Family: Araceae Arum Family

Habit: Emergent perennial herb with thick root stock. Plants about 0.5 m tall, usually found in shallow water.

Leaves: Triangular, 3-nerved (or 3 main veins) on long stems. Leaves 10-40 cm long.

Flowers: Inconspicuous yellow flowers on a fleshy spadix (spike), surrounded by a fleshy leaf-like structure, a spathe.

Habitat: Bogs, freshwater marshes and perimeters of lakes and ponds. Found throughout NC, except in the northwest mountains.

Field characteristics: Triangular leaves with parallel side veins (radiating from the sides of the main veins, rather than from one point as in Sagittaria).  

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Alismataceae Water Plantain Family

Habit: Emergent or submersed perennial herb usually found in clumps, reaching about 1 m in height.

Leaves: Triangular in some species, elliptical in others, up to 25 cm long.

Flowers: White flowers in whorls of three, occurring at 2-12 nodes on the flowering stalk.

Habitat: Wet soil, marshes, stream sides and pond margins throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Triangular leaves (in many common species) with sharply pointed tips. Veins radiating from the point of attachment to the petiole. The petiole of a common species, Sagittaria latifolia (pictured below), is 5-sided in cross-section. Compare with similar plants, Arrow arum and Pickerelweed.

Family: Commelinaceae Dayflower or Spiderwort Family

Habit: Trailing herb forming dense mats. Stems often root at the nodes.

Leaves: Alternate, linear or lance shaped leaves, about 6 cm long and 1 cm wide. The base of the leaves have closed tubular, hairy sheaths.

Flowers: Three-merous (contains 3 petals and 3 sepals) with lavender flowers.

Habitat: Margins of streams, ponds and marshes in the coastal plain and piedmont of NC.

Field characteristics: Grass-like appearance with trailing stems. The clasping hairy sheath formed at the leaf base helps to distinguish it from grasses which look similar to Asiatic dayflower.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Iridaceae Iris Family

Habit: Perennial herb reaching 1 m. This plant is colonial since it reproduces by rhizomes.

Leaves: Simple and entire with acute tips. Leaves are pale blue-green, up to 1 m tall and 3 cm wide and are clasping at the base.

Flowers: Typical showy, iris flower; bluish-purple with 3 petals and 3 upwardly curved sepals. Yellow markings are present on the petals.

Habitat: Margins of streams and ponds, freshwater marshes, swamps, wet pine flats, ditches. This plant is most common in the coastal plain and mountains and less frequent in the piedmont.

Field characteristics: Typical iris appearance with showy blue flowers.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Campanulaceae Bluebell Family

Habit: Medium to tall perennial herb, 0.5 m to rarely 2 m tall.

Leaves: Alternate, elliptical leaves which can be entire or serrated, 4-20 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. When serrated, small and large teeth are alternated along the edges.

Flowers: Spikes of 2-lipped intense red tubular flowers. Spikes are usually about 20 cm long, but can reach 50 cm in length.

Habitat: Fresh water marshes and swamps, river banks, ditches and stream sides throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Showy red flowers blooming in mid-late summer. Basal rosette persists through the winter.

Wetland Indicator Status:    FACW+

Family: Typhaceae Cattail Family

Habit: Tall perennial herb, 2-3 m high.

Leaves: Light green leaves arising from the base and are sheathed at the base. Strap shaped leaves are up to 2.4 cm wide.

Flowers: Brown, cylindrical terminal spike (female flower), familiar to most people. When present, the male flower spike is positioned, just above the female flower spike on the stem.

Habitat: Common in freshwater marshes, ditches and ponds. Found statewide, although it is most common in the piedmont.

Field characteristics: Leaves are flat or slightly convex near the base. Common cattail has wider leaves and a larger spike than narrow-leaved cattail. The male flower spike is directly above female flower spike on common cattail, whereas there is a space between the male and female spikes in the narrow leaved cattail.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Typhaceae Cattail Family

Habit: Perennial herb 1-3 m tall.

Leaves: Dark green leaves which are strongly convex, up to 1 cm wide.

Flowers: Typical cattail spike with a space between the female and male flower spikes. The leaves stand taller than the flowering stem.

Habitat: Fresh (lakes, ponds, rivers) to brackish waters in the outer coastal plain.

Field characteristics: A coastal plain species with darker, narrower leaves than common cattail. The leaves tower above the flowering stem in narrow-leaved cattail.

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Urticaceae Nettle Family

Habit: Annual herb with translucent stems, up to 0.5 m.

Leaves: Opposite, ovate, toothed leaves with 3 prominent veins. Leaves are shiny and are 4-10 cm long, produced on long stalks.

Flowers: Greenish-white flowers in a branched panicle arising from the leaf axil.

Habitat: Common in wet soil or shallow freshwater margins, low shady pastures or moist, shady uplands across the state.

Field characteristics: Translucent stems and flowers in panicles differ from false nettle which has flowers in cylindrical spikes.

Wetland Indicator Status:    FACW

Family: Osmundaceae Royal Fern Family

Habit: Medium to tall fern up to 1.5 m.

Leaves: Leaves arise from a clump at the base. Leaf blades are 35-70 cm long and 13-25 cm wide. Leaflets are alternately arranged with brown fuzzy 'hairs' at the base of leaflets.

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile fronds are narrower and contain furry cinnamon colored stalks. These reproductive stalks appear in spring and soon wither.

Habitat: Swamps, marshes, ditches, streambanks. Common in the coastal plain and mountains, but less frequent in the piedmont.

Field characteristics: Large fern. When fertile frond is present, it has a distinctive cinnamon color.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    FACW+

Family: Ophioglossaceae Adder's-tongue Family

Habit: Small fern, triangular in shape.

Leaves: The sterile leaf blade is dissected so that it appears lacy. The triangular leaf measures about 10-20 cm long and 13-25 cm wide. The fertile portion of this fern is presented on a long stalk.

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile structure (spores) are in a compound cluster, and look like grapes.

Habitat: Rich woods and woodlands throughout the state.

Field characteristics: Small distinctive ferns with compact fronds. The arrangement of sporangia are similar in appearance to a 'bunch of grapes' or 'rattles' on a rattlesnake, as the common names imply.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    FAC-FACU

Family: Blechnaceae Fern Family

Habit: Medium fern up to 0.5 m in height, usually smaller. Reproduces by underground rhizomes.

Leaves: Lobed leaflets arranged alternately along stalk. The edges of leaflets contain minute serrations noticeable when viewed closely.

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile fronds are on separate stalks which are narrower than the sterile fronds. Spores (sori) are located in parallel rows on the undersides of fertile fronds as pictured in illustration on left.

Habitat: Acidic swamps and wet pine woods throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Similar in appearance to Sensitive fern, but Sensitive fern has opposite leaflets and leaflet edges are without serrations. Netted chain fern gets its name because of the chain-like appearance of sori on the fertile stalks.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Habit: Medium to large fern forming clumps. Royal ferns are usually about a meter tall but may be as tall as 2 m.

Leaves: Leaf blade is large, measuring approximately 38-75 cm long and 25-50 cm wide. Leaf is twice pinnately divided with alternate leaflets, however the leaflets are often positioned oppositely on the rachis. Leaflets usually number 5 to 11, and are light green, about 12 cm long and 5 cm wide.

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile pinnae with a terminal branch-like panicle. The light brown leaflets are spore-bearing.

Habitat: Moist woods, swamps and marshes throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Large fern with leaves which are twice divided.

Family: Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris Fern Family

Habit: Low to medium fern almost reaching a meter in height, usually smaller. Reproduces by underground rhizomes.

Leaves: Pinnately divided deciduous leaf blade. The leaf lobes are positioned oppositely. Leaf margins are entire or lobed. Larger plants may have more deeply lobed leaflets. (Note lower right illustration.)

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile fronds appear in the fall on separate stalks. The fertile fronds change from green to brown and have a beaded appearance.

Habitat: Marshes, swamps, seeps, moist woodlands, and muddy ditches throughout the state.

Field characteristics: Similar to Netted chainfern, but the leaf lobes of Netted chain fern are alternately arranged. The fertile fronds are distinctive and resemble rattles, when present. This is the only species within this genus, and is called 'sensitive' because this fern is sensitive to early frosts and heat.

Wetland Indicator Status:    FACW

Family: Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris Fern Family

Habit: Medium light green fern to approximately 1 m in height. Grows from rhizomes.

Leaves: Leaves are 40-100 cm long and 10-35 cm wide. Because of its finely toothed leaflets, this fern is delicate and lacy in appearance. Leaflets are arranged alternately on the leaf blade. Surfaces of fertile and sterile leaves are similar in appearance.

Flowers: No flowers, but fertile fronds contain crescent-shaped sori on the undersides of the leaves.

Habitat: Wet woods and swamps throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Attractive, lacy, light green fern. Leaflets and subleaflets are positioned alternately on the rachis and petiole, respectively.

Family: Blechnaceae Fern Family

Habit: Medium fern reaching 0.5 m in height. Reproduces by underground rhizomes.

Leaves: Compound leaves with alternate pinnae. Leaves are 30-70 cm long and 15-30 cm wide. Leaf base (stipe) is dark, black-brown.

Flowers: No flowers, but sori are located on the undersides of pinnae. The double row of sori on pinnae resemble a 'row of bricks.'

Habitat: Acidic soils and wet pine flats, mostly in the coastal plain. Grows well in sunny locations and responds quickly after fire.

Field characteristics: Distinctive sori or 'row of bricks' along midrib on underside of pinnae help to distinguish this fern from others. Fronds rise singly from the ground; whereas most ferns have fronds in clumps.

Family: Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot Family

Habit: Upright, low-growing fleshy perennial herb reaching 0.3 m high, often smaller. Glasswort forms colonial mats, since this species grows from a horizontal rhizome.

Leaves: Inconspicuous leaves are reduced to small scales. Stems consist of green, succulent, jointed tubes.

Flowers: Inconspicuous flower is contained in the upper portion of the tube.

Habitat: Brackish and salt flats and marshes in the outer coastal plain.

Field characteristics: Fleshy succulent plant found in salt flats. The plant tastes salty.

Family: Urticaceae Nettle Family

Habit: Perennial herb to 1.3 m.

Leaves: Opposite, sometimes sub-opposite, broad, lance shaped leaves with toothed edges.

Flowers: Spikes of small spherical clusters borne in leaf axils.

Habitat: Common in low ground, swamps and wet woods throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Not irritating compared to the similar Stinging nettle. Appears similar to clearweed, although flowers of false nettle are in clusters of spikes compared to clearweed's branched panicles.

Family: Balsaminaceae Touch-me-not Family

Habit: Medium to tall, bright green, succulent herb, reaching 1.5 m.

Leaves: Smooth, succulent stems contain alternately arranged ovate to elliptical leaves produced on long petioles. Leaves are 3-10 cm long and 3-8 cm wide with crenate edges.

Flowers: Orange, tubular 'bugle-like' flowers with brownish spots. The end of the flowers have a curved spur.

Habitat: Stream and lake edges and moist woods throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Football-shaped seed capsules explode when ripe, scattering seeds, hence the plant's common name, 'touch-me-not.' The watery fluids of Jewelweed are thought to dilute the sap of poison ivy, making the rash less severe. A similar species, I. pallida, with yellow flowers occurs in wet woods in the mountains.

Family: Sauraceae Lizard's Tail Family

Habit: Perennial herb to about 0.5 m in height. Lizard's tail reproduces by underground rhizomes and therefore often forms dense stands.

Leaves: Alternate heart shaped leaves growing on zig-zagged stems. Leaf venation is palmate and leaf edges are entire.

Flowers: White, graceful spikes which resemble lizard's tails.

Habitat: Swamps, wet woods and ditches throughout the coastal plain and piedmont.

Field characteristics: Cordate leaves, distinctive white flowers produced during early summer.

Family: Pontederiaceae Pickerelweed Family

Habit: Emergent perennial herb, up to 1 m tall.

Leaves: Simple, entire, elongate, cordate leaves, 7-18 cm long.

Flowers: Spikes of showy, blue, tubular flowers.

Habitat: Muddy shores and shallow waters of ponds, lakes and ditches throughout NC, except in the northern mountains.

Field characteristics: Elongated, heart shaped leaves; when in flower, each leaf surrounds (subtends) the flowering stalk. The leaves have no midrib as in Peltandra. Compare also to Sagittaria.

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Phytolaccaceae Pokeweed Family

Habit: Large, spreading perennial herb with purple stems, 1-3 m in height.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, elliptical or oval leaves, 10-30 cm long and 3-10 cm wide.

Flowers: White flowers in racemes, originating opposite from the leaves. Fruit is a purple berry up to 1 cm wide.

Habitat: Common in disturbed habitats and sandbars along rivers, throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Purple branches are distinctive. Poisonous berries have been used for rich purple dyes. Young leaves are edible as cooked greens, however, older leaves are toxic.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    FACU+

Habit: Tall perennial herb (or shrub) to 2 m. Upper stems are hairy.

Leaves: Alternate leaves are oval or 3-lobed and toothed. Leaves are also pubescent.Flowers/fruit: Large, showy creamy-white (sometimes pink) 5-petaled flowers with a crimson center. Flowers about 20 cm wide.

Habitat: Fresh to slightly brackish marshes throughout the state, most abundant in the piedmont and coastal plain.

Field characteristics: Fruit capsule persists and is distinctive. See illustration below.

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Malvaceae Mallow Family

Habit: Medium height, 1-2 m with few to numerous branches.

Leaves: Alternate, coarsely toothed and roughly pubescent. Leaves are sagittate or triangular in shape, with the bottom leaves the largest and upper leaves are reduced.

Flowers/fruit: Pink, 5-petaled flower stemming from the axis of leaves. Flower is 5-8 cm wide.

Habitat: Brackish to rarely fresh marshes, shores and ditches, swamps, wet woodlands in the outer coastal plain.

Field characteristics: Similar to marsh mallow, although the flower of the seashore mallow is smaller, pink and with a more pronounced pistil.

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Polygonaceae Smartweed Family

Habit: Erect or somewhat trailing herb, rooting at the lower nodes.

Leaves: Alternate, and typically narrowly elliptical.

Flowers: Racemes in loose panicles, white to pink.

Habitat: Marshes, lakes and pond shores throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Members of this genus contain an ocrea or leaf sheath, formed by stipules encircling the stem as illustrated below. The ocrea may be densely hairy. The bitter taste of these leaves are said to 'smart,' hence the common name, smartweed.

Family: Polygonaceae Smartweed Family

Habit: Trailing perennial herb up to 2 m long with weak intertwining branches.

Leaves: Simple, entire, alternate, arrow-shaped leaves with acute tips. Leaf midribs contain spines.

Flowers: White to pink, clustered on ends of stalks.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes, wet fields across NC.

Field characteristics: Square stem is heavily armed with unmistakable briars that can tear flesh, hence the common name.

  Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL

Family: Lamiaceae Mint Family

Habit: Small to medium perennial herb, less than 1 m in height.

Leaves: Opposite, toothed, dark green, lanceolate leaves, sometimes with purple coloration.

Flowers: Small, white tubular flowers form distinctive spherical clusters or whorls at the base of the leaves.

Habitat: Wet meadows, swamps, streambanks, perimeter of ponds throughout NC.

Field characteristics: Stems are four-sided, clusters of axillary flowers are distinctive.

Wetland Indicator Status:    OBL