#central us

Quercus Macrocarpa | Burr Oak

Plant Community: Oak Savannah

Type: Tree

Family: Fagaceae

Native Status: Northern and Central United States; Native

Mature Size: Height 60′ - 80′ | Spread 60′ - 80′

Habitat / Conditions: Best grown in acidic, light but organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates average garden soils, but not unamended heavy clays. Appreciates some afternoon part shade. Also appreciates protection from high winds. Flower buds/flowers are susceptible to damage from spring frosts. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.

Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8

Leaf Color: Green –> Orange / Red

Flower Color / Bloom Time: Yelloeish-Green | April

Medicinal Properties:

The bark is astringent and tonic. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhea. A decoction of the root or inner bark has been used in the treatment of cramps. Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of hemorrhages, chronic diarrhea, dysentery etc.

Sources:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a902

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+macrocarpa

Populus deltoides | Eastern Cottonwood

Plant Community: Oak Hickory

Type: Tree

Family: Salicaceae

Native Status: Eastern and central United States; Native

Mature Size: Height 50′ - 80′ | Spread 35′ - 60′

Habitat / Conditions: Eastern Cottonwood is native from eastern North America through the Great Plains, typically growing along streams and rivers and in lowland areas and swamps. Settlers who pushed westward into the Great Plains in the 1800s sometimes planted eastern cottonwoods along small streams and creeks. Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers consistently moist soils, but tolerates drought.

Hardiness Zone: 2 - 9

Leaf Color: Green --> Yellow Brown

Flower Color / Bloom Time: red (male) green (female) | March - May

Medicinal Properties:  

The bark contains salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of whooping cough and tuberculosis. A decoction of the bark has been used to rid the body of intestinal worms. The bark has been eaten as a treatment for colds. A tea made from the inner bark is used in the treatment of scurvy. A poultice of the leaves has been used as a treatment for rheumatism, bruises, sores and boils.

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a914

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+deltoides

https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/cottonwood-benefits.html

Ilex opaca | American Holly

Plant Community: Barrier Beach

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Native Status: Eastern and central United States ; Native

Mature Size: Height 15′ - 30′ | Spread 10′ - 20′

Habitat / Conditions: American holly is an upright, pyramidal, evergreen tree that slowly matures to 15-30' in cultivation, but may reach 50' tall in the wild. It is native to the eastern and central U.S., most frequently found in moist woods, forest bottomlands and swamp peripheries plus some coastal dunes (e.g., Cape Cod down the Atlantic Coast) from Massachusetts to West Virginia to Ohio to southeastern Missouri south to Texas and Florida. Easily grown in average, consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Leaves typically yellow in alkaline soils. Tolerates a broad range of soil conditions, but will not tolerate flooding or soils saturated with moisture. Avoid poorly drained soils. Best growth in the wild usually occurs in rich bottomlands and swamp margins. Site in locations protected from cold winter winds. Part afternoon shade is best in hot summer climates.

Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9

Leaf Color: Green

Flower Color / Bloom Time: Off-white | May

Medicinal Properties: The berries are laxative, emetic and diuretic. They are used in the treatment of children's diarrhea, colic and indigestion. 

A tea made from the bark was once used in the treatment of malaria and epilepsy. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a treatment for measles, colds etc. [Historic - unproven effects]

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k640

Amsonia hubrichtii / Blue Star

PLANT COMMUNITY:  N/A

NATIVE REGION:  South-central US

MATURE SIZE:  Height of 2-3′, spread of 2-3′; erect, clump-forming

HABITAT/GROWING CONDITIONS:  Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade; best fall foliage color usually occurs in full sun 

ECO-INDICATOR:  N/A

HARDINESS ZONE:  5-8

LEAF COLOR:  Feathery, soft-textured, needle-like, alternate leaves are bright green in spring and summer, but turn bright gold in autumn

FLOWER COLOR:  Powdery blue, star-like flowers in terminal clusters

FRUIT COLOR:  Long tubes filled with cylindrical brown seeds

VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES:  N/A

Hamamelis virginiana / Common Witchhazel

PLANT COMMUNITY: Oak hickory forest

NATIVE REGION: Canada to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Arkansas

MATURE SIZE: Height of 20-30′, spreads of 20-25′; small tree or large shrub; large, crooked, spreading branches forming an irregular, rounded, open crown 

HABITAT/GROWING CONDITIONS: Floodplains, forests, swamps, rocky slopes;  full sun or partial shade; somewhat tolerant of city condition; moist soil

ECO-INDICATOR: N/A

HARDINESS ZONE: 3-8

LEAF & FLOWER COLOR: Medium green leaves in summer to good yellow in fall

FRUIT COLOR: Yellow, fragrant flowers

FRUIT COLOR: Small, brown fruit

VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES:  N/A

Ilex verticillata / Winterberry

PLANT COMMUNITY: Red maple swamp

NATIVE REGION: Eastern and central US

MATURE SIZE: Height of 6-10′, spread of 5-10′; vase-shaped symmetrical canopy

HABITAT/GROWING CONDITIONS: Shores of rivers or lakes, swamps, wetlands; acidic sandy soils with high water tables

ECO-INDICATOR: N/A

HARDINESS ZONE: 4-8

LEAF COLOR: Green leaves

FLOWER COLOR: White, cream, grey flowers

FRUIT COLOR: Bright red berries

VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES:  Winterberry is particularly useful in landscapes with wet, poorly drained, or compacted soils and for erosion control.