Shrub Carr Ecosystem

Eastern Wood Peewee

Order:Passeriformes

Family:Tyrannidae

Genus:Contopus

Species:C. virens

Identifying Characteristics: Adults are grey-olive on upperside and light on underside with olive color

ing on breast. Whitish wingbars. Call is a "peee-a-weeee".

Special Adaptations: Very large habitat.

Softleaf Arrowwood

Order:Dipsacales

Family:Caprifoliaceae

Genus:Viburnum

Species:V. molle

Identifying Characteristics:Leaves broadly egg shaped or heart shaped, toothed, soft hairy beneath. Fruits are small and dark blue with a single ridge. Twigs hairless.

Special Adaptations:No other arrowwood has hairy, heart shaped, toothed leaves.

Question Mark Butterfly

Order:Lepidoptera

Family:Nymphalidae

Genus:Polygonia

Species:P. interrogationis

Identifying Characteristics: The silver mark on underside of hindwing is broken into two parts and looks like a question mark. Upperside of wing is red-orange with black spots. Live in wooded areas with some

open spaces.

Special Adaptations: Most adults will stay in Northern U.S. to hibernate while others will migrate.

Black Capped Chickadee

Order:Passeriformes

Family:Paridae

Genus:Poeile

Species:P. atricapillus

Identifying Characteristics: Black cap and bib, white cheeks, grey back, wings, and tail, and whitish underside with buffy sides. Short neck and large head. Long, narrow tail and a short bill. Mostly found in forests.

Special Adaptations: Considered year long residents, but some may wander during the fall b

ecause of food shortages.

Longhair Sedge

Order:Cyperales

Family:Cyperaceae

Genus:Carex

Species:C. Comosa

Identifying Characteristics: Smooth growing up to 5' high. Flat leaves that are mid to dark green. Produces yellow flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Grows in wetlands.

Special Adaptations: Grows in shallow water with lots of sunshine.

Soft Rush

Order:Juncales

Family:Junaceae

Genus:Juncus

Species:J. effusus

Identifying Characteristics: Grass like growing up to 3 and 1/2 feet high. Stems are dark green, soft, round, with dark lines, and sharp tips. Flowers in single clusters near the middle of the stem. Grow in shallow water or moist soils.

Special Adaptations: Provide habitat for micro and macro invertebrates.

Raccoon

Order:Carnivora

Family:Procyonidae

Genus:Procyon

Species:P.lotor

Identifying Characteristics: Greyish fur with black mask on face. 5 digit paw with no webbing.

Special Adaptations: Can stand on hind legs, swim, climb, and have a dual cooling system to regulate their body temperature.

Bitter Nightshade

Order:Solanales

Family:Solanaceae

Genus:Solanum

Species:S. dulcamara

Identifying Characteristics:Climbing plant. Leaves are 2-4 inches long, some entire, others having 3 lobes. Flowers are purple. Fruit is oval, red, and juicy and have many seeds.

Special Adaptations: Can block out other plants from sunlight due to its vineyness.

Cardinal Flower

Order:Campanulales

Family:Campanulaceae

Genus:Lobelia

Species:L. cardinalis

Identifying Characteristics: Scarlet flowers. 1-11/2 in long. Leaves are alternate and toothed. 5 petals, 5 stamen.

Special Adaptations: Depends on hummingbirds for pollination.