Top 10 Plant Species

Question 1

Acer negundo

Answer 1

Box Elder, Ash-leaf Maple (60’)

• odd-pinnate leaves (3-7), triangle lobes
• gray, deep furrowing bark (old)
• broad well rounded crown

Question 2

Panicum virgatum

Answer 2

Switch Grass (3-6’ tall)

• Looks like ACHY
• Sheathed leaves, forms V
• Ligules have bands of white hairs
• narrow leaves

Question 3

Salix nigra

Answer 3

Black Willow (30’-90’ tall)

• One to several trunks
• More wide than tall
• Gray to black, course, furrowed bark (old)
• Lichens often present

Question 4

Ruellia simplex

Answer 4

Mexican Petunia

• purple, five-petaled flowers
• not native

Question 5

Juniperus ashei

Answer 5

Ashe Juniper (33’ tall)

• looks like juniper
• very common in central texas
• wood is rot resistant, used for posts

Question 6

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Answer 6

Green or Red Ash (50’-100’)

• Single trunk, ovid crown
• thick gray bark forming diamond shaped lattice
• odd pinnate, shiny leaves
• half circle shape leave scar

Question 7

Chasmanthium latifolium

Answer 7

Inland Sea Oat (1’-4.5’ tall)

• slightly drooping oat-like florets
• long, wide leaves
• ligules conspicuously ciliate

Question 8

Arundo donax

Answer 8

Giant Reed, Giant Cane (20’; not native)

• hollow stems
• long alternate leaves
• hairy tuft at base of leaf

Question 9

Platanus occidentalis

Answer 9

American Sycamore (60’-140’)

• Ovid, irregular crown
• Lower bark is loose and scaly
• Upper bark sheds, leaving smooth patches
• Palmately lobed leaves, dentate

Question 10

Ligustrum lucidum

Answer 10

Tree Privet (33’, not native)

• Olive family, evergreen
• Four petalled, whited flowers
• Opposite, glossy leaves
• Dark grape like fruits