Field Guide

Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines

Showing 1 - 10 of 157 results
Illustration of alternate-leaved dogwood leaves, flowers, fruits.
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Dogwoods usually have leaves arranged opposite one another on the stem, except for the alternate-leaved dogwood! This shrub or small tree is a popular ornamental, especially in the northern parts of Missouri, where it can be too cold to grow flowering dogwood.
Illustration of American basswood leaves, flowers, fruits.
American Basswood (American Linden)
Tilia americana
American basswood is a common shade tree planted in lawns, parks, and along city streets. Recognize it by its leaf shape and texture, and by the unusual strap-shaped, reduced leaf attached to the clusters of small flowers.
Illustration of American beech leaves and nuts.
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Limited in our state to well-drained, sandy soils in southeast Missouri, American beech is an impressive tree that has provided Americans with wood for a variety of uses, from furniture to toys to fuel to beer barrels!
Illustration of American bittersweet leaves, flowers, fruits
American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
American bittersweet is a native woody vine that climbs into trees or sprawls on bushes or fences. Its clusters of orange fruits split into sections to reveal seeds covered with a bright red, fleshy coating.
Illustration of American black currant leaves, flowers, fruits
American Black Currant
Ribes americanum
American black currant is uncommon in Missouri, known from only one location in Schuyler County. The leaves have orange, resinous glands on the undersurface. A spineless shrub, it bears flowers, and later black berries, in clusters of 6–15.
Illustration of American bladdernut leaves, flowers, fruits.
American Bladdernut
Staphylea trifolia
American bladdernut is a thicket-forming shrub or small tree that grows in moist soils. It produces clusters of bell-shaped white flowers in spring and unusual 3-parted air-filled capsules in late summer that turn papery and persist into winter.
Illustration of American elm leaves.
American Elm
Ulmus americana
Until Dutch elm disease came to America, the large, graceful American elm was widely planted along city streets and was beloved as the all-American shade tree. Now large specimens are rare, since the deadly fungus usually kills trees before they reach fine old ages.
Illustration of American hazelnut leaves, flowers, fruits.
American Hazelnut
Corylus americana
American hazelnut is a thicket-forming shrub that grows to about 10 feet high. It is prized for its edible nuts, which are covered by a distinctive leafy or papery, jagged-edged bract.
Illustration of American holly leaves, flowers, fruit.
American Holly
Ilex opaca
American holly is Missouri's most durable broad-leafed evergreen tree. It is best known for its bright red berries and spiny green leaves at Christmas.
Illustration of American hornbeam leaves and fruits.
American Hornbeam (Musclewood)
Carpinus caroliniana
American hornbeam is also called musclewood because of the sinewy appearance of its smooth gray bark. The name hornbeam refers to the genuine strength of its wood — it is one of the hardest and strongest woods in North America.
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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.