Poor Conifer Swamp Plant List

Graminoids

  • sedges (Carex oligosperma, C. pauciflora, C. trisperma, and others)
  • sheathed cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum)
  • tawny cotton-grass (Eriophorum virginicum)
  • wool-grass (Scirpus cyperinus)

Forbs

  • wild calla (Calla palustris)
  • bluebead lily (Clintonia borealis)
  • goldthread (Coptis trifolia)
  • pink lady-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
  • round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)
  • wild blue flag (Iris versicolor)
  • Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)
  • false mayflower (Maianthemum trifolium)
  • pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea)
  • starflower (Trientalis borealis)

Ferns

  • sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
  • royal fern (Osmunda regalis)
  • Virginia chain-fern (Woodwardia virginica)

Mosses

  • ribbed bog moss (Aulacomnium palustre)
  • big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi)
  • pohlia moss (Pohlia nutans)
  • sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp.)

Shrubs

  • bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla)
  • black chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia)
  • leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)
  • bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
  • creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula)
  • wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
  • huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)
  • mountain holly (Ilex mucronata)
  • winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
  • sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)
  • bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia)
  • Labrador-tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)
  • blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium, V. corymbosum, and V. myrtilloides)
  • small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
  • wild-raisin (Viburnum cassinoides)

Trees

  • balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
  • paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
  • tamarack (Larix laricina)
  • black spruce (Picea mariana)
  • jack pine (Pinus banksiana)
  • white pine (Pinus strobus)

Citation

Cohen, J.G., M.A. Kost, B.S. Slaughter, D.A. Albert, J.M. Lincoln, A.P. Kortenhoven, C.M. Wilton, H.D. Enander, M.E. Anderson, M.R. Parr, T.J. Bassett, and K.M. Korroch. 2025. Michigan Natural Community Classification [web application]. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, Lansing, MI. Available https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/classification. (Accessed: March 22, 2026).