Without leaves or flowers, it can be a challenge to identify plants – particularly forbs – in a winter landscape.
The likely answer to the question, “What is that?”, is often revealed by observing any (and preferably more than one) of the following clues:
• the color, texture, hairiness, and thickness of certain plant parts;
• the scent of scraped bark or that of a crushed bud or fruit;
• the plant’s branching or leaf pattern;
• if present, any fruit such as nuts, berries, or seed pods; or
• the habitat in which the plant is growing.
If you missed the online presentations that I conducted in 2021, you may view an archived copy of each; please use these links:
- Forensic Botanizing: Winter Plant ID – Trees and Shrubs
- Forensic Botanizing: Winter Plant ID – Vines and Forbs
- Forensic Botanizing: Winter Plant ID – Invasive Species
Another resource, available for purchase, to aid in your identification of plants in their winter slumber is A Guide to Wildflowers in Winter Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America by Carol Levine (1995).