Plant Identification Resources

To meet the diverse needs of a varied clientele.

Online and hardcopy resources

Because accurate plant identification is frequently a basic need in a variety of disciplines and endeavors, we serve a varied clientele, from agency biologists and environmental consultants to academic researchers, from agricultural and horticultural professionals to students and the general public. Consequently, we have developed a variety of resources to help meet the needs of our diverse cliente in training and addressing current and on-going issues.

Trees of North Carolina

This work treats the native and naturalized species of trees occurring in North Carolina. The work does not treat species known exclusively from cultivation. Two types of identification keys are incorporated, dichotomous keys (as traditional) and linear keys.

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Rare Plants of North Carolina

This work treats all federally listed species of vascular plants and lichens occurring in North Carolina, as well as their congeners or otherwise morphologically similar species.

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Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets in North Carolina

Livestock poisoning is not an insurmountable problem; with an increased knowledge of the poisonous plants of North Carolina, deaths can largely be prevented. And while poisoning of small companion animals by plants is relatively infrequent, dogs, cats, and caged birds sometimes consume plant materials that can cause severe symptoms or death. Such accidents can be prevented by realizing the potential dangers around the home and taking the necessary precautions.

Weeds of Container Nurseries in the United States

Weed control can be one of the most costly risks in the production of container-grown nursery crops. Any control program begins with the correct identification of the weeds present, along with an understanding of their life cycles and modes of reproduction and spread. Treated here are the most common weeds of outdoor container nurseries, as well as a selection of recently introduced species with the potential to spread.

Wanted Alive: Raven's Seedbox

This resource is designed to aid at-risk field surveys for one of the rarest plant species in North Carolina, Raven's seedbox (Ludwigia ravenii). The resource is designed for users with advanced field botany skills, including environmental consultants and agency botanists.

Common Ferns of North Carolina

This work treats the common, native ferns of North Carolina. Species information can be accessed through either the list page (if you already know the genus in which you are interested) or through the identify page. In the latter, instead of providing traditional dichotomous keys, an arrangement is given based on overall similarity in appearance.

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Pitcher Perfect!

This resource was designed for use by anyone with an interest in pitcher plants (Sarracenia spp.) and wishing to identify the taxa found in North Carolina.

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Extension Gardener Botany Exercises

This site was designed to support the NC State Extension Master Gardener training program. It provides a series of visual learning exercises to reinforce the plant morphology aspect of the program (Chapter 3 in the NC Extension Gardener Handbook).

Image Sort Visual Learning

We here present a freely available, open-access, html/javascript-based visual learning tool that facilitates recognition through active image sorting exercises. Although our exercises are drawn from our own domain expertise (botany), the tool is customizable to meet the needs of any activity for which sorting can enhance learning.

Winter Twig Keys

This resource was designed primarily for use in one of our departmental undergraduate courses, but is made available here for anyone interested in learning how to identify common trees of our area in winter.

Citrus ID

This tool is designed to support the identification of host material during citrus pest and disease surveys by industry and government agency personnel.

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Rushes of the Carolinas

This resource is designed for anyone interested in learning to recognize rushes in the Carolinas. Rushes are represented by three genera in the area: Juncus, Luzula, and Oreojuncus.

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Manual of the Vascular Flora of Nags Heads Woods

This book provides keys and illustrations to the vascular flora of Nags Head Woods, a publicly-accessible, ecological preserve in Dare County, owned by The Nature Conservancy. The book is published by the New York Botanical Garden Press.

Guide to the Vascular Flora of Kitty Hawk Woods

This book provides keys and illustrations to the vascular of Kitty Hawk Woods, a publicly-accessible ecological preserve in Dare County, part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The book is published by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.

Guide to the Vascular Flora of Buxton Woods

This book provides keys and illustrations to the vascular of Buxton Woods, a publicly-accessible ecological preserve in Dare County, part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The book is published by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.

Littoral zone flora of Carolina Bay lakes

Guide to the Littoral Zone Vascular Flora of Carolina Bay Lakes

Carolina Bays are an interesting geomorphological feature of the eastern US, elliptical depressions with a NW-SE axis. This guide treats the vascular flora associated with the littoral zone of Carolina Bays that carry water year-round.

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Guide to the Vascular Flora of the Savannas and Flatwoods of Shaken Creek Preserve and Vicinity

Savannas and flatwoods are a species-rich component of our Coastal Plain. This guide provides keys and illustrations to a botanically rich site in Pender and Onslow counties.

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Guide to the Vascular Flora of Howell Woods

Howell Woods is a publicly-accessible natural area in Johnston County. The site remains one of the largest tracts of intact forest remaining in the county and is home to numerous natural plant communities, including bottomland hardwood forests. The book is published by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.

Guide to the Vascular Flora of Picture Creek Diabase Barrens

Diabase soils support an interesting flora in the Piedmont of North Carolina, including numerous heliophytes. This guide treats the flora of Picture Creek. The book is published by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press, but, unfortunately, is now sold out.

Flora of North America

A number of herbarium-affiliated researchers have produced taxonomic treatments for the multi-volume Flora of North America. These are available in hardcopy through Oxford University Press or online.