendron tulipifera L.; yellow-poplar; moist forests throughout but generally more common at low 

elevations

Magnolia acuminata (L.) L.; cucumber magnolia; moist forests throughout

Magnolia fraseri Walt.; Fraser magnolia; moist forests at high elevations, usually on northern 

exposures

Malvaceae

*Hibiscus trionum L.; fl ower-of-an-hour; disturbed open areas at low elevations

Monotropaceae

Monotropa hypopithys L.; many-fl owered Indian pipe or pinesaps; dry forests, usually containing at 

least some pine

Monotropa unifl ora L.; one fl owered Indian pipe; moist forests throughout

Oleaceae

Fraxinus americana L.; white ash; moist forests throughout but most common on lower side slopes

Fraxinus pensylvanica Marsh.; green ash; moist forests at low elevations but not common
18

Onagraceae

Circaea alpina L.; small enchanter’s nightshade; moist forests at high elevations

Circaea lutetiana L.; broad-leaf enchanter’s nightshade; moist forests, usually at mid to lower 

elevations

Epilobium coloratum Biehler; purple-leaf willowherb; moist forests at low elevations

Oenothera parvifl ora L.; northern evening primrose; dry open roadsides 

Orchidaceae

Aplectrum hyemale (Muhl. ex Willd.) Torr.; Adam-and-Eve or puttyroot; moist forests at low 

elevations, often near a stream

Cypripedium acaule Ait.; pink lady’s slipper; moist forests, often on rocky sites

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf. [Orchis spectabilis L.]; showy orchid; moist forests at low elevations but 

not common

Goodyera pubescens (Willd.) R. Br. ex Ait. f.; downy rattlesnake plantain; moist forests throughout but 

more common on mid to lower side slopes

Platanthera psycodes (L.) Lindl.; lesser purple fringed orchid; moist forests

Tipularia discolor (Pursh) Nutt.; crippled cranefl y; moist forests

Triphora trianthophora (Sw.) Rydb.; threebirds or nodding pogonia; moist forests at low elevations but 

not common

Orobanchaceae

Conopholis americana (L.) Wallr. f.; squawroot; dry forests containing at least some oak

Epifagus virginiana (L.) Bart.; beechdrops; moist forests containing at least some beech

Oxalidaceae

Oxalis grandis Small; great yellow wood sorrel; dry open forests

Oxalis montana Raf.; sleeping-beauty; moist forests at high elevations

Oxalis stricta L.; upright yellow wood sorrel; dry open forests

Papaveraceae

Sanguinaria canadensis L.; bloodroot; moist forests at low elevations and shaded roadside banks

Phytolaccaceae

Phytolacca americana L.; American pokeweed; disturbed forests at low elevations but more common 

in open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Plantaginaceae

*Plantago lanceolata L.; English plantain; open areas and roadsides

*Plantago major L.; great plantain; roadsides and disturbed open areas

Plantago rugelii Dcne.; black-seed plantain; open areas and roadsides

Platanaceae

Platanus occidentalis L.; American sycamore; along streams at low elevations
19

Poaceae

Agrostis perennans (Walt.) Tuckerman; upland bent grass; open areas and roadsides

*Agrostis stolonifera L. [Agrostis palustris Huds.]; spreading bent grass; introduced to some open grassy 

areas

*Anthoxanthum aristatum Boiss. [Anthoxanthum puelii Lecoq & Lamotte]; small sweet vernal grass; 

open areas at low elevations, usually disturbed sites

Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb. ex Spreng.) Beauv.; bearded short-husk; mesic forests on side slopes

Danthonia compressa Austin ex Peck; fl attened wild oat grass; dry forests throughout

Dichanthelium boscii (Poir.) Gould & Clark [Panicum boscii Poir.]; bosc’s rosette grass; dry forests

Dichanthelium clandestinum (L.) Gould [Panicum clandestinum (L.) Gould]; deer tongue grass; moist 

open areas, usually near streams

Dichanthelium commutatum (J.A. Schultes) Gould [Panicum commutatum J.A. Schultes]; variable 

rosette grass; dry forests

Dichanthelium dichotomum (L.) Gould [Panicum dichotomum L.]; cypress rosette grass; dry open 

forests

Dichanthelium latifolium (L.) Gould & C.A. Clark; broad-leaf rosette grass; dry rocky forests

Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Schreb. ex Muhl.; smooth crab grass; disturbed open areas

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.; large barnyard grass; open areas and moist places along roadsides

Elymus hystrix L. var. hystrix [Hystrix patula Moench]; eastern bottle-brush grass; moist forests and 

shaded roadside banks

*Lolium perenne L.; perennial rye grass; open areas and dry roadside banks

*Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus; Nepalese browntop or Japanese stiltgrass; roadsides and 

open areas

Muhlenbergia sylvatica (Torr.) Torr.; woodland muhly; moist rocky forests and roadside banks

*Poa compressa L.; fl at-stem blue grass; open areas and dry roadside banks 

*Setaria faberi Herrm.; Japanese bristle grass; disturbed open areas

*Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.; yellow foxtail, yellow bristle grass; disturbed areas

*Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.; green bristle grass; disturbed open areas

Polemoniaceae

Phlox divaricata L.; wild blue phlox; moist forests throughout but most common on lower side slopes

Phlox stolonifera Sims; creeping phlox; moist forests throughout

Polygalaceae

Polygala paucifolia Willd.; gaywings; dry open forests, usually associated with rather acidic soils 

Polygonaceae

*Fagopyrum esculentum Moench [Fagopyrum sagittatum Gilib.]; garden buckwheat; waste places and 

forest edges at low elevations

Polygonum hydropiper L.; mild water-pepper; moist places, usually near streams

Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx.; swamp smartweed; moist places

*Polygonum persicaria L.; lady’s thumb; disturbed open areas

Polygonum sagittatum L.; arrow-leaf tearthumb; moist places including along roadsides and skidroads
20

*Rumex acetosella L.; common sheep sorrel; fi elds, roadsides and disturbed areas

*Rumex crispus L.; curly dock; open areas, usually disturbed

Portulacaceae

Claytonia caroliniana Michx.; Carolina spring-beauty; moist forests throughout

Claytonia virginica L.; Virginia spring-beauty; moist forests throughout

Primulaceae

Lysimachia ciliata L.; fringed yellow loosestrife; edges of moist forests

*Lysimachia nummularia L.; creeping jenny; moist roadsides

Lysimachia quadrifolia Sims; whorled yellow loosestrife; open forests on southern exposures

Trientalis borealis Raf.; maystar; moist forests at high elevations

Ranunculaceae

Aconitum reclinatum Gray; trailing white monkshood; moist places at high elevations

Actaea pachypoda Ell.; white baneberry or doll eyes; moist forests throughout but most common on 

lower side slopes

Actaea podocarpa DC. [Cimicifuga americana Michx.]; mountain bugbane; moist forests

Actaea racemosa L. [Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.]; black cohosh; moist forests throughout 

Anemone lancifolia Pursh; mountain thimbleweed; moist forests

Anemone quinquefolia L.; nightcaps; moist forests throughout

Anemone virginiana L.; tall thimbleweed; open forests and roadside banks

Aquilegia canadensis L.; red columbine; rocky roadside banks

Clematis virginiana L.; virgin’s bower; edges of forests and roadsides

Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (Pursh) Steyermark [Hepatica acutiloba DC.]; hepatica or liverwort; moist 

forests on lower side slopes

Hydrastis canadensis L.; goldenseal; moist forests but not common

Ranunculus abortivus L.; kidney-leaf buttercup; moist forests throughout

*Ranunculus bulbosus L.; St. Anthony’s turnip or bulbous buttercup; along roadsides 

Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus (Chapman) T. Duncan [Ranunculus septentrionalis Poir.]; bristly 

buttercup; dry forests

Ranunculus recurvatus Poir.; blisterwort; lower side slopes and low wet areas

Ranunculus sceleratus L.; cursed buttercup; moist places along roadsides

Thalictrum dioicum L.; early-meadow rue; moist roadside banks

Rosaceae

Agrimonia gryposepala Wallr.; tall hairy groove burr; moist forests

Agrimonia parvifl ora Ait.; harvestlice; dry forests throughout

Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fern.; serviceberry; moist forests throughout

Amelanchier laevis Wieg.; Allegheny serviceberry; moist open forests

Aruncus dioicus (Walt.) Fern.; bride’s feathers; moist roadside banks

Crataegus crus-galli L.; cock-spur hawthorn; open forests, usually disturbed

Crataegus phaenopyrum (L. f.) Medik.; Washington hawthorn; disturbed areas at low elevations
21

Fragaria virginiana Duchesne; Virginia strawberry; open areas and roadside banks

Geum laciniatum Murr.; rough avens; forest edges and moist roadsides

Geum virginianum L.; white avens; dry open forests

Porteranthus trifoliatus (L.) Britt. [Gillenia trifoliata (L.) Moench]; bowman’s root; moist roadside 

banks and forest edges

Potentilla canadensis L.; dwarf cinquefoil; dry open forests and roadside banks

Potentilla simplex Michx.; oldfi eld cinquefoil; open roadside banks

Prunus pensylvanica L. f.; fi re cherry; forest edges at high elevations and roadsides

Prunus serotina Ehrh.; wild black cherry; moist forests throughout but relatively more important at 

high elevations

Rosa multifl ora Thunb. ex Murr.; multifl ora rose; open areas, roadsides and skidroads

Rubus allegheniensis Porter; Allegheny blackberry; open areas, dry roadsides and skidroads

Rubus odoratus L.; purple-fl owering raspberry; open forests, forest edges, and roadsides

*Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim.; wine raspberry; roadsides

Sorbus americana Marsh.; American mountain ash; moist forests but more common at high elevations

Rubiaceae

Galium aparine L.; sticky-willy; moist forests throughout

Galium asperellum Michx.; rough bedstraw; moist forests throughout

Galium boreale L.; northern bedstraw; rocky areas in moist forests at high elevations

Galium circaezans Michx.; licorice bedstraw; dry forests

Galium latifolium Michx.; purple bedstraw; dry forests

Galium pilosum Ait.; hairy bedstraw; dry forests

Galium trifl orum Michx.; fragrant bedstraw; moist forests on mid to upper side slopes

Houstonia caerulea L.; quaker-ladies; open areas, usually grassy

Mitchella repens L.; partridge-berry; moist forests, more common at high elevations

Salicaceae

Populus grandidentata Michx.; big-tooth aspen; moist forests

Populus tremuloides Michx.; quaking aspen; forest edges at the very highest elevations

Salix nigra Marsh.; black willow; moist forests along streams

Santalaceae

Pyrularia pubera Michx.; buffalo-nut; moist forests

Saxifragaceae

Chrysosplenium americanum Schwein. ex Hook.; American golden-saxifrage; roadside ditches and 

seeps

Heuchera americana L.; alumroot; dry open forests

Heuchera villosa Michx.; hairy alumroot; rocky outcrops

Mitella diphylla L.; two-leaf bishop’s cap or miterwort; moist forests and shaded roadsides

Saxifraga micranthidifolia (Haw.) Steud.; lettuce-leaf saxifrage; moist places along streams

Tiarella cordifolia L.; heart-leaf foamfl ower; moist forests and shaded roadside banks
22

Scrophulariaceae

Aureolaria virginica (L.) Pennell; downy yellow false foxglove; open forests

Chelone glabra L.; white turtlehead; moist places along streams

Pedicularis canadensis L. var. canadensis; Canadian lousewort; dry open areas and roadside banks

*Verbascum thapsus L.; great mullein; open areas and dry roadside banks

*Veronica arvensis L.; corn speedwell; disturbed open areas at low elevations

Simaroubaceae

*Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle; tree-of-heaven; disturbed open areas at low elevations

Solanaceae

Physalis heterophylla Nees; clammy ground cherry; open areas at low elevations

Solanum caroliniense L. var. caroliniense; Carolina horse nettle; open areas and dry roadsides

*Solanum dulcamara L.; climbing nightshade; moist open areas

Staphyleaceae

Staphylea trifoliata L.; American bladdernut; moist forests on upper slopes but not common

Thymelaeaceae

Dirca palustris L.; eastern leatherwood; moist forests but not common

Tiliaceae

Tilia americana L.; American basswood; moist forests throughout but generally more common at low 

elevations

Typhaceae

Typha latifolia L.; broad leaf cattail; wetlands and moist places along roadsides

Ulmaceae

Ulmus americana L.; American elm; moist forests at low elevations but not common

Ulmus rubra Muhl.; slippery elm; moist forests at low elevations

Urticaceae

Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw.; false nettle; moist forests

Laportea canadensis (L.) Wedd.; wood nettle; moist forests on lower side slopes

Pilea pumila var. pumila (L.) Gray; Canadian clearweed; moist forests on lower side slopes

Verbenaceae

Phryma leptostachya L.; American lopseed; moist forests on upper side slopes but not common

Verbena urticifolia L.; white vervain; wetlands

Violaceae

Viola blanda Willd.; sweet white violet; moist forests throughout
23

Viola canadensis L.; Canadian violet; moist forests throughout

Viola cucullata Ait.; wetland violet; wet places along streams

Viola hastata Michx.; halbeard-leaf violet; moist forests throughout

Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens (Banks ex Ging) M.S. Baker; smooth white violet; wet places at high 

elevations

Viola x palmata L.; early blue violet; dry forests and roadside banks

Viola pubescens var. pubescens Ait.; downy yellow violet; dry forests at high elevations

Viola rotundifolia Michx.; round-leaf yellow violet; moist forests and shaded roadside banks

Viola sagittata Ait.; arrow-leaf violet; roadsides

Viola sororia Willd.; common blue violet; moist forests

Viola striata Ait.; striped cream violet; moist forests 

Viola triloba Schwein.; three-lobed violet; moist forests on mid to upper side slopes 

Vitaceae

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.; Virginia creeper; throughout but most common in rocky or 

disturbed forests at low elevations

Vitis aestivalis Michx.; summer grape; throughout but more common in disturbed forests at low 

elevations
Printed on Recycled Paper

Coxe, Robert B.; Stephenson, Steven L.; Madarish, Darlene M.; Miller, Gary W. 

2006. Vascular flora of the Fernow Experimental Forest and adjacent 

portions of the Otter Creek Wilderness Area. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-344. 

Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Northeastern Research Station. 23 p.

The vascular flora of the region we considered include 94 families representing at 

least 461 species. Fifty-four of these or nearly 12 percent are species known to have 

been introduced. Asteraceae (46 species) is the single largest family; Cyperaceae 

(31), Liliaceae (29), Poaceae and Rosaceae (20 each) also are important families 

in the general study area. The 461 species of vascular plants recorded constitute 

only 17.2 percent of the total species (2,683) known from the State of West Virginia 

but account for a larger proportion (31.5 percent) of all species known from Tucker 

County or Randolph County.

KEY WORDS: Appalachians, plant community, mixed mesophytic forest. 
Headquarters of the Northeastern Research Station is in Newtown Square, 

Pennsylvania. Field laboratories are maintained at:

Amherst, Massachusetts, in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts

Burlington, Vermont, in cooperation with the University of Vermont

Delaware, Ohio

Durham, New Hampshire, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire

Hamden, Connecticut, in cooperation with Yale University

Morgantown, West Virginia, in cooperation with West Virginia University

Parsons, West Virginia

Princeton, West Virginia

Syracuse, New York, in cooperation with the State University of New York, 

College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at Syracuse University

Warren, Pennsylvania

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities 

on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, 

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, 

reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means 

for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s 

TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write to 

USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-

9410, or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider 

and employer. 

“Caring for the Land and Serving People Through Research”