This "Urban Forest" component is partially funded from the USDA Forest Service
Urban and Community Forestry Program in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and
Forestry.
Educational information will be provided and updated on the vegetation, both
native and non-native, found in the peninsula formed by
Lower Coast Algiers and Belle Chasse. Below are some species
identified thus far with assistance from Chris Reid, Botanist, Louisiana Natural
Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Thanks to funding from Entergy's Environmental Stewardship Grant and a
contribution by Bennett's Camera & Video in Metairie, Woodlands Trail and Park
received camera equipment in January, 2005 for collecting visual images of
both plant species and wildlife for educational purposes. Thus, we plan to
continue to collect replacement photos as well as add to
the collection.
2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause
economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health
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Nuttal Oak, Quercus texana of the Fagaceae family |
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Native
Standing in foreground is Patti Faulkner, Ecologist, Habitat Section, Louisiana Natural Heritage Program; in background is Judy J. Jones, Contractor for the Natural Areas Registry |
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Pumpkin Ash |
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Native
Also called the Red Ash. Pumpkin Ash is deciduous, flowering in April to May before the flush of leaves develop. |
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Bark of Pumpkin Ash (Fraxinus profunda) |
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Native |
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Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) |
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Native
Most often seen in the understory in rich bottomland forests. Fruits ripen in mid summer and are an important food source for songbirds. |
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Red Maple
(Acer rubrum) |
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Native |
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Water Oak
(Quercus nigra) |
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Native |
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Water Oak
(Quercus nigra)
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Native |
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Maiden Fern, Thelypteris (kunthil) of the Thelypteridaceae family |
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Native |
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Common Name: Palmetto, Sabal minor of the Araceae family |
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Native |
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Inflorescence of jumpseed (Polygonum virginianum) with Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) in background |
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Native |
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Cherrylaurel (Prunus caroliniana) |
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Native
Glossy dark green foliage remains year round. It produces a white, fragrant flower in early spring. It produces a green fruit that ripens to lustrous black in late fall. Easily propagated by seed.
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Pickerell Weed
(Pontederia cordata) |
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Native
Found in swales and ditches along roadsides.
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Monkey Flower (Mimulus alatus) |
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Native
Found in bogs, marshes, along stream beds |
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Camphor Weed (Pluchea camphonata) |
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Native |
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Wild Petunia (Ruellia sp.) |
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Native |
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Spider Lily (Hymenocallis) |
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Native |
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Mexican Primrose
(Oenothera speciosa) |
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Native
Generally seen along roadsides and disturbed areas. Considered an invasive weed by some. |
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Delta Duck Potato - Arrowhead
(Sagittaria platyphylla) |
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Native
Grows in swales along roadsides. Important to waterfowl that eat the tubers. |
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Southern Blue Flag
(Iris virginica) |
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Native
Grows in swales and ditches along roadsides. Blooms late March - April. This blue version is commonly seen along the Intracoastal Canal near the locks in early spring. |
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Louisiana Iris
(Iris virginica) |
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Native
Grows in swales and ditches along roadsides. Blooms in late March - April. Copper-colored iris is commonly seen in the swales along the roadsides in Lower Coast Algiers. |
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Chinaberry (Melia azederach)
Non-native |
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Invasive
A deciduous tree that grows to about 50 feet in height. It has lacy, dark green leaves with blue flowers in spring that yield round yellow fruit that persist during winter. Introduced in the mid-1800s from Asia. Spreads by bird dispersed seeds. |
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Common Privet
(Ligustrum sinense)
Non-native |
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Invasive
Aggressive invasive that forms dense thickets. Produces white flowers in spring and green to purple-black fruit in summer and winter. Seeds spread by birds and other animals. Introduceds as an ornamental from Korea in 1794 and Japan in 1845 and escaped from landscaping sites. |
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Chinese Privet
(Ligustrum sinense) |
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Non-native
Invasive
Difficult to distinguish from European privet except at flowering, both are evergreen to semievergreen. Both are thicket forming shrubs to 30 feet in height. Showy clusters of small white flowers in spring, dark purple berries in fall and winter. |
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Jerusalem Cherry Solanum (pseudocapsicum) |
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Non-native
A small, sturdy plant with dark green, broadly lance-shaped leaves from South America. The berries are small round orange or red balls and are primarily on the tips of the branches. All parts of the plant are poisonous with the most potent parts being the green, unripe fruit and leaves. |
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Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) |
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Non-native
Invasive
Also called Popcorn Tree. Introduced to South Carolina from China in the 1700's and to the Gulf Coast in the early 1900's. Grows to 60 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter with heart-shaped leaves. Purposely introduced by Benjamin Franklin with plan to utilize oil from seeds. Waxy seeds traditionally used to make candles. Can produce 100,000 seeds per year that are spread by birds, wind and animals.
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Water Hyacinth
Non-Native
Invasive |
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Swamp or Water Hyacinth was purposely introduced as an ornamental from South America in 1884 during the Worlds Industrial and Cotton Exposition. This invasive can double in size in one to two weeks. Commonly seen in the canal along Hwy. 406 between Belle Chasse Hwy. and the Lower Coast Algiers Levee. Multiplies easily, interfers with drainage
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