Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor

Wildlife and Fisheries CommissionersWayne J. Sagrera, Chairman, AbbevilleTerry D. Denmon, Vice-Chairman, MonroeEarl P. King Jr., AmeliaFrederic L. Miller, ShreveportPatrick C. Morrow, OpelousasHenry M. Mouton, LafayetteRobert Samanie III, Houma

Wildlife and Fisheries Department AdministratorsDwight Landreneau, SecretaryJanice Lansing, UndersecretaryW. Parke Moore III, Assistant SecretaryJohn Roussel, Assistant SecretaryBrandt Savoie, Deputy Secretary

Division Administrators and Department DirectorsBo Boehringer, Press SecretaryPhil Bowman, Fur and RefugeMarianne Burke, Information DirectorBennie Fontenot, Inland FisheriesKaren Foote, Marine FisheriesDavid Moreland, Wildlife Col. Winton Vidrine, Enforcement

A Checklist of the Woody and Herbaceous Deer Food Plants of LouisianaJuly 2005, first editionPublished by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesWildlife Division, Deer ProgramWritten by David Moreland, Deer Program ManagerPhotographs by David Moreland

Contents

Acknowledgments………………………………………………pp

Section 1- Deer Food Plants…………………………………….pp

Section 2- Deer Habitat in Louisiana…………………………..pp

Section 3- Evaluating Deer Habitat with Browse Surveys……pp

Section 4- Forage and Orchard Plantings for Deer……………pp

Herbaceous List………………………………………………….pp

Herbaceous Plant Plates and Descriptions……………………..pp

Woody List………………………………………………………..pp

Woody Plant Plates and Descriptions…………………………..pp

References………………………………………………………..pp

Acknowledgments

This project had its beginnings in 1980 on Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. I initiated a project to mon-itor plant regeneration and deer utilization on three experimental ironwood cuttings. That work documenteddeer browsing on over fifty different plant species. The District Seven crew involved with this project never ques-tioned the sanity of their young leader, even though the days were hot and humid. This timber crew included AlFrierson, Lloyd Cutrer, Mark Bible, Keith Hemsteter, and Robert Helm. Larry Savage, Tony Vidrine, and ScottDurham have spent countless hours with me conducting browse surveys and documenting plant usage; this workhas greatly contributed to this project. The biological and technical crews in Wildlife Regions 1, 2, 6, and 7 havespent some long hours with the Deer Section collecting animals for herd health checks, and I appreciate their hardwork. Brady Couvillion and Ruffin Moreland kept their hands dirty with plant materials from rumens; this workproved to be very enlightening. Chris Reid and Patricia Faulkner were always willing to provide assistance withplant identification and the editing of this checklist. My wife Prudy very graciously helped with the editingprocess also.

Special recognition must go to Dr. R. Dale Thomas for his assistance with plant identification over the past 25-plus years. His knowledge and expertise regarding the flora of Louisiana was invaluable to the development ofthis publication. In college Dr. Thomas provided me with a foundation regarding plant flora that has played amajor role in my wildlife career and work. Dr. Thomas has recently retired from ULM and has moved back tohis native state of Tennessee.

Thomas Gresham with the Public Information Section provided his expertise with the editing and formattingof this publication, and his is assistance is very much appreciated. Becky Redmond designed the front cover.

As always we are in debt to those who have gone before us, so I must express thanks to the researchers anddepartment personnel who have contributed to our present day knowledge of the white-tailed deer. The deer pop-ulation in Louisiana has made considerable progress since the early 50s. Today deer hunting is the dominanthunting activity in the state. The recreational and economical value of this resource has greatly increased overthe last thirty years. It is a resource that must be managed correctly and kept in step with changing times. Thehunting population is aging in this state, and the recruitment of new hunters is not keeping up the pace. It isentirely possible that what today is considered to be an important resource may become a nuisance ten or twen-ty years from now. There will still be many challenging issues for the new deer managers to address as my gen-eration of biologists retire.

David Moreland, Deer Program, August 2003

species found browsed on range surveys.The deer food plant list is divided into two sections: a

herbaceous list and a woody list. There is a section con-cerning cultivated forages, and the names of these foragesare listed in the herbaceous list. This publication wasdeveloped using the taxonomy and nomenclature publishedin the Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Louisiana (Thomasand Allen, 1993, 1996, 1998). Dr. Thomas was invaluablein the service he provided to the Deer Program with identi-fication of survey specimens. As curator of the herbariumat the University of Louisiana Monroe, Dr. Thomas hasdone much to expand the knowledge of our Louisiana flora.This herbarium contains over 400,000 mounted plant spec-imens.

The Herbaceous List

Herbaceous plants are a major part of the white-tail’sdiet. This group of plants is often referred to as forbs. Theterm forb usually means a broadleaf plant and excludesgrasses, the grass-like plants, and non-flowering plants.The herbaceous list in this publication includes all theseplant groups. This publication uses the term herbaceousplant to include all plants without woody tissue present inthe stems. Utilization of herbaceous plants is somewhatseasonal, primarily during the spring and summer months.A good herbaceous plant component will enhance thewoody component during the time when deer growth anddevelopment are high. Louisiana is often blessed (unfortu-nately for deer hunters) with mild winters, and this allowsfor some herbaceous vegetation to be available for food ona year-round basis. Soil type, habitat type, and habitat con-ditions generally determine the overall importance of thisgroup of plants to a particular deer herd.

The Causey (1964), Farrar (1969), and Sheffield (1957)studies found that Louisiana deer frequently ate herbaceousplants in the Composite Family. Murphy and Noble (1972)found that Aster sp., which is in this family, was an impor-tant deer food in Tensas Parish. Self, Chabreck, and Joanen(1974), working in coastal habitat, identified pokeweed,climbing hemp vine, annual ragweed, and alligator weed asimportant herbaceous plants for deer. Thill (1983) identi-fied numerous species of herbaceous plants that deer in hisstudy ate, but the overall usage was low.

As previously stated, the herbaceous list contains thegroup of plants referred to as ferns and fern allies, as wellas the two groups of flowering plants lacking woody tissue.This list contains 90 families, 269 genera, and 384 species.Immediately following the herbaceous list are twenty-nineplates of photographs of selected herbaceous species thatare important as deer foods. There is a description for each

Section 1- Deer Food Plants

The white-tailed deer is dependent upon the PlantKingdom for the food it needs for growth and develop-ment. Management of this food resource, which is oneaspect of habitat management, is an important part of anywildlife program. It is especially critical for proper man-agement of this large herbivore, since deer have the abilityto impact the habitat on which they live. The adverseimpact that deer can exert on a habitat will disrupt theentire ecological balance of the habitat. In other words,deer can create problems for all the other species ofwildlife depending on that habitat. If habitat is to be man-aged for deer, the deer manager must first have a goodunderstanding of the plants that deer utilize for food.

Countless studies have been done concerning deer foodplants. Most of the publications concerning white-taileddeer provide the reader with a generic list of plants used asfood in the various regions of the United States. Louisianais classified as being in the southeast U.S. or in habitatterms, the Coastal Plain. Most of these lists include plantspecies from different plant groups such as woody plants,grasses, herbaceous plants, ferns, grass-like plants, fungi,etc. Atwood (1941) developed one of the first compositelist of white-tailed deer food plants in the U.S.

Although there has been considerable research inLouisiana regarding these food plants, a composite listingof the deer food plants in Louisiana has never been devel-oped. Thill (1983), in his study in mixed pine/hardwoodhabitat in central Louisiana, developed a major list ofplants that he observed deer eating. This was a large list,but it only concerned one habitat type in the state. Lowery(1974) states that in Louisiana there are over 112 species ofwoody plants that deer use for food. This number probablycame from a survey project by Dr. Leslie Glasgow (1980)at LSU.

The list of plants presented in this publication was devel-oped from many sources. The idea for such a compositelist began in 1980 while I was monitoring the regenerationand utilization of vegetation on six experimental cuttingsites on Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. Onesource of information for the documentation of plant usageis the annual deer browse surveys that are conducted byLDWF each year. Since 1991, a browse transect surveyhas been the method used by the Deer Program for exam-ining deer habitat. Surveys that have been done since thenhave greatly increased the information concerning plantspecies used as food. A review of the research literaturealso added to the list. Examination of rumen samples fromdeer collections across the state over the last three yearsalso yielded additional species, as well as confirmed plant

photographed species as well as information regarding theutilization of the species as food.

The Woody List

The woody plant species are also called browse plants,and some publications refer to deer as being a browsinganimal (browser). A deer moves around a lot as it feeds,unlike a cow that stands in one spot and grazes on the veg-etation. Some biologists refrain from using this term,browser, since deer eat a variety of plant species. Thesebiologists quickly point out the term browse refers to thestems of woody plants and that these stems, except duringthe short growing season, have no nutritional benefit fordeer. Because of this, they consider the herbaceous plantsto be more important for food. Intensive forest practicesoften focus on removal of these woody browse species toreduce the growth competition with the pine.

In Louisiana, woody plant species and their fruits are themost important group of plants for deer. If managers wantto achieve optimal deer growth and development, it is crit-ical that the woody component is managed correctly.Sound management will ensure a diverse plant communitythat, in turn, will develop a good balance between browseand fruit production. In Louisiana, spring comes veryearly, usually around mid-March, and the growing seasonfor the woody vegetation is long. Habitat surveys annual-ly reveal the feeding shift of the deer from the winter fieldsto the woods as “green-out” begins. Heavy use of thewoody species continues well into summer in this state.Woody species were the dominant year-round food plantsof deer in the study done by Thill (1983).

Mild winters will often allow the deer woods to remaingreen well into the months of November and December.While many woody plants become dormant in the fall,there are several woody species that provide year-roundforage. Species such as greenbriars, blackberries and dew-berries, Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese privet, yellow jes-samine, horse sugar, and crossvine are among the morepreferred species providing year-round nutrition. Woodyplants also provide deer with an assortment of quality fruitsbeginning with mayhaws in spring and ending with stripedoak acorns in winter. These high-energy food items willkeep the deer growth and development trends high on habi-tat that favors such woody species.

Woody plants are often rated based upon their preferenceby deer. Species in the woody list are given the followingrating scale: low value — seldom used or perhaps occa-sionally browsed; moderate value — regularly eaten bydeer; high value — frequently browsed by deer. Deer areselective foragers and generally will eat the most nutritiousplants first. These preferred plant species can be monitored

with habitat surveys that assist the landowner in determin-ing population densities. Over-browsing of the desirablespecies will result in their reduction and possible elimina-tion from the habitat (Jones 1997) or cause them to devel-op an abnormal growth form.

The woody list contains 59 families, 116 genera, and 211species. There are 53 plates of woody plant photographsfollowing the woody list. A description accompanies eachplate. The browse survey section provides the reader withthe methodology used by LDWF for conducting deer rangeor habitat surveys. Hunting clubs and landowners couldutilize this information to aid them in conducting their ownsurveys and perhaps recognizing the early symptoms orsigns that begin to develop from high deer numbers.

In Summary

The primary purpose of this publication is to provide thereader with a composite list of Louisiana deer food plants.While it will aid in the field identification of many plantspecies used by deer for food, it is not a comprehensivefield identification guide. The interested manager shouldalso invest in the other publications available today to aidwith identification of these plant species. The Atlas con-tains distribution maps for each species, and the reader canobtain copies of these from the Natural Heritage Section ofLDWF.

The ability to identify deer food plants in the field willbenefit deer hunters. Hunters who can recognize theimportant food plants can use this information with standplacement in the area they are hunting and hopefullyincrease their chances of success. The ability to recognizeand interpret deer feeding “sign” is a skill that manyhunters often lack. Deer managers will certainly benefitfrom knowing what plants are important to deer and recog-nizing over-browsing “sign” on the habitat.

As deer management work continues in Louisianaand additional species are identified as deer food plants, thelist should be updated with this information. In recentyears deer research has been directed toward finding theone plant, or combination of plants, that the manager cansow on his land to grow really big deer. This is probablynot going to happen. For the most part, our Louisiana deerherds are a product of a diverse native habitat. Habitatmanagement directed at maintaining plant species diversi-ty should keep a deer herd healthy and productive. If themanager will likewise keep the deer numbers in balancewith the habitat, the habitat will remain diverse and produc-tive.

Section 2- Deer Habitat in Louisiana

Louisiana Deer Habitiat

The key to maintaining productive deer herds and otherwildlife populations is to keep the habitat productive. TheDeer Program of LDWF recognizes nine deer habitat typesin the state (see map). These habitats represent a variety offorest types. Forest types are a product of soils and hydrol-ogy conditions occurring in that region of the state. Thereis of course some overlap as well as differences of foresttypes within a particular region, so the deer habitat map isnot absolute.

Each forest type has a specific group of trees and otherplants growing together in association to create that partic-ular habitat or forest type. These different forest and plantcommunities are also different in their ability to sustain apopulation of deer. Landowners and deer hunting clubsmust keep this in mind when managing their land for deer.

When it comes to deer, all deer habitat is not createdequal. Coastal marsh habitat will not support the same deerpopulation as that found on upland hardwood habitat. Pineplantation stands with a low oak component do not havethe same potential for deer growth and development as amixed pine/hardwood forest with a good oak component.

In Louisiana, the bottomland hardwood habitat type hasalways been considered the best habitat for deer. Table 1shows the physical characteristics of 3 1/2-year-old bucksfor the various habitat types. Younger deer are fairly closein growth and development across the state, but as theygrow older, differences in habitat quality and capabilitybecome more apparent when examining growth and devel-opment trends. Table 2 shows the growth and developmenttrends for 4 1/2-year-old and older bucks in the state.

Another source of information for comparing deergrowth and development between the various habitat typesis the Louisiana Big Game Records. These records pointout that the bottomland hardwood habitat produces thelargest deer in the state. In the Typical and Non-Typicalcategories for gun, bow, and muzzleloader, 33 of the top 45deer have been harvested from this habitat type.

Most of the habitat types in Louisiana are capable of pro-ducing bucks that would score between 120-130 on theBoone and Crockett scoring system, if a buck is allowed toreach an age of four to six years. On the low quality habi-tat types, these are top-end bucks and are as much a trophyas the larger ones produced on the better deer habitat.Regardless of habitat type, there are management practicesthat can be applied to keep it productive for deer.

I. Manage the Habitat for Realistic GoalsUnderstanding the potential productivity of a deer habi-

tat type with regard to growth and development of the deeroccupying the habitat is important. If proper growth anddevelopment are being achieved, deer hunters should befully satisfied with the results. Hunter expectation shouldalways be in agreement with the habitat potential. Huntingclubs sometimes establish goals for the growth of their deerpopulation that are unrealistic. As shown by the tables,growth potential varies across the state.

II. Manage the Forest ResourceSound forest management is a must for Louisiana deer

herds. The forest produces the nutrition required by theherd for proper growth and development. A healthy forestwill produce the diversity of plants and their food products(fruits) needed by the deer throughout the year. Loggingactivities create the new growth habitat that is important forwildlife species such as deer. While an old growth forest isattractive to the eye, it is not the best management practicefor deer due to lack of browse and cover. It will generallyprovide the hard and soft mast needed in the fall and win-ter, but it lacks the spring and summer food plants that areso essential during the growing period of deer.

III. Keep the Deer Numbers in Balance with the Habitat

Many deer hunters believe that seeing deer on each hunt-ing trip is a must for the hunt to be considered a success.This actually should not be a requirement for deer hunting.Seeing 10 to 20 deer each time one goes hunting generallymeans there are too many deer on the habitat. A balanceddeer herd will achieve desirable growth and developmentas shown by the growth trends developed from harvestdata.

Landowners and hunting clubs that try to keep the deerpopulation at a high level are making a mistake. Deer habi-tat will adequately support a specific number of deer(referred to as carrying capacity). Once deer numbersexceed the ability of the habitat to produce the daily nutri-tion needed for proper growth and development, both thedeer and the habitat will suffer. Physical development ofthe deer will be poor, and the desirable food plants will bereduced or eliminated from the range. In fact, the entireecological balance of the forest system will be disruptedand even damaged if deer populations remain high for sev-eral years.

Over-browsing of desirable trees, shrubs and vinesresults in these plants developing abnormal growth forms.Honeysuckle, which normally produces abundant growthjust above ground level, will climb up into the tops ofshrubs and small trees, out of reach of the deer. It willappear as clusters of green vegetation during the wintermonths. Elderberry, a shrub that normally has many lower

branches, will begin to take on the appearance of a treewith no branching below waist height. Oak and otherdesirable hardwood species’ regeneration will be over-browsed and removed from the landscape. The loss ofthese species will impact the future quality of a foreststand. This will impact deer and other wildlife populations.Land managers should begin to recognize the habitat symp-toms associated with high deer numbers and take theappropriate steps to reduce the population before the devel-opment of a browse line.

Timber cuts will increase available browse; however,unless the deer population is reduced, this is only a tempo-rary solution. Deer plantings and artificial feeding prac-tices are sometimes initiated to enhance the habitat so it cansupport more deer. Unless done on a large scale, theseactivities will not have a major impact on the population.The real benefit to the habitat will come from a reductionof deer numbers.

IV. Supplemental FeedingThese management practices are really being heavily

promoted. Of course with deer hunting being the enterpriseit has become, it is only natural that entrepreneurs takeadvantage of this developing market. Plantings involve thelandowner and hunting clubs with land management proj-ects, and this is good. However, planting deer forages isjust one aspect of a total habitat management program.Section 4 provides specific information concerning forageand orchard plantings for deer.

In summary, it should be the goal of every hunting cluband landowner in this state to practice good deer manage-ment on their land. A healthy deer herd, one that is in bal-ance with the habitat, will ensure that the herd is achievingthe growth potential for that particular habitat type.

Habitat TypeAvg. Live Weight

(pounds)Avg. # Points Avg. Basal

Circumference(inches)

Avg. Beam Length

(inches)

Avg. Inside Spread

(inches)Statewide Average 165 7.5 3.8 15.9 12.9

Bottomland Hdwd. 172 7.8 3.9 16.3 13.3

Upland Hdwd. 164 7.6 4.1 15.5 12.6

Swamp Hdwd. 143 7.1 3.4 13.6 11.0

NW Pine 160 6.9 3.6 15.4 12.5

SE Pine 157 7.0 3.6 14.8 12.2

Longleaf 161 7.0 3.7 15.7 12.8

Coastal Marsh 143 7.1 3.5 13.9 11.5

Habitat TypeAvg. Live Weight

(pounds)Avg. # Points Avg. Basal

Circumference(inches)

Avg. Beam Length

(inches)

Avg. Inside Spread

(inches)Statewide Average 178 8.0 4.3 17.8 14.6

Bottomland Hdwd. 188 8.1 4.3 18.4 15.1

Upland Hdwd. 183 8.2 4.7 18.0 14.6

Swamp Hdwd. 149 7.1 3.7 14.6 12.1

NW Pine 172 7.4 3.9 17.1 13.9

SE Pine 166 8.2 4.4 18.1 14.8

Longleaf 167 8.1 4.0 17.2 14.2

Coastal Marsh 144 7.9 4.2 15.9 12.6

Table 1Physical Characteristics of 3.5 Year-Old Bucks in Louisiana *

Table 2Physical Characteristics of 4.5+ Year-Old Bucks in Louisiana *

*Based on 2001 DMAP DATA

Upland hardwood forest habitat (above) and a dominant pine forest habitat (below).

Coastal marsh habitat (above) and swamp habitat (below).

Bottomland hardwood forest with palmetto understory (above) and northwest Louisiana three-year-old pine plantation (below).

Section 3- Evaluating Deer Habitat withBrowse Surveys

Browse surveys have always been an important part ofthe deer management program in Louisiana. In the 1950s,when deer were being stocked in the state, biologists sur-veyed habitat to identify potential release sites (Moody1955). Biologists were searching for habitat with specificwoody browse species. Following restocking, biologistsused browse surveys to monitor the success of the deerreleases and subsequent population growth. These detailedsurveys sometimes took several days to complete.Generally, browse utilization would dictate when the areawould be open for deer hunting. Most of the early seasonswere for bucks-only hunting so that population growthcould continue. Browse surveys were also used to deter-mine when the area would open for either-sex hunting.Heavy browsing on the preferred or “first choice” browsespecies is one indication of a high deer population.

Browse surveys are still used by biologists to monitordeer herds and evaluate deer habitat. Unfortunately thepresent workload of regional biologists is such that mostsurveys are simple cursory type surveys. A regional biolo-gists who works with 50 or more landowners and has dutieson wildlife management areas has limited time to spend ona detailed range survey. If a club or landowner is collect-ing good harvest data (jawbones for aging, live weight,antler measurements, reproductive data), the biologist canrelate his drive-through survey with the growth and devel-opment trends established from the harvest data. He canthen make a fair assessment of the general condition of theherd and the range.

Browse surveys should measure availability and utiliza-tion. Plants eaten by deer are commonly classified as pre-ferred or non-preferred browse species. Dr. James Kroll, inhis book Producing and Harvesting White-tailed Deer,refers to them as First Choice, Second Choice, and ThirdChoice food plants. Deer generally eat the preferred plantsfirst and then start eating the less preferred species. Thebrowse survey will measure the utilization of the variousspecies. Heavy use of the preferred species is an indicationof a high deer population. High utilization of the non-pre-ferred species is a sign of high deer numbers and habitatproblems.

Browse availability is a product of habitat management.In Louisiana most of the deer herds are a product of thenative forested habitat. Forested habitat with a good hard-wood component that is being properly managed with peri-odic timber harvests will contain a good diversity of impor-

tant browse plants. Forested habitat managed intensivelyto produce a monoculture type forest (such as pine) hasmuch less browse diversity. Forests that receive no treat-ments and are managed as an old growth forest also haveless plant diversity. Pine forests burned annually do nothave a good composition of important woody species. Pineplantation forests receiving intense herbicide treatments toeliminate the hardwood composition also lack plant diver-sity.

Aldo Leopold, considered to be the Father of WildlifeManagement, thought that examination of game rangeshould be approached from the standpoint of critical sea-sons, primarily fall and winter (Leopold 1937). If habitatwas sufficient during the critical seasons then range condi-tions should be satisfactory the remainder of the year.Consequently most range survey work is done during thelate winter.

In 1991 the Deer Program Section developed a transecttype survey that measures species availability and utiliza-tion, preferred browse species regeneration and utilization,and desirable hardwood tree regeneration and utilization.The time factor involved in conducting surveys was of par-ticular importance since survey work can be very time con-suming (Aldous 1944, Lay 1967, Harlow 1984, Higgins, etal. 1994).

This survey is done in the spring and early summer.During these seasons plant growth is at its best and bodygrowth and antler development demands are high. It is adifferent approach from Leopold. In the spring, if browseavailability is high and deer utilization is low, then deergrowth and development should be good since deer canfind all the food required for desirable growth. The habitatshould remain sufficient during the critical times of latesummer, fall, and winter. If, however, utilization is highduring the spring and early summer, creating problems forthe habitat, then certainly there will be problems during thefall and winter months. These habitat problems includepoor regeneration of desirable trees and shrubs along withover-browsing of existing trees, shrubs, and vines. Theseproblems result in low availability of desirable plant foodsfor deer at the time when good nutrition is a must.

This survey method was designed from areas with gooddeer habitat and that were producing quality animals, bothbucks and does. A value system (browsing index) wasdeveloped based upon the measured browse conditions onthese sites. Deer growth and development and habitat con-ditions were good on areas that averaged 10 to 30 plantsbrowsed per 100 feet. Deer on areas averaging more than

30 plants browsed per 100 feet had poorer growth andantler development along with deteriorating habitat condi-tions. It was also found that habitat containing high deernumbers surrounded with agricultural crops was able tosustain this higher deer population for a while. Surveysfinding less than 10 plants browsed per 100 feet could indi-cate low deer numbers or habitat with a low carryingcapacity.

Many clubs and landowners try to maintain highdeer numbers on their land. Over-population can lead todisease and parasite problems over time. Less-than-desir-able body weights and antler development, reduced pro-ductivity, or a possible die-off that may or may not benoticed by club members are problems associated withhigh deer populations (Brunet 1958). A reduction in plantdiversity, especially among the moderate and high valueplant species, is also a sign that deer numbers are too high.If the deer manager can recognize these symptoms, he willbe able to re-evaluate his harvest and habitat managementstrategies and make the necessary adjustments to restoreherd and habitat conditions. It is the hope of the author thatthis publication will enable deer hunters and managers torecognize habitat problems and understand their conse-quences.

LDWF Deer Browse Transect Survey Procedure

Depending upon the size of the area, five to 10 transectsshould be sufficient to measure deer browse availabilityand utilization. Transects should be taken in each majorhabitat type and in different treatment sites on the proper-ty. Transects should be taken at random stops throughoutthe area at a typical site for that habitat. For instance, atransect being done in a dominant closed canopy hardwoodstand should not be done across a site that has an opencanopy with good sunlight hitting the ground. The transectshould be representative of the stand. A transect should bedone parallel to the road, 50 to 100 feet away from theroad.

The surveyor should record canopy, midstory, andground cover densities for each transect. These measure-ments can be used to make recommendations to thelandowner concerning management needs. A general rat-ing scale that is useful for evaluating these stand conditionsais as follows: Canopy- closed canopy = 1, moderatecanopy opening = 2, open canopy = 3; midstory- closedmidstory = 1, moderate midstory = 2, open midstory = 3;ground cover- low ground cover = 1, moderate groundcover = 2, high ground cover = 3. If the average canopyrating for the survey was 1.3, this would be an indication

that the forest has a closed canopy and is in need of loggingto increase the available sunlight and increase food andcover for deer.

The surveyor should determine what trees, shrubs, andvines will be the desired species to use as indicator speciesfor the survey. All of the plant species growing within thetransect will be documented. While the total number ofplants for all species can be recorded, this would be verytime consuming. The focus of this survey is on those desir-able browse and forest plants that deer will be eating first.Smilax is a good vine to use as an indicator species. Rattanvine and trumpet creeper could be used, but be prepared todo some stem counting. Vines such as honeysuckle andyellow jessamine are difficult and time consuming to use.Elderberry, deciduous holly, red mulberry, dogwoods,strawberry bush, and viburnums are good shrubs and smalltrees to use as indicator species. Oak, ash, elm, hackberry,blackgum, and persimmon would be some of the treespecies that could be monitored. Trees less than one foottall should probably not be counted as regeneration sincethey may not survive. Trees one to three feet tall are count-ed as regeneration.

The woody and herbaceous plant species are recordedalong the transect line. One bite on the current growingseason stem is sufficient to record it as a browsed plant.Woody stems arising from a single root source are countedas separate plants, but vines with a single root source areconsidered to be a single plant. The total number of plantsfor each indicator species is recorded as well as the numberof them that have been browsed. All woody plant speciesobserved on the survey should be recorded even thoughthey may not be present in a transect. This information isuseful for identifying habitat problems that may be pre-venting the regeneration of these species.

Generally the total number of woody species observedon a survey ranges from 30 to 50. If the forest has a closedcanopy throughout the landscape, the woody species totalwill be low. A browsing index is determined from the sur-vey by taking the total number of plants browsed and divid-ing by the total number of transects. The woody and herba-ceous plants should be treated separately. This survey isbased on the woody component. The herbaceous forage,planted forages, and artificial feeding activity will affectthe utilization of the woody vegetation. The browsingindex is a good indicator of the deer population. A calcu-lated index less than 10 generally means low deer numbers;10 to 30 represents a good deer population, and either-sexhunting should be occurring; an index greater than 30 isindicative of high deer numbers. Species availability is a

product of habitat management or the lack of managementas well as deer numbers. Species utilization is generallyabove 50 percent if the browsing index is high. High uti-lization of the measured regeneration is a sign of high deernumbers. Low numbers of indicator species can be due tohigh deer numbers and/or habitat conditions.

The availability and utilization of the woody plantspecies are the main emphases of this survey. It is welldocumented in Louisiana from browse surveys that duringthe spring and summer deer are browsing heavily on thenew growth of woody plants. These developing stems andleaves generally provide good nutrition for the deer (Shortet al. 1973). By incorporating the survey results with theharvest data and herd health information, the landowner orhunting club should be able to correctly evaluate herd andhabitat conditions.

Survey data can be recorded in a computer program(Excel spreadsheet, etc.) which will provide an annualrecord of survey findings. This will aid in monitoring theincrease or decrease in the indicator species. If the correctharvest is being applied to the herd, the indicator plantspecies should begin to respond and increase on the habi-tat. A decline in indicator species could indicate continuedproblems with high deer numbers or habitat managementpractices not conducive to deer (such as annual burning ona particular site).

A general or cursory habitat survey (above) and a transect survey taking specific habitat measurements (below).

Over-browsing of honeysuckle (above) resulting in honeysuckle growingup into the trees, out of reach of the deer (below).

Doe with triplets in a food plot and a food plot that deer have eaten up based upon plant growth in cage.

Deer depredation on agricultural crops:purple hull peas (above) and cotton (below).

Over-browsing of young striped oak tree (above) and ofswamp dogwood (below). The ball-shaped crown is a classic symptom of habitat with high deer numbers.

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Section 4- Forage and Orchard Plantings forDeer

F*

Deer food plots are a popular subject among hunters andmanagers. Much has been written about this subject. Itseems like every year deer hunting magazines and otherpublications contain articles promoting a new forage cropthat will grow bigger deer. Naturally much of this is donein an effort to increase the sale of equipment, fertilizer,minerals, and seed. Is it all a lot of hype, or do food plotsreally work? Food plots do attract deer for harvest and ifdone on a large enough scale, they will aid in increasingbody growth and antler development.

The reality of this is that food plots are just one compo-nent of a total deer management program necessary to pro-duce quality deer. Deer management involves manage-ment of both the habitat and the herd. The habitat must beproductive, and the deer numbers must be kept in balancewith the habitat. Proper forest management will generallykeep it productive for deer. The bottomland hardwoodhabitat with adjacent agricultural crops such as corn, soy-beans, and milo consistently produces the largest deer inLouisiana. The combination of hardwood forests with thevarious hard and soft mast species, agricultural forages,and excellent soil fertility is responsible for this exception-al growth and development.

The literature often suggests that one acre of year-roundplantings can support two to five deer. Some early studiesdone in the Winn Parish deer pens found that food plots cansupport more deer than enclosures without food plots.Recent studies also suggest that body weight and antlerdevelopment are better on areas that have food plots. It isimportant to know that most studies indicating increasedantler development and body weight are done on siteswhere the deer are also artificially fed year-round. This isdone to prevent problems associated with the lack of rain.The gains in deer growth cannot be attributed solely to thefood plots. It should be noted that year-round feeding witha protein pellet becomes very expensive.

How much weight gain can be expected from a foodplot? Figures are often lacking from study sites concerningactual increase in body weight. Five pounds is really notmuch if body weights only increase from 100 to 105pounds. On the other hand, if an increase from 100 poundsto 130 pounds occurs, that would be significant. Not manyfood plot plantings can make that claim. Such weight gainsare generally only achieved with large-scale agriculture.

It is usually recommended that plantings should be doneto provide deer with a year-round source of nutritional for-age. Most plantings in Louisiana are done in the fall toattract deer for harvest. If the objective of the planting pro-gram is to increase deer quality, it has to be done year-round. Spring and summer are the peak months for antlerand body growth; therefore, high quality forage is essentialat this time.

Fall food plots are planted in September with the hopethat forage will be available for the gun season inNovember. Deer will visit these food plots, but increasedhunter activity affects the level of deer activity. Deerquickly tune in to activity around permanent stands andbecome more nocturnal. When this occurs, hunters shouldalter their own hunting patterns by hunting from portablestands on the plot or travel corridors and trails leading tothe plot.

Food plot size is an important consideration. Plotssmaller than one acre in size are quickly over-browsed,reducing their value for deer. Larger plots (one to fiveacres) are generally best. Knowledge of soil fertility is amust. Most soils in pine forests need both lime and fertil-izer. Availability of equipment is another considerationwhen developing a food plot program. Tractors, bush hogs,plows, and discs are the best equipment for developing andworking the land. There are implements for ATVs that pro-vide some farming ability for a hunting club or smalllandowner.

A variety of wildlife seed is available in the marketplace. A manager must have an objective for the plantings.Is it to simply attract deer for harvest or is the objective toprovide additional forage that has a high nutritional value?If other species of wildlife such as quail, doves, and turkeysare present, consideration could be given to these specieswhen developing the program. The LSU Extension Servicehas county agents available to provide landowners andhunting clubs with current information about wildlifeplantings in Louisiana and are an excellent source for thisinformation.

While it is not as nutritious as other forages, deer will eatrye grass. The cost of planting is relatively inexpensive,and it does not require much groundwork because it can besown on top of the ground. If fertilized at planting time andthen top-dressed a few weeks later with ammonium nitrate,rye grass will attract deer. The seed head of rye grass iseaten by both game and song birds in the spring.

Wheat and oats are two other winter grasses often usedin food plots. It is best to prepare the soil before sowingthese seeds and to cover the seed with dirt. Studies haveshown that these grasses provide more nutrition than ryegrass. Birds will also eat the seed heads of these two grass-es.

Clovers are legumes and are high in protein. Cloverrequires more soil preparation, and proper pH is essentialto obtain the best plant growth. There is a variety ofclovers from which to choose. Crimson clover is oftenmixed with winter grass seed. This is a good mix for deerand turkeys. One clover producing good results inLouisiana is Osceola ladino clover. This is a variety ofwhite clover that has been recommended by the LSUExtension Service. Mixing this clover with wheat and oatsworks very well. After the wheat and oats have producedseed heads in the spring, the patches can be bush-hogged toallow the clover to come up through the stubble. Osceolaclover will last through the summer if rainfall is adequate.Plantings of pure Osceola clover can be maintained for sev-eral years if growing conditions are right. Planting a springor summer crop would not be necessary if sufficient cloveris available. There are numerous other seeds on the marketthat could be managed to provide year-round forage. Someof this seed can be very expensive. The manager would bewise to research the claims regarding a particular brand ofseed.

Spring and summer plantings should be made shortlyafter the last frost. Summer forages for deer include soy-beans, cowpeas, joint-vetch, sunflowers, corn, andsorghum. If turkeys or quail are present, brown-top milletand chufa could be added to the mix to benefit them. Cornand sorghum left standing in the field provide grain fordeer in the fall and winter. However, this would restrictthese patches from being utilized for fall plantings. A seri-ous problem with summer food plots is lack of rain.Insects can also present problems for crops and the manag-er may need to spray and treat planted forages.

Orchard Plantings

Planting mast and fruit trees in and around food plotsallows the club or landowner to produce a double-crop offorages. Sawtooth oaks, red mulberry, crab-apple, persim-mon, pears, and other tree and shrub species can be incor-porated into a food plot program. It is generally desirableto stay with native species of plants. Some exotic specieshave the potential to create additional habitat problems.Other native species that could be used in orchard plantings

for deer include black cherry, plums, mayhaws, pecans, andother oak species.

In many cases tree and shrub plantings have to be cagedto protect the seedling from deer depredation. Trees shouldbe planted on a 25 foot spacing. For pollination reasons itis desirable to plant the same species in groups or clusters.Species producing small trees can be planted closer togeth-er and develop thickets; these thickets can provide coverfor smaller animals and birds. Planting trees in rows willallow the manager to plant forage crops between the rowsof trees.

Native habitat can also be managed through bush-hog-ging. Hedgerows can be developed within a food plot, pro-viding both food and cover for wildlife. Hedgerows ofblackberry, American beauty berry, privet, and persimmonprovide both forage and fruit for deer. In many cases vinessuch as greenbriar, honeysuckle, and crossvine will alsobecome established. Hedgerows and other thickets con-taining desirable native forages can be fertilized to increasethe nutritional value of the plant. Management of thenative plants would be less expensive than cultivated for-ages.

In Summary

Incorporating a planting program into the habitat man-agement plan can be beneficial to both the hunter and thedeer. Food plots, however, are just part of a total deer man-agement program. Deer habitat is a diverse habitat, and thebest diversity is achieved with a good forestry program.Forage and orchard plantings do get the club membersinvolved with the land, and this can be a very rewardingexperience.

Crimson clover (above) and red ball clover (below).

Browsing on winter greens (above) andflowering heads of mustards in spring (below).

Winter growth (2002) of wheat, oats, clover mix (above)and spring growth (2003) of same food plot(below).

Hedgerow with pear trees protected with webbing (above) and largerhedgerow with forage strips between hedges (below).

Establishment of a sawtooth oak orchard; trees areprotected with a wire cage to prevent deer depredation.

Partridge pea (above) is a good legume to plant for deer and uplandgame birds. (below) Fallow discing in a pine stand to

promote the growth of legumes and other forbs.

Winter grasses commonly used in fall plantings are oats (above) and winter wheat (below).

Early spring picture of osceola clover and wintergrass planting (above) and summer picture of

planting after winter grass dies (below).

Herbaceous List

I. PteridophytesThese are the seedless vascular plants often referred to as cryptograms(flowerless and seedless plants that reproduce by spores).

Family Aspleniaceae

Asplenium platyneuron (L.) Oakes ex D.C. Eat. Ebony spleenwort

Family Blechnaceae

Woodwardia aerolata (L.) Moore Netted chain fern

Family Dennstaediaceae

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Bracken Fern

Family Dryopteridaceae

Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott Christmas Fern

Family Equisetaceae

Equisetum sp. Horsetail

Family Lycopodiaceae

Lycopodium sp. Club-Moss

Family Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium sp. Grape Fern or Rattlesnake FernBotrychium biternatum (Sav.) Underw. Sparse lobed Grape-FernBotrychium virginianum (L.) Swartz Rattlesnake Fern

Family Osmundaceae

Osmunda cinnamomea L. Cinnamon FernOsmunda regalis L.

var. spectabilis (Willd.) A. Gray Royal Fern

Family Pteridaceae

Pteris sp. Brake FernFamily Schizaeaceae

Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Swartz Japanese Climbing Fern

Family Selaginellaceae

Selaginella sp. Spike-Moss

Family Sinopteridaceae

Adiantum pedatum L. Northern Maiden-Hair Fern

Family Thelypteridaceae

Thelypteris kunthii (Desv.) Morton Widespread Maiden Fern

Family Woodsiaceae

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth Southern Lady Fernssp. Asplenioides (Michx.) Hulten

II. AngiospermsThis is a large diverse group of plants commonly referred to as the floweringplants. Seeds are produced in an ovule in the center of the flower. There are twogroups, the monocotyledons (plants having one cotyledon or seed leaf) and dicotyledons (plants having two cotyledons or seed leaves).

A. Monocotyledons

Family Agavaceae

Manfreda virginica (L.) Rose Rattlesnake Master

Family Alismataceae

Sagittaria sp. ArrowheadSagittaria lancifolia L. Bull-TongueSagittaria latifolia Willd. ArrowheadSagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G. Smith Delta Duck Potato

Family Araceae

Arisaema sp.Arisaema dracontium (L.) Schott Green DragonArisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott Jack-in-the-Pulpit

(three sub species in Atlas)

Family Bromeliaceae

Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. Spanish Moss

Family Commelinaceae

Commelina sp. Day flowerTradescantia sp. Spiderwort

Tradescantia hirsutiflora Bush Hairy SpiderwortTradescantia occidentalis (Britt.) Smyth. Small-Flowered Spiderwort

Family Cyperaceae

Carex sp. SedgeCarex complanata Torr. & Hook. Caric Sedge

var. complanataCarex flaccosperma L.H. Dewey Thin-Fruit Caric Sedge

Cladium jamaicense Crantz Saw GrassCyperus odoratus L. Fragrant FlatsedgeCyperus virens Michx. Green FlatsedgeEleocharis parvula (Roem. & Schultes) Link Dwarf SpikesedgeEleocharis quadrangulata (Michx.) Roem. & Schultes Squarestem SpikesedgeRhynchospora globularis (Chapm.) Small Globe BeaksedgeRhynchospora glomerata (L.) Vahl Cluster BeaksedgeRhynchospora inexpansa (Michx.) Vahl Nodding BeaksedgeScirpus americanus Pers. Bulrush

(includes S. pungens Vahl)Scirpus californicus (C.A. Meyer) Steud. Giant Bulrush Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth Wooly SedgeScirpus robustus Pursh Saltmarsh BulrushScleria oligantha Michx. Littlehead Nutsedge

Family Dioscoreaceae

Dioscorea villosa L. Wild Yam

Family Eriocaulaceae

Eriocaulon sp. Pipewort

Family HydrocharitaceaeLimnobium spongia (Bose) Steud. Frog’s Bit

Family IridaceaeIris sp. Iris

Iris virginica L. Southern Blue-flag Iris Sisyrinchium sp. Blue-eyed Grass

Family Juncaceae

Juncus sp. RushJuncus effusus L. Common RushJuncus roemarianus Scheele Needlegrass Rush

Family Lemnaceae

Lemna sp. Duckweed(six species in Atlas)

Family Liliaceae (includes Amaryllidaceae)

Crinum americanum L. String Lily or Swamp LilyMedeola virginiana L. Indian Cucumber

(very rare in La)Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf. False Solomon’s Seal

(rare in La)

Family Najadaceae

Najas quadalupenis (Spreng.) Magnus Common Waternymph

Family Orchidaceae

Spiranthes sp. Ladies’ Tresses

Family Poaceae

Andropogon gerardii Vitman Big BluestemAndropogon virginicus L.

var. virginicus BroomsedgeAristida purpurascens Poir. Three-Awn

(two varieties)

Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl. Switch cane(two subspecies)

Avena sativa L. OatsAxonopus affinis Chase Common CarpetgrassBouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. Side-Oats Grama

(rare in La)Bromus tectorum L. Downy BromegrassBromus unioloides H.B.K. Rescue grass/Matua Brome

(B. catharticus Vahl)Chasmanthium laxum (L.) Yates Broadleaf UniolaChasmanthium sessiliflorum (Poir) Yates Narrowleaf Wood OatsDactylis glomerata L. OrchardgrassDanthonia spicata (L.) Beauv. ex Roem. & Schultes Poverty OatgrassDigitaria ischaemum (Schreb. ex Schweig.) Schreb. ex Muhl. Smooth CrabgrassDigitaria villosa (Walt.) Pers. Shaggy CrabgrassDistichlis spicata (L.) Greene Seashore SaltgrassEchinochloa walteri (Pursh) Heller. Water milletErianthus contortus Baldw. ex Ell. Bent-Awn PlumegrassFestuca arundinaceae Schreb. Reed or Tall FescueGymnopogon ambiguus (Michx.) B.S.P. Bearded SkeletongrassGymnopogon brevifolius Trin. Slim SkeletongrassLeptochloa fascicularis (Lam.) Gray Bearded SprangletopLolium perenne L. Perennial Rye grassMuhlenbergia schreberi J. F. Gmel. NimblewillOryza satvia L. RicePanicum anceps Michx. var. anceps Beaked PanicumPancium clandestinum L. Deer Tongue Grass

(rare in La)Pancium dichotomiflorum Michx. Fall PanicumPanicum hemitomon Schultes MaidencanePanicum hians Ell. Gaping PanicumPanicum scoparium Lam. Velvet Panic GrassPanicum virgatum L. SwitchgrassPaspalum dilatatum Poiret in Lam. DallisgrassPaspalum distichum L. Knot GrassPaspalum floridanum Michx. Florida PaspalumPaspalum notatum Fluegge Bahiagrass

(two varieties in Louisiana)Paspalum plicatulum Michx. Brownseed PaspalumPaspalum setaceum Michx.

var. ciliatifolium (Michx.) Vasey Fringeleaf PaspalumPaspalum setaceum Michx.

var. muhlenbergii (Nash) Banks HurrahgrassPaspalum vaginatum Sw. Seashore PaspalumPaspalum urvillei Steud. Vaseygrass

Phleum pratense L. Timothy grassPhragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Common ReedPoa sp. Bluegrass

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky BluegrassSecale cerale L. RyeSchizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash Little BluestemSetaria glauca (L.) Beauv. Yellow BristlegrassSorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash IndiangrassSorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. MiloSorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnson grassSorghum sudanese (Piper) Staph. Sweet Sudan grass

(cultivated grass, not in Atlas)Spartina alterniflora Lois. Saltmarsh cord grassSpartina cynosuroudes (L.) Roth Big CordgrassSpartina patens (Ait.) Muhl. Saltmeadow CordgrassTridens flavus (L.) Hitchc. PurpletopTriticum aestivum L. WheatTriticum turgidum L. Egyptian Wheat

(cultivated grass, not in Atlas)Zea mays L. CornZizaniopsis miliacea (Michx.) Doell & Aschers. Southern Wildrice

Family Pontedericeae

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Water HyacinthPontederia cordata L. Pickerel weed

Family Potamogetonaceae

Potamogeton sp. Pondweed

Family Typhaceae

Typha angustifolia L. Narrowleaf Cattail

Family Zosteraceae

Ruppia maritima L. Widgeon Grass

B. Dicotyledons

Family Acanthaecae

Justicia ovata (Walt.) Lindau Lance-Leaved WaterwillowRuellia caroliniensis (J. F. Gmel.) Steud.

ssp. caroliniensis Wild WaterwillowRuellia pedunculata Torr. ex Gray

ssp. pedunculata Stalked Wild Petunia

Family Amaranthaceae

Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. Alligator WeedAmaranthus sp. Pigweed

Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. Palmer AmaranthAmaranthus rudis Sauer Water Hemp

Iresine rhizomatosa Standl. Rootstock Bloodleaf

Family Apiaceae

Cicuta maculata L. Spotted Water HemlockCryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. HonewortCynosciadium digitatum DC. Finger Dog ShadeDaucus carota L. Queen Anne’s LaceEryngium prostratum Nutt. ex DC. Button EryngoEryngium yuccifolium Michx. Button SnakerootHydrocotyle verticillata Thunb. Common Water PennywortSanicula Canadensis L. SanicleSpermolepis echinata (Nutt. ex DC.) Heller Bristly ScaleseedTrepocarpus aethusae Nutt. ex DC. Muskweed

Family Apocynaceae

Amsonia tabernaemontana Walt. Bluestar

Family Aristolochiaceae

Asarum canadense L. Wild Ginger(rare in La)

Family Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias tuberosa L. Butterfly weedAsclepias variegata L. White-Flowered Milkweed

Matelea gonocarpos (Walt.) Shinners Angel Pod

Family Asterceae

Achillea millefolium L. YarrowAcmella oppositifolia (Lam.) R.K. Jansen

var. repens (Walt.) R.K. Jansen Creeping SpotflowerAmbrosia artemisiifolia L. Common RagweedAmbrosia trifida L. Giant Ragweed Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Richards. Pussytoes Artemisia sp. SagewortAster sp. Aster

Aster dumosus L. Bushy AsterAster laevis L.

var. purpuratus (Nees) A.G. Jones AsterAster lateriflorus (L.) Britt. Calico AsterAster paludosus Ait.

ssp. hemisphericus (Alexander) Cronq. Showy AsterAster patens Ait. Late AsterAster subulatus Michx.

var. ligulatus Shinners Annual AsterBidens bipinnata L. Spanish NeedlesBoltonia asteroides (L.) L’Her. Largehead Doll’s Daisy Boltonia diffusa Ell. Smallhead Doll’s DaisyCarphephorus odoratissimus (J.F. Gmel.) Herbert Vanilla PlantChrysopsis pilosa Nutt. Hoary GoldenasterCichorium intybus L. Chicory Cirsium sp. Thistle

Cirsium muticum Michx. Swamp Thistle Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.

var. canadensis HorseweedCoreopsis sp. Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata L. Common TickseedCoreopsis major Walt. Tickseed

Dracopsis amplexicaulis (Vahl) Cass. Clasping ConeflowerElephantopus carolinianus Raeusch. Elephant’s FootErigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Daisy FleabaneErigeron philadelphicus L. Showy Daisy FleabaneErigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. Whitetop FleabaneEupatorium sp. Boneset

Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small Dog FennelEupatorium compositifolium Walt. Yankee WeedEupatorium coelestinum L. Mist FlowerEupatorium glaucescens Ell. BonesetEupatorium incarnatum Walt. Pink Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum L. BonesetEupatorium purpureum L. Solid-Stemmed Joe-Pye Weed

(very rare in La)Eupatorium rotundifolium L. Round-Leaf Boneset

(three varieties in Louisiana)Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. White Snakeroot

(Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H.E. Robins.)Eupatorium semiserratum DC. BonesetEupatorium serotinum Michx. Fall Boneset

Euthamia leptocephala (Torr. & Gray) Greene Flat-Topped GoldenrodGamochaeta falcata (Lam.) Cabrera Narrow-Leaf Purple CudweedGamochaeta purpurea (L.) Cabrera Purple CudweedHelenium flexuosum Raf. SneezeweedHelianthus angustifolius L. Narrow-Leaf SunflowerHelianthus annuus L. Common SunflowerHelianthus hirsutus Raf. Common Wild SunflowerHeterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britt. & Rusby Golden AsterHieracium gronovii L. HawkweedIva annua L. SumpweedKrigia dandelion (L.) DC. Potato Dwarf DandelionLactuca canadensis L. Wild LettuceLiatris sp. Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya Michx. Kansas Blazing StarMikania scandens (L.) Willd. Hemp VineParthenium hysterophorus L. Santa MariaPityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. Silverleaf GoldenasterPrenanthes aitissima L. Rattlesnake Root

(rare in La)Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Walt.) DC. False DandelionRudbeckia hirta L. Black-eyed SusanSenecio glabellus Poir. YellowtopSilphium asteriscus L. RosinweedSilphium gracile Gray. Slender RosinweedSolidago sp. Goldenrod

Solidago arguta Ait. var. boottii (Hook) Palmer & Steyermark Boot’s Cut-Leaf Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis L.var. scabra Torr. & Gray Common Goldenrod

Solidago hispida Muhl. Ex Willd. Rough GoldenrodSolidago ludoviciana (Gray) Small GoldenrodSolidago nemoralis Ait. Oil-Field GoldenrodSolidago odora Ait. Sweet GoldenrodSolidago rugosa P. Mill.

ssp aspera (Ait.) Cronq. Rough GoldenrodSolidago rugosa P. Mill.

ssp. rugosa var. rugosa Rough Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens L.var. mexicana (L.) Fern. Seaside Goldenrod

Sonchus oleraceus L. Smooth Sow-thistleVernonia sp. Ironweed

Vernonia texana (Gray) Small Texas IronweedXanthium strumarium L. Cocklebur

Family Balsaminaceae

Impatiens capensis Meerb. Touch-me-not

Family BerberidaceaePodophyllum peltatum L. MayApple

Family Boraginaceae

Cynoglossum virginianum L. Hound’s TongueHeliotropium curassavicum L. Seaside HeliotropeMyosotis verna Nutt. Gromwell

Family Brassicaeae

Brassica sp. Mustards and TurnipsLepidium virginicum L. Virginia Pepperweed

Family Buddlejaceae

Polypremum procumbens L. Juniperweed

Family Cactaceae

Opuntia sp. Prickly Pear Cactus

Family Campanulaceae

Campanulastrum americanum (L.) Small Bell flower(rare in La)

Lobelia sp. LobeliaLobelia cardinalis L. Cardinal FlowerLobelia puberula Michx. Purple Lobelia

(two sub-species)Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl. Venus’ Looking Glass

(three sub-species

Family Cannabaceae

Cannabis sativa L. Marijuana

Family Caryophyllaceae

Cerastium sp. ChickweedCerastium glomeratum Thuill Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Silene virginica L. Firepink(rare in La)

Family Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium album L. var. album Lamb’s Quarters

Chenopodium ambrosiodes L. Mexican TeaSalicornia bigelovii Torr. Glasswort

Family Cistaceae

Lechea mucronata Raf. Large Pinweed

Family Clusiaceae

Hypericum sp. St. John’s WortHypericum drummondii (Grev. & Hook.) Torr. & Gray Nits and Lice

Triadenum walteri (J.G. Gmel.) Gleason Marsh St. John’s Wort

Family Convolvulaceae

Dichondra caroliniensis Michx. Pony FootIpomoea sp. Morning GloryJacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb. Tie Vine

Family Crassulaceae

Penthorum sedoides L. Ditch Stonecrop

Family Cucurbitaceae

Cucumis melo L. StinkmelonMelothria pendula L. Melonette

Family Euphorbiaceae

Acalypha gracilens Gray Three-Seeded MercuryAcalypha virginica L. Three-Seeded Mercury

(two varieties)Caperonia palustris (L.) St. Hil. Mexican WeedChamaesyce maculata (L.) Small Spotted SpurgeCroton sp. Goatweed

Croton glandulosus L. Tropic CrotonEuphorbia sp. Spurge

Euphorbia corollata L. Flowering SpurgeTragia cordata Michx. Vine Noseburn

Family Fabaceae

Aeschynomene indica L. JointvetchAlysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC. Alyce CloverAmphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern. Southern Hog PeanutArachis glabiata Benth. Rhizoma Peanut

(non-native plant being promoted for deer and cattle forage, not in Atlas) Arachis hypogaea L. PeanutBaptisia nuttalliana Small Nuttall’s Wild IndigoCentrosema virginianum (L.) Benth. Spurred Butterfly PeaChamaecrista fasiculata (Michx.) Greene Sleeping PlantChamaecrista nictitans (L.) Moench Partridge PeaCrotalaria sagittalis L. Arrowhead RattleboxDesmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacM.

ex B.L. Robins. & Fern. Illinois Bundle FlowerDesmodium sp. Ticktrefoil

Desmodium laevigatum (Nutt.) DC Smooth TicktrefoilDesmodium obtusum (Muhl. ex Willd.) DC. Stiff TicktrefoilDesmodium paniculatum (L.) DC. Panicled TicktrefoilDesmodium perplexum Schub. Perplexed TicktrefoilDesmodium rotundifolium DC. Dollar-vine

Galactia regularis (L.) B.S.P. Eastern MilkpeaGalactia volubilis (L.) Britt. Downy MilkpeaGlycine max (L.) Merr. SoybeanKummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. Japanese LespedezaLathyrus sp. Peavine

Lathyrus latifolius L. Perennial SweetpeaLespedeza sp. Lespedeza

Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. Shrubby LespedezaLespedeza hirta (L.) Hornem. Hairy LespedezaLespedeza intermedia (S. Wats.) Britt. Intermediate LespedezaLespedeza procumbens Michx. Trailing Lespedeza

Lespedeza repens (L.) W. Bart. Creeping LespedezaLespedeza violaacea (L.) Pers. Violet LespedezaLespedeza virginica (L.) Britt. Slender Lespedeza

Medicago sativa L. AlfalfaMelilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. Yellow Sweet Clover

(M. alba Medik.)Mimosa quadrivalvis L. Sensitive Briar

(four subspecies)Mimosa strigillosa Torr. & Gray Pink Powderpuff

Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Moesen & S. Almedia Kudzu

Sesbania exaltata (Raf.) Rydb. ex A.W. Hill Hemp SesbaniaStrophostyles helvula (L.) Ell. Amberique BeanStylosanthes biflora (L.) B.S.P. Pencil FlowerTephrosia onobrychoides Nutt. Multibloom Hoary PeaTephrosia virginiana (L.) Pers. Goat’s RueTrifolium sp. Clover

Trifolium incarnatum L. Crimson CloverTrifolium pratense L. Red CloverTrifolium repens L. Dutch White CloverTrifolium resupinatum L. Reversed CloverTrifolium subterraneum L. Subterranean CloverTrifolium vesciculosum Savi Arrowleaf Clover

Vicia sp. VetchVicia sativa L.

(two sub-species) CommonVetchVigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth. Marsh CowpeaVigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (V sinensis) Cowpea

Family Fumariaceae

Corydalis micrantha (Engelm.) Gray Fumewort(two sub-species in Louisiana)

Family Gentianaceae

Eustoma exaltatum (L.) Salisb. ex G. Don Prairie GentianSabatia angularis (L.) Pursh Squarestem RosepinkSabatia brachiata Ell. Narrowleaf Rosepink

Family Geraniaceae

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Her. ex Ait. Stork’s BillGeranium carolinianum L. Carolina Crane’s BillGeranium dissectum L. Redflower Crane’s Bill

Family Hydrophyllaceae

Hydrolea uniflora Raf. One-Flower False-FiddleleafNemophila aphylla (L.) Brummitt Small Flower NemophilaPhacelia dubia (L.) Trel. Phacelia

(uncommon in Louisiana, an introduced plant)

Family Lamiaceae

Lycopus rubellus Moench Taperleaf Water HorehoundMonarda fistulosa L. Wild Bergamot BeebalmPrunella vulgaris L. Common Self-HealPycnanthemum albescens Torr. & Gray Whiteleaf Mountain MintPycnanthemum tenuifolium Schrad. Narrowleaf Mountain MintSalvia lyrata L. Lyreleaf SageScutellaria elliptica Muhl. ex Spreng. Hairy SkullcapScutellaria integrifolia L. Helmet FlowerScutellaria lateriflora L. Wetland SkullcapStachys floridana Shuttlw. ex Benth. Florida HedgenettleStachys tenuifolia Willd.

var. tenuifolia Smooth HedgenettleTeucrium canadense L. Canada Germander

Family Loganiaceae

Mitreola petiolata (J.F. Gmel.) Torr. & Gray Lax Hornpod

Family Lythraceae

Ammannia coccinea Rottb. Valley RedstemCuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F. Macbr. Colombian WaxweedLythrum alatum Pursh

var. lanceolatum (Ell.) Torr & Gray ex Rothrock Winged Loosestrife

Family Malvaceae

Gossypium hirsutum L. CottonHibiscus laevis All. Hardleaf RosemallowHibiscus moscheutos L.

ssp. lasiocarpus (Cav.) O.J. Blanchard Crimsoneyed RosemallowKosteletzkya virginica (L.) K. Presl ex Gray Seashore Marsh-MallowMalachra capitata (L.) L. Horse MallowModiola caroliniana (L.) G. Don Carolina MallowSida rhombifolia L. Teaweed

Family Melastomataceae

Rhexia sp. MeadowbeautyRhexia mariana L. Maryland Meadowbeauty

var. mariana

Family MonotropaceaeMonotropa uniflora L. Indian Pipe

Family Nelumbonaceae

Nelumbo lutea Willd. American Lotus

Family Nyctaginaceae

Boerhaavia erecta L. Erect SpiderlingMirabilis jalapa L. Four O’clock

Family Onagraceae

Ludwigia alternifolia L. SeedboxLudwigia decurrens Walt. Winged PrimrosewillowLudwigia glandulosa Walt. Cylindric-fruit WaterprimroseLudwigia pilosa Walt. Hairy PrimroseOenothera biennis L. Common Evening PrimroseOenothera laciniata Hill Cutleaf Evening Primrose

Family Oxalidaceae

Oxalis corniculata L. Creeping WoodsorrelOxalis stricta L. Yellow LadysorrelOxalis violacea L. Purple Woodsorrel

Family Papaveraceae

Sanguinaria canadensis L. Bloodroot(rare in Louisiana)

Family Passifloraceae

Passiflora incarnata L. Purple PassionflowerPassiflora lutea L. Yellow Passionflower

Family Phytolaccaceae

Phytolacca americana L. Pokesalad

Family Plantaginaceae

Plantago aristata Michx. Longbracted PlantainPlantago lanceolata L. English PlantainPlantago major L. Common PlantainPlantago rugelii Dcne. Blackseed PlantainPlantago virginica L. Pale-Seed Plantain

Family Polemoniaceae

Phlox sp. Phlox (eight species in Louisiana)Phlox pilosa L. Downy Phlox (five subspecies in Louisiana)

Family Polygalaceae

Polygala polygama Walt. Bitter Milkwort

Family Polygonaceae

Polygonum sp. SmartweedPolygonum hydropiper L. Water PepperPolygonum hydropiperoides Michx. Wild Water PepperPolygonum pensylvanicum L. Pink SmartweedPolygonum virginianum L. Jumpseed

Rumex altissimus Wood Pale DockRumex crispus L. Curly DockRumex verticillatus L. Swamp Dock

Family Primulaceae

Lysimachia radicans Hook. Trailing LoosestrifeSamolus valerandi L.

ssp. parviflorus (Raf.) Hulten Thin-Leaf Brookwood

Family Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus sp. ButtercupRanunculus recurvatus Poir. Hooked ButtercupRanunculus sardous Crantz Early Buttercup

Thalictrum dasycarpum Fisch. & Ave’-Lall. Purple Meadow Rue

Family Rosaceae

Agrimonia sp. Grovebur(six species in Louisiana)

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke Indian StrawberryFragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild StrawberryGeum canadense Jacq. White AvensPotentilla simplex Michx. Common Cinquefoil

Family Rubiaceae

Diodia teres Walt. PoorjoeDiodia virginiana L. ButtonweedGalium aparine L. Rough BedstrawMitchella repens L. Partridge-BerryOldenlandia uniflora L. Annual OldenlandiaSpermacoce glabra Michx. Smooth False Buttonweed

Family Sapindaceae

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Balloonvine

Family Saururaceae

Saururus cernuus L. Lizard’s Tail

Family Scrophuloriaceae

Agalinis sp. False Foxglove(twenty species in Louisiana)

Aureolaria sp. Foxglove(four species in Louisiana)

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell Coastal WaterhyssopMecardonia acuminata (Walt.) Small Purple AxilflowerNuttallanthus canadensis (L.) D.A. Sutton Blue Toad-FlaxPedicularis canadensis L. LousewortPenstemon digitalis Nutt. ex Sims. Smooth BeardtonguePenstemon tenuis Small Sharpsepal BeardtongueVeronica peregrina L. Purselane Speedwell

Family Solanaceae

Lycium carolinianum Walt. Carolina Wolf-BerryPhysalis sp. Groundcherry

Physalis angulata L. Smooth Annual Groundcherry

Solanum americanum P. Mill. American Black NightshadeSolanum carolinense L. HorsenettleSolanum elaeagnifolium Cav. White HorsenettleSolanum ptychanthum Dunal Common Black Nightshade

Family Urticaceae

Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw. Bog HempLaportea canadensis (L.) Weddell Wood NettleUrtica chamaedryoides Pursh Heartleaf Nettle

Family Verbenaceae

Glandularia canadensis (L.) Nutt Wild VerbenaPhyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene Northern FrogfruitVerbena sp. Vervain

Verbena brasiliensis Vell. Brazilian Vervain

Family Violaceae

Viola sp. VioletViola primulifolia L. White VioletViola sororia Willd. Meadow Violet

Description of Herbaceous Plates

Plate 1

Pteridium aquilinum, Bracken Fern

The fronds (leaves) of this fern are large, with a triangular shape and general feathery appearance dueto the opposite arrangement of the pinnae (leaflets). New leaves of bracken fern are often browsed in the earlyspring, especially on pine wood stands that have had a dormant season burn.

Plate 2

Polystichum acrostichoides, Christmas Fern

The numerous dark green leaves of this fern arise upward from the rootstock in the spring; older leavesthat are dark green in color spread downward, encircling the new growth. The pinnae (leaflets) have an ear-shaped lobe at the base on the upper margin of the leaflet. This fern may be browsed year-round, althoughheaviest use is usually observed in the winter when many browse species are dormant.

Plate 3

Thelypteris kunthii, Southern Shield Fern

This fern grows in dense clusters and has leaves that are somewhat narrowly triangular in shape. Itoccurs throughout the state and is heavily browsed year-round in the Atchafalaya Basin (based upon browsesurveys and rumen samples).

Lygodium japonicum, Japanese Climbing Fern

An introduced fern with vine-like leaves; pinnae are arranged on opposite sides. This exotic species hasbecome well established across the state. It dies back in late winter. Utilization is best documented from rumensamples. Rumen samples indicate moderate usage, however, utilization can be high in closed canopy standsduring fall or early winter. This fern will die back in late winter following freezing temperatures.

Plate 4

Plate 4 shows a close-up of deer browsing on Thelypteris kunthii. This fern is very common in the under-story on Sherburne WMA where it is regularly eaten by deer. Fern leaflet fragments are easily recognized inrumen samples (lower photo).

Plate 5

Sagittaria sp., Arrowhead

The plant in this photo is Sagittaria platyphylla, delta duck potato, and was taken at the AtchafalayaDelta WMA. This genus of aquatic plants is common in the coastal zones and interior wetlands. Plants havebasal leaves with blades that are lanceolate or sagittate in shape. These plants are important for waterfowl.

Tradescantia sp., Spiderwort

These are succulent plants with linear leaves that have a basal sheath around the stem. The coloredflowers have three petals. These plants occur in moist woodlands, pastures, and along roadsides. There are tenspecies of Tradescantia listed in the Atlas.

Plate 6

Juncus sp., Rush

Rushes are grass-like plants that grow in wet areas; some species have leaves that are somewhat roundedin appearance. The bedding of pine seedlings in plantations creates ditches that often hold water, and makesideal habitat for rushes. Juncus often grows in food plots that were developed in low areas and will be browsedalong with the cultivated forages.

Plate 7

Crinum americanum, Swamp Lily

C. americanum is a showy lily with white flowers; this plant occurs in swamps and marshes. The largegreenish seeds are enclosed in a capsule (which develops below the flower) and are eaten by deer. Use ofswamp lily fruit for food was found in rumen samples collected on the Pass-A-Loutre WMA.

Plate 8

Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alligator Weed

This is an introduced aquatic weed with succulent stems, opposite leaves, and white flowers in cylindricspikes that arise from the leaf axils. Alligator weed is regularly browsed by deer and is an important forage inthe coastal and swamp habitats of the state.

Plate 9

Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Common Ragweed

This is annual weed with opposite basal leaves but alternate upper leaves. The leaves have blades thatare pinnatifid to bi-pinnatifid. It is regularly browsed by deer. Unfortunately the pollen from this plant is aserious problem for persons allergic to it.

Ambrosia trifida, Giant Ragweed

This tall annual weed has scabrous opposite leaves that usually have three lobes. It is common through-out Louisiana and is often heavily browsed by deer during the early growing season.

Plate 10

Dracopsis amplexicaulis, Clasping Coneflower

This tall annual has sessile or clasping leaves. The ray flowers are yellowish, and the disc flowers (cone)are brownish in color. This composite is frequently browsed in the early spring in the Atchafalaya Basin.

Erigeron philadelphicus, Showy Daisy Fleabane

Daisy fleabane is a short-lived spring perennial with yellow disc flowers and white, linear ray flowers.The upper leaves clasp around the stem. It is common throughout Louisiana and is moderately browsed in thespring.

Plate 11

Aster sp., Aster

Asters have alternate leaves that are usually sessile. The non-flowering plants have an appearance simi-lar to goldenrod but are more slender. The disk flowers are usually yellowish, and the ray flowers bluish, pur-ple, or rose-colored. Flowers occur at the ends of leafy branches. Like goldenrod, asters are often heavilybrowsed in spring, summer, and early fall.

Lactuca canadensis, Wild Lettuce

A tall composite with thick hollow stems; its leaves are pinnately lobed and have weak teeth (spines) onthe margins. This plant is frequently browsed during the spring and summer months.

Plate 12

Eupatorium coelestinum, Mist Flower

This is a perennial with weak stems, opposite triangular shaped leaves, and purplish or pink flowers. Itis common in moist areas and woodlands. Like most species of Eupatorium, mist flower is regularly browsed bydeer.

Eupatorium perfoliatum, Boneset

Boneset is a tall perennial with opposite and perfoliate leaves. The flowers are in heads located at theend of the stems. This Eupatorium is moderately browsed in late summer and fall.

Plate 13

Solidago canadensis, Goldenrod

Goldenrod is usually a tall perennial with alternate linear leaves and showy yellow or golden coloredflower heads, that develop in late summer or early fall. Browsing occurs before the flower heads develop andbrowsing of goldenrod can be high.

Plate 14

Lobelia cardinalis, Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower is a showy perennial that grows in wet or moist soil sites. The plant has lanceolate andalternate leaves; flowers are bright vermilion or red in color. It is a common browse plant in the swamp habitat.

Plate 15

Lobelia puberula, Purple Lobelia

This Lobelia is a common browse plant in the sandy pine woods around the state. The flowers are pur-ple or bluish in color, and the stem leaves are oblong in shape.

Impatiens capensis, Touch-Me-Not

Touch-me-not is a succulent annual with bright green stems and leaves that are ovate in shape. Theorange-colored flowers hang downward like a pendulum. This flowering plant occurs in moist woodlands withsandy streams and is frequently browsed.

Plate 16

Triodanis perfoliata, Venus’ Looking Glass

This small annual has clasping leaves and purplish-blue axillary flowers. This small flowering plant isoccasionally browsed in spring and early summer.

Cerastium glomeratum, Mouse-Ear Chickweed

This is an erect hairy annual with opposite leaves. The leaves are oblong in shape and are hairy on boththe top and bottom. The small delicate flowers are white in color. Both mouse-ear chickweed and Venus’ look-ing glass are common in and around food plots and browsing of these small plants is best observed at groundlevel, which requires the observer to get on one’s knees.

Plate 17

Desmanthus illinoensis, Illinois Bundleflower

This perennial legume has a somewhat woody-like appearance and resembles plants in the genusMimosa. D. ilinoensis has unarmed stems, and the various species of Mimosa have stems with prickles. Thisplant has bipinnnate leaves. It is common in fields and cut-over habitat and is regularly browsed.

Sesbania exaltata, Hemp Sesbania

Sesbania is a robust agricultural weed having alternate compound leaves with numerous leaflets and yel-low flowers. Browsing usually occurs while the plant is less than three feet tall, usually when it first emerges.

Plate 18

Vigna luteola, Marsh Cowpea

This legume is a perennial vine of fresh-water marsh habitat; it has alternate compound leaves (threeleaflets) and yellow flowers. Marsh cowpea is an important browse plant in the coastal habitats of the state;habitat management that enhances the growth of this vine will benefit deer.

Eustoma exaltatum, Prairie Gentian

Prairie gentian is a showy plant of the coastal regions. The plant has opposite leaves and blue- or pink-ish-colored flowers. It is commonly browsed on the Atchafalaya Delta WMA.

Plate 19

Geranium carolinianum, Carolina Crane’s Bill

Crane’s bill is an annual with hairy stems and pinnately lobed or disected leaves and small pink flowers.It is a common early spring browse plant and occurs throughout the state.

Cuphea carthagenensis, Waxweed

This plant is another hairy annual with many stem branches. Waxweed has opposite leaves that areelliptical or oval in shape; the small axillary flowers are pinkish in color. It is a common browse plant foundaround the edges of wet open woodlands, along trails, and disturbed sandy soil sites such as food plots.

Plate 20

Lycopus rubellus, Water Horehound

This perennial has square stems, opposite leaves that are lanceolate in shape with serrated margins.Plants have a general reddish appearance. It is a common food plant on swamp habitat. This plant is oftenfound growing on floating logs and at the bases of trees and stumps.

Pycnanthemum albescens, White Mountain Mint

Mountain Mint is another square-stemmed perennial with opposite leaves. The leaf margins are crenateand have a whitish appearance. The mint-like flavor (aroma) of this plant is obvious. Except for the coastalareas, it occurs throughout the state and is occasionally browsed.

Plate 21

Kosteletzkya virginica, Marsh-Mallow

A perennial of the Hibiscus Family, this plant occurs in the brackish and fresh water marsh habitat. Itis a tall plant with very showy roseate flowers. Marsh-Mallow is moderately browsed.

Ludwigia alternifolia, Seedbox

This Water Primrose has erect stems, alternate leaves that have a lanceolate shape, and yellow flowers.It occurs throughout the state and is commonly browsed. Moist soil habitat management units provide goodgrowing sites for this and other wetland species of plants that are eaten by deer.

Plate 22

Sida rhombifolia, Teaweed

Teaweed is a herbaceous perennial with a woody-like appearance. This agricultural weed has greenish stems,

alternate leaves with short petioles; the leaves are green in color on the upper surface and appear whitish below.Yellow flowers occur on elongated pedicels. This weed occurs throughout the state and is frequently browsed by deer.

Geum canadense, White Avens

This slender-stemmed perennial is a member of the Rose family. It has leaves with three to five leaflets,palmately arranged. The basal leaves have long petioles. The fruiting heads are spherical and green in color.This plant is common in rich woodlands, and it is commonly browsed in the spring and summer.

Plate 23

Phytolacca americana, Pokesalad

This robust plant has poisonous rootstock, purplish stems, and alternate leaves that are ovate to lanceo-late in shape. The flowers occur in long racemes and have white petals. The fruit is berry that is dark-purplein color at maturity. The stems, leaves, and fruit of Pokesalad are frequently eaten. This is a desirable nativeplant to manage for along the edges of woods, roads, food plots, and trails. Pokesalad, properly prepared, isalso consumed by humans.

Monotropa uniflora, Indian Pipes

Indian Pipes are small plants without chlorophyll. The whitish- or pinkish-colored stems have smallscale-like leaves. The plant is considered to be saprophytic. A single flower is located at the end of the stem.High use of this pant by deer was found on Fort Polk WMA from rumen samples collected in late October.

Plate 24

Oxalis stricta, Yellow Ladysorrel

This small plant has a general clover-like appearance. The erect stems have alternate compound leaveswith three leaflets. Flowers are yellow. The fruit is a cylindric capsule. This plant is common in young cut-over and pine plantation habitat. It appears to be more resistant to chemical treatments than other browsespecies and can be heavily browsed during the late summer.

Plate 25

Diodia teres, Poorjoe

Poorjoe is a small annual with both spreading and ascending stems; the leaves are opposite and linear orlanceolate in shape. It has small axillary pink flowers. It is common in poor soil sites such as dry sandy wood-lands, especially around food plots developed in such habitat. It is regularly browsed.

Cardiospermum halicacabum, Balloon vine

This slender-stemmed vine has alternate biternate leaves. The vine both sprawls on the ground andclimbs over adjacent vegetation. The seeds are distinctively black with a white lunate seed scar. It is a commonbrowse plant of bottomland hardwood habitat.

Plate 26

Solanum carolinense, Horsenettle

This erect perennial has stems with very sharp spines. The greenish alternate leaves have shallow lobesand a spiny mid-rib. Flowers are pale violet, and the mature fruit is a yellowish berry. It is common aroundthe state and often occurs in food plots in spring and summer. It is a regularly browsed.

Urtica chamaedryoides, Heartleaf Nettle

U. chamaedryoides is often called stinging nettle because of the stinging hairs or bristles that occur on thereddish-brown stems and greenish-colored leaves. It is an erect annual with erect stems and opposite leaves.Despite these stinging hairs, deer regularly eat this plant; it is common in bottomland habitat.

Plate 27

Verbena brasiliense, Brazilian Vervain

Vervain or Verbena is an erect plant having square stems and opposite leaves. Both the stems and leavesare green in color. Flowers occur in terminal spikes and are generally blue or purple. It is commonly browsedduring the spring and summer. It occurs throughout the state on all habitat types. It is especially common infallow fields and is a herbaceous plant that can be managed by periodic bushhogging and fertilizing these fal-low areas.

Plate 28

Polygonum sp., Smartweed

The various species of Smartweed are also important plants for waterfowl. They are associated withwetland habitat sites. Leaf arrangement is alternate, and the leaves are usually linear in shape. The flowersoccur in axillary or terminal spikes or racemes. Deer will eat the plant when it is flowering, and this aids in theidentification of the various species of Polygonum when examining rumen samples. These are common plantsfound in moist soil units. Moist soil units provide good foraging and cover habitat for deer during the summerstress period.

Phyla lanceolata, Northern Frogfruit

Frogfruit is a perennial plant producing numerous stems, often rooting at the nodes. It has bright greenstems and leaves; the leaves are opposite. Deer will eat the leaves, stems, and flowering heads. This plant iscommon on wet sites throughout the state.

Plate 29

Viola sp., Violets

Violets are small plants, most of which do not have aerial stems with stipulate leaves. The usual growthform is a basal rosette of leaves with colorful flowers, usually purple or blue, on an erect peduncle. Mostbrowsing on violets goes unnoticed because of their small size. Violets are a difficult group of plants to identify.Viola primulifolia is one of the two white violets that occur in Louisiana.

Plate 1Pteridium aquilinum

Bracken Fern

Plate 2Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

Plate 3Thelypteris kunthii, Southern Shield Fern (above)

Lygodium japonicum, Japanese Climbing Fern (below)

Plate 4Browsing of southern shield fern (above) and typicalundigested portions of the fern from a rumen sample

(below).

Plate 5Sagittaria sp., Arrowhead(above)

Tradescantia sp., Spiderwort (below)

Plate 6Juncus sp., Rush

Plate 7Crinum americanum

Swamp Lily

Plate 8Alternanthera philoxeroides

Alligator Weed

Plate 9Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Common Ragweed( above)

Ambrosia trifida, Giant Ragweed (below)

Plate 10Dracopsis amplexicaulis, Clasping Coneflower (above)

Erigeron philadelphicus, Showy Daisy Fleabane (below)

Plate 11Aster sp., Aster (above)

Lactuca canadensis, Wild Lettuce(below)

Plate 12Eupatorium coelestinum, Mist Flower (above)

Eupatorium perfoliatum, Boneset (below)

Plate 13Solidago canadensis

Goldenrod

Plate 14Lobelia cardinalisCardinal Flower

Plate 15Lobelia puberula, Purple Lobeila (above)Impatiens capensis, Touch-me-not (below)

Plate 16Triodanis perfoliata, Venus’ Looking Glass (above)

Cerastium glomeratum, Mouse-Ear Chickweed (below)

Plate 17Desmanthus illinoensis, Illinois Bundleflower (above)

Sesbania exaltata, Hemp Sesbania (below)

Plate 18Vigna luteola, Marsh Cowpea (above)

Eustoma exaltatum, Prairie Gentian (below)

Plate 19Geranium carolinianum, Cranes’s Bill (above)

Cuphea carthagenensis, Waxweed (below)

Plate 20Lycopus rubellus, Water Horehound (above)

Pycnanthemum albescens, Mountain Mint (below)

Plate 21Kosteletzkya virginica, Marsh-Mallow (above)

Ludwiga alternifolia, Seedbox (below)

Plate 22Sida rhombifolia, Teaweed (above)

Geum canadense, White Avens (below)

Plate 23Phytolacca americana, Pokesalad (above)Monotropa uniflora, Indian Pipes (below)

Plate 24Oxalis stricta

Yellow LadysorrelBelow photo shows rumen fragments

Plate 25Diodia teres, Poorjoe (above)

Cardiospermum halicacabum, Ballon Vine (below)

Plate 26Solanum carolinense, Horsenettle (above)

Urtica chamaedryoides, Heartleaf Nettle (below)

Plate 27Verbena brasiliense, Vervain

Plate 28Polygonum sp., Smartweed (above)Phyla lanceolata, Frogfruit (below)

Plate 29Viola primulifolia, White Violet (above)

Viola sp., Purple Violet (below)

Woody List

I. Gymnosperms

These are resinous trees or shrubs having seeds that develop in a cone.

Family Cupressaceae

Juniperus virginiana L. Eastern Red Cedar

Comments: Occasional use as browse has been reported. Cedar is frequently used as a rubtree; the larger cedar trees, often used every year, are referred to as “annual signposts.”

Family Pinaceae

Pinus sp. Pine

Comments: Loblolly Pine, Pinus Taeda L., is occasionally browsed by deer. Heavy use of newlyplanted loblolly seedlings has been observed during late winter, prior to the spring green-up.Dry pine leaves are commonly found in the rumen of deer harvested on pine/hardwood habitat.Pines are frequently rubbed along the edges of fields. Spruce pine, Pinus glabra Walt. is aunique tree occurring in wet flatwood-forested habitat, primarily in the Florida parishes and isfrequently used as a rub tree on PRWMA. Pinus palustris P. Mill, Longleaf Pine, is the impor-tant tree of the Kisatchie National Forest, and a serious effort is being made to restore the lon-gleaf pine ecosystem in Louisiana. The longleaf Pine Forest is considered to be low quality deerhabitat and will not support a large deer population

Family Taxodiaceae

Taxodium distichum (L.) L.C. Rich. Bald Cypress

Comments: This is the official Louisiana state tree. Cypress leaves are eaten by deer. Drycypress leaves have also been found in the rumens of deer on Sherburne WMA. It is frequentlyused as a rub tree in swamp habitat.

II. Angiosperms

The angiosperms are divided into two plant groups: the monocotyledons and the dicotyledons.While the most important timber trees belong to the dicotyledon group, the monocotyledongroup contains several species of plants that are very important to deer.

A. Monocotyledons

Family ArecaceaeSabal minor (Jacq.) Pers. Palmetto

Comments: This is a common plant of the bottomland hardwood, deciduous forest river bot-tom, and swamp forest habitats in Louisiana. Its use as browse is limited, but palmetto fruit isreadily eaten. Rumen analysis has found that deer will also eat the flower stems. The fruit willbe eaten before it matures.

Family Agavaceae

Yucca filamentosa L. Adam’s Needle

Comments: Several species of Yucca occur in Louisiana. Atwood reports Y. filamentosa as aplant eaten by deer. Use of Yucca has not been observed or reported in Louisiana.

Family Smilacaceae

Smilax bona-nox L. Fiddle leaf GreenbriarSmilax glauca Walt. SawbriarSmilax hispida Muhl. HellfetterSmilax laurifolia L. Lowland Bamboo VineSmilax pumila Walt. Sarsaparilla VineSmilax rotundifolia L. Common GreenbriarSmilax smallii Morong Upland Bamboo VineSmilax walteri Pursh Redberry Greenbriar

Comments: Other than Smilax pumila Walt., the various species of Smilax are highly preferredbrowse plants of deer. Deer will utilize Smilax year-round. It is a good indicator plant speciesto use when sampling and surveying deer habitat. Smilax leaves are commonly found in deerrumens. Deer will also eat the fruit of Smilax.

B. Dicotyledons

Family Aceracceae

Acer barbatum Michx Southern Sugar MapleAcer negundo L. Box ElderAcer rubrum L. Drummond Red Maple

var. drummondii (Hook. & Arn., ex nutt.) SargAcer rubrum L. var. rubrum Red MapleAcer saccharinum L. Silver MapleAcer saccharum Marsh Sugar Maple

Comments: Both varities of red maple are browsed and the degree of browsing can vary fromlow to high. Stump sprouts of red maple are usually heavily browsed. Red maple is frequentlyused as a rub tree. Box elder is also commonly browsed, but the degree of browsing can varyfrom one location to another. Box elder is our only maple with compound leaves; it is not acommercially important tree and can dominate the understory, creating problems for the deerhabitat.

Family Anacardiaceae

Rhus aromatica Ait. Aromatic SumacRhus copallinum L. Winged SumacRhus glabra L. Smooth SumacToxicodendron sp Poison Oak, Ivy, and Sumac

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze Poison Ivy

Comments: R. copallinum and R. glabra are browsed by deer and have a moderate value asbrowse. The fruit of both species is readily eaten during late summer and fall; it is frequentlyfound in the rumens of harvested deer in November on mixed pine/hardwood habitat. T. radi-cans is of moderate to high value as deer browse. This shade-tolerant vine commonly occurs inthe understory of bottomland and river bottom forests. The fruit of this vine is also eaten.

Family Aquifoliaceae

Ilex cassine L. Dahoon Ilex coriacea (Pursh) Chapman Large GalberryIlex decidua Walt. Decidious HollyIlex glabra (L.) Gray GallberryIlex longipes Chapman ex Trel. Georgia HollyIlex opaca Ait. American HollyIlex verticillata (L.) Gray Rough WinterberryIlex vomitoria Ait. Yaupon

Comments: Ilex opaca is the only commercial timber tree in this group; the others are shrubsare small mid-story trees. I. decidua is a preferred browse species and is a good indicator plantfor browse survey work. Yaupon is common throughout the state. I. cassine is an importantbrowse plant on swamp habitat.

Family Araliaceae

Aralia spinosa L. Hercules’ Club orDevil’s Walking Stick

Comments: A. spinosa is heavily browsed during the spring and summer. The larger two- tothree-inch trees are used as rub trees.

Family Asteraceae

Baccharis halimifolia L. SaltbushBorrichia frutescens (L.) DC. Woody Sea-Ox-EyeIva frutescens L. Marshelder

Comments: B. halimifolia is a tardily deciduous shrub that is common throughout the state. Itis available as browse during the entire year, and deer will eat it. It is a common shrub inyoung pine plantation habitat and shows better resistance to chemical treatments than other,more desirable hardwood species. Because it does retain some leaves during the fall and wintermonths, it may be heavily browsed during these seasons in this type of habitat. All three maybe used as rub trees.

Family Betulaceae

Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd. AlderBetula nigra L. River BirchCarpinus caroliniana Walt. Blue BeechCorylus americana Walt. HazelnutOstrya virginiana (P. Mill.) K. Koch Hop Hornbean

Comments: A. serrulata is probably the species in this family of woody plants browsed mostfrequently in Louisiana. It is common in baygall habitat. C. caroliniana and O. virginiana areoccasionally browsed by deer. O. virginiana is used as a rub tree in the upland hardwood habi-tat in the state. C. americana is rare in Louisiana.

Family Bignoniaceae

Bignonia capreolata L. Cross-VineCampis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau Trumpet CreeperCatalpa speciosa (Warder) Watder ex Engelm. Northern Catalpa

Comments: C. radicans is a highly preferred browse plant. It is found throughout the stateand receives heavy use during the spring and summer months. B. capreolata is an evergreenvine that is commonly browsed by deer during the fall and winter months.

Family Calycanthaceae

Calycanthus floridus L. Sweet Shrub

Comments: This is a highly preferred browse plant in the eastern U.S. In Louisiana it is listedin the Atlas as occurring in West Feliciana Parish only, and it is not clear if this plant wasnative to the parish.

Family Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera japonica Thunb. Japanese HoneysuckleLonicera sempervirens L. Coral HoneysuckleSambucus canadensis L. ElderberrySymphoricarpos orbiculatus Moench SnowberryViburnum acerifolium L. Maple-Leaf ViburnumViburnum dentatum L. Arrow-wood

(two varieties in Louisiana)Viburnum nudum L. Possum Haw

var. nudumViburnum prunifolium L. Black HawViburnum rufidulum Raf. Rusty Black Haw

Comments: L. japonica is an introduced woody vine occurring throughout Louisiana and is ahighly preferred browse plant. This vine will grow and produce leaves throughout the entireyear making it a very desirable deer foliage. Coral Honeysuckle is browsed by deer, but not asheavily as Japanese Honeysuckle. S. canadensis is a small shrub that is also highly preferred bydeer. Browsing activity by deer can reduce the regeneration of new plants and cause the shrubsto become arborescent. Deer will eat the fruit of both L. japonica and S. canadensis. Shrubs inthe genus Viburnum are also desirable browse plants. S. canadensis and Virburum sp. are goodbrowse indicator plants for habitat sampling.

Family Celastraceae

Celastrus scandens L. Bitter SweetEuonymus americana L. Strawberry BushEuonymus atropurpurea Jacq. Wahoo

Comments: E. americana occurs in the mixed deciduous forests in Louisiana. It is a good plantto use as an indicator species when sampling deer habitat. Both C. scandens and E. atropur-purea are rare in Louisiana.

Family Clethraceae

Clethra anifolia L. Sweet Pepper Bush or Alder

Comments: C. alnifolia is considered to be a good browse plant, but it has a limited range inLouisiana. It is listed in the Atlas as occurring in the bay gall habitat and swamp edges inWashington, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa Parishes. It occurs on the Pearl River WMA.

Family Clusiaceae

Hypericum crux-andreae (L.) Crantz St. Andrew’s CrossHypericum galioides Lam. Bedstraw St. John’s Wort

Hypericum hypericoides (L.) Crantz St. John’s Crossssp. hypericoides

Hypericum nudiflorum Michx. ex. Willd. Dogbane St. John’s Wort

Comments: H. hypericoides is browsed by deer, and utilization can vary from low to high. Thisplant is common in pine plantation habitat and appears to have a higher degree of resistancethan other desirable plants. On such one- to three-year-old sites, it may be frequently browsed.

Family Cornaceae

Cornus drummondii C.A. Mey Rough-Leaf DogwoodCornus florida L. Flowering DogwoodCornus foemina P. Mill. Swamp Dogwood

Comments: All three species of dogwood are commonly browsed. These small trees are goodindicator species for browse survey sampling.

Family Cyrillaceae

Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britt. Ex Sarg. Buckwheat BushCyrilla racemiflora L. TiTi

Comments: C. monophylla is listed as a desirable browse plant for deer but it has a limitedrange in Louisiana (St. Tammany Parish). C. racemiflora occurs in baygall and swamp habitatin twelve parishes and is commonly browsed by deer. It is a tardily deciduous shrub, thereforeit will provide year-round forage.

Family Ebenaceae

Diospyros virginiana L. Persimmon

Comments: While this tree is of low value as a browse plant, the fruit is highly preferred bydeer. The fruit ripens in late summer and early fall and will provide hunting opportunity forbow hunters in October. It is a good tree to incorporate in wildlife planting programs; it shouldbe noted that male and female flowers occur on separate trees.

Family Elaeagnaceae

Elaeagnus umbellata Thumb. Autumn OliveElaeagnus angustifolia L. Russian Olive

Comments: These are introduced shrubs that are commonly promoted and planted for wildlife.Deer will browse these shrubs throughout the year. There is some concern that these shrubsmay be readily spread throughout an area and become noxious plants. Intense browsing maylimit seed production on some sites, which would reduce the availability of fruit for birds, thus

restricting seed dispersal. Concern for the spread of exotic species is justifiable, and the use ofnative shrubs for wildlife plantings is recommended.

Family Ericaceae

Gaylussacia dumosa (Andr.) Torr. & Gray Dwarf HuckleberryKalmia latifolia L. Mountain LaurelLeucothoe axillaris (Lam.) D. Don Dog HobbleLyonia ligustrina (L.) DC. He-HuckleberryOxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. SourwoodRhododendron canescens (Michx.) Sweet Sweet AzaleaVaccinium arboreum Marsh. Tree HuckleberryVaccinium corymbosum L. BlueberryVaccinium elliottii Chapman Elliott’s BlueberryVaccinium stamineum L. DeerberryVaccinium virgatum Ait. Large Cluster Blueberry

Comments: G. dumosa, K. latifolia, L. axillaris, and L. ligustrina have limited ranges inLouisiana. Because of this, they are not important browse plants. O. arboreum is occasionallybrowsed, but is often used as a rub tree. R. canescens is considered to be of moderate value asbrowse. It occurs along the higher banks of the bayous and sloughs on Pearl River WMA andis used as a rub tree by bucks traveling up and down them. Blueberry farmers often complainof deer depredation on their commercial shrubs; measures must be taken to protect the plantsfrom browsing. The primary method for controlling deer depredation is fencing.

Family Euphorbiaceae

Sapium sebiferum L. Roxb. Chinese Tallow TreeSebastiana fruticosa (Bartr.) Fern. Candleberry

Comments: Chinese Tallow Tree has become a noxious tree in Louisiana forests. It is consid-ered to be an undesirable forage, and noted browsing activity is usually attributed to over-pop-ulation or habitat problems. Rumen samples from hunter-harvested deer on Attakapas WMAin November 2002 revealed high use of tallow leaves and fruit. Deer may be eating it simplybecause it is so abundant. Other hardmast fruit is lacking on the wma. Candleberry is seldombrowsed.

Family Fabaceae

Albizia julibrissin Durz. MimosaAmorpha fruticosa L. Dull-leaf IndigoCercis canadensis L. RedbudErthyrina herbacea L. Mimosa or Eastern Coral beanGleditsia aquatica Marsh Water locustGleditsia triacanthos L. Honey locust

Robinia pseudoacacia L. Black locustWisteria frutescens (L.) Poir American Wisteria

Comments: A. julibrissin and C. canadensis are both browsed by deer, and utilization can varyfrom one site to the next. G. aquatica, G. triacanthos, and R. pseudoacacia are of low to moder-ate value as deer browse. The fruit of G. triacanthos is a flat legume pod about seven to eight-een inches long. The seeds are embedded in a sugary pulp and are readily eaten by deer. It is agood tree to focus on for fall bow hunting. W. frutescens is a high climbing vine and is occasion-ally browsed. E. herbacea is a shrub in pine forests and may be occasionally eaten.

Family Fagaceae

Comments: The family Fagaceae contains the genus Quercus, the oaks, which is one of themost important groups of food plants for deer in Louisiana. Acorns, often referred to as hardmast, are an important fall and winter food item of deer. Acorns provide deer with a source ofhigh energy that is converted and stored as body fat. This fat will be used at times of stress.Bucks store up this energy in early fall and use it during the winter rut. Does accumulate thisenergy throughout the fall and winter months and use it prior to and after fawning (spring orsummer).

In recent years the importance of oaks has been minimized. It is often said that acornsare not a dependable food source because mast crops can vary from year to year. Statementssuch as “browse is more important than acorns,” are often used to justify the reduction of theoak component in a forest.

While browse is the mainstay of the deer’s diet, acorns remain very important to deerherds in Louisiana. According to harvest data, deer quality is best in a forest with a good hard-wood component. This is supported by the physical data collected on public and private landsin Louisiana.

It is correct that mast crops can vary from year to year. This is primarily due to weatherconditions at the time of flowering. The key to maintaining some annual production is to main-tain a diversity of oak species in the forest. Flower development for the various species of oaksoccurs at different times during the spring season. In Louisiana, the cherrybark oaks flowerfirst followed by other red oaks. The white oak group usually is a few weeks behind the redoak group; this includes the white oak, cow oak, and overcup oak trees. Nuttall’s oak is one ofthe last oaks to flower in the state. Oak flowers are wind pollinated, and inclement weather atthe times oaks are flowering will reduce pollination. Maintaining a diversity of oak species onthe habitat reduces the chances for a total mast failure.

The genus Quercus is divided into two groups: the red oaks and the white oaks. The redoak group contains species such as cherrybark oak, water oak, willow oak, Nuttall’s oak, andsouthern red oak. The white oak group includes the white oak, cow oak, overcup oak, and postoak. Red oak leaves generally have spines or bristles on the lobes, and white oaks do not. Theacorns of white oaks mature in one growing season, while those of the red oak group mature intwo growing seasons. Deer generally prefer white oak acorns over red oak acorns, although redoak mast will be readily consumed, even when white oak mast is available.

Deer will browse small oak trees and seedlings; heavy browsing pressure may occur onsites being reforested. Such depredation may require a measure of protection on the part of the

land manager so that a quality tree can be grown. Deer will also use oaks for rub trees and inmaking scrapes.

Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh. American ChestnutCastanea pumila (L.) P. Mill. Ozark Chinquapin

(two varieties in Louisiana)

Comments: Deer will browse Castanea and eat the fruit. Cultivated varieties of this tree areoften used for wildlife plantings. On habitat with a good deer population, planted trees willneed to be protected to prevent depredation problems. Known from only two parishes inLouisiana, American chestunut is being killed in the U.S. by chestnut blight.

Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. American Beech

Comments: Utilization of F. grandifolia as browse is low. Deer will eat the three-sided nuts inthe fall and winter.

Quercus acutissima Carruthers Sawtooth Oak

Comments: Q. acutissima is an introduced oak that is planted for wildlife. It is a fast growingtree that will begin acorn production in four to seven years. It is best to plant these oaks ingroups or clusters to obtain desirable flower pollination in the spring. Acorns mature andbegin falling in late August. Acorns are generally gone before the deer season opens, so theyare not of much benefit for hunting purposes. The benefit comes from attracting the deer tothe property prior to the season. Incorporating tree plantings with winter forage plantings willdouble the benefits of a food plot. Planted trees must be protected from deer depredation. It isin the red oak group.

Quercus alba L. White Oak

Comments: This is a common oak of the upland hardwood and mixed pine/hardwood forestsin Louisiana. Deer will browse on young trees. Q. alba mast is a highly preferred food item ofdeer. When Q. alba mast is abundant, deer will eat acorns from October to late winter. Deerwill eat acorns that have sprouted, as evidenced by rumen samples.

Quercus falcata Michx. Southern Red Oak

Comments: Q. falcata is a common tree of the upland and mixed pine/hardwood forests inLouisiana. Deer will eat the leaves and the acorns of this red oak tree.

Quercus incana Bartr. Sandjack Oak

Comments: Q. incana occurs on xeric longleaf pine forest and sandhill woodland habitat. It isa small tree, and deer will eat the leaves and acorns. It is in the red oak group.

Quercus laevis Walt. Turkey Oak

Comments: Restricted to sites in Washington and St. Tammany parishes, this rare tree is oflimited value to deer in the state. Turkey oak is in the red oak group.

Quaercus laurifolia Michx. Laurel Oak

Comments: A common oak throughout Louisiana, Q. laurifolia provides deerwith browse and mast. It belongs to the red oak group.

Quercus lyrata Walt. Overcup Oak

Comments: Q. lyrata belongs to the white oak group and occurs in bottomland and river bot-tom forests. It is frequently found on poorly drained sites, which makes it valuable for deer,because other oaks would be lacking on such sites. It has a low value as browse but a highvalue for its mast.

Quercus macrocarpa Michx. Bur Oak

Comments: Q. macrocarpa is rare in Louisiana with a restricted range, making it of low valueto the statewide population, but of benefit to herds where the tree does occur.

Quercus marilandica Muench. Blackjack Oak

Comments: Q. marilandica is found in Longleaf Pine habitat around the state. It has a lowvalue as browse; deer will eat the acorns.

Quercus michauxii Nutt. Swamp Chestnut Oak

Comments: Q. michauxii is found in the upland hardwood and deciduous river forests inLouisiana. It is in the white oak group, and the acorn from this tree is a highly preferred deerfood in fall and winter. Use of Q. michauxii as browse is limited.

Quercus nigra L. Water Oak

Comments: This red oak is found throughout Louisiana and is a very desirable tree for manywildlife species. Q. nigra has a moderate to high value as browse. Generally acorn productionis good; deer will readily eat water oak acorns. Based upon LDWF annual mast surveys, wateroak is the most consistent mast producer of all oaks in Louisiana.

Quercus pagoda Raf. Cherrybark Oak

Comments: This is another very desirable red oak that is common in Louisiana. Acorns of Q.pagoda are highly preferred by deer; the browse value is moderate. Q. pagoda is also importantfor timber.

Quercus prinus L. Chestnut Oak

Comments: A member of the white oak group, Q. prinus is found in only two Louisiana parishes.Based upon hunter reports from West Feliciana Parish, the acorns are readily consumed by deer.

Quercus shumardii Buckl. var. shumardii Shumard Oak

Comments: This red oak occurs on upland forest sites in Louisiana. Use of leaves and acornsas food is moderate. It is frequently referred to as the upland variety of the striped oak treefound in the bottomland forests.

Quercus similis Ashe Delta Post Oak

Comments: This white oak occurs on the silty loam and heavy clay soils in Louisiana, wheregrowth of Q. similis is better than that of Q. stellata. Acorns from this tree are readily eaten,based upon rumen samples from Morehouse Parish.

Quercus stellata Wangenh. Post Oak

Comments: A white oak found on dry sandy soils, Q. stellata is of low to moderate value todeer.

Quercus texana Buckl. Nuttall’s Oak

Comments: This is a common red oak in the bottomland and river-bottom forests of Louisiana. Qtexana is a very desirable tree for deer. The acorns mature in late winter and provide deer with agood food source during the “lean season”. In 2001 there was an abundant mast crop of Q. texanaon Sherburne WMA. Rumen samples indicated deer were eating these acorns from November2001 to July 2002. Deer quality on Sherburne during the 2002 season was improved from the 2001season, and this improvement is attributed to the abundant Nuttall’s Oak mast crop.

Quercus virginiana P. Mill. Live Oak

Comments: Q. virginiana is found throughout the state. It is of limited value as browse, butdeer will eat the acorns. This tree is probably more important to the deer herds on the coastallive oak/hackberry forest habitat.

Family Grossulariaceae

Itea virginica L. Virginia Willow

Comments: A small shrub that is common in wet woodlands in most of the state; it is of mod-erate browse value.

Family Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis virginiana L. Witch HazelLiquidambar styraciflua L. Sweet Gum

Comments: H. virginiana is a shrub or small tree in the mixed pine/hardwood and uplandhardwood forests in Louisiana. It is moderately browsed by deer. L. styraciflua is a timber treefound throughout the state. It is considered to be a poor deer browse. However, heavy brows-ing may be found on young trees or stump sprouts, particularly during the late summer whenthe quality of the woody browse is beginning to decline. Such browsing activity has been foundeven on good habitat sites.

Family Hippocastanaceae

Aesculus pavia L. Red Buckeye

Comments: This shrub or small tree is seldom if ever used for browse.

Family Hydrangeaceae

Decumaria barbara L. Vine HydrangeaHydrangea arborescens L. Wild Hydrangea

Comments: D. barbara has a limited range in Louisiana and is a moderately browsed vine. H. arborescens is a preferred browse in the southeast U.S. but is restricted to fiveparishes in Louisiana. Consequently, it is not of great value to the deer herds in the state.

Family Illiciaceae

Illicium floridanum Ellis Stinkbush

Comments: Occurring in the deciduous river forests in the Florida Parishes (five parishes), I. floridanum is not browsed.

Family Juglandaceae

Comments: This family of trees contains the hickories and pecans. Both of these trees producefruit that, like the oaks, is referred to as hard mast. Soft mast is a name given to the fruit ofpersimmons, crab apples, mayhaws, blackgum, blackberry and dewberry, and similar typefruit. Light-seeded mast refers to the fruits of elm, maple, and ash; deer generally do not eatthese seeds. Deer do relish the soft mast fruit. Deer eat pecans; however, hickory nuts are notconsumed. Deer will eat the green husk that surrounds a hickory nut.

The pecans and hickories occur on various habitat sites with the oaks, and together areimportant trees for many wildlife species. Deer will eat the leaves of pecan and hickory, andheavy utilization of hickory stump sprouts is often found following a logging operation.

Carya alba L. Nutt. ex Ell. Mockernut Hickory(C. tomentosa (Lam. ex Poir.) Nutt.)

Carya aquatica (Michx. f.) Nutt. Water Hickory

Comments: The LDWF Forestry Section reports that deer will eat the fruit of water hickory onbottomland areas having a low oak component.

Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch Bitternut Hickory Carya glabra (P. Mill.) Sweet Swamp or Pignut HickoryCarya illinoiensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch Pecan

Comments: The small pecan produced by C. illinoiensis in the MS River bottomland hardwoodforests is a desirable fruit for deer in the fall and winter months.

Carya ovata (P. Mill.) K. Koch Shagbark HickoryJuglans nigra L. Black Walnut

Family Lauraceae

Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume Northern SpicebushPersea borbonia (L.) Sprang. RedbayPersea palustris (Raf.) Sarg. Swamp Red BaySassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees Sassafras

Comments: All three genera of this family are browsed. S. albidum receive moderate to highbrowsing pressure and is common throughout the state. All of these are aromatic species ofplants and most Louisianians are familiar with the use of these leaves in cooking. P. borboniais considered rare in Louisiana. Sassafras is frequently used by bucks as a rub tree; the largertrees are often used year after year.

Family Loganiaceae

Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) St.-Hil. Yellow Jasmine

Comments: G. sempervirens is a common vine of the mixed pine/hardwood, upland hardwood,and deciduous river bottom forests in Louisiana. It is regularly used by deer for browse and isone of those plant species that is utilized during the entire year as forage.

Family Magnoliaceae

Liriodendron tulipifera L. Yellow PoplarMagnolia acuminata (L.) L. Cucumber TreeMagnolia grandiflora L. Southern MagnoliaMagnolia virginiana L. Sweet Bay

Comments: L. tulipifera, M. acuminata, and M. virginiana are commonly browsed and arerated as moderate browse species. The flower petals of L. tulipifera are eaten in the spring bydeer. This is another family of plants that are aromatic and are used as rub trees. Smallertrees of M. grandiflora are frequently rubbed and are also utilized in scraping activity. Thesesmaller trees have low limb branches that are ideal for hooking and licking branches.

Family Meliaceae

Melia azedarach L. Chinaberry

Comments: M. azedarach is an introduced species that is often browsed by deer.

Family Menispermaceae

Cocculus carolinus (L.) DC Carolina Coralbead

Comments: C. carolinus, a vine with an alternate leaf arrangement, is commonly browsed bydeer in Louisiana.

Family Moraceae

Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid Osage OrangeMorus alba L. White MulberryMorus rubra L. Red Mulberry

Comments: M. rubra is an important wildlife tree and is frequently browsed by deer. Browsingpressure on this tree can be quite high, and it is a good tree to use as an indicator species whensampling habitat. Plantings of M. rubra must be protected from deer depredation, or the plantwill be completely over-browsed. On Sherburne WMA, harvested deer in the fall often havered mulberry leaves in their rumen, and deer may be picking up these leaves after they havedropped. Nutrional analysis indicates these leaves are high in calcium.

Family Myricaceae

Myrica cerifera L. Wax Myrtle or Southern Bayberry

Comments: This is a common shrub occurring throughout most of the state. It is considered tobe a low preferred browse species. On the Atchafalaya Delta WMA, it occurs in large numbers,produces dense thickets, and is commonly browsed by deer, especially during the wintermonths. The abundance of this shrub is probably the reason for the high use. Normally highuse of wax myrtle on good habitat sites would be an indication of over-population.

Family Nyssaceae

Nyssa aquatica L. TupelogumNyssa biflora Walt Swamp BlackgumNyssa sylvatica Marsh. Blackgum

Comments: N. biflora and N. sylvatica are two important trees to deer; deer will use these twospecies for browse and will eat the fruit in the fall. Swamp Blackgum fruit may be heavily usedby deer on swamp habitat, particularly when acorns are scarce. Deer will browse the lowerstems and leaves of N. aquatica; such use has been found on the Maurepas Swamp WMA.

Family Oleaceae

Chionanthus virginicus L. Fringe TreeForestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir Swamp PrivetFraxinus americana L. White AshFraxinus caroliniana P. Mill. Carolina AshFraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh Green AshLigustrum sinense Lour. Chinese PrivetOsmanthus americanus (L.) Benth. & Hook. F. ex Gray Devilwood

Comments: All genera of this family are utilized as browse by deer. Fraxinus sp. is an impor-tant browse species and has a high preference rating. L. sinense is an introduced shrub thatoccurs throughout the state. Fringe tree is a common shrub of the pine forests and is frequent-ly browsed.

Family Platanaceae

Platanus occidentalis L. American Sycamore

Comments: Generally a low preference browse species, stump sprouts of P. occidentalis may beheavily browsed at times on bottomland hardwood forest habitat.

Family Polygonaceae

Brunnichia ovata (Walt.) Shinners Ladies Eardrop Vine

Comments: This common vine throughout the state is moderately browsed.

Family Ranunculaceae

Clematis crispa L. Curl-flower

Comments: This weakly ascending vine of bottomland forests is commonly included with thewoody plants. It has opposite compound leaves and is frequently browsed by deer.

Family Rhamnaceae

Berchemia scandens (Hill) K. Koch Rattan VineCeanothus americanus L. New Jersey TeaFrangula caroliniana (Walt.) Gray Carolina Buckthorn

Comments: B. scandens is a preferred browse vine with a high browse value. It occursthroughout the state. Deer will eat the fruit of this vine also. C. americanus is a preferredbrowse shrub and is subject to over-browsing. F. caroliniana is seldom browsed by deer.

Family Rosaceae

Amelanchier arborea (Michx. F.) Fern ServiceberryAronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers. Red ChokeberryCrataegus sp. Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli L. Cockspur HawthornCrataegus marshallii Egglest. Parsley HawthornCrataegus opaca Hook & Arn. MayhawCrataegus spathulata Michx. Littlehip Hawthorn

Comments: The hawthorns in general are often browsed by deer; species identification of thisgroup of trees can be difficult without flowers or fruit. C. opaca is a very desirable wildlife treeand deer readily eat the fruit of it in late spring.

Malus angustifolia (Ait.) Michx. Southern CrabappleMalus pumila P. Mill. Apple

Comments: M. angustifolia produces a desirable fruit for deer in late summer. Crabapple isoften used in wildlife plantings, and because it takes about five years for fruit production to begin,it should be considered as a long-term habitat management investment.Prunus americana Marsh. Wild PlumPrunus caroliniana (P. Mill.) Ait Cherry LaurelPrunus mexicana S. Wats. Big-Tree PlumPrunus persica (L.) Batsch PeachPrunus serotina Ehrh. Wild Black CherryPrunus umbellata Ell. Flatwoods Sloe Plum

Comments: Plums are often browsed by deer and are another group of trees that are difficultto identify without flowers and fruit. P. carolinana is a common browse plant and providesforage during the winter. Peach trees and peaches will be browsed and eaten. When this hap-pens, measures must be taken to reduce depredation problems. P. serotina is a preferredbrowse species, and the fruit is eaten in early summer. This tree is also used regularly by deerfor rubbing.

Pyrus calleryana Dcne. Bradford PearPyrus communis L. Common Pear

Comments: Deer will browse the leaves and eat the fruit of these introduced species. Pears aregood trees to incorporate in wildlife plantings.

Rosa sp. Wild RosesRosa bracteata J. C. Wendl. McCartney RoseRosa carolina L. Carolina RoseRosa laevigata Michx. Cherokee RoseRosa multiflora Thumb. ex. Mun. Multiflora Rose

Comments: The wild roses, most of which were introduced, are a group of generally highclimbing vines forming dense thickets. Deer will browse the vines and eat the fruit (hips). Inaddition to these wild roses, deer will readily eat cultivated roses, which creates problems forsuburban landowners.

Rubus sp. Blackberry & DewberryRubus argutus Link. Sawtooth BlackberryRubus flagellaris Willd. Northern DewberryRubus trivialis Michx. Southern Dewberry

Comments: This genus of plants is a highly preferred forage of White-tailed deer. It is dividedinto two genera groups: blackberries and dewberries. The group that has upright thorny stemswhich arch over and form dense thickets is referred to as blackberries. The dewberries developlarge colonies at ground level (trailing). For the most part, blackberries have thick green stemswith sharp thorns, and dewberries have slender reddish stems with soft spines. Deer browsethe leaves and stems and eat the fruit, often before it ripens. These plants are available year-round for deer to utilize as forage, which makes it a very desirable plant.

Family Rubiaceae

Cephalanthus occidentalis L. Buttonbush

Comments: A common shrub found throughout Louisiana in wet sites that is moderately browsed.

Family Rutaceae

Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. Trifoliate OrangeZanthoxylum americanum P. Mill. Northern Prickly AshZanthoxylum clava-herculis L. Toothache Tree

Comments: P. trifoliata is an evergreen shrub that is commonly used for horticultural purpos-es. It is of low to moderate value for deer as a browse plant. Z. clava-herculis is present in

most of the state and is browsed by deer. Z. americanum is present only in Caldwell Parish.Deer could be restricting regeneration of this tree.

Family Salicaceae

Populus deltoides Barts. ex Marsh Eastern CottonwoodPopulus heterophylla L. Swamp CottonwoodSalix exigua Nutt. Sandbar WillowSalix nigra Marsh. Black Willow

Comments: P. deltoides and P. heterophylla are considered to be low value browse species,although stump sprouts of P. deltoides may be heavily browsed at times. Willow is a commonbrowse of deer. S. nigra is found throughout the state and is an important browse in the swampand coastal habitats. S. nigra is easily recognized in the rumen of deer because it looks likecooked spinach. Willow is used as a rub tree by bucks.

Family Sapotaceae

Sideroxylon lanuginosa Michx. ChittimwoodSideroxylon lycioides L. Swamp Chittimwood

Comments: The genus Sideroxylon is used for the genus name Bumelia in the Atlas.Chittimwood is also referred to as Buckthorn. These two shrubs have thorny branches.Because they are semi-evergreen, these shrubs receive moderate browsing pressure.

Family Styracaceae

Halesia diptera Ellis Two Winged SilverbellStyrax americanus Lam. Small SnowbellStyrax grandifolius Ait. Large SnowbellComments: H. diptera is of low value as a browse plant, but deer will use these small trees forrubbing. Both species of Styrax are moderately browsed. S. americanus is found in wet wood-lands, and S. grandifolius occurs in the mixed pine/hardwood and upland forest habitats.

Family Symplocaceae

Symplocos tinctoria (L.) L’Her. Horse Sugar or Sweet Leaf

Comments: Horse Sugar is a common shrub of the mixed pine/hardwood, upland hardwoodand deciduous river forests in Louisiana. Horse Sugar, tardily deciduous, consequently receivesmoderate to high browsing pressure during the fall and winter when other woody species havelost their leaves. It is a common rub tree of bucks.

Family Tamaricaceae

Tamarix gallica L. French Tamarisk

Comments: T. gallica has a limited range in Louisiana and is of low importance as browse. Itis an introduced plant.

Family Thymelaeaceae

Dirca palustris L. Leatherwood

Comments: D. palustris occurs in only two parishes in Louisiana and is considered to be rare.

Family Tiliacae

Tilia americana L. Basswoodvar. carolinians (P. Mill.) Castgl. (T. caroliniana Mill.)

Comments: Basswood receives moderate to high browsing pressure. T. americana is a prolificstump sprouter; stump sprouts of many species are often heavily browsed.

Family Ulmaceae

Celtis laevigata Willd. var. laevigata Southern Hackberry

Celtis laevigata Willd. var. reticulata (Torr.) L. Benson Net-Leaf Hackberry

Celtis tenuifolia Nutt. Dwarf HackberryPlanera aquatica J. F. Gmel. Water ElmUlmus alata Michx. Winged ElmUlmus americana L. American ElmUlmus crassifolia Nutt. Cedar ElmUlmus rubra Muhl. Slippery Elm

Comments: Celtis sp. is commonly browsed by deer and is an important browse plant in theAtchafalaya Basin (C. laevigata var. laevisgata). Hackberry is sometimes called Sugarberry.Elms are important browse species and have a high browse value. Stump sprouts of Elm canbe heavily browsed following a logging operation. P. aquatica is regularly browsed in the river-bottom forests.

Family Verbenaceae

Callicarpa americana L. American Beauty BerryLantana sp. Lantana

Comments: C. americana is a common shrub found throughout the state. The browse valueranges from low to moderate. The fruit is highly preferred by deer in summer and fall. Thisshrub is ideal for incorporating into hedges and other cover sites. Heavy browsing of lantanahas been found on Pass-a-Loutre WMA on the spoil banks in this marsh habitat.

Family Viscaeae

Phoradendron sp. Mistletoe

Comments: Deer will eat the leaves and fruit of mistletoe when it falls from the trees, as evi-denced from rumen studies.

Family Vitaceae

Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Koehne Pepper VineAmpelopsis cordata Michx. Heart-Leaf Pepper VineParthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch Virginia CreeperVitis aestivalis Michx

var. aestivalis Summer GrapeVitis cinerea (Engelm.) Millard Gray GrapeVitis rotundifolia Michx. Muscadine

Comments: A. arborea occurs throughout the state, and utilization as browse can vary. Highuse of peppervine has been documented in the lower MS River parishes. A. cordata is readilybrowsed, and the fruit of this vine is often consumed in large quantities. Vitis sp. are importantvines that are frequently browsed. The fruit is a highly preferred food item. Browsing of P.quinquefolia is highest in closed canopy forests where other desirable species are missing due tothe lack of sunlight.

Description of Woody Plates

Plate 1

Pinus taeda, Loblolly Pine

Loblolly Pine is the most important timber tree of the Louisiana forest industry. It is a tall tree with alarge open crown. The bark consists of irregularly shaped scaly blocks that are dark or reddish brown in color.The leaves (needles) are generally in bundles of three. Deer will browse newly planted loblolly seedlings.Undeveloped male pollen cones have been found in the rumen of deer. Bucks will use all pine species for rubtrees.

Plate 2

Pinus glabra, Spruce Pine

Spruce Pine is a medium- to large-sized tree with a narrow crown. The bark has an oak-like appear-ance. The short, dark green needles are in bundles of two and are twisted around each other. This pine has alimited range in Louisiana and is most common in the Florida Parishes. Bucks will use this tree for rubs.

Pinus palustris, Longleaf Pine

This tree is one of the important yellow pines of the southern forest system of the U.S. It is a tall treewith a small, open crown. The terminal buds of the short branches are very distinct in appearance becausethey are covered with silvery-white scales. The needles are very long and in bundles of three. This is an impor-tant tree of the Kisatchie National Forest system.

Plate 3

Smilax rotundifolia, Common Greenbriar

Common Greenbriar is a high-climbing vine with greenish stems that are armed with stout prickles.The simple leaves are bright green with short petioles and rounded bases; the leaf arrangement is alternate.The fruit is a berry that is blue or black in color. All species of Smilax leaves have three distinct ribs (veins),arising from the base of the leaf at the petiole. This helps in the identification of Smilax leaves in rumen sam-ples. All species of Smilax, except S. pumila, have a high browse value.

Smilax bona-nox, Fiddle Leaf Greenbriar

The upper branches of this vine have scattered stem prickles, not as numerous as Common Greenbriar.The leaves are generally fiddle-shaped (pandurate), and the berries are black. All species of Smilax have simpleleaves with an alternate leaf arrangement.

Plate 4

Smilax walteri, Redberry Greenbriar

This is a slender climbing vine with only the lower half of the stem armed with prickles. Leaves aresomewhat linear oblong, green on both sides. The fruit is bright red. This vine occurs in swamps or in wet,forested habitat such as bay gall thickets.

Plate 5

Sabal minor, Palmetto

Palmetto is a member of the Palm Family and is easily recognized in the woods. It is a native plant thatis found throughout Louisiana, especially in bottomland hardwood forest habitat and swamp forest habitat.Deer eat the flowering stems and the fruit, which is a drupe-like structure, globular in shape, and black atmaturity. Sites having a heavy palmetto understory provide deer with escape cover, but the heavy shading ofsunlight prevents the growth of other desirable browse species.

Plate 6

Acer rubrum, Red Maple

This is a tree with simple leaves and an opposite leaf arrangement. The leaves usually have three majorlobes with serrated margins; the leaf petioles are red in color. Red Maple is generally considered to be of mod-erate browse value, although consumption of stump sprouts can be high on some areas. Red Maple is oftenused as a rub tree.

Acer negundo, Box Elder

Box Elder is the only maple with opposite, compound leaves. The leaflets vary in number (from 3-9),and the petioles may be green or red. Use of Box Elder as browse ranges from low to moderate. Utilizationmay be higher on habitat with high deer numbers and deer on such areas deer can restrict Box Elder regenera-tion.

Plate 7

Acer saccharinum, Silver Maple

This is a tree with simple leaves and an opposite leaf arrangement. Leaves have five distinct, deeply ser-rated lobes; the base of the leaf also has distinct leaf serrations. Silver Maple is of low value as browse.

Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple

These trees also have simple leaves and an opposite leaf arrangement. The leaves have 3-5 lobes withentire leaf margins; the base of the leaf is also entire (smooth). A. saccharum is similar to A. barbatum,Southern Sugar Maple. Use of both of these maple species as browse is low.

Plate 8

Rhus copallinum, Winged Sumac

Winged Sumac is a common shrub in Louisiana with compound leaves and an alternate leaf arrange-ment. It is one of the forest trees that adds color to the woods when its leaves turn bright red. The compoundleaf has 7-11 leaflets, and the rachis has winged segments between the leaflets. The flowering head is a largeterminal thyrse, which produces a reddish-brown seed head in late summer. Deer will browse the leaves andstems (moderate browse value), and these fruiting heads may be heavily eaten, especially in pine plantationhabitat where other fruits are often absent. Bucks will use this tree for rubs also.

Plate 9

Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac

This tree is similar to R. copallina in growth form, but is usually smaller in size. The compound leaveshave 11-31 leaflets that are sharply serrated. There are no wings between the leaflets, and the rachis may havea reddish color. Flower heads are also similar, but the fruiting head is a brilliant scarlet color. R. glabra isbrowsed more frequently than R. copallina, perhaps because of its smaller size. Deer will eat the fruiting headsin late summer and fall.

Plate 10

Toxicodendron radicans, Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a high climbing vine with alternate compound leaves. The leaves have a long petiole withthree leaflets. The leaflets can be lobed with one or two lobes. The venation of Poison Ivy leaves is very distinctwhen viewed through a dissecting scope, which makes for easy identification of these leaves from rumen sam-ples. This vine is shade tolerant and is often a dominant plant in the understory of river bottom forests.Utilization as browse ranges from low to moderate; deer will eat the fruiting heads of this vine. Because of thetoxic nature of this plant, one would be wise to learn how to identify it and avoid it. Deer hunters who useclimbing stands should especially be on the look-out for it.

Plate 11

Ilex decidua, Deciduous Holly

I. decidua is a shrub or small tree with simple deciduous leaves. All species of Ilex have an alternate leafarrangement. Lateral twigs may be short and spur-like. The fruit is a bright red drupe. Deciduous Holly is apreferred browse plant that can be over-browsed. Trees of this species less than three feet tall may develop a“ball-like” appearance from this over-browsing.

Ilex opaca, American Holly

This Holly is an evergreen tree with dark green leaves that have spine-tipped margins. Deer browse I.Opaca in the spring when leaf-out occurs and the new leaves are soft and tender. Browsing can be high on thisplant at this time of year. High use of I.opaca has been found on PRWMA. New growth from stump sproutscan also be heavily browsed. American Holly is frequently used for rubs and for buck scrapes, with the over-head branches used as licking or marking branches. Apparently the growth form of this tree, low branching atwaist height, makes it ideal for these buck activities.

Plate 12

Ilex cassine, Dahoon

Dahoon is an evergreen shrub of the swamp forests in south Louisiana. The dark green leaves are linearin shape. The fruit is a red drupe. The browsing value is moderate, although it can be heavily browsed attimes, especially during periods of high water. Bucks will also use this shrub for rubs.

Ilex verticillata, Rough Winterberry

Winterberry is another shrub of the swamp forests; this shrub, however, is deciduous. The elliptic leaveshave serrated margins. The fruit is a red drupe. Browse value is low to moderate.

Plate 13

Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon

Yaupon is an evergreen shrub found throughout Louisiana. The small thick leaves are bright green andhave slightly crenate margins. The fruit is a red drupe. This shrub is common in pine habitat, but has a low tomoderate value as browse. In the Florida parishes, where Privet and Yaupon grow side by side, deer will heavi-ly browse the Privet but will leave the Yaupon alone. Rumen samples from Boise-Vernon WMA have foundYaupon fruit in the stomachs. Bucks will use the larger Yaupon shrubs for rubs and scrapes.

Plate 14

Aralia spinosa, Devil’s Walking Stick

This is a small shrub or tree with large compound leaves with an alternate leaf arrangement. The stemis armed with sharp spines, and there are also prickles on the leaflets, useful for identifying rumen samples. A.spinosa is common in the mixed pine/hardwood forest habitat and has a high value as browse. Browsing can beheavy in the early spring and summer, especially on pine sites that were burned during the winter. The largertrees of this species are sometimes used for rubs.

Plate 15

Bignonia capreolata, Cross-vine

Cross-vine is an evergreen vine with opposite compound leaves. The two leaflets have distinct cordatebases. The flowers have a reddish-orange, funnel-shaped corolla. Because it is evergreen, heaviest browsing ofCross-vine occurs in the fall and winter, when other woody species are dormant. The oblong leaf with a cordatebase is easily recognized in rumen samples.

Plate 16

Campsis radicans, Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet Creeper is a deciduous, high-climbing vine with opposite compound leaves. Leaves have 9-11leaflets with serrated margins. The flower is orange-red in color and is funnel shaped. This vine is a highlypreferred browse plant that may be heavily eaten in spring and summer.

Plate 17

Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle

This is an introduced vine with simple opposite leaves. The leaves are oblong in shape, somewhat pubes-cent, with small hairs on the leaf margins, useful for rumen sample identification. The white flowers turn yel-

low with age, and the corolla is funnelform in shape. The fruit is a black berry. Japanese Honeysuckle is ahighly preferred browse plant that is eaten year-round. The mild winters in Louisiana allow honeysuckle toproduce new growth throughout the year, making it a desirable deer forage plant.

Lonicera sempervirens, Coral Honeysuckle

This is a native vine with simple opposite leaves, green above and white beneath. The upper leaves forma disc around the stem, just below the red or reddish-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. The berries are redwhen mature. Coral Honeysuckle has a moderate browse value.

Plate 18

Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle

Heavy browsing of this vine will cause the vine to grow out of reach of the deer, resulting in green clus-ters of honeysuckle growing in the tops of shrubs and small trees. Such clusters are readily visible during thewinter, and such growth of honeysuckle is an indication of high deer numbers on the habitat. This type ofgrowth is a result of the “eat-out” shown in the photograph.

Plate 19

Viburnum dentatum, Arrow-wood

This is a shrub having pubescent stems and simple opposite leaves. The leaves are somewhat ovate inshape with serrated margins. Flowers occur in terminal cymes; the fruit is bluish-black when mature.Arrow-wood has a moderate browse value. Arrow-wood is somewhat shade tolerant; on forested sites having aclosed canopy, browsing activity on Arrow-wood may be higher because other browse species are sometimeslacking.

Viburnum nudum, Possum Haw

Possum Haw also has simple opposite leaves. The leaf shape is elliptic to oblanceolate and the leaf mar-gins are entire but may be revolute (rolled backwards toward the underside). The white flowers are producedin large terminal cymes, and the fruit is bluish-black. Possum Haw has a moderate browse value.

Plate 20

Sambucus canadensis, Elderberry

A common shrub throughout Louisiana, Elderberry has opposite compound leaves. The tan-coloredstems have distinct lenticels. Leaflets are serrated and number from 5-11. The white flowers are borne in ter-minal cymes and produce a purple-black fruit. The fruit is often used to make jellies and wine. Elderberry is ahighly preferred browse in Louisiana on all habitat sites. Deer also eat the fruit.

Plate 21

Elderberry can be over-browsed, and such over-browsing is an indication of high deer numbers.Browsing pressure can reduce the availability of Elderberry on the habitat and cause this shrub to take on a

tree-like appearance with no lower branching. Elderberry is easily regenerated from spreading rootstock, butover-browsing will prevent this from occurring.

Plate 22

Euonymus americana, Strawberry Bush

This slender shrub has green stems and opposite simple leaves. The leaves are bright green and sessile.The flowers are small and nondescript, but the fruiting capsules are a brilliant red with 3-5 bright orange arils(pods) attached to the capsule. The small seeds are white. This shrub is a highly preferred browse plant, anddeer can reduce the occurrence of this plant on the habitat, as well as prevent the plant from developing ashrub-like form. Intense browsing pressure results in the plant developing a low-trailing plant form, and onehas to scratch among the leaves to find it.

Plate 23

Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood

Flowering Dogwood is a small tree with simple opposite leaves. The leaves are dark green above andpale beneath. This tree is readily recognized in the spring when the white petaloid bracts, which surround thesmall greenish flowers, open up and add another color to the dark piney woods. The fruit is dark red and isellipsoid in shape. Flowering Dogwood is of moderate browse value. Dogwood fruit has been found in rumensamples of deer harvested on Boise-Vernon WMA. C. drummondii and C. foemina are good producers of softmast, and both are probably eaten by deer.

Plate 24

Cyrilla racemiflora, TiTi

TiTi is a large shrub or small tree with alternate simple leaves. The stems have a raised ridge under theleaf petiole, which is useful when identifying this tree. Flowers are white and occur in racemes on the ends ofthe branches. TiTi has a high value as browse, especially in swamp and baygall habitat.

Plate 25

Vaccinium sp., Huckleberry or Blueberry

This genus contains trees or shrubs with alternate simple leaves. Flower corollas are pitcher-shaped,and the fruit is a juicy berry. There are seven species of Vaccinium in Louisiana. They are of low to moderatevalue as browse and may receive the highest use during fall and winter. Vaccinium leaves are often found inrumen samples from harvested deer during the season. Deer will eat the fruit.

Plate 26

Diospyros virginiana, Persimmon

This tree has dark, checkered bark and simple alternate leaves. The distinct bark is often said to havethe appearance of an alligator hide and is easily recognized in the woods. Persimmons produce a fleshy fruit

that matures in late summer or early fall, and is sweet and pulpy. The fruit is readily eaten by deer.Persimmon has a low value as browse.

Plate 27

Sapium sebiferum, Chinese Tallow Tree

Tallow is an exotic tree that is considered to be a serious threat to Louisiana forests. This tree has simplealternately arranged leaves. The leaves are described as being rhombic-ovate in shape, acuminate at the ends,and rounded at the base. The white seeds develop in a three locular capsule. Deer will browse the leaves andstems and eat the seeds. It is considered to be of low browse value, although it may be heavily browsed on someareas such as Atakapas WMA, even though other desirable browse species are present. Heavy browsing ofTallow Tree is generally believed to indicate high deer numbers. Tallow Tree leaves are often found in rumensamples of deer harvested on swamp habitat in southeast Louisiana. The browsing activity being noted andidentified now may simply be the result of deer starting to utilize this rapidly-expanding tree species. Deerquality is generally poor on sites where S. sebiferum is frequently browsed, indicating the nutrional benefits ofthis plant may be low.

Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa

Mimosa is an introduced tree of the Legume Family that was at one time popular with homeowners.The tree has compound leaves with an alternate leaf arrangement. It occurs in rural areas around old homesites and along the edges of forests. It is occasionally browsed by deer.

Plate 28

Cercis canadensis, Redbud

Redbud is another tree in the Legume Family and has simple alternately-arranged leaves. The leavesare widely cordate and palmately veined. The pink flowers occur in early spring prior to leaf-out, adding addi-tional color to the new spring forest. Redbud is of moderate browse value.

Plate 29

Quercus alba, White Oak

The key to identification of the oak species is leaf shape. Some hybridization does occur between species,creating trees that can be difficult to identify. All oaks have simple leaves with an alternate leaf arrangement.White Oak is a large tree with gray scaly bark. The leaves are green above and pale beneath; leaves haverounded lobes, with the depth of the sinuses varying from shallow to deep. The acorn is a highly preferred fooditem of deer, and young trees have a moderate to high value as browse.

Quercus michauxii, Swamp Chestnut Oak

This tree is also called Cow Oak. It is a large tree with light gray, scaly bark. The leaves are obovate inshape with serrated lobes on the margins. This oak produces a large acorn that is readily eaten by deer. Thebrowse value is generally low.

Plate 30

Quercus nigra, Water Oak

Water Oak is a large oak with a spreading crown. It is common throughout Louisiana and is sometimesmistakenly referred to as Pin Oak. The leaves are obovate in shape and generally have three distinct lobes atthe end. This oak is a consistent producer of hard mast that is readily eaten by deer. The browse value ofWater Oak seedlings is moderate to high. Bucks may use the younger trees for rubs and srapes.

Quercus laurifolia, Laurel Oak

There is considerable variation in Laurel Oak because of its crossing with other oaks. The oak in thispicture is sometimes called Obtusa Oak (Q. obtusa). Leaves of Laurel Oak vary in shape, from elliptic to obo-vate to oblanceolate. The acorns in this photo are much broader than a Water Oak acorn (picture from treeson PRWMA).

Plate 31

Quercus texana, Nuttall’s Oak

This oak is an important tree of the bottomland hardwood forest habitat. The leaves have pointed lobeswith bristles; lobing varies from leaf to leaf. Acorns of this species fall later in the year than those of other oakspecies and are preferred foods of deer. Seedlings have a moderate value as browse.

Quercus lyrata, Overcup Oak

This is the large white oak of the riverbottom and swamp forests. The leaves are lobed with acute ends.Leaves are green in color above and pale beneath. The acorn cup covers most of the acorn, hence the nameovercup. Deer eat the acorns, but the browse value of seedlings is generally low.

Plate 32

Acorns will remain viable for several months during years of abundant mast crops, providing deer andother wildlife species with an excellent food source. Deer will eat acorns that have begun to sprout. An insect-damaged acorn will float on water, but a good one (without wormholes) will sink. Deer browsing on oakseedlings can reduce regeneration of oaks and cause the tree to develop an undesirable shape.

Plate 33

Quercus acutissima, Sawtooth Oak

Sawtooth is an introduced oak tree that has been promoted for wildlife. The lanceolate leaves have ser-rated margins. The acorn cup has fringes on the margins. Sawtooth acorns mature in late summer and beginfalling in September. Deer will readily eat the acorns. Sawtooth seedlings may be heavily browsed and oftenhave to be protected with cages to prevent browsing when planted in orchard sites.

Plate 34

Hamamelis virginiana, Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is a small tree with simple alternate leaves. Leaf shape varies from elliptic to obovate, andthe margins have small serrations or lobes. Yellow flowers are produced in the leaf axils in the fall. WitchHazel has a moderate browse value.

Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum

Sweetgum is a large tree with winged branches. The leaves are palmately lobed; the lobes are acute, andthe entire leaf looks somewhat like a star. Sweetgum is generally considered to be of low browse value; howev-er, Sweetgum stump sprouts in cut-over habitat are often heavily browsed by deer in late summer. High utiliza-tion also occurs during the spring on Sweetgum growing along the edges of fields and pastures. Such browsingactivity is generally attributed to high deer numbers. Sweetgum maintains lower limb branches as it growstaller and is frequently selected by bucks when making scrapes in an area.

Plate 35

Carya sp., Hickory or Pecan

These are generally large trees with compound leaves and an alternate leaf arrangement. These treesare generally considered to be of low value as browse; however, seedlings and stump sprouts may be heavilybrowsed. Pen deer will eat the green husk surrounding a hickory nut. Pecans are readily eaten on bottomlandhabitat.

Plate 36

Sassafras albidum, Sassafras

Sassafras is a small aromatic tree with simple leaves and an alternate leaf arrangement. The leaf shapevaries from being entire to having one or two lobes. The mature fruit is blue-black in color. This tree is ofmoderate value as browse. Bucks will use the tree for rubs. Larger trees of this species are often used annuallyby bucks for rubs and are referred to as an “annual signpost.”

Persea palustris, Redbay

Redbay is a small aromatic shrub with simple alternate leaves. The leaves are entire and elliptic tolanceolate in shape. Redbay has a moderate browse value. Stems have a mottled appearance that is helpful forfield identification.

Plate 37

Gelsemium sempervirens, Yellow Jasmine

This vine has evergreen leaves and an opposite leaf arrangement. The leaves are lanceolate in shape.The yellow flowers are produced in the leaf axils. Jasmine is a preferred browse forage and is eaten year-

round. Yellow Jasmine leaves and stems are commonly found in the rumens of harvested deer during the hunt-ing season.

Plate 38

Liriodendron tulipifera, Yellow Poplar

Yellow Poplar or Tulip Tree is a large tree with simple alternate leaves. The leaves have four or some-times six lobes and are somewhat tulip-shaped in appearance. Yellow Poplar is a member of the MagnoliaFamily and has a very distinct flower. The flower petals are bright green with a distinct orange spot at thebase. Yellow Poplar is of moderate browse value; deer also eat the flower petals when they fall off the tree.Bucks will use smaller trees for rubs.

Magnolia virginiana, Sweet BayThis is a small- to medium-sized tree with semi-evergreen leaves that are glabrous above and whitish

beneath. The simple alternate leaves are elliptic in shape. The flowers are much smaller than those ofSouthern Magnolia (Louisiana state flower). This magnolia has a moderate browse value, and bucks will use itfor rubs.

Plate 39

Cocculus carolinus, Carolina Coralbead

Coralbead is also referred to as Red-eyed Moonseed. It is a twining vine with simple alternate leaves.The leaves are somewhat arrow-shaped with cordate bases. The fruit is a bright red drupe that germinatesquite easily. Coralbead has a moderate value as browse.

Morus rubra, Red Mulberry

Red Mulberry is a medium-sized tree with simple alternate leaves. The leaves are quite large, and themargins have teeth. The overall leaf shape can vary from being entire to having rounded or acute lobes. Thefruit is fleshy and bluish-black in color when it matures, looking something like a blackberry. Red Mulberry isan excellent wildlife tree. It has a high value as browse. In the fall, the leaves have a high calcium content andare often eaten after they fall off the tree.

Plate 40

Nyssa biflora, Swamp Blackgum

This tree is common in the swamp forests of the state, such as those on PRWMA. The tree has simplealternate leaves that are oblong or elliptic in shape. The fruit is a bluish-black drupe and is readily eaten bydeer . The browse value of N. biflora and N. sylvatica is high.

Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash

There are five species of Ash in Louisiana. All have compound leaves with an opposite leaf arrangement.Green Ash is a large tree with 7-11 leaflets. Ash has a high browse value.

Plate 41

Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet

Chinese Privet is an introduced shrub with simple opposite leaves. Ecologists and foresters consider it tobe an invasive woody species. It is, however, a highly preferred browse plant and is one of those plant speciesthat will be eaten year-round. Deer also eat the black drupes produced by this shrub.

Berchemia Scandens, Rattan Vine

A high-climbing vine, this plant has simple alternately-arranged leaves. Leaves are elliptic in shape andhave very conspicuous pinnate venation. Rattan Vine has a high browse value, and deer will eat the bluish-black drupe in the fall.

Plate 42

Crataegus opaca, Mayhaw

Mayhaw is a small tree armed with spines. It has simple leaves with an alternate leaf arrangement. Theleaves are oblong or spatula-shaped with serrated margins; however, there can be considerable variation in leafshape. Flowers appear before the leaves in early spring. The fruit is a bright red pome that is eaten by deerand other wildlife species. Even though browse value of Mayhaw is moderate, although Mayhaw orchardsmust be protected from deer.

Plate 43

Malus angustifolia, Southern Crab Apple

Crab Apple is a small tree that spreads easily, creating dense thickets. The simple alternate leaves occuron short stem spurs and are elliptic in shape. Spring flowers are pinkish; the fruit is a green pome that turnsyellow when mature. Deer eat these fall fruits that are a food source for bowhunters to key on. Browse valueof Crab Apple is moderate, but like Mayhaws, orchard trees must be protected from browsing.

Plate 44

Prunus serotina, Wild Black Cherry

Black Cherry is a tree with a dark bark with distinct, silvery striations. The elliptic shaped leaves arearranged alternately on the stems. The juicy black drupes develop from flowering racemes in early summerand are eaten by deer. This tree has a high browse value. Bucks frequently rub this species in the fall.Although this is a native tree, it is easily cultivated and grows well in orchard-type plantings.

Prunus caroliniana, Cherry Laurel

Cherry Laurel is a small evergreen shrub or tree. Leaf shape and arrangement are like that of BlackCherry, but the leaves are much smaller in size. The dark green leaves also have small serrations or spines onthe margins. The white flower racemes produce a black drupe. Cherry Laurel has a moderate browse value;since it is evergreen, it may receive heavier browsing pressure in the fall and winter, when other woody speciesare dormant.

Plate 45

Rubus argutus, Sawtooth Blackberry

Blackberry plants develop upright thickets of thorny branches that are difficult to penetrate.Blackberry stems are green in color, rise upward, and then arch downward. The stems are armed with sharpspines. It has compound leaves that have small spines on the midrib, a feature to look for when examiningrumen samples. The fruit is a juicy drupelet. Deer will eat the berry before it matures. The browse value ofblackberry is high.

Plate 46

Rubus trivialis, Southern Dewberry

Dewberries have slender, reddish stems, and instead of forming upright shrubby thickets like blackber-ry, they develop trailing colonies of plants at ground level. The browse value of dewberry is also high.Dewberries and blackberries provide year-round forage for deer in Louisiana.

Plate 47

Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Toothache Tree

These small trees have thorns with thick bases on the main stem. The large compound leaves also havethorns on the rachis. This tree has a moderate browse value. The flowers occur in axillary fasicles and producea desirable berry for birds such as doves.

Plate 48

Salix nigra, Black Willow

This tree has lanceolate leaves and an alternate leaf arrangement. The margins are glandular serrate.The new stem growth is often red in color. This tree is common across Louisiana and has a high browse value,especially in wetland areas. The leaves are easily recognized in rumen material. Bucks will use Black Willowfor rub trees.

Plate 49

Symplocos tinctoria, Horse Sugar

Horse Sugar is also called Sweet Leaf. It is a small, semi-evergreen shrub or tree with alternate leaves.The elliptic leaves are bright green with a yellowish midrib and petiole. The leaf has a sweet taste when bitten.Browse value is moderate and receives heaviest use in late fall or winter. In Louisiana Horse Sugar will usuallyretain the older leaves until the new ones are produced in the spring, thus it is one of the plants available forfood during the winter months.

Ulmus alata, Winged Elm

Winged Elm branches have distinct wings or ridges. The leaf arrangement of all elms is alternate. WingedElm has simple leaves with serrated margins and is very scabrous (rough) above. The browse value is high.

Plate 50

Ulmus rubra, Slippery Elm

This elm is a large tree with leaves much larger than Winged Elm. The leaf is the typical shape of elmwith serrated margins and an oblique base. Slippery Elm has a fluted trunk, which aids in field identification.The browse value is high. The fruiting samaras of elm provide food for squirrels in the early spring, prior totheir leafing out.

Plate 51

Callicarpa americana, American Beauty Berry

Often called French Mulberry, C. americana is a forest shrub with pubescent stems, elliptic or lanceolateleaves, and opposite leaf arrangement. Dr. R. Dale Thomas, co-author of Louisiana Atlas, would always tell hisbotany students that American Beauty Berry is neither French nor a mulberry, so it should not be referred toby that name. The pinkish flowers occur in axillary cymes. The fruit is a four-seeded drupe that is bright pur-ple when mature. American Beauty Berry has a low to moderate browse value. The fruit is highly preferredby deer in late summer and fall.

Plate 52

Ampelopsis arborea, Peppervine

This vine has alternate compound leaves. The leaflets occur in groups of threes, causing it to be con-fused with Poison Ivy. The fruit is a dark black drupe. Because utilization of Peppervine varies around thestate, the browse value ranges from low to moderate. In over-populated herds, Peppervine may be heavilyeaten.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper

This high-climbing vine has palmately compound leaves. Virginia Creeper is another vine that might bemistaken for Poison Ivy by the beginning botanist. It has a moderate browse value.

Plate 53

Vitis rotundifolia, Muscadine

Muscadine is the high-climbing grape vine of the wildlife woods. It produces a dark purple berry that isconsumed by wildlife and humans. The simple serrated leaves are widely ovate. The berry matures in latesummer and is readily consumed by deer and other wildlife species. The browse value of this vine is moderate.

Plate 1Pinus taeda, Loblolly Pine

Browsed loblolly seedling (above) and beddedloblolly seedlings (below)

Plate 2Pinus glabra, Spruce Pine (above) and a Pinus palustris

Longleaf Pine, regenerating forest (below)

Plate3Smilax rotundifolia, Common Greenbriar (above)Smilax bona-nox. Fiddle Leaf Greenbriar (below)

Plate 4Stem of Common Greenbriar (above)

Smilax walteri, Redberry Greenbriar (below)

Plate5Sabal minor, Palmetto (above)

Palmetto fruit from deer rumen (below)

Plate 6Acer rubrum, Red Maple (above)Acer negundo, Box Elder (below)

Plate 7Acer saccharinum Silver Maple (above)Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple (below)

Plate 8Rhus copallinum, Winged Sumac (above)

Winged sumac fruit from deer rumen (below)

Plate 9Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac (above)

Fruiting cluster of smooth sumac (below)

Plate 10Toxicodendon radicans, Poison Ivy (above)

Colony of smooth sumac (below)

Plate 11Ilex decidua, Deciduous Holly (above)

Ilex opaca, American Holly (below)

Plate 12Ilex cassine, Dahoon (above)

Ilex verticillata, Rough Winterberry (below)

Plate 13Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon (above)

Yaupon leaves and fruit from deer rumen (below)

Plate 14Aralia spinosa, Devil’s Walking Stick

Plate 15Bignonia capreolata, Cross-vine

Plate 16Campsis radicans, Trumpet Creeper

Plate 17Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle (above)Lonicera sempervirens, Coral Honeysuckle (below)

Plate 18Browsing activity on Japanese honeysuckle (above)

and “eat-out” (below)

Plate 19Viburnum dentatum, Arrow-wood (above)Viburnum nudum, Possum Haw (below)

Plate 20Sambucus canadensis, Elderberry

Plate 21Elderberry flower and fruit (above) and an

elderberry “eat-out” (below)

Plate 22Euonymus americana, Strawberry Bush

Plate 23Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood

Bottom photo shows dogwood fruit taken from a deer’srumen in late October on Boise-Vernon WMA.

Plate 24Cyrilla racemiflora, TiTi

Plate 25Vaccinium sp., Huckleberry or Blueberry

flowers and fruit

Plate 26Diospyros virginiana, Persimmon

Plate 27Sapium sebiferum, Chinese Tallow Tree (above)

Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa (below)

Plate 28Cercis canadensis, Redbud

Plate 29Quercus alba, White Oak (above)

Quercus michauxii, Swamp Chestnut Oak (below)

Plate 30Quercus nigra, Water Oak (above)

Quercus laurifolia, Laurel Oak (below)

Plate 31Quercus texana, Nuttall’s Oak (above)Quercus lyrata, Overcup Oak (below)

Plate 32Nuttall’s oak from deer rumen (above) and heavy

browsing on a young white oak tree (below)

Plate 33Quercus acutissima, Sawtooth Oak (above)

Photo below shows a young deer eatingacorns in a sawtooth oak orchard.

Plate 34Hamamelis virginiana, Witch Hazel (above)Liquidambar styracifua, Sweetgum (below)

Plate 35Carya sp., Hickory and Pecan

Bottom photo shows heavy browsingon new Hickory growth.

Plate 36Sassafras albidum, Sassafras (above)

Persea palustris, Redbay (below)

Plate 37Gelsemium sempervirens, Yellow Jasmine

Plate 38Liriodendron tulipifera, Yellow Poplar (above)

Magnolia virginiana, Sweet Bay (below)

Plate 39Cocculus carolinus, Carolina Coralbead (above)

Morus rubra, Red Mulberry (below)

Plate 40Nyss biflora, Swamp Blackgum (above)

Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash (below)

Plate 41Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet (above)Berchemia scandens, Rattan Vine (below)

Plate 42Crataegus opaca, Mayhaw

Plate 43Malus angustifolia, Southern Crabapple

Plate 44Prunus serotina, Wild Black Cherry (above)Prunus caroliniana, Cherry Laurel (below)

Plate 45Rubus argutus, Sawtooth Blackberry

Plate 46Rubus trivialis, Southern Dewberry

Plate 47Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Toothache Tree

Plate 48Salix nigra, Black Willow (above)

Below photo shows rumen sample of willow.

Plate 49Symplocos tinctoria, Horse Sugar (above)

Ulmus alata, Winged Elm (below)

Plate 50Ulmus rubra, Slippery Elm

Plate 51Callicarpa americana, American Beauty Berry

Plate 52Ampelopsis arborea, Pepper Vine (above)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper (below)

Plate 53Vitis rotundifolia, Muscadine

Below photo shows fruit in rumen (top of picture)