This is a list of of trees and other plants that are native to the Northeastern part of North America. The emphasis is on ornamental and landscape plants, since these were taken mostly from books advocating the use of native plants in our home landscape design. There are some plants listed here that were native to adjacent areas and would be considered more as Midwestern or Southeastern plants, but they will apparently grow in some part of the Northeast and support local fauna.
- family Apiaceae — Umbellifer, Carrot
Zizia aurea Golden Alexander, Golden Zizia
- family Araliaceae — Ivy
Aralia spinosa Devil's Walking Stick, Angelica-tree
order Aquifoliales (Holly)
edit- family Aquifoliaceae — Holly
Ilex decidua Possum Haw Ilex glabra Inkberry, Appalachian Tea, Dye-leaves, Evergreen Winterberry, Gallberry Ilex mucronata American Mountain Holly or Catberry Ilex opaca American Holly Ilex verticillata Winterberry, Michigan Holly
- family Asteraceae — Daisies
Achillea millefolium Common/Western Yarrow, Yarrow, Milfoil (indigenous to west) Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel Bush (only near coast up to E. MA) Bidens aristosa Tickseed Sunflower, Bearded/Long-bracted/Tickseed Beggartick, Western Tickseed, Bur-Marigold Bidens cernua Nodding Bur-Marigold, Nodding Beggartick Eupatorium spp. Thoroughwort, Bonesets, Snakeroots Eurybia divaricata White Wood Aster (formerly Aster divaricatus) Eutrochium fistulosum Joe-Pye Weed, Trumpet Weed, Purple Thoroughwort Eutrochium maculatum Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium purpureum Sweet Joe-Pye Weed, Trumpet Weed Helianthus anuus Sunflower Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem artichoke, Sunroot, Sunchoke, Earth Apple, Topinambour Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod Solidago caesia Blue-stemmed Goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis Zigzag Goldenrod, Broad-leaved Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Gray Goldenrod Solidago odora Sweet Goldenrod Solidago puberula Downy Goldenrod Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rugosa Rough-stemmed Goldenrod Solidago speciosa Showy Goldenrod Solidago stricta Wand-like Goldenrod Symphyotrichum cordifolium Heartleaf Aster, Common Blue Wood Aster (formerly Aster cordifolius) Vernonia noveboracensis New York Ironweed, Vein-leaf Hawkweed
- family Campanulaceae —
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower
- family Cornaceae — Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia Pagoda Dogwood, Alternate-Leaf Dogwood Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood Cornus canadensis Bunchberry Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood Cornus obliqua Swamp Dogwood, Narrowleaf Dogwood, Pale Dogwood Cornus racemosa Northern Swamp Dogwood, Gray Dogwood Cornus sericea Red Osier/Redtwig/Red-rood/American/Creek Dogwood Nyssa sylvatica Black/Sour Gum, Black Tupelo
- family Hydrangeaceae — Hydrangea
Decumaria barbara Woodvamp Hydrangea arborescens Smooth/Wild/Snowball Hydrangea, Sevenbark
order Dipsacales (Elderberry, Viburnum, Honeysuckle)
edit- family Adoxaceae — Muskroot
Sambucus canadensis American Elderberry Viburnum acerifolium Maple-Leaf Viburnum Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum lantanoides Hobblebush Viburnum lentago Nannyberry, Sheepberry, Sweet Viburnum Viburnum nudum Smooth Viburnum, Naked Viburnum, Smooth Witherod, Possumhaw Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw, Sweet Haw, Stag Bush, Plum-leaved Viburnum Viburnum trilobum American Cranberrybush Viburnum, High Bush Cranberry
- family Caprifoliaceae — Honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera Northern bush honeysuckle Lonicera canadensis American Fly Honeysuckle Lonicera dioica Limber Honeysuckle, Glaucous Honeysuckle (low shrub or lax vine) Lonicera oblongifolia Swamp Fly Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Coral honeysuckle, Trumpet honeysuckle, Woodbine Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry
- family Ebenaceae -- Ebony-Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana American/Common/Eastern Persimmon, Possumwood
- family Ericaceae -- Heath or Heather
Arctostaphylos alpina Alpine Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Common Bearberry Chamaedaphne calyculata Leatherleaf Empetrum nigrum Black Crowberry Eubotrys racemosa Swamp Doghobble Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry Kalmia angustifolia Sheep Laurel, Lamb-Kill, Wicky, Calf-Kill, Narrow-Leaved Laurel Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel, Spoonwood Oxydendron arboreum Sourwood Rhododendron arborescens Sweet Azalea, Smooth Azalea Rhododendron atlanticum Dwarf Azalea, Coastal Azalea Rhododendron calendulaceum Flame Azalea Rhododendron canadense Rhodora Rhododendron maximum Great Rhododendron, Great Laurel, Rose Bay Rhododendron periclymenoides Pink Azalea, Pinxterflower Rhododendron prinophyllum Roseshell Azalea Rhododendron viscosum Swamp Azalea Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry
- family Clethraceae --
Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush, Anne Bidwell, Summersweet
order Gentianales (Button Bush & Milkweed)
edit- family Rubiaceae — Madder-Bedstraw-Coffee
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush, button-willow or honey-bell
- family Apocynaceae — Dogbane
Asclepias spp. Milkweed
- family Bignoniaceae — Trumpet Vine
Catalpa spp. Catawbas/Catalpas Catalpa speciosa Northern/Hardy/Western Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Catawba Tree
- family Oleaceae — Olive-Lilac-Ash
Fraxinus americana White Ash, American Ash Fraxinus nigra Black Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash Chionanthus virginicus White Fringe Tree
order Caryophyllales (Spring Beauty)
editorder Ranunculales (Moonseed, Bloodroot, Baneberry, Buttercup)
edit- family Menispermaceae
Menispermum canadense Canadian Moonseed, Common Moonseed, Yellow Parilla (vine)
- family Papaveraceae — Poppy
Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot, Bloodwort, Red Puccoon Root, Pauson, Tetterwort
- family Ranunculaceae — Buttercup & crowfoot
Aconitum noveboracense Northern Blue Monkshood, Northern Wild Monkshood Actaea pachypoda Doll's-eyes, White Baneberry Actaea racemosa Black Cohosh/Bugbane/Snakeroot, Fairy Candle Actaea rubra Red Baneberry
order Celastrales (Bittersweet & Strawberry Bush)
edit- family Celastraceae — Staff Vine or Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens American Bittersweet, Bittersweet Euonymus americanus Strawberry Bush, Bursting Hearts
order Crossosomatales (Bladdernut)
edit- family Fabaceae — Legume/Pea
Amorpha fruticosa Desert False Indigo, Bastard Indigobush Apios americana Groundnut, Potato Bean, Hopniss, Indian Potato Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust, False Acacia (native to southeast, invasive in northeast)
- family Betulaceae — Birch
Alnus incana Gray Alder, Speckled Alder Alnus viridis Green Alder, Mountain Alder Alnus serrulata Hazel Alder, Tag Alder, Smooth Alder Betula alleghaniensis Yellow Birch Betula lenta Sweet (Black, Cherry, Mahogany, or Spice) Birch Betula nigra River Birch Betula papyrifera Paper Birch Betula populifolia Gray Birch Betula pumila Bog Birch, Swamp Birch Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam, Blue-Beech, Ironwood, Musclewood Corylus americana American Hazelnut Ostrya virginiana American Hophornbeam
- family Fagaceae — Beech
Castanea dentata American Chestnut Castanea pumila Allegheny Chinquapin, American Chinquapin, Dwarf Chestnut Fagus grandifolia American Beech Quercus alba White Oak Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak Quercus falcata Southern Red Oak, Spanish Oak (only up to SNJ) Quercus ilicifolia Bear Oak, Scrub Oak (a natural dwarf/shrub) Quercus palustris Pin Oak Quercus phellos Willow Oak (only up to LINY, SNJ) Quercus prinoides Dwarf Chinkapin/Chinquapin Oak, Dwarf/Scrub Chestnut Oak Quercus rubra Northern Red Oak Quercus velutina Eastern Black Oak
- family Juglandaceae — Walnut
Carya glabra Pignut hickory Carya laciniosa Shellbark hickory Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory Juglans cinerea Butternut or White Walnut Juglans nigra Eastern Black Walnut
- family Myricaceae — Bayberry
Comptonia peregrina Sweetfern, Sweet Fern (not a fern) Myrica pensylvanica Northern bayberry
order Malpighiales (Aspen, Willow, St. John's Wort)
edit- family Salicaceae — Willow
Populus grandidentata Large-tooth/Big-tooth, aspen Populus tremuloides Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen Salix discolor American Willow, Pussy Willow Salix nigra Black Willow Salix petiolaris Meadow Willow Salix sericea Silky Willow
- family Hypericaceae — St. John's Wort
Hypericum densiflorum Dense St. John's Wort Hypericum frondosum Cedarglade St. John's Wort Hypericum kalmianum Kalm's St. John's Wort Hypericum prolificum Shrubby St. John's Wort
- Thymelaeaceae || family
Dirca palustris Eastern Leatherwood
- Tiliaceae -- Basswood family
Tilia americana American Linden, Basswood, Lime-Tree
- family Cannabaceae — Hemp-Hop-Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis — Common Hackberry
- family Elaeagnaceae — Oleaster
"Shepherdia canadensis Russet Buffaloberry
- family Moraceae — Mulberry-Fig
Morus rubra Red Mulberry
- family Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn
"Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea
- family Rosaceae — Rose
Amelanchier arborea Downy Serviceberry, Shadblow serviceberry, Common Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis Canadian Serviceberry, Shadbush Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry, Smooth Shadbush Aronia arbutifolia Red Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry Crataegus crus-galli Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus mollis Downy Hawthorn, Red Hawthorn Crataegus viridis Green Hawthorn Geum canadense White Avens Malus spp, Apples Malus angustifolia Southern Crab Apple Physocarpus opulifolius Atlantic/Eastern/Common Ninebark Prunus americana Wild American Plum Prunus maritima Beach Plum Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Rosa blanda Smooth Rose, Meadow Rose Rosa carolina Carolina Rose Rosa palustris Swamp Rose Rosa setigera Prairie Rose Rosa virginiana Virginia Rose, Common Wild Rose or Prairie Rose Rubus idaeus Red Raspberry Rubus odoratus Purple-flowering/Flowering/Virginia Raspberry Rubus pubescens Dwarf Red Blackberry, Dwarf Red Raspberry Sorbus americana American Mountain Ash, Rowan Tree Sorbus decora Showy Mountain Ash, Dogberry Spiraea alba White/Narrowleaf Meadowsweet, Pale Bridewort, Pipestem Spiraea tomentosa Steeplebush, Hardhack
- family Ulmaceae — Elm
Ulmus americana American Elm Ulmus rubra Slippery/Red/Gray/Soft/Moose/Indian Elm
order Sapindales (Sumac, Maple, Box Elder, Buckeye)
edit- family Anacardiaceae — Cashew-Sumac
Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac Rhus copallina Winged Sumac Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac Rhus typhina Staghorn Sumac
- family Rutaceae — Rue or Citrus
Ptelea trifoliata Hoptree Zanthoxylum americanum Common Prickly-ash, Toothache Tree, Northern Prickly-ash
- family Sapindaceae — Maple-Buckeye
Acer negundo Box Elder Acer nigrum Black Maple Acer pensylvanicum Striped Maple Acer rubrum Red Maple Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Acer saccharum Sugar Maple Acer spicatum Mountain Maple Acer x freemanii Freeman's Maple (hybrid red & silver maple) Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye
order Saxifragales (Sweetgum, Sweetspire, Witch Hazel)
edit- family Altingiaceae
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum, Redgum
- family Iteaceae
Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire
- family Hamamelidaceae
Hamamelis virginiana Witch Hazel Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf Fothergilla, Dwarf Witchalder
- family Saxifragaceae
Heuchera americana Alumroot Heuchera villosa Hairy Alumroot
- Vitaceae — Grape family
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus vitacea Thicket Creeper, False Virginia Creeper, Woodbine, Grape Woodbine Vitis aestivalis Summer Grape Vitis labrusca Fox Grape Vitis riparia Riverbank Grape
- family Calycanthaceae — Sweetshrub, Spicebush
Calycanthus floridus Carolina Allspice
- family Lauraceae — Laurel
Lindera benzoin Spicebush, Benjamin Bush Sassafras albidum Sassafras, White Sassafras, Red Sassafras, or Silky Sassafras
order Magnoliales (Pawpaw, Tulip Tree, Magnolia)
edit- family Annonaceae — Custard Apple
Asimina triloba Pawpaw
- family Magnoliaceae — Magnolia
Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia
order Asparagales
edit- family Ruscaceae —
Maianthemum racemosum False Solomon's Seal
- family Poaceae — (True) Grass
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass, Panic Grass Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem, Beard Grass Sorghastrum nutans Yellow Indiangrass
- family Cyperaceae — Sedge
Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania Sedge Carex plantaginea Plantain Sedge, Seersucker Sedge
- family Cupressaceae — Cypress
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic White Cypress, Atlantic White Cedar Juniperus communis Common Juniper Juniperus horizontalis Creeping Juniper or Creeping cedar Juniperus virginiana Eastern Red Cedar, Red Cedar, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar Taxodium distichum Bald Cypress, Swamp Cypress Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar
- family Pinaceae — Pine
Abies balsamea Balsam Fir Larix laricina Tamarack Larch, Tamarack, Hackmatack, American Larch Picea glauca White Spruce Picea mariana Black Spruce Pinus banksiana Jack Pine Pinus resinosa Red Pine Pinus rigida Pitch Pine Pinus strobus White Pine Pinus virginiana Virginia Pine, Scrub Pine, Jersey Pine Tsuga canadensis Eastern Hemlock, Canadian Hemlock
- family Taxaceae — Yew
Taxus canadensis Canadian Yew, American Yew, Ground-hemlock
order Blechnales
edit- family Aspleniaceae — Spleenworts
Asplenium spp. Spleenwort
- family Onocleaceae — Ferns
Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern, Bead Fern
- family Thelypteridaceae — Beech/Maiden Ferns
Phegopteris connectilis Long Beech Fern Phegopteris hexagonoptera Broad Beech Fern Thelypteris spp. Thelypteris noveboracensis New York Fern Thelypteris palustris Eastern Marsh Fern Thelypteris simulata Bog Fern, Massachusetts Fern
order Polypodiales (Polypod Ferns)
edit- family Dryopteridaceae
Athyrium spp. Lady Ferns Athyrium angustum Northern Lady Fern 
Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern, Common Lady-Fern 
Dryopteris spp. Wood Ferns Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern 
Dryopteris intermedia Intermediate Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis Marginal Shield Fern, Marginal Wood Fern Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas fern
- family Osmundaceae
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis (Willdenow) Royal Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum Cinnamon Fern
- family Polypodiaceae
Polypodium virginianum Virginia/Rock/Common Polypody, Rock Cap Fern
- family Pteridaceae
Adiantum spp. Maidenhair Ferns Adiantum capillus-veneris Black Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum Northern Maidenhair Fern, Five-fingered Fern
References
edit- Douglas Tallamy: Bringing Nature Home
- Carolyn Summers: Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East
- William Cullina: Wildflowers - A Guide to Growing and Propagating Native Flowers of North America
- William Cullina: Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines - A guide to using, growing, and propagating North American woody plants
- LBJ Wildflower Center - NY Recommendations
- Plantsmen Nursery, Groton
- Amanda's Garden Native Perennial Nursery
- Native Plant Suggestions from HGCNY
- eNature.com: Native Plants of New York