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Scientific Name: a name composed of two parts, the genus and specific epithet, which together denote the plant species. The entire scientific name is italicized, with the first letter of the genus being capitalized. The specific epithet, however, is never capitalized. Other infraspecific-rank names may also appear on labels: subspecies (subsp.), varietas (var.), and forma (f.) are the most common.
Common Name: a name used by a general community to describe the plant species, which often varies between regions. For stylistic purposes, the common name is indicated on our labels in bold with capitalized letters, although common names are not normally capitalized.
Family: the taxonomic rank above genus. All members of a plant family are genetically related, having evolved from a common ancestor. The family is shown in the bottom, left-hand corner of the label. It’s helpful to know what family a plant belongs to because they can often “share” pest problems.
Native Range: the geographical area where the plant species can be naturally found. The range is found in the bottom, right-hand corner of the label and is indicated by the following abbreviations:
Anise Hyssop
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: Northern North America
Bloom Time: June to September
Wildlife Relationships: American Goldfinch, Bumblebee, European Honey Bee, Masked Bee, Mining Bee, Radcliffe's Dagger Moth, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Sweat Bee
Edible and Medicinal Applications: The aromatic leaves have a licorice-like (anise) scent and are used in herbal teas, to flavor jellies or eaten fresh in small quantities. The dried leaves can be used in potpourri and tea.
Additional Information: Mammalian herbivores normally avoid consumption of this plant as the anise scent of the foliage is repugnant to them.
"20130811 Agastache foeniculum" by chipmunk_1 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: August-November
Wildlife Relationships: Delaware Skipper, Dusted Skipper, Eastern Meadowlark
Edible and Medicinal Applications: Big Bluestem is analgesic, carminative and diuretic. A decoction of the roots can be used to treat stomach-aches and flatulence.
Additional Information: Big Bluestem's extensive root system makes it a fantastic choice for erosion control.
"Andropogon gerardii" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Black Eyed Susan
Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Central United States
Bloom Time: June to September
Wildlife Relationships: Silvery Checkerspot, Variegated Fritillary
Edible and Medicinal Applications:
Additional Information:
Photo Credit: Becky Stanko
Blue Flag Iris
Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Family: Iridaceae
Native Range: Northeastern North America
Bloom Time: May to June
Wildlife Relationships: Bumblebee, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Hobomok Skipper, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Edible and Medicinal Applications: The rhizomes and roots are considered toxic. Blue Flag Iris may cause minor skin irritation when touched and low toxicity if ingested (symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature). The rhizome was used by colonists, with guidance from Native Americans, for various healing purposes. The two outermost fibers of the leaves have historically been used to spin twine. Powdered Iris root (called orris) smells like violets and has been added to perfume and potpourri.
Additional Information:
"Iris versicolor (Northern blue flag)" by tgpotterfield is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Broomsedge
Broomsedge
Andropogon virginicus
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: Eastern United States
Bloom Time: September to November
Wildlife Relationships: American Tree Sparrow (consumes seeds), Dark-Eyed Junco (consumes seeds), Field Sparrow (consumes seeds), Zabulon Skipper (larval host)
Edible and Medicinal Applications:
Additional Information:
"Andropogon virginicus flowerhead2" by Macleay Grass Man is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Common Milkweed
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Family: Apocynaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: June to August
"Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca)" by Melinda Young Stuart is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Common Rush
Common Rush
Juncus effusus
Family: Juncaceae
Native Range: Eurasia, North America, Australia, New Zealand
Bloom Time: June to August
"Juncus effusus, common rush" by scadwell is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Fox Sedge
Fox Sedge
Carex vulpinoidea
Family: Cyperaceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: May to July
"Carex vulpinoidea (common fox sedge)" by tgpotterfield is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Grass-Leaved Goldenrod
Grass-Leaved Goldenrod
Solidago graminifolia
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: July to August
Photo Credit: Becky Stanko
Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye Weed
Eupatorium fistulosum
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: July to September
"Eupatorium fistulosum" by aspidoscelis is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: August to February
New England Aster
New England Aster
Aster novae-angliae
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: August to September
Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: June to August
"Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)" by BarefootGardener is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Shallow Sedge
Shallow Sedge
Carex lurida
Family: Cyperaceae
Native Range: North and South America
Bloom Time: May to September
"Carex lurida - Pickering Creek Bioblitz" by Jim Brighton is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Short-Toothed Mountain Mint
Short-Toothed Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: United States
Bloom Time: July to September
"Pycnanthemum muticum" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Side Oats Grama
Side Oats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: North and South America
Bloom Time: July to August
Smooth Blue Aster
Smooth Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve
Family: Astraceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: September to November
"Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)" by wackybadger is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Family: Asclepias incarnata
Native Range: Eastern United States
Bloom Time: July to August
"Asclepias incarnata, Turkey Run Park, 7-22-13" by FritzFlohrReynolds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Switch Grass
Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum
Family: Poaceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: July to February
Tussock Sedge
Tussock Sedge
Carex stricta
Family: Cyperaceae
Native Range: Eastern and Central North America
Bloom Time: May to June
White Wood Aster
White Wood Aster
Aster divaricatus
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Bloom Time: August to September
"aster divaricatus" by M. Martin Vicente is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Wild Bergamot
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: North America
Bloom Time: July to September
Photo Credit: Becky Stanko
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