Glossary
C
- Common Name(s): Informal names for species. Many species have multiple common names.
- Current Range: The ecoregion(s) in which a plant is currently growing and thriving naturally.
D
- Deer Tolerance: Likelihood of deer avoiding and/or not eating the plant
E
- Ecoregions: Ecological zones. Any area within the same ecoregion will likely overlap in climate, soils, topography, and species.
- Evergreen: Maintains green foliage across all seasons, including winter
F
- Fern: An evolutionary group of short, non-flowering vascular plants
- Flower Color: The color(s) of the flowers or inflorescences
- Flowering Time: Which months or seasons the species typically flowers during
- Form: The basic structure of a plant
- Fruit: Produces fruits which may be eaten by wildlife
G
- Graminoid: Grasses and grass-like plants, usually with narrow leaves and inconspicuous flowers
- Groundcover: Very low-statured plants that can spread to fill in otherwise empty spaces in a landscape or garden. Possible alternatives to a grass lawn.
H
- Hedge: Short physical/visual barrier usually made up of shrubs
- Historic Range: The ecoregion(s) in which a plant has grown and thrived in the past.
L
- Light Tolerances: The amount of light exposure that a species typically requires or can tolerate
M
- Max Height: An approximation of the height that a mature form of a species can achieve. Many individual plants of the species will not achieve this height for decades, if ever.
P
- Plant Hardiness (Min/Max) Plant Zone: These are mapped zones of climates that describe where plants are likely to survive or flourish.
- Pollinator: Produces pollen and/or nectar
R
- Rain garden: Collection of woody and herbaceous plants that capture rainwater and reduce erosion and run-off
S
- Scientific Name: Scientific names are often used by researchers and professionals and consist of two parts, the genus and species names. (i.e. for Quercus alba, the genus is Quercus which tells us this is an oak, and the specific epithet is alba letting us know this is white oak)
- Shrub: A short-statured woody plant, often with several stems
- Soil Tolerances: The amount of water in the soil, or quality of a soil, that a species typically requires or can tolerate
- Specimen plant: In landscaping terms, a specimen plant is usually a medium to large showy plant, of which there will be only one or a few, conspicuously placed, in a yard or garden.
T
- Tree: Larger woody plants
U
- Uses: Potential uses in landscaping
W
- Wildflower: Informal name for flowering herbaceous (i.e. non-woody) plants
- Wildlife Value: How the local wildlife can benefit from the plant