Field Guide to Chicago’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. Chicago Field Guide 1 FLORA Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale A hardy perennial with yellow flowers, known for its wind-dispersed seeds, it thrives in diverse environments and is widespread globally. Common Lambsquarters Chenopodium album A fast-growing annual in the Amaranthaceae family, this species features mealy leaves and small clustered flowers, thriving in nitrogen-rich soils. White Clover Trifolium repens A low-growing perennial with trifoliolate leaves and white to pinkish flower heads, common in grassy areas worldwide and beneficial for soil health. Greater Plantain Plantago major A herbaceous perennial native to Eurasia, this plant thrives in disturbed soils, featuring rosettes of broad leaves and dense flower spikes. Prostrate Knotweed Polygonum aviculare An annual herb found in fields and wastelands, it features white flowers, lanceolate leaves, and a wide distribution across temperate regions. Tree-Of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima A fast-growing deciduous tree, native to China, known for its strong odor and invasive nature, thriving in disturbed urban areas. Chicago Field Guide 2 FAUNA House Sparrow Passer domesticus A small, adaptable bird, often found in urban areas, with distinct male and female plumage. It thrives alongside human habitation worldwide. Canada Goose Branta canadensis A large wild goose with a black head, white cheeks, and a brown body, it thrives in urban areas and is often considered a pest. Rock Pigeon Columba livia A widespread bird species, adaptable to urban environments, known for its distinctive grey plumage and strong flight abilities. Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis A highly adaptable tree squirrel native to eastern North America, it thrives in various habitats and is known for its ecological impact. Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus A widespread passerine found in North and Central America, this bird is known for its distinct male plumage and migratory behavior. American Robin Turdus migratorius A migratory bird with a reddish-orange breast, it thrives in North America, known for its cheerful song and adaptability in various habitats. Chicago Field Guide 3 FUNGA Dryad’S Saddle Cerioporus squamosus A widespread basidiomycete, this bracket fungus features a scaly cap and decurrent pores, commonly found on dead or living hardwood. Candleflame Lichen Candelaria concolor A small, bright yellow to yellow-green foliose lichen, often found on tree bark and urban areas, indicating high nitrogen levels. Mica Cap Coprinellus micaceus A saprotrophic fungus with a cosmopolitan distribution, it grows in clusters on decaying wood, displaying shiny, grooved caps. Turkey-Tail Trametes versicolor A common polypore mushroom, it features colorful concentric zones and grows in clusters on decaying wood. Found worldwide. Ganoderma Sessile Ganoderma sessile This polypore fungus, found on hardwoods in Eastern North America, features sessile, laccate fruiting bodies and smooth spores. Rosette Lichen Physcia millegrana A gray, foliose lichen with a pale underside, featuring ruffled lobe margins and dense, coarse soredia. Found in the eastern U.S. Chicago Field Guide 4 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Agelaius phoeniceus - (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Ailanthus altissima - (c) sahi2018, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Branta canadensis - (c) Jeffrey J. Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Candelaria concolor - (c) Sus scrofa, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Cerioporus squamosus - (c) , some rights reserved (CC BY) • Chenopodium album - no rights reserved, uploaded by Kristi Zoebelein • Columba livia - (c) Vladimir Kharuk, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Coprinellus micaceus - (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Ganoderma sessile - (c) maricel patino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Passer domesticus - (c) Oliver Clarke, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Physcia millegrana - (c) John Franklin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John Franklin • Plantago major - (c) Paul Norwood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Polygonum aviculare - (c) Shane Hanofee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Sciurus carolinensis - (c) Paolo Zucca, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Taraxacum officinale - (c) nonbinarybat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Trametes versicolor - (c) Rick Farwell, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Trifolium repens - (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Turdus migratorius - (c) John D Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John D Reynolds