New England hardwoods – alternate simple leaves: one leaf grows from each stem node and each leaf has a single blade.
More than half of the woody plants in New England have alternate, simple leaves, making this the largest leaf form category. The four largest families and their major genera are briefly introduced below.
Ericaceae is a family of shrubs that prefer acid soils, so do well in much of New England. The leaves may be evergreen or deciduous. Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron), and the Laurels (Kalmia), produce attractive, colorful flower clusters. Blueberries and Cranberries (Vaccinium), and the Huckleberries (Gaylussacia), are known for their tart fruits.
Betulaceae contains the Alders (Alnus), large shrubs common in wetland habitats, and the Birches (Betula), small to large trees with distinctive bark that are important constituents of northern woodlands.
Fagaceae includes some of the largest trees in our flora – the Oaks (Quercus), Beeches (Fagus) and Chestnuts (Castanea).
Rosaceae comprises the largest family in this category – these are small trees and shrubs with appealing flowers and often savory fruits, including Chokeberries (Aronia), Apples (Malus), Cherries (Prunus), and Pears (Pyrus).
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Common Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
Black Birch (Betula lenta)
Paper Birch (American White Birch) (Betula papyrifera)
Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)
Ironwood (American Hornbeam) (Carpinus caroliniana)
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Eastern Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
Asiatic Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
Asiatic Silverberry (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)
Clammy Azalea (Swamp Azalea) (Rhododendron viscosum)
Common Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
Eastern White Oak (Quercus alba)
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Black Tupelo (Black Gum) (Nyssa sylvatica)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
Crabapples (Malus spp.)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)
Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba var. latifolia)
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Willows (Salix spp.)
American Elm (Ulmus americana)
