Shrubs of Berrien County, Michigan

Shrubs constitute a particular growth form (or habit) of vascular plants. Plants USDA defines a shrub as follows:

Perennial, multi-stemmed woody plant that is usually less than 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) in height. Shrubs typically have several stems arising from or near the ground, but may be taller than 5 meters or single-stemmed under certain environmental conditions.

The shrubs of Berrien County constitute a subset of the conifers, monocots, and dicots known from the county. The stems and roots of shrubs are typically woody in texture rather than herbaceous.

Of the 129 species listed below, 36 are known only as shrubs; 69 can also be trees under certain conditions; 14 can be subshrubs; 5 can be forbs/herbs or subshrubs; 3 can be a subshrubs or vines; 2 can be forbs/herbs, subshrubs, or vines, depending on conditions; and 1 can be a graminoid or subshrub. These 130 species represent 62 genera, 24 orders, 32 families, and 3 classes.

Scientific and common names follow the online USDA Plants database. Species known to occur in Berrien County only as a result of human Introduction are denoted by [I]. Species for which there is a question as to their Native or Introduced origin are denoted [I?].

Species that have been determined to be of Special Concern in Michigan are denoted as [SC].

Growth habits are denoted as follows: {f/b} = forb/herb, {g} = graminoid, {ss} = subshrub [=dwarf shrub], {s} = shrub, {t} = tree, {v} = vine (woody plus herbaceous).

CLASS PINOPSIDA (conifers)

ORDER PINALES

Family Cupressaceae (cypresses):

Juniperus communis, Common Juniper {s/t}

ORDER TAXALES

Family Taxaceae (yews)

Taxus canadensis, Canada Yew {s}

CLASS LILIOPSIDA (monocots)

ORDER AGAVALES

Family Agavaceae (century-plants):

Yucca filamentosa, Adam’s Needle (f/h/ss/s}

ORDER CYPERALES

Family Poaceae (grasses):

Phragmites australis, Common Reed (g/ss/s}

ORDER LILIALES

Family Smilaceae (catbriers):

Smilax rotundifolia, Roundleaf Greenbrier (s/v}

Smilax tamnoides, Bristly Greenbrier (s/v}

CLASS MAGNOLIOPSIDA (dicots)

ORDER CARYOPHYLLALES

Family Cactaceae (cactus family):

Opuntia humifusa, Devil’s-tongue {s}

ORDER CELASTRALES

Family Aquifoliaceae (holly family):

Ilex (=Nemopanthus) mucronata (=mucronatus), Catberry {s/t}

Ilex verticillata, Common Winterberry {s/t}

Family Celastraceae (bittersweet family):

Euonymus alatus (=alata), Burningbush [I] {s}

Euonymus europaeus (=europaea), European Spindletree [I] {s/t}

Euonymus hamiltonianus (=hamiltoniana), Hamilton’s Spindletree [I] {s/t}

Euonymus obovatus (=obovata), Running Strawberry Bush {ss/s/v}

ORDER CORNALES

Family Cornaceae [including Nyssaceae] (dogwood family):

Cornus alternifolia, Alternateleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus amomum, Silky Dogwood {s}

Cornus canadensis, Bunchberry Dogwood {f/h/ss/s}

Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus foemina, Stiff Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus rugosa, Roundleaf Dogwood {s/t}

Cornus sericea (=stolonifera), Redosier Dogwood {s/t}

ORDER DIPSACALES

Family Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family):

Diervilla lonicera, Northern Bush Honeysuckle {s}

Lonicera canadensis, American Fly Honeysuckle {s}

Lonicera maackii, Amur Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera morrowii, Morrow’s Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera tatarica, Tatarian Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Lonicera xylosteum, Dwarf Honeysuckle [I] {s}

Sambucus nigra (=canadensis), Black Elderberry [I?] {s/t}

Sambucus racemosa, Red Elderberry {s/t}

Symphoricarpos albus, Common Snowberry {ss/s}

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Coralberry {s}

Viburnum acerifolium, Mapleleaf Viburnum {ss/s}

Viburnum dentatum, Southern Arrow-wood {s/t}

Viburnum lentago, Nannyberry {s/t}

Viburnum nudum (=cassinoides), Withe-rod {s/t}

Viburnum opulus, American Cranberrybush {s/t}

Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhaw [SC] {s/t}

Viburnum rafinesqueanum (=rafinesquianum), Downy Arrow-wood {s}

ORDER ERICALES

Family Ericaceae (heath family):

Andromeda polifolia (=glaucophylla), Bog Rosemary {ss/s}

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Kinnickinnick {ss/s}

Chamaedaphne calyculata, Leatherleaf {s}

Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus {ss/s}

Gaultheria procumbens, Eastern Teaberry {ss/s}

Gaylussacia baccata, Black Huckleberry {s}

Vaccinium angustifolium, Lowbush Blueberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium corymbosum, Highbush Cranberry {s}

Vaccinium macrocarpon, Cranberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium oxycoccos, Small Cranberry {ss/s}

Vaccinium pallidum, Blue Ridge Blueberry {ss/s}

ORDER FABALES

Family Fabaceae [=Leguminoceae] (pea family):

Amorpha canescens, Leadplant^ [SC] {ss/s}

Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud {s/t}

Gleditsia triacanthos, Honeylocust {s/t}

Robinia hispida, Bristly Locust {s/t}

Robinia viscosa, Clammy Locust {s/t}

Family Betulaceae (birch family):

Alnus incana, Gray Alder {s/t}

Betula pumila, Bog Birch {s}

Carpinus caroliniana, American Hornbeam {s/t}

Corylus americana, American Hazelnut {s}

Ostrya virginiana, Hophornbeam {s/t}

Family Fagaceae (beech family):

Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak {s/t}

ORDER HAMAMELIDALES

Family Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family):

Hamamelis virginiana, American Witchhazel {s/t}

ORDER LAURALES

Family Lauraceae (laurel family):

Lindera benzoin, Northern Spicebush {s/t}

Sassafras albidum, Sassafras {s/t}

ORDER MAGNOLIALES

Family Ammonaceae (custard-apple family):

Asimina triloba, Pawpaw {s/t}

ORDER MYRICALES

Family Myricaceae (bayberry family):

Comptonia peregrina, Sweet Fern {ss/s}

ORDER MYRTALES

Family Lythraceae (loosestrife family):

Decodon verticillatus, Swamp Loosestrife {ss/s}

Family Thymelaeaceae (mezereum family):

Dirca palustris, Eastern Leatherwood {s}

ORDER RANUNCULALES

Family Berberidaceae (barberry family):

Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry [I] {s}

Berberis vulgaris, Common Barberry [I] {s}

ORDER RHAMNALES

Family Elaeagnaceae (oleaster family):

Elaeagnus umbellata, Autumn Olive [I] {s}

Shepherdia canadensis, Russet Buffaloberry {s}

Family Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family):

Ceanothus americanus, New Jersey Tea {ss/s}

Frangula (=Rhamnus) alnus (=frangula), Glossy Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

Rhamnus alnifolia, Alderleaf Buckthorn {s}

Rhamnus cathartica, Common Buckthorn [I] {s/t}

ORDER ROSALES

Family Grossulariaceae (currant family):

Ribes americanum, American Black Currant {s}

Ribes aureum (=odoratum), Golden Currant {s}

Ribes cynosbati, Eastern Prickly Gooseberry {s}

Ribes hirtellum, Hairystem Gooseberry {s}

Family Rosaceae (rose family):

Amelanchier arborea, Common Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier interior, Pacific Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry {s/t}

Amelanchier sanguinea, Roundleaf Serviceberry {s/t}

Crataegus calpodendron, Pear Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus crus-galli, Cockspur Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus dodgei, Dodge’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus holmesiana, Holmes’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus margarettiae, Margarett’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pedicellata, Scarlet Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus pringlei, Pringle’s Hawthorn {s/t}

Crataegus punctata, Dotted Hawtorhn {s/t}

Malus coronaria, Sweet Crab Apple {s/t}

Malus ioensis, Prairie Crab Apple {s/t}

Photonia (=Aronia) floribunda (=prunifolia), Purple Chokeberry {s}

Physocarpus opulifolius, Common Ninebark {s}

Prunus americana, American Plum {s/t}

Prunus mahaleb, Mahaleb Cherry [I] {s/t}

Prunus pensylvanica, Pin Cherry {s/t}

Prunus pumila, Sandcherry {s}

Prunus serotina, Black Cherry {s/t}

Prunus virginiana, Chokecherry {s/t}

ORDER RUBIALES

Family Rubiaceae (madder family):

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Common Buttonbush {s/t}

ORDER SALICALES

Family Salicaceae (willow family):

Salix amygdaloides, Peachleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix bebbiana, Bebb Willow {s/t}

Salix candida, Sageleaf Willow {s}

Salix cordata, Heartleaf Willow {s}

Salix discolor, Pussy Willow {s/t}

Salix eriocephala, Missouri River Willow {s/t}

Salix exigua, Narrowleaf Willow {s/t}

Salix humilis, Prairie Willow {s}

Salix lucida, Shining Willow {s/t}

Salix myricoides, Bayberry Willow {s/t}

Salix petiolaris, Meadow Willow {s/t}

Salix purpurea, Purpleosier Willow [I] {s/t}

Salix sericea, Silky Willow {s/t}

Salix serissima, Autumn Willow {s/t}

ORDER SAPINDALES

Family Anacardiaceae (sumac family):

Rhus copallinum (=copallina), Winged Sumac {s/t}

Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac {s/t}

Rhus typhina, Staghorn Sumac {s/t}

Toxicodendron radicans, Eastern Poison Ivy {f/h/ss/s/v}

Toxicodendron vernix, Poison Sumac {s/t}

Family Rutaceae (rue family):

Ptelea trifoliata, Common Hoptree {s/t}

Xanthoxylum americanum, Common Pricklyash {s/t}

Family Staphyleaceae (bladdernut family):

Staphylea trifolia, American Bladdernut {s/t}

ORDER SCROPHULARIALES

Family Oleaceae (olive family):

Ligustrum obtusifolium, Border Privet [I] {s}

Ligustrum vulgare, European Privet [I] {s}

Syringa vulgaris, Common Lilac [I] {s}

ORDER SOLANALES

Family Polemoniaceae (phlox family):

Phlox divaricata, Wild Blue Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox nivalis, Trailing Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox pilosa, Downy Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Phlox subulata, Moss Phlox {f/h/ss/s}

Last Revised: 9/21/2010.

Hornworts of Berrien County, Michigan, and Vicinity

The hornworts (Class Anthocerotopsida) are believed to be the most ancient of the non-vascular plants. Lacking roots, stems, and typical leaves, the hornworts are easily overlooked by the casual observer.

The hornworts constitute a relatively small group of primitive plants: 180 species are recognized worldwide, 17 are known from the U.S. and Canada, and 4 have been verified from Michigan.

The two species known from southwestern Michigan (i.e., an area within 70 miles of Berrien Springs, Michigan, encompassing the counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren) represent 1 order, 2 families, and 2 genera.

The following list is based on Howard Crum’s (1991) Liverworts and hornworts of southern Michigan. Michigan counties within a 100-mile radius of Berrien County with confirmed records are listed in brackets. Habitat descriptions in quotations are from Crum.

ORDER ANTHOCEROTALES

Family Anthocerotaceae:

Anthoceros laevis – “on wet soil in harvested corn and soy bean fields and also in fields of winter wheat” [Kalamazoo]

Family Notothylaceae:

Notothylas orbicularis – “on heavy, wet soil in old fields, often at the corners of corn, soybean, and wheat fields, in ruts and tractor tracks, in pastures trodden by cattle, and on muddy footpaths” [Kalamazoo]

Acknowledgment: I thank the librarians and staff of the Buchanan District Library for their help in securing a copy of Crum (1991) from the Michigan e-Library.

Sphagnum Mosses of Berrien County, Michigan

The sphagnum mosses are plants that belong to the Class Sphagnopsida, which consists of a single order (Sphagnales), a single Family (Sphagnaceae), and a single genus (Sphagnum). Some 285 species of sphagnum mosses are known worldwide, with 89 occurring in North America and 33 in Michigan. Sphagnum moss is sometimes called peat moss because the decayed and compacted remains of sphagnum moss form an organic product called peat. In contrast to the true mosses, the sphagnum mosses have the unique ability to absorb large quantities (up to 25 times their dry weight) of water in their cells. They are characteristic plants of bogs and other wetland habitats.

The following provisional list of the sphagnum mosses of Berrien County was derived from scanning the distribution maps in the online Flora of North America. Surprisingly (to me, at least), as many as 27 species of sphagnum mosses may occur in Berrien County, as all of the species listed below appear to have wide distributions that encompass Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Common names are taken from ITIS (where called Sphagnums) or British Liverworts and Mosses—a field guide (where called Bog-mosses). An asterisk (*) denotes a species treated in Henry T. Darlington’s (1964) The mosses of Michigan.

ORDER SPHAGNALES

Family Sphagnaceae:

Sphagnum angustifolium (=recurvum), Fine Bog-moss*

Sphagnum capillifolium, Acute-leaved/Red Bog-moss

Sphagnum centrale*

Sphagnum compactum, Low Sphagnum or Compact Bog-moss

Sphagnum contortum, Contorted Sphagnum or Twisted Bog-moss

Sphagnum cuspidatum, Toothed Sphagnum or Feathery Bog-moss*

Sphagnum fallax, Flat-topped Bog-moss

Sphagnum fimbriatum, Fringed Bog-moss*

Sphagnum flexuosum (=recurvum), Flexuous Bog-moss*

Sphagnum fuscum, Rusty Bog-moss*

Sphagnum girgensohnii, Girgensohn’s Sphagnum or Bog-moss*

Sphagnum henryense, Henry’s Sphagnum

Sphagnum isoviitae

Sphagnum lescurii, Lescur’s Sphagnum

Sphagnum magellanicum, Magellen’s Sphagnum or Magellanic Bog-moss*

Sphagnum palustre, Prairie Sphagnum or Blunt-leaved Bog-moss*

Sphagnum papillosum, Papillose Sphagnum or Bog-moss*

Sphagnum platyphylum, Flat-leaved Bog-moss

Sphagnum pulchrum*

Sphagnum rubellum

Sphagnum russowii, Russow’s Sphagnum or Bog-moss

Sphagnum squarrosum, Spiky Bog-moss*

Sphagnum subsecundum, Slender Cow-horn Bog-moss*

Sphagnum subtile

Sphagnum teres, Rigid Bog-moss*

Sphagnum warnstorfii, Warnstorf's Sphagnum*

Sphagnum wulfianum*, Wulf’s Sphagnum