Field Guide

Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines

Showing 41 - 47 of 47 results
Illustration of American beautyberry leaves, fruits, flowers
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
American beautyberry is a many-branched shrub that bears attractive rounded clusters of purple berrylike fruits in the axils of the leaves in late summer and fall. A critically imperiled species in Missouri, it is also a popular native shrub for landscaping.
Illustration of border privet branch, leaves, flowers, and fruit
Nonnative Privets
Ligustrum spp.
Four species of privets occur in Missouri, all are nonnative, and all are considered invasive or potentially invasive. When they invade natural habitats, they can form dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation.
Illustration of swamp privet branch, leaves, flowers, and fruits
Swamp Privet
Forestiera acuminata
Swamp privet is a straggly shrub or small tree growing in wet to swampy ground. It is quite noticeable in early spring, with the clusters of yellow flowers and bracts appearing along the gray branches before the leaves come out. In this way, it is similar in aspect to spicebush.
Illustration of Ashe’s juniper needles, twig, fruits, with inset showing overall shape of plant
Ashe's Juniper (Ashe Juniper)
Juniperus ashei
In Missouri, Ashe’s juniper is uncommon and only found in a few southwestern counties; our populations represent the northeastern tip of its range. Here, it is much less widespread than its close relative eastern red cedar.
Illustration of red buckeye leaves, flowers, fruits.
Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
Red buckeye and Ohio buckeye are both found in Missouri. You can distinguish red buckeye by its having usually 5 leaflets (not 7), its red (not greenish-yellow) flowers, and the absence of any spines on its fruit hulls. Although both buckeyes are cultivated statewide, red buckeye grows in the wild only in our southeastern counties.
Illustration of Ohio buckeye leaves, flowers, fruits.
Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Ohio buckeye is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring, and its palmately compound leaves make it look somewhat coarse textured. But most of all, buckeyes are known for buckeyes! People often carry these shiny brown seeds in their pockets for luck.
Illustration of giant cane stalks, leaves, flower cluster
Giant Cane
Arundinaria gigantea
Giant cane is Missouri’s native species of bamboo. It is scattered mostly in our southernmost counties and the Bootheel. In its low, moist habitats, it sometimes forms canebrakes — dense, nearly pure thickets.
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About Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Missouri

There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground.