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PLANTS

The plant kingdom (Plantae) is just as diverse as the animal kingdom (Animalia). Thousands of different orders and families exist, but distinctions by generalized types. Some basic plant types are: grasses, herbs, shrubs, and vines and groundcovers. Plants that are submerged or found at the water's surface may be further classified as aquatic. These species may be found in any body of water, from ponds to oceans, and include algae, Bay grasses and seaweeds.

In Maryland, specific species in a location can be narrowed by regions and climate. Regional divisions include: coastal, piedmont, and mountain. These can be further influenced by differentiating conditions that affect plant growth, such as solar exposure, and water availablity.

GRASSES

Botanically classified as herbs, grasses (graminoids) are most commonly thought of as simple yard cover. Grasses are actually a diverse grouping that encompasses reeds and seaweeds. There are more than 3,500 species of graminoids in the world.

Grasses native to Maryland include: Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), Gama grass (Tripsacum dactyloides), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium).

Bay grasses native to Maryland include: Wild celery (Vallisneria americana), Redhead grass (Potamogeton perfoliatus), and Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia).

Bay Grasses in Classes Program

HERBS

Botanically, herbaceous plants are defined as "any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and dies down to the ground after flowering."

Herbs native to Maryland include: Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana), Narrow-leaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius), and the State flower, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).

SHRUBS

Defined from trees by multiple stems and short height (generally under 20 ft in height), some species may be defined as either based upon available growing conditions.

Shrubs native to Maryland include: Blue-ridge blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), and Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).

TREES

Over 60 species of trees have been cataloged as native to Maryland, including the State tree: White Oak (Quercus alba).

VINES & GROUNDCOVERS

Perhaps the most adaptive form of plant, vines and groundcovers are plants that exand beyond their primary stem, yet do not adhere to the definition of shrub or tree. These species primarily expand horizontally, so as to aquire sun or water beyond their initial growth, though some possess climing stems used to expand horizontally. One example of this classification is poison ivy, which can grow as a low groundcover, or as a climing vine, depending on its surroundings.

Groundcovers native to Maryland include: American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans).

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Maryland Manual On-Line, 2015

July 1, 2015

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