Mountain Laurel

SHRUBS

Shrubs contribute to the overall green ambience of Morgan County. As you hike, bike or drive, see if you can find these.

• Spicebush - In late March, its small but numerous pale yellow flowers decorate leafless woods. The red fruits, which mature in late summer, are relished by birds.
• Black Haw - Blue-black fruits remain through mid-winter as bird food. Often found in open fields.
• Black Elderberry - Game birds and rodents love the black fruit.
• Witchhazel - The area's only autumn-flowering shrub. Its yellow flowers bloom from September until November and dry fruits require a year to ripen and burst throwing out seeds. Medicinal use for an extract from its bark.
• Blueberry - Late-season, low growth blueberries are collected as food and called huckleberries. Often found as part of a scrub covering heaths.
• Smooth Sumac (non-poisonous) - Easily recognizable by its fuzzy, red cone-shaped fruit and long, narrow leaflets on long stalks.
• Mountain Laurel - A member of the heath family, it is abundant and beautiful with its pink-tinged white clustered flowers.

 

[ Ferns :: Wildflowers :: Birds :: Trees :: Shrubs ]