Top 20 Most Common Plants in Downers Grove

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Downers Grove

In Downers Grove, you can find Pokeweed, Mulberry, Common milkweed, Common buckthorn, Bittersweet, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Pokeweed

Although its berries look juicy and tempting, the fruits and the root of pokeweed are toxic and should not be eaten. Pokeweed is considered a pest species by farmers but is nevertheless often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries can be made into pokeberry ink as well.

Mulberry

A unique and easy-to-grow edible landscaping plant, the mulberry is prized for its tasty fruits as well as its exquisite ornamental appeal. Originally native to China, this plant was valued for its role in silk production: silkworms will only eat the leaves of mulberry trees, making them crucial for the product's creation. Ultimately, the trees were sold around the world and are used today in different countries that produce silk.

Common milkweed

3. Common milkweed

Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as common milkweed, is a flowering perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It contains milky latex which can be toxic to sheep, cows, and other larger mammals (including humans) if it is consumed in large amounts. Many insect species are attracted to common milkweed, most notably monarch butterflies.

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Common buckthorn

4. Common buckthorn

Rhamnus cathartica, colloquially known as common buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe. This plant is hazardous to humans and most animals; all parts of it are mildly poisonous. The fast-growing common buckthorn is considered an invasive species in certain parts of North America.

Bittersweet

The species known as bittersweet is a semi-woody vine found in forests, marshes, shrublands, and hedgerows. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids (especially the bright red berries), which are extremely poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. In spite of its toxicity, bittersweet was hung as a talisman in the past to ward off witchcraft.

Poison ivy

In pop culture, poison ivy is a symbol of an obnoxious weed because, despite its unthreatening looks, it gives a highly unpleasant contact rash to the unfortunate person who touches it. Still, it is commonly eaten by many animals, and the seeds are a favorite with birds. The leaves turn bright red in fall. Its sister species, Western poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii), is not considered to be invasive in the United States, but is noxious in Australia and New Zealand.

Wild bergamot

7. Wild bergamot

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a wildflower related to mint. It is also known as bee balm and indeed attracts a great many bees (hummingbirds like it as well). Wild bergamot is sometimes used to make strong-flavored tea. One variant is cultivated specifically for its lemony-scented essential oil.

Virginia creeper

8. Virginia creeper

The virginia creeper is a North American vine from the grape family that has it all - vigorous growth, fragrant flowers, decorative blue-colored berries, and leaves that turn crimson in the fall. Using small forked tendrils with adhesive pads, the virginia creeper will cling strongly to almost all surfaces. It can grow over entire walls, providing shelter and food for wildlife.

Mayapple

With only two leaves and one flower, the mayapple is showy and unique. The name stems from the blooming time in the Northern Hemisphere and the fact that the flowers resemble those of apple trees. The fruit of the mayapple that develops over the summer can, if fully ripened, be used in jams and jellies, while the unripe fruit and other parts of this plant are all poisonous and could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma.

Ground ivy

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial evergreen trailing plant, often found in grasslands and woodlands. Saxon peoples once spread the plant, but it has become invasive in some parts of the world now. The fast-growing ground ivy can be toxic to horses but generally cannot harm other animals or humans.

Box elder

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a type of maple tree native to North America, but which is now found throughout the world. It is a hardy, medium-to-large tree that grows quickly and has a relatively short lifespan of up to 60 years. Older trees are prone to storm damage. Box elder wood is relatively flimsy because the tree grows so fast.

Bloody butcher

12. Bloody butcher

Bloody butcher (Trillium recurvatum) is a flowering plant species that may take up to 10 years to mature enough to flower. It flowers quicker when cultivated in homes as a houseplant and is often cultivated as an ornamental species.

Virginia bluebells

13. Virginia bluebells

The virginia bluebells is a woodland wildflower that blooms for a short period during spring before returning to its dormant state. The flowers start as purplish-pink buds that open into subtly-scented, trumpet-shaped sky blue blossoms. It was known to be used by the Cherokee in the treatment of certain ailments.

Velvetleaf

Abutilon theophrasti is named after the Greek botanist Theophrastus, who was a successor of Aristotle. The velvetleaf is now considered to be an invasive species in many places of the world and is especially dangerous for corn and soybean crops. When left unmanaged, the velvetleaf can create 100s of millions of dollars in damage for farmers.

Wild carrot

15. Wild carrot

The wild carrot is a common flowering plant with light, delicate flowers. Originally native to Europe and Asia, it has also spread to North America and Australia. Studies of historical paintings suggest that the wild carrot was cultivated in Turkey, Spain, and North Africa for centuries.

Purple coneflower

16. Purple coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herb native to North America that flourishes in prairie environments or open wooded areas. The purple coneflower makes a good addition to a flower bed or garden because its blooms last the whole summer and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Virginia springbeauty

17. Virginia springbeauty

Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica) has tiny underground tubers (kind of like potatoes) that taste like chestnuts and are utterly delicious. Early American colonists consumed them, but only when they were desperate because it took a lot of time to collect enough for a meal. Its genus name is in honor of John Clayton, who made essential contributions to the study of plants.

Garlic mustard

18. Garlic mustard

Alliaria petiolata, colloquially known as garlic mustard is a herbaceous biennial plant known for the garlic aroma and smell of its crushed leaves. It can be found in partially shaded and moist places like woodland edges, trails, hedges, and roadsides. Leaves of garlic mustard are used in European cuisine as a spice herb for salads and sauces.

Butterfly weed

19. Butterfly weed

While Asclepias tuberosa is commonly referred to as butterfly weed, it is also known as Canada root, Indian posy, silky swallow-wort, yellow milkweed, butterfly love, white-root and a variety of other names. Both Native Americans and pioneers would use the butterfly weed to make candle wicks.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

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More Plants in Downers Grove

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Nestled in the transitional zone where metropolitan elasticity meets pastoral serenity, Downers Grove, Illinois, possesses ripe conditions that can foster pernicious flora, such as , , and . Amid its cultivated urban gardens and wild fringes, these toxic green interlopers insert themselves, subtly challenging the ecological health and public safety of green spaces. Vigilant stewardship is thus essential to mitigate the proliferation of these veiled botanical threats.

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Most Common Flowers

Downers Grove, located in Illinois, United States, boasts a vibrant urban landscape that provides an ideal habitat for native flowers. This city's environmental subtleties, such as its well-maintained green spaces and diverse ecosystems, foster the growth of , , and . These native blooms not only add visual splendor to the city but also serve as symbols of its urban vitality and green contributions. Embracing the rich biodiversity of Downers Grove, these flowers are a true testament to the city's commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As the thaw of winter softens in Downers Grove, nature orchestrates a vibrant canvas where , , and emerge in celebration of Spring. The city, reinvigorated by warming sunbeams, witnesses the quintessential unfurling of these blooms, each with its own urban story whispering the perennial promise of renewal and growth. Their blossoms are not only a visual feast but also an emblem of the community's enduring connection to the cycles of nature.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Downers Grove unfurls with a burst of life, as fruit plants awaken against a backdrop of urban vibrance. The city's green-thumbed residents revel in the season's generosity, tending to , , and , each an emblem of local cultivation. These springtime fruits, bursting with zest, not only garnish the cityscape but also weave into the community's fabric, celebrating the unique fusion of urban life and natural bounty.

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Most Common Fruits

Downers Grove, Illinois, reaps the climatic benefits of four distinct seasons, including warm summers and cold winters, accommodating the growth of urban fruit plants within its verdant parks and community gardens. The prevalent , , and stand as testaments to the city's rich cultural heritage and its commitment to urban greening initiatives. These fruit bearers, bolstered by local enthusiasm for horticulture, intertwine the community with nature, reflecting an environmental ethos woven into the urban landscape.

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Most Common Trees

Downers Grove, Illinois, United States boasts a thriving urban greenscape that harmoniously coexists with its developed environment. Amidst the city's environmental backdrop, , , and are the quintessential native trees that dominate its avenues and parks. These trees not only add to the city's aesthetic appeal but also play significant roles in the cultural and ecological fabric of Downers Grove. While not delving into specific details, this concise summary highlights their importance in shaping the city's green identity.

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Most Common Weeds

In the suburban expanse of Downers Grove, the fertile soils and temperate climate craft a haven for pervasive garden weeds. Amid the well-manicured lawns and vibrant gardens, , , and feature prominently, staging a silent takeover. These weeds, tenacious in nature, pose a continual challenge to green-thumbed residents, asserting dominion over green spaces and demanding consistent intervention for their management and control.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Nestled within the temperate climate of Downers Grove, Illinois, the city's parks and residences are graced with arboreal giants. Amidst these, three standouts include the robust , offering embracing canopies and notable longevity, the stately with roots entwined in local folklore, and the towering , a living testament to the region's ecological richness. Each of these trees contributes extensively to the urban canopy, symbolizing strength and nature's majesty in the heart of the city.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

In the region of Downers Grove, Illinois, in the United States, certain plant species continue to aesthetically grace the landscape during the winter season. Among these is , a species characterized by its showy, daisy-like flowers. Despite the cold climate, this plant thrives and blooms into the winter months, displaying an assortment of colorful petals that range from white to pink and deep crimson. The , known for its vibrant blossoms, can also be found in this region. This winter bloomer prefers sunlight and relative dryness which makes it a viable species for this area considering the partially sunny and cool winters typical in Illinois. Lastly, there is , this winter-hardy species, famous for its fragrant, bright yellow flowers which appear even in the coldest months. This plant's resilience to winter temperatures and high humidity make it well-suited to the Downers Grove's environmental conditions.

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