10 species of shrubs at Lake Herrick
NOTE: All pictures on this page are by Maya Kashapov and all illustrations are by Gigi Gonsalves.
Thorny Olive, Elaeagnus pungens
Thorny Olive is a small, flowering plant native to Asia. It is common in the eastern parts of the United States now. This plant has leaves with a deep green color. Its branches are also covered in sharp thorns. It can thrive in dry soil, drought periods, shade, or polluted regions, making it resilient in a diverse range of conditions. It can reach up to twenty-five feet in height!
Thorny Olive is a small, flowering plant native to Asia. It is common in the eastern parts of the United States now. This plant has leaves with a deep green color. Its branches are also covered in sharp thorns. It can thrive in dry soil, drought periods, shade, or polluted regions, making it resilient in a diverse range of conditions. It can reach up to twenty-five feet in height!
Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum
The sourwood can range from shrub to full sized tree. Some get to be as tall as 66 feet! This species is most common in the Appalachian Mountains, however can be found all across the United States. This plant does best in acidic soils and needs adequate ground space to spread and grow. Its characteristics are red-brown trunks and it has vibrant green leaves during the summer seasons.
The sourwood can range from shrub to full sized tree. Some get to be as tall as 66 feet! This species is most common in the Appalachian Mountains, however can be found all across the United States. This plant does best in acidic soils and needs adequate ground space to spread and grow. Its characteristics are red-brown trunks and it has vibrant green leaves during the summer seasons.
American Witchhazel, Hamamelis virginiana
American witchhazel is a flowering shrub common throughout the United States and Canada. It grows as Northern as Nova Soctia, as west as Minnesota, and as south as parts of Florida and Texas. This deciduous shrub is often extracted in used for medicinal purposes, such as to treat inflammation. It's leave range from deep green to light brown-yellow, and this shrub can grow up to thirty-two feet in height.
American witchhazel is a flowering shrub common throughout the United States and Canada. It grows as Northern as Nova Soctia, as west as Minnesota, and as south as parts of Florida and Texas. This deciduous shrub is often extracted in used for medicinal purposes, such as to treat inflammation. It's leave range from deep green to light brown-yellow, and this shrub can grow up to thirty-two feet in height.
English Ivy, Hedera helix
Also commonly referred to as Common Ivy, this flowering plant is found in Asia and Europe. In the United States, New Zealand, and Australia this plant is identified as an invasive species. In Oregon, this plant is even banned from importation. English Ivy can grow to nearly 100 feet high up surfaces, but can also spread across the ground naturally. The leaves are two to four inches long each. The flowers bloom between the end of summer and early, and these flowers are a green-yellow shade. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract species such as bees and insects.
Also commonly referred to as Common Ivy, this flowering plant is found in Asia and Europe. In the United States, New Zealand, and Australia this plant is identified as an invasive species. In Oregon, this plant is even banned from importation. English Ivy can grow to nearly 100 feet high up surfaces, but can also spread across the ground naturally. The leaves are two to four inches long each. The flowers bloom between the end of summer and early, and these flowers are a green-yellow shade. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract species such as bees and insects.
Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa
This is a perennial plant with sharp pointed leaves and toothed leaflets. This is native to eastern North America and can be found as far west as Arkansas. It is a flowering plant with leaves that can grow over three feet long. The plant grows flowers in late spring and early summer that are small, without petals. They have pale colored clusters instead. Although not regulated or recommended, black cohosh is sometimes extracted and used to treat menopause symptoms.
This is a perennial plant with sharp pointed leaves and toothed leaflets. This is native to eastern North America and can be found as far west as Arkansas. It is a flowering plant with leaves that can grow over three feet long. The plant grows flowers in late spring and early summer that are small, without petals. They have pale colored clusters instead. Although not regulated or recommended, black cohosh is sometimes extracted and used to treat menopause symptoms.
American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius
American Ginseng originates in eastern United States, but now is commonly cultivated in China. This plant belongs to the ivy family and grows between six and eighteen feet in vertical length. It takes home in deciduous forests and can thrive in shaded wooded areas. The perennial plant is commonly utilized in traditional medicine, as it is said to help remedy cold and infection. This plant is currently being overharvested and struggling against urbanization in many of its natural habitats.
American Ginseng originates in eastern United States, but now is commonly cultivated in China. This plant belongs to the ivy family and grows between six and eighteen feet in vertical length. It takes home in deciduous forests and can thrive in shaded wooded areas. The perennial plant is commonly utilized in traditional medicine, as it is said to help remedy cold and infection. This plant is currently being overharvested and struggling against urbanization in many of its natural habitats.
Galax, Galax urceolata
This is a flowering shrub that is native to the United States. Its found on the Eastern side of the country as north as New York. The leaves of galax are a deep green color, however the plant goes brown in the winter. The leaves have a heart, cardioid, shape and grow roughly between one and three inches long. The flowers bloom at the end of spring and are very small, less than a quarter of an inch large.
This is a flowering shrub that is native to the United States. Its found on the Eastern side of the country as north as New York. The leaves of galax are a deep green color, however the plant goes brown in the winter. The leaves have a heart, cardioid, shape and grow roughly between one and three inches long. The flowers bloom at the end of spring and are very small, less than a quarter of an inch large.
Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea
Ground Ivy is an invasive species across the United States. It is aggressive in lawns and wooded areas found across the country. These plants have very extensive roots that expand complexly into the ground. The leaves are fan shaped, with small ridges at the edges. The individual leaves don't grow much larger than an inch. This plant can survive in both shade and sunlight.
Ground Ivy is an invasive species across the United States. It is aggressive in lawns and wooded areas found across the country. These plants have very extensive roots that expand complexly into the ground. The leaves are fan shaped, with small ridges at the edges. The individual leaves don't grow much larger than an inch. This plant can survive in both shade and sunlight.
Rockcap Fern, Polypodium virginianum
This evergreen fern species is native to North America and shares many commonalities with other species of ferns. Characteristics of this fern species are the width towards the middle of its leaves and its tendency to grow on rocks or in tree roots. The leaves can be as large as 2.4 inches in width. This plant does not need well-developed soil and can survive in rocky spots or amongst boulder areas. These are common in the eastern and central United States.
This evergreen fern species is native to North America and shares many commonalities with other species of ferns. Characteristics of this fern species are the width towards the middle of its leaves and its tendency to grow on rocks or in tree roots. The leaves can be as large as 2.4 inches in width. This plant does not need well-developed soil and can survive in rocky spots or amongst boulder areas. These are common in the eastern and central United States.
Georgia Hackberry, Celtis tenuifolia
This shrub is a North American native that can grow as tall as forty feet. It is a slow growing plant that thrives in dry environments with plenty of sunlight. Georgia hackberry grows small berries that birds and other species eat.
This shrub is a North American native that can grow as tall as forty feet. It is a slow growing plant that thrives in dry environments with plenty of sunlight. Georgia hackberry grows small berries that birds and other species eat.
For more shrubs and other plants at Lake Herrick, click on the button below (as not all plants could be included on this page):