Swamp Ecosystem

Black Willow

Order: Salicales

Family:Salicaceae

Genus:Salix L.

Species: Salix nigra

Identifying Characteristics: Leaves are alternate, long, and slender.

Leaves are ab

out 5-10 cm long and droop a bit. Bark is brown to blackish and somewhat scaley.

Special Adaptation: Grow in many types on soil, but its shallow roots need abundant moisture. Most

commonly found near water and in swamps.

Wood Frog

Order:Anura

Family:Ranidae

Genus:Rana

Species:Rana sylvatica

Identifying Characteristics: 2 in. -2.8 in long, females usually longer than

males. Adults

are usually brown, tan or rust colored and usually have a dark eye mask. Underside of frogs is usually pale with a yellow or green cast.

Special Adaptations: Large range due to its freeze tolerance.

Zoned Cork Hydnum

Order:

Family:

Genus: Phellodon

Species:Phellodon tomentosus

Identifying Characteristics:Thin, brown cap, flat or shallowly depre

ssed. Surface velvety. Cap may be pale dingy yellow on margin to dark brown towards center.

Special Adaptation: Cap turns black in KOH(potassium hydroxide) and and grey to black in FeSO4(iron sulfate).

Slippery/Red Elm

Order:Rosales

Family:Ulmaceae

Genus:Ulmus

Species: Ulmus rubra

Identifying Characteristics: Leaves are 10-18cm long and have a rough t

exture, coursely double serrated margin, and oblique base. Hairy buds and twigs. Easily identified from Am

erican Elm by looking at bark sample. Bark cut will be red instead of having red with white lines like in the American Elm. Grows in moist soils next to water or in wetlands. Medicinal.

Special Adaptations: Elastic and shock resistant. Less susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease

.

Eastern American Toad

Order:Anura

Family:Bufonidae

Genus:Bufo

Species:Bufo americanus americanus

Identifying characteristics: Usually some shade of brown. Has 1-2 warts on its dark spots. Have chests that are cream or white colored with spots.

Special Adaptations: Often stay in one area where temperatures are cool, there is loose soil, and abundant food.

Clearweed

Order:Urticales

Family:Urticaceae

Genus:Pilea

Species:Pilea pumila

Identifying characteristics:Stems are smooth, round, hairless, and translucent. Leaves are opposite, ovate, hairless and coarsely serrated. The upper surface is dark green while the lower surface is light green or almost white.

Special Adaptations: Found in many different areas, but t

ypically in moist woodlands.

Jewelweed

Order:Geraniales

Family:Balsaminaceae

Genus:Impatiens

Species:Impatiens capensis

Identifying Characteristics: Leaves are elliptical or triangular and are slightly toothed. Leaves are bluish green in color with a whitened underside. Flower is bright orange to red and forms a triangular tunnel. Found in moist, shaded areas.

Special Adaptations: Relieves itching from poison ivy, oak, stinging nettle and insect bites.

Dryad's Saddle Fungus

Order:Polyporales

Family:Polyporaceae

Genus:Polyporus

Species:Polyporus sqamosus

Identifying Characteristics: Stick out of shelves at lower part of dead tree trunks with its thick stem. Body is yellow to brown and has scales on its upper side. Cap is depressed in middle. On the underside there are many pores. Commonly found on dead elm trees and living maples.

Special Adaptations: Plays an important part in woodland ecosystem because it decomposes many dead trees.