Lab #3: Trees, Plants and etc

On this lab we walked around campus identifying trees, plants and shrubs. It was cool to learn their genus names and how different species of trees were similar and different.
Trees

1. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera ) Birches are distinct because of their flakey like trunks.

Paper Birch

2. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) A prehistoric tree (OLD). There are male trees and female trees. The female trees are cheaper to buy than the males because the females give off a fowl smell.

3. Willow Oak, Quercus phellos- Different than other oaks due to its willow like leaves. Foliage is light to bright green in summer and yellow, yellow-brown and russet in fall. 

4.

Sycamore (

Platanus occidentalis)- Leaves grow sticky green buds. Has flowers that bloom around May. Makes a great shade tree.

5. Crape myrtl (Lagerstroemia )- Fast growing tree. Has colorful and long lasting flowers. Its barks sheds throughout the year. 

Plants

6. Junipers (Juniperus)- of the cypress family. Ever green with needle like leaves. Has distinct female seed cones. 

7. Monkey grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)- Native to Japan. An evergreen, sod-forming perennial plant. 

8.Mexican petunia, (Ruellia brittoniana)- new, nonnative cultivar to America. Evergreen with trumpet shaped flowers. Dr. Rood loves these.

9. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)-  well known for its production of urushiol, a clear liquid compound found within the sap of the plant that causes an itching rash in most people who touch it. I am SOOOO allergic to this. Can grow as a shrub, a trailing vine and as a climbing vine. Not actually a true ivy. 

for more info on poison ivy http://www.poison-ivy.org/

10. Elephant Ears (Colocasia)- Very large leaves. There are edible types of this plant that are eaten like potatoes in the South Pacific.

Shrubs


11.Chinese Fringe (Loropetalum)- Shrub, native to Japan and China. Stringy pink or white blossoms. 

12. Angles Trumpet (Brugmansia)- Known to be a hallucinogenic, however it is highly toxic and deadly. Long lived bushes. 

Tree Hugger.