Identifying Shrub Species: A Botanical Quiz

Acer glabrum is commonly known as Douglas Maple, not Red Maple, Sugar Maple, or Japanese Maple.

Alnus incana is commonly known as Mountain Alder or grey alder due to its native habitat in mountainous regions and distinctive grey bark.

Alnus viridis is commonly known as Sitka Alder, not Red Cedar, Black Willow, or White Birch.

Amelanchier alnifolia is commonly known as Saskatoon berry, which is a fruit-bearing plant native to North America. While blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are also popular fruits, they are not alternative names for Amelanchier alnifolia.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is commonly known as kinnikinnick, or bearberry due to its resemblance to berries and its use in traditional Native American smoking blends.

Ceanothus sanguineus is commonly known as Red-stemmed Ceanothus due to the color of its stems.

Ceanothus velutinus is commonly known as Snowbrush due to its white flowers that resemble snow on the leaves.

Chrysothamnus nauseosus is the scientific name for Common Rabbit-Brush, while the other three options are scientific names of different plant species commonly found in North America.

The correct scientific name for Red-osier Dogwood is Cornus stolonifera. The other options are the scientific names for Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata), and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia).

Corylus cornuta is the scientific name for Beaked Hazelnut, while the other options are the scientific names for American Beech, White Oak, and Red Maple respectively.

Crataegus douglasii is commonly known as Black Hawthorn due to its dark-colored berries and leaves.

Holodiscus discolor is commonly known as Ocean Spray due to its resemblance to ocean spray when the wind blows through its drooping branches of small white flowers.

Juniperus communis is commonly known as Common Juniper due to its widespread distribution and recognizable features.

Juniperus scopulorum is commonly known as the Rocky Mountain Juniper due to its prevalence in the Rocky Mountain region.

Lonicera involucrata is commonly known as Black Twinberry due to its dark-colored twinberries, while the other options are different plant species with their own distinct characteristics.

Lonicera utahensis is commonly known as Utah honeysuckle due to its native habitat in Utah and its similarity in appearance and fragrance to the honeysuckle plant.

Mahonia aquifolium is commonly known as Oregon Grape due to its grape-like clusters of berries and resemblance to grape leaves.

Oplapanax horridus is commonly known as Devil's Club due to its thorny appearance and potential medicinal properties.

Pachistima myrsinites is commonly known as False Box due to its resemblance to the genus Buxus (Boxwood) despite being unrelated.

Philadelphus lewisii is commonly known as Syringa or Mock Orange, despite its name not actually containing the word 'orange'. The other three options are popular plants but are not alternative names for Philadelphus lewisii.

Prunus virginiana is the scientific name for the Chokecherry tree, while Malus domestica is the scientific name for the Apple tree, Carya illinoinensis is the Pecan tree, and Quercus alba is the White Oak tree.

Rhododendron albiflorum is commonly known as White-flowered Rhododendron due to its white-colored flowers.

Ribes lacustre is commonly known as Black Gooseberry, not Red Currant, Purple Huckleberry, or Yellow Elder.

Rosa gymnocarpa is commonly known as Baldhip Rose due to its distinctive feature of having hairless (bald) hips.

Rosa nutkana is the correct scientific name for the Nootka Rose, while the other options are scientific names for different species of roses.

Thimbleberry's scientific name is Rubus parviflorus, not Fragaria vesca, Rosa rugosa, or Vaccinium corymbosum.

Salix spp. refers to a group of plants commonly known as Willows.

The correct scientific name for Elderberries is Sambucus spp. Elderberries are the berries produced by various species of the Sambucus plant.

Shepherdia canadensis is commonly known as Soopalallie, although it is sometimes confused with other similar-looking berries such as Buffaloberry, Sea Buckthorn, and Wolfberry.