Old Field Ecosystem

Autumn Olive

Order:Rhamnales

Family:Elaegnaceae

Genus:Elaeagnus

Species:E. umbellata

Identifying Characteristics: Alternate leaves that are darker green on top and silvery on top. Fruit is red with small silver polka dots on the fruit.

Special Adaptations: Invasive Species.

Closed Gentian

Order:Gentianales

Family:Gentianaceae

Genus:Gentiana

Species:G. andrewsii

Identifying Characteristics: Rich blue to purple colored, bottle shaped flowers with closed mouths. Flowers are clustered at the top of the plant. Leaves are whirled or opposite.

Special Adaptations: Large regional distribution. Can grow in many different soils as well as shade conditions.

Ebony Spleenwort

Order:Polypodiales

Family:Aspleniaceae

Genus:Asplenium

Species:A. platyneuron

Identifying Characteristics: Small fern, similar to Christmas Fern. Main difference is that the stem is a dark ebony to black color. Leaves are arranges alternately along stem with 15-14 leaflets on each compound leaf.

Special Adaptations: Prefers dappled to partial sunlight, moist to dry conditions, and lo

amy to rocky soil conditions.

Wild Red Raspberry

Order:Rosales

Family:Rosaceae

Genus:Rubus

Species:R. idaeus

Identifying Characteristic: Perennial plants with large pinnate leaves with 3-7 serrated leaflets, green above and nearly white below.

Special Adaptations: Sun and water are essential for growth.

New England Aster

Order:Asterales

Family:Asteraceae

Genus:Symphyotrichum

Species: A. novae angliae

Identifying Characteristics: Alternate, oblong, lance shaped leaves. Purpleish flower with many small, thing, long petals around a yellow center. Leaves are not toothed, which is a way to tell it apart from other asters.

Special Adaptations: Grows in moist soils along lakes, streams, roadsides and railroads.

Lance-leaved goldenrod

Order:Asterales

Family:Asteraceae

Genus:Solidago

Species:S. lancifolia

Identifying Characteristics:2 1/2-3 ft. tall. Alternate lance shaped leaves with smooth edges. Fine white hairs on the stems. Clusters of small yellow flowers at the top of the apex of the plant.

Special Adaptations: Prefers moist soils and full sunlight, but is surprisingly drought

tolerant.

Yarrow/Molfoil

Order:Asterales

Family:Asteraceae

Genus:Achillea

Species: A. millefolium

Identifying Characteristics: Leaves are evenly distributed along the stem. Leaves near middle or bottom are the largest and look similar to small ferns. Leaves are 5-20 cm long, bipinnate or tripinnate and almost feathery and arranged spirally on the stem. There are disks of flowers at the top of the stem that are white to yellow in color.

Special Adaptations: Draught Tolerant.

Tall or Giant Sunflower

Order:Asterales

Family:Asteraceae

Genus: Helianthus

Species:H. Giganteus

Identifying Characteristics:Grows up to 4 meters tall. Leaves are slender and lance shaped. The flower heads are bright yellow and up to 7 cm across.

Special Adaptations: Grows best in moist soils, but can adapt dryer soils.