1. Black Walnut2. Common Reed 3. Sassafras 4. Touch-Me-Not or Jewel Weed 5. Red Oak 6. Sweet Gum 7. Spicebush

Native Plants of Historic St. Mary’s City: Identification guide for use on the Key Swamp Trail

2008 St. Mary’s ProjectBy Emily Bzdyk

Mentor Dr. Bill WilliamsSt. Mary’s College of Maryland8. American Holly

9. Pawpaw 10. Trumpet Vine11. Poison Ivy 12. Poke Berry 13. Winged or Shining Sumac14. Purple Passion Flower

Key Swamp Trailkey to plants

Historic St. Mary’s Citya museum of living history & archaeology on the site of Maryland’s first capital

www.stmaryscity.org

Introduction

Here in Historic St. Mary’s City, there is plenty to feast your eyes on. Sweeping vistas of the river where the Maryland Dove lays at anchor meet the expansive wildflower fields around the reconstructed build-ings. The trails that lead you through your visit here can also offer a direct experience with some of the living inhabitants that have been here throughout history. I’m not talking about the lovely employees of the city, though you will meet them too. I’m referring to the diverse community of plants that thrives here. I have created this guide to introduce you to some of the interesting plants that you may encounter. This guide includes the scientific and common name of 14 plants. The common name is given first, with the scientific name in italics, fol-lowed by the name of the person that identified the plant. An example of each plant can be found at the GPS coordinates provided. In ‘No-table Characteristics’ you will find some characteristics and informa-tion to help you identify the plant. These sections are supplemented with illustrations I have drawn to help recognize a plant when you encounter it. The ‘Uses’ section provides some historic and current uses of the plant. Many plants have been used for food or medicine and documented throughout history. The sources used to gather informa-tion on medicinal or edible uses of plants are historical accounts and some modern research might discount these uses. This guide is not intended for definitive information on edible/medicinal plants. Historic St. Mary’s City and the author of this guide ask you to refrain from using any wild plants unless you have expertise on the subject. If you are interested in pursuing the subject of edible plants, there are several relevant guides which can offer additional assistance. I hope you will find this an enriching and enlightening addition to your visit to the historic city.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my mentor Dr. Bill Williams, Mary Alves of Historic St. Mary’s City, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Biol-ogy Department, and my family and friends for helping me with this project.

HUTCHINS, ALMA R. 1992. A Handbook of Native American Herbs. Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston. MA.GERSTNER, LOUIS V. JR. 2007. About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Website: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69363.cfm#HerbDrugInteractions. [Accessed April 2008].

UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN. 2003. A Database of Foods, Drugs, Dyes and Fibers of Native American Peoples, Derived from Plants. Website http://herb.umd.umich.edu/. [Accessed October 2007].

NAVARRO, JENNIE, TARA SCOTT, AND ALEXANDRA WILKE. 2003. Keck Lab Walking Trail Plant Identification Guide. Coastal Botany, William and Mary University, VA.

NIERING, WILLIAM A. and NANCY C. OLMSTEAD. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

USDA-NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS Database. Website http://plants.usda.gov/plants. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Table of Contents

1. Black walnut Juglans nigra L.

2. Common Reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.

3. Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Nutt.)

4. Touch-Me-Not or Jewel weed Impatiens capensis Meerb.

5. Red Oak Quercus falcata L.

6. Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua L.

7. Spicebush Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume.

8. American Holly Ilex opaca Ait.

9. Pawpaw Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal.

10. Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans (L.) Seem.

11. Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze

12. Poke Berry Phytolacca americana L. .

13. Shining or Winged Sumac Rhus copallina L.

14. Purple passion flower Passiflora incarnata L.

Red or White Oak?

Sources Cited

Acknowledgements

Back cover: Map of Key Swamp trail with approximate locations

1. Black Walnut Juglans nigra L.

Location: 38° 10’ 59.999” N76° 25’ 58.800” W

Notable Characteristics:The black walnut is a medium-sized tree ranging from 70-90 feet tall and 2-3 feet in diameter at breast height. The branches usually spread to form a massive crown. The bark is brown to grayish-black with deep furrows and narrow forking ridges that form a diamond pattern. In late May to early June flowers appear, followed by fruit. The yellow green round fruits are covered in a semi-fleshy husk. Inside is a nut corru-gated with rounded ridges (USDA, 2007).

Uses:The wood of the black walnut is of good quality for building and nuts produced by this tree have many uses. The green fruit or nut was used for medicine and oil. The bark and nut rinds could be used as brown or black dye. The bark must have been used cautiously because it is poi-sonous. The green rind was also used as medicine. (Erichsen-Brown, 1979). A tea was made and infusions of the plant was used to treat athlete’s foot, hemorrhoids, and as an insecticide (USDA, 2007).

Bibliography

ABRAMS, MARC. D. 2003. Where Has All the White Oak Gone? BioScience 53: 927–939.

BONNER, FRANKLIN T. and REBECCA T. NISLEY. 2003. Woody plant seed manual. Website www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/. USDA Forestry Department

BROWN, O. PHELPS. 1878. The Complete Herbalist. Dr. O. Phelps Brown, Jersey City, N. J.

CHESTER, TOM. 2008. The Field Guide to the Santa Rosa Plateau. Website http://tchester.org/srp/index.html.

ERICHSEN-BROWN, CHARLOTTE. 1979. Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants: A Historical Survey with Special Reference to the Eastern Indian Tribes. Dover Publications, New York.

FERN, KEN. 1997. Plants For A Future: Edible & Useful Plants For A Healthier World. Permanent Publications, Hampshire, England.

GLEASON, HENRY A. and ARTHUR CRONQUIST. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Cana-da. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY.

(cont.)

2. Common Reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.

Location:38° 10' 56.467" N76° 25' 59.508" W

Notable Characteristics:These tall reeds reach a height of 6 to 12 feet making them the tall-est grass in southern swamps and marshes. The leaf blade is flat and smooth and 1/2 to 2 inches wide. The seed head is a purplish or tawny open panicle with a flag-like appearance after seed shatter (USDA, 2007) This plant is considered a troublesome invasive in many areas depending on the genetic strain.

Uses:Reeds were used by American Indians for arrows, weaving mats, and carrying nets. The root is quite edible and has been eaten raw or cooked like a potato. Most parts of the plant are best when collected at a young age. The partly unfolded leaves can be used as a potherb. The seeds can be ground and used as flour (Fern, 1997). There is an exten-sive list of ailments that can apparently be helped by the leaves and roots including bronchitis, diarrhea, and fevers (Fern, 1997).

14. Purple Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata L.A. Leaf B. Flower C. Fruit

3. Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Nutt.)

Location:38° 10' 53.741" N76° 25' 51.525" W

Notable Characteristics:The leaves of this tree vary in formation. Some are divided into two or three lobes, resembling mittens or a bird’s foot, others are not lobed and have a general oblong shape. All leaves have three main veins, are on long stems and have a silky feeling on the underside when they are young (Erichsen-Brown, 1979). The leaves have a spicy sweet aroma. Trees are dioecious, meaning they are either male or female. The female tree produces dark berries. It can reach a height of 100 feet in southern more fertile soils (Bonner, 2003).

Uses:Many parts of the tree have been used throughout history by American Indians and colonists alike. Tea can be made out of the roots. Leaves, bark, and flowers have been used to make medicine by American Indians (Erichsen-Brown, 1979). However, safrole, a volatile oil that is found in the plant, is a known carcinogen. The plant used to be used as a flavor additive in root beer and candy, but is now prohibited by the FDA (Gerstner, 2007). The bark is durable and extracts have been reported to have insecticidal properties (Bonner, 2003).

13. Shining or Winged sumac Rhus copallina L.A. Leaf B. Male flower C. Female flower D. Fruit

4. Touch-Me-Not or Jewel Weed Impatiens capensis Meerb.

Location:38° 10' 55.582" N76° 25' 57.892" W

Notable Characteristics:Both common names of this plant suggest some interesting character-istics. The plant has fleshy juicy stems and leaves with orange flowers. Pods ripen and are semitransparent with dark seeds visible when ripe. Give one a squeeze! Those who have not experienced the self-propul-sion mechanism of these plants will get quite the surprise as the seeds jettison out. If you peel back the outer dark husk of the seed, the inner membrane is bright blue, resembling a jewel. These annual plants grow in large stands along streams and marshes in wet soil.

Uses:This plant is widely used as a combatant of poison ivy rash. The leaves can be crushed to create a paste or the juice can be applied to a skin rash. It is said to sooth the skin, and can also be used in cases of ring-worm and other skin issues. There is a paler yellow flowered species of jewel weed that has more record of use, but this orange-blossomed kind was also used as a drug and as a dye (Michigan, 2003).

12. Poke Berry Phytolacca americana L. A. Leaf B. Mature fruit, green flower, flowers and buds

5. Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata L.

Location: 38° 10' 55.012" N76° 25' 57.706" W

Notable Characteristics:This deciduous oak reaches 100 feet tall and can have a trunk as thick as 5 feet. Each leaf has sharply pointed and bristle-tipped lobes, with the central-most being long and the ends often curved. This is what distinguishes Southern Red Oak from other red oaks. The base of the leaf is rounded into an inverted bell shape and often lopsided. The top of the leaf is dark green and the underside is rusty and hairy. The acorn is 3/8 -5/8 inch long and matures in October after its second season. The ridged bark is dark brownish gray (USDA, 2007).

Uses:This tree historically and currently is used for its wood. It makes excel-lent fuel wood, and can also be used for veneer and lumber. The acorn of this and most oaks (especially the white oak) is edible and can be ground to create a sort of coffee or added to thicken stews or make bread (Erichsen-Brown, 1979). The tannins contained in this seed are bitter and are removed by soaking in water. The bark has antimi-crobial, skin-constricting, and fever-reducing properties. It could be administered by chewing the bark itself or creating an infusion to wash wounds (Fern, 1997).

11. Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans (L.) KuntzeA. Leaf B. Flower C. Fruit D. Vine

6. Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua L.

Location:38° 10' 55.531" N76° 25' 57.893" W

Notable Characteristics:The leaves of this hardwood are divided to form five points like a star. In the fall these leaves turn a deep scarlet, making them a beautiful addition to the fall foliage. The bark is grayish brown and deeply fur-rowed into narrow and somewhat rounded ridges (USDA, 2007). The seeds are contained within the spiny brown dangling “gum balls”. The tiny seeds are dispersed by wind and the balls fall off and can be seen scattered below the tree.

Uses:The bark exudes a resinous adhesive gum that resembles white turpen-tine. This can function to stimulate the body, bring up mucus from the throat and lungs, increase urination, and kill microorganisms. These properties probably made it useful as a drug. The American Indians and colonists probably used this tree primarily for lumber, veneer, fuel, furniture, and other wooden ware (USDA, 2007).

10. Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans (L.) SeemA. Leaf B. Flower C. Fruit

7. Spicebush Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume

Location:38° 10' 54.958" N76° 25' 57.331" W

Notable Characteristics:The leaves of this plant are thin, deciduous and oblong shaped. The pea-sized fruits begin as a shiny green berry which matures to red with a single seed inside (USDA, 2007). If you rub the stems, leaves, or berries you will detect a sweet, spicy fragrance, which is where the common name of this plant comes from.

Uses:The fragrant leaves have been used to make tea and the dried fruits were used as a spice. Other extracts have been reported to have anti-ar-thritic properties, increase sweating, and can induce vomiting (USDA, 2007).

9. Pawpaw Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal.A. Leaves B. Flower D. Fruit

8. American Holly Ilex opaca Ait.

Location:38° 10' 54.787" N76° 25' 55.009" W

Notable Characteristics:This evergreen is a very prominent tree in this area. The shiny and thick leaves have sharp bristles. The trees are dioecious meaning there are separate male and female trees. The female and male trees are in-distinguishable until they mature after 4 to7 years of growth. After ma-turing the trees begin to bear small whitish flowers from April to June, which develop into red berries on the female. The bark is light colored and smooth. Trees may reach up to 100 feet, though they grow 15 to 30 feet under normal conditions. Poorer soils yield shrubby individuals (USDA, 2007).

Uses:The leaves can be roasted and used as a caffeine-free tea substitute, which was quite popular during the American Civil War. This tea could be used as a treatment for measles and colds or used as a wash for sore eyes and itchy skin. The berries cause vomiting and are a laxa-tive. They were used in the treatment of diarrhea, colic and indigestion. (Fern, 1997)

8. American Holly Ilex opaca Ait. A. Leaves and berries B. Male flower C. Female flower

9. Pawpaw Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal.

Location:38° 10' 54.151" N76° 25' 52.423" W

Notable Characteristics:The leaves of this small tree are big and paddle-shaped. They have smooth margins and a pointed end. The flowers are rather inconspicu-ous and start out green turning to a dark maroon with three petals. The fruits are potato-shaped and pear-colored and ripen from August to Oc-tober (USDA, 2007). The fruit is said to taste somewhat like papaya, though some varieties are less flavorful.

Uses:Some American Indian tribes such as the Cherokee cultivated the paw paw for its fruit and are responsible for its widespread range today (University of Michigan, 2003). The fruit is the largest edible fruit native to America. It is also a good source of amino acids, making it a nutritious choice that was probably used by early colonists and Ameri-can Indians alike. The twigs and leaves have properties that are insec-ticidal and the leaves contain anti-carcinogens (USDA, 2007).

7. Spicebush Lindera benzoin (L.) BlumeA. Leaves B. Flowers C. Fruit

6. Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua L.A. Leaf B. Flower C. Fruit D. Seeds

10. Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans (L.) Seem

Location:38° 10' 57.229" N76° 25' 59.843" W

Notable Characteristics:This is a hardy and quick-growing deciduous woody vine that can sometimes be invasive. It climbs using aerial roots that adhere to surfaces such as trees and buildings. Clusters of four to a dozen bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from July through August. Op-posite compound leaves are coarsely toothed (USDA, 2007). Trumpet vine produces a rash in susceptible individuals, so use caution.

Uses:This plant is cultivated by many gardeners. The bright tubular flow-ers and nectar within attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The vines also provide important habitat to ants (USDA, 2007). The root causes sweating and can be used to treat wounds (Fern, 1997)

5. Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata L.A. Leaf B. Catkin C. Acorn fruit

11. Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze

Location:38° 10' 52.895" N76° 25' 50.233" W

Notable Characteristics:There are many variations of poison ivy found throughout the United States that look slightly different. Some species have large shiny leaves while others have small and less conspicuous leaves with more jagged margins (Gleason and Cronquist, 1991). Some general warning signs to look out for are the grouping of three leaves, white berries, and a furry looking vine. If you are unsure, avoid it anyway. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Uses:In the past there have been some who thought the application of poison ivy in medicine could be beneficial. In fact, the variation of reac-tions to this plant among individuals indicates that some people have no allergy. Therefore there are records of it being a useful beneficial medicinal plant. Today we understand it better. Though there are still some instances where it can be taken in small doses and lessen al-lergic reactions, it seems that increased exposure increases negative reactions. In the past, American Indians sometimes used poison ivy in defensive tactics. They would light pyres of sticks and poison ivy and other poisonous plants upwind of the enemy so the smoke blew to them (Erichsen-Brown, 1979).

4. Touch-Me-Not or Jewel Weed Impatiens capensis Meerb.A. Flower, side view B. Flower, front view C. Seed pod D. Seed E. Plant

12. Poke Berry Phytolacca americana L.

Location:38° 10' 54.559" N76° 25' 53.678" W

Notable Characteristics:This plant has reddish-purple stems. Tiny white flowers bloom from July through September and are followed by green berries which mature into a dark blackish purple color. The squeezed berries have a very dark colorful juice which will stain the fingers and clothes. It is common to find all stages of flower and berries in one cluster. This adaptive plant grows in open woods, swampy thickets and clearing or roadsides (Niering, 1979).

Uses:This plant is regarded as poisonous, and only the twice boiled young leaves are safely edible. However, the root, leaves, and berries are referenced as having medicinal uses (Brown, 1878). For example, the ingestion of these parts induces vomiting, and speeds up the functions of the bowels, effectively flushing out the body’s digestive system. The root activates the lymphatic system and related body functioning (Brown, 1878). This makes the plant useful in flushing out poison-ous contagions, even though the plant itself is toxic in large amounts (Hutchens, 1992). Sometimes the berries were used as dye by early colonists (Niering, 1979).

3. Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Nutt.)A. Three forms of leaf B. Male flower C. Female flower D. Fruit

13. Shining or Winged Sumac Rhus copallina L.

Location:38° 10' 53.111" N76° 25' 49.536" W

Notable Characteristics:The shiny leaves of this dark green shrub are composed of leaflets which are connected by fringed wings running along the stem. It can be found growing in open dry places, such as at the edge of a clearing where I found this specimen. Compound leaves such as those found on this plant are composed of leaflets which all together form the entire leaf. These leaves join the woody stem, where greenish-yellow flowers also bloom from July to September. The berry-like fruits are rust col-ored and numerous and develop later in the fall on female plants. Each contains a seed and they can appear in groups of 100-700 (USDA, 2007).

Uses:Sumac is high in chemicals called tannins which are dark and make sumac useful as a dye. The berries produce a black color and fallen leaves produce brown. The berries can be soaked in hot or cold water and made into a lemonade-like drink (Fern, 1997)

2. Common Reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.A. Plant B. Emerging panicle C. Flower D. Rhizome (root)

14. Purple Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata L.

Location:38° 10' 52.842" N76° 25' 50.687" W

Notable Characteristics:Clearly the most remarkable thing about this plant is its beautiful and elaborate fringed, purple blooms, which can be found in late Summer and early Fall (Niering, 1979). It is a climbing vine that supports large egg shaped green fruits which are not very palatable. The leaves have three lobes and are shiny in appearance.

Uses:There are records of Cherokee use of this plant as a drug and food (University of Michigan, 2003). The fruit can be made into a jelly, though it contains many seeds and relatively little edible pulp. The blooms and leaves have also been consumed (Fern, 1997). The leaves and stems have properties to prevent spasms of muscles, constrict body tissues, increase perspiration, sedate the body, and dilate blood ves-sels. As medicine, this plant has been used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, hysteria, and menstrual symptoms in women. (Fern, 1997).

Is it a White Oak or a Red Oak?

The oaks in North America can be divided into two main groups, red oaks (Erythrobalanus) and white oak (Lepidobalanus). Before European settlement, white oaks were the dominant oak species in most of the eastern US, but now red oaks are the main oak you see along the trails at Historic St. Mary’s. Red oaks have a lower tolerance to fire and drought than white, but after extensive clear cutting and fire prevention and deer browsing activities of the 19th and 20th century, the red oak has become much more prevalent, while the white oaks numbers have been reduced (Abrams, 2003). The two groups can be distinguished by several characteris-tics. The red oaks are characterized by leaves with sharp-tipped lobes and an acorn with a shell that is woolly on the inside. These acorns mature in two years. The red oaks include the Scarlet Oak, Pin Oak, Shingle Oak, Blackjack Oak, Willow Oak, and Black Oak. The white oaks are characterized by smooth-lobed leaves and acorns that mature in one year. The inside of the acorn shell is hairless. These oaks in-clude Chestnut Oak, Bur Oak, Post Oak, Cork Oak and Overcup Oak (USDA, 2007)

1. Black Walnut Juglans nigra LA. Leaf B. Catkin C. Female flower D. Fruit

White OakRed Oak