Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei Turcz. Hand.-Maz.)

Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family) Synonym(s): Wintercreeper, Climbing Euonymus, Fortune’s Spindle Base Flower Color: Green, WhiteReproductive Phenology: May, JunBloom Notes: This plant can either be a liana (i.e., a woody plant with a vine-like growth form) or a shrub (i.e., a woody plant with several stems growing from the base). This is the shrub version. I doContinue reading “Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei Turcz. Hand.-Maz.)”

Upright Carrion Flower (Smilax ecirrata S. Watson)

Smilacaceae (Catbrier Family) Synonym(s): Upright Carrionflower Base Flower Color: Green, YellowReproductive Phenology: May, JunNotes: As the name implies, the flowers have an unpleasant odor that resembles decaying carrion. The stinky flowers are cross-pollinated by various kinds of flies. For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana L.)

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Synonym(s): Devil’s Darning Needles, Virgin’s Bower, Old Man’s Beard Base Flower Color: WhiteReproductive Phenology: Jul, Aug, Sept For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Carolina Snailseed (Cocculus carolinus (L.) DC.)

Menispermaceae (Moonseed Family) Synonyms: Carolina Snailseed, Carolina Coralbead, Carolina Moonseed, Red Berried Moonseed, Carolina Red Berried Moonseed Base Flower Color: Green, WhiteReproductive Phenology: Jun, Jul, Aug For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch)

Vitaceae (Grape Family) Synonyms: Woodbine Base Flower Color: GreenReproductive Phenology: May, Jun, Jul, AugNotes: The berries of Virginia Creeper can be harmful if ingested, however, and the rest of the plant contains raphides, which irritate the skin of some people. For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Groundnut (Apios americana Medik.)

Fabaceae (Pea Family) Synonym(s): Groundnut, Wild Potato, Indian Potato, American Potatobean Base Flower Color: Red, Pink, PurpleReproductive Phenology: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Widow’s Tears (Brunnichia ovata (Walter) Shinners)

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family) Synonym(s): American Buckwheat Vine Base Flower Color: WhiteReproductive Phenology: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Winter Vetch (Vicia villosa (Host) Corb. ssp. varia)

Fabaceae (Pea Family) Synonym(s): Smooth Vetch Base Flower Color: Purple, PinkReproductive Phenology: May, Jun For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox L. var. bona-nox)

Smilacaceae (Catbrier Family) Synonym(s): Sawbriar, Saw Greenbriar, Catbriar, Bullbriar, Stretchberry Vine Base Flower Color: Green, YellowReproductive Phenology: Apr, MayBloom Notes: My fellow hikers can attest to just how horrible a plant this is. I will carry scars for life! For more information about this plant, Click Here.

Guadeloupe Cucumber (Melothria pendula L.)

Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family) Synonym(s): Guadeloupe Cucumber, Meloncito; Speckled Gourd; Creeping Cucumber; Cucum Sauvage; Pepinito Base Flower Color: YellowReproductive Phenology: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov For more information about this plant, Click Here.