Wildlife Species Library

Plants

African buttercup

Ranunculus multifidus

A golden jewel of the African wetlands, the African buttercup brightens damp landscapes with its glossy yellow blooms...

Plants

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

The 'Queen of Forages,' Alfalfa is more than just a crop; it is a nitrogen-fixing engine that fuels backyard biodiver...

Plants

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

A hardy desert survivor known for its ethereal, cloud-like seed heads, Alkali Sacaton adds a misty texture to any lan...

Plants

alpine willowherb

Chamaenerion fleischeri

A resilient survivor of the high peaks, the Alpine willowherb transforms harsh glacial gravel into a sea of magenta. ...

Plants

American bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

American bittersweet is a stunning native vine that brings the colors of a prairie sunset to the forest edge. Known f...

Plants

American black elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

A powerhouse of the backyard ecosystem, the American black elderberry offers a stunning display of white summer bloom...

Plants

American black nightshade

Solanum americanum

A resilient and ubiquitous wildflower of the Americas, the American black nightshade is a vital source of food for bi...

Plants

American Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

The American Cranberry is a resilient, trailing evergreen of the North American wetlands, famous for its tart crimson...

Plants

American holly

Ilex opaca

A classic icon of the American winter, the American holly provides vital sanctuary and a winter feast for backyard bi...

Plants

American lotus

Nelumbo lutea

With its massive umbrella-like leaves and pale yellow blooms, the American lotus is a prehistoric-looking wonder of N...

Plants

American mountain ash

Sorbus americana

A Northern landscape icon that provides a critical winter lifeline for wildlife. With its snowy spring blooms and fie...

Plants

American Royal Fern

Osmunda spectabilis

An ancient wetland giant, the American Royal Fern is prized for its massive, emerald-green fronds and its unique, cro...

Plants

American trumpet vine

Campsis radicans

A fiery climbing powerhouse, the American trumpet vine is the ultimate nectar station for hummingbirds. Its bold, ora...

Plants

American white waterlily

Nymphaea odorata

The American white waterlily is the undisputed queen of the pond, featuring brilliant white blossoms and a sweet, int...

Plants

american witch-hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

A winter-blooming wonder of the eastern woods, American witch-hazel defies the seasons with its golden, ribbon-like p...

Plants

Analogue Sedge

Carex simulata

The unsung hero of the western wetlands, Analogue Sedge forms lush, golden-brown carpets across montane fens. This ha...

Plants

Anise-scented sage

Salvia guaranitica

Featuring breathtaking cobalt-blue spikes and a sweet licorice aroma, Anise-scented sage is the crown jewel of the po...

Plants

Annual Glasswort

Salicornia meyeriana

A master of survival in the saltiest soils on Earth, the Annual Glasswort transforms from a modest green succulent in...

Plants

Annual Meadow-grass

Poa annua

The world's most successful 'uninvited guest,' Annual Meadow-grass is a hardy, bright green specialist that can grow ...

Plants

annual wild rice

Zizania aquatica

The towering annual wild rice is a keystone wetland species that feeds millions of migratory birds and provides a his...

Plants

Appalachian sedge

Carex appalachica

A graceful, fountain-like sedge that creates a soft emerald carpet across the Appalachian floor. Its fine, hair-like ...

Plants

Arabian Jasmine

Jasminum sambac

The Arabian Jasmine is nature's perfume, a stunning evergreen shrub that transforms the night garden with its snow-wh...

Plants

Armenian Blackberry

Rubus armeniacus

The Armenian Blackberry is a powerhouse of the backyard thicket, providing a seasonal feast for wildlife and a thorny...

Plants

Arrow Bamboo

Pseudosasa japonica

An elegant, large-leafed evergreen bamboo that forms dense thickets, Arrow Bamboo is a favorite for backyard privacy ...

Plants

Ashe's magnolia

Magnolia ashei

Witness the prehistoric beauty of Ashe's Magnolia, a rare Florida endemic featuring North America's most massive leav...

Plants

Asian bittersweet

Celastrus orbiculatus

A stunning but relentless climber, Asian bittersweet is famous for its vibrant autumn fruit and its habit of twining ...

Plants

Atlantic Ivy

Hedera hibernica

The evergreen architect of the backyard, Atlantic Ivy provides essential winter shelter and a late-season nectar feas...

Plants

autumn sage

Salvia greggii

A vibrant cornerstone of the Southwest landscape, autumn sage is a sun-loving perennial that brings a burst of color ...

Plants

awl-fruited sedge

Carex stipata

A champion of the wetlands, the awl-fruited sedge is a hardy, clump-forming plant known for its striking triangular s...

Plants

Azure Grape-hyacinth

Muscari azureum

A vibrant herald of spring, the Azure Grape-hyacinth paints backyard gardens in rare shades of sky-blue. Unlike other...