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Sweet Birch

Scientific Name: Betula lenta

Height: 50-70 ft

Spread: 40-50 ft

Bloom Time: April

Crown Density: Moderate

Native Range: East Coast North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host plant for 413 species of caterpillars including tiger swallowtail and morning cloak butterflies. Seeds and flower buds feed birds, and small mammals.

Human Value: Can be tapped like a maple tree and the sap used to make syrup or fermented into beer, wine, or vinegar. The roots, leaves and branch tips can be steeped to make tea. Very young leaves can be eaten or used for flavoring. (EtW) The inner bark can be used as a flour substitute.

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Chokeberry, Red

Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia

Height: 6-8 ft

Spread: 3-4 ft

Bloom Time: April

Crown Density: Low

Native Range: East Coast North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host. Nectar. Berries

Human Value: Chokeberry is tart when eaten raw. Do not eat the seeds because they contains cyanide.

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Alleghany Serviceberry

Scientific Name: Amelanchier laevis

Height: 15-40 ft

Spread: 15-40 ft

Bloom Time: April-May

Crown Density: Dense

Native Range: East Coast North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host plant. Berries

Human Value: Blueberry-like berries in early summer. Leaves and stems may be made into tea. Stems can be used for baskets.

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Dogwood, Flowering

Scientific Name: Silphium perfoliatum

Family: Aster family (Asteraceae)

Spread: 2-4 ft.

Bloom Time: June-August

Native Range: Eastern North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for long tongued bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasional hummingbirds. Goldfinches also visit these plants

Human Value:

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Red Maple

Scientific Name: Silphium perfoliatum

Family: Aster family (Asteraceae)

Spread: 2-4 ft.

Bloom Time: June-August

Native Range: Eastern North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for long tongued bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasional hummingbirds. Goldfinches also visit these plants

Human Value:

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Cup Plant


Scientific Name: Silphium perfoliatum

Family: Aster family (Asteraceae)

Spread: 2-4 ft.

Bloom Time: June-August

Native Range: Eastern North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for long tongued bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasional hummingbirds. Goldfinches also visit these plants

Human Value:

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Mint, Mountain

Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum muticum

Family:

Height: 1-3 ft.

Spread: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Time: July – September

Native Range: North America

Ecological Value: Nectar. One of the two most popular nectar plants in our garden from July through October.

Human Value: Herb.