Field Guide to Maryland’s Flora · Fauna · Funga A NOTE FOR EXPLORERS This guide is meant to inspire exploration and learning. Always verify species identification using multiple sources, especially for edible or medicinal plants and mushrooms. Stay safe: Never consume wild species without expert confirmation. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance and follow local regulations. Species data and images sourced from iNaturalist.org. Consider contributing your own observations and/or supporting their work. Maryland Field Guide 1 FLORA Virginia Springbeauty Claytonia virginica An herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America, this plant features slender leaves and delicate pink or white flowers, blooming March-May. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata A biennial flowering plant in the mustard family, known for its garlic-scented leaves and invasive nature in North America. Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum A genus of flowering plants in the Berberidaceae family, native across Asia and North America, with varied taxonomic classifications. Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides A perennial evergreen fern native to eastern North America, thriving in moist, shady habitats; known for its clumping growth and winter resilience. Jack-In-The-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum A flowering perennial found in eastern North America, it features three-leaved foliage and unique spadix flowers, attracting various insects. Eastern Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus This low-growing wetland plant features large, distinctive leaves and a foul odor. It blooms in early spring, often through snow. Maryland Field Guide 2 FAUNA White-Tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus A highly adaptable medium-sized deer species native to the Americas, known for its distinctive white tail and diverse habitats. Pharaoh Cicada Magicicada septendecim This large, northern periodical cicada has a 17-year lifecycle, known for its reddish eyes, black thorax, and distinctive mating call. Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula A planthopper from Southeast Asia, this species is invasive in the U.S., damaging crops and ornamental plants through sap feeding. Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis A common tree squirrel in eastern North America, this adaptable species has gray fur, a bushy tail, and plays a vital ecological role. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis This variable lady beetle, native to Asia, is known for its diverse colors and patterns. It is now widespread in North America and Europe. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias A large wading bird, often found near water, known for its slaty gray plumage, long legs, and sharp bill, it thrives in diverse wetland habitats. Maryland Field Guide 3 FUNGA Turkey-Tail Trametes versicolor A common polypore mushroom, it features a tongue-shaped cap with colorful concentric zones. Grows on decaying wood in groups. Lumpy Bracket Trametes gibbosa A lumpy bracket fungus, found on dead hardwoods, featuring a velvety, gray or greenish cap and elongated pores. Saprotrophic. Violet-Toothed Polypore Trichaptum biforme This poroid fungus features violet to white-brown coloration and decomposes hardwood stumps and logs, found on diverse tree hosts. Chicken Of The Woods Laetiporus sulphureus This bracket fungus grows golden-yellow, shelf-like structures on hardwoods, causing brown rot; found in clusters from summer to fall. Crowded Parchment Stereum complicatum A plant pathogen affecting peach trees, this species appears in tiers on dead wood of broadleaved trees, tough when moist. Dryad’S Saddle Cerioporus squamosus A large, scaly bracket fungus, commonly found on hardwoods, known for its distinctive shape and role in wood decomposition. Maryland Field Guide 4 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Alliaria petiolata - (c) Alexander Dubynin, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Ardea herodias - (c) Daughter Dad, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Arisaema triphyllum - (c) Jason Hollinger, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Cerioporus squamosus - (c) Brian Dunnette, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Claytonia virginica - (c) florawhite, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Harmonia axyridis - (c) Alexis Tinker- Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Laetiporus sulphureus - (c) Violet T., some rights reserved (CC BY) • Lycorma delicatula - (c) Tyler Ekholm, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Magicicada septendecim - (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Odocoileus virginianus - (c) Blake Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Podophyllum peltatum - no rights reserved, uploaded by mefisher • Polystichum acrostichoides - (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Sciurus carolinensis - (c) Mila C., some rights reserved (CC BY) • Stereum complicatum - (c) axleym, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Symplocarpus foetidus - (c) Sandy Wolken- berg, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Trametes gibbosa - (c) Aitor, some rights re- served (CC BY) • Trametes versicolor - (c) Christine Young, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christine Young • Trichaptum biforme - (c) Kalvin Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY)