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Plants
Important plants of Maine
Question | Answer |
---|---|
White pine ecology | Dominant tree for much of NE forest.Seeds from cones are eaten by rodents and birds. |
Red oak ecology | Dominant tree for much of NE forest. Acorns are eaten by rodents |
Milkweed ecology | Critical for monarch butterflies laying eggs on it and caterpillars eating it. Many insects get nectar from flowers |
Burdock ecology | Flowers are used by many insects |
Staghorn sumac ecology | Leaves |
Cattail ecology | Stabilizes mud in marsh areas. Prevents erosion. Nesting habitat for many birds. Muskrats eat them. Dominant marsh vegetation. |
Japanese barberry ecology | Berries eaten by birds and rodents. Invasive species crowds out other native shrubs. Dense cover is habitat for mice and ticks. |
Japanese knotweed ecology | Thick growth is habitat for many birds and rodents. Insects use nectar from flowers in fall. Invasive species |
Paper birch ecology | One of the first trees to regrow in cleared forests. Leaves and bark eaten by beaver |
Beach rose ecology | Dense root network stabilizes loose sand to prevent erosion on beaches. Flowers feed many insects. Rose hips feed birds. |
Wild grape ecology | Food source for many birds |
Irish moss ecology | Grows on rocks below the low-tide line. Habitat for small fish and crabs. Eaten by some fish and crabs. |
Jewel weed ecology | Grows best in damp shady soil. Spreads rapidly in fields and forest edges. Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. |
Yarrow ecology | Flowers for insects. Tolerates dry conditions. Fungi associated with roots. |
Weeping willow ecology | Fast growing roots stabilize stream banks and prevent erosion. Flowers give nectar to bees in early spring. |
Arrowhead ecology | Aquatic plant grows in shallow ponds. Food for beavers |
Sensitive fern ecology | Shelter for frogs and salamanders Some animals nibble young leaves |
Sugar maple ecology | Seeds eaten by birds and squirrels. Leaves easily decay and enrich soil. Roots take so much water that very little grows beneath them. |
White pine uses | Tall straight trunks for lumber |
Red oak uses | Strong tight wood for furniture |
Milkweed uses | Latex for paint |
Burdock uses | The prickly seed capsules were the inspiration for Velcro. Root sliced and fried as a food in Japan |
Staghorn sumac uses | Berries can be used to make a lemonade drink. |
Cattail uses | Lots of edible parts all year long. The pollen from the flowerstalk can be ground to flour. Young stems are edible. The rhizomes underground are starchy. |
Japanese barberry uses | Used as a decorative plant in gardens and along fences. Lyme disease rates are higher in areas with barberry. |
Japanese knotweed uses | Used to form thick barriers between properties or as a decorative plant. Young shoots are edible in April. Medicinal use for heart disease |
Paper birch uses | Firewood |
Beach rose uses | Petals and rose hips are edible. Excellent source of vitamin C. |
Wild grape uses | Grapes have been bred to sweeter and larger varieties for wine |
Irish moss uses | Contains carrageenan |
Jewelweed uses | Juice from stems relieves itching from insect bites and poison ivy. Blue seeds are edible. |
Yarrow uses | Crushed leaves and stems help stop bleeding and reduce swelling in wounds. |
Weeping willow uses | Flexible stems used for baskets and fences. Pain relief from salicylic acid in bark (aspirin). Roots can clog septic lines and crack foundations. |
Arrowhead uses | Tubers on roots are edible |
Sensitive fern uses | Young stems are good as a steamed vegetable. Too much might be toxic |
Sugar maple uses | Sap used for making syrup |