Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

433–468 of 583 species

salal

salal

Gaultheria shallon

The resilient heart of the Pacific Northwest forest, salal provides year-round greenery, edible berries, and essentia...

Plants
sallow sedge

sallow sedge

Carex lurida

The sallow sedge is a vibrant, lime-green powerhouse of the wetland world, recognized by its distinctive 'bottle-brus...

Plants
Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Distichlis spicata

The glittering survivor of the marshlands, Saltgrass turns toxic soil into a shimmering green sanctuary. Its ability ...

Plants
Saltmarsh Cordgrass

Saltmarsh Cordgrass

Sporobolus alterniflorus

The resilient foundation of the coast, Saltmarsh Cordgrass turns the harsh, salty tides into a lush, green sanctuary ...

Plants
saltwort

saltwort

Salsola kali

A resilient survivor of the coastline, prickly saltwort turns harsh salt spray and shifting sands into a home. Known ...

Plants
Sand Dropseed

Sand Dropseed

Sporobolus cryptandrus

A resilient native bunchgrass with striking lead-colored seed heads, Sand Dropseed is a vital provider of food and sh...

Plants
sand sagebrush

sand sagebrush

Artemisia filifolia

The sand sagebrush is the silver-clad guardian of the dunes, turning shifting sands into a thriving ecosystem. This a...

Plants
Scaly Tree Fern

Scaly Tree Fern

Sphaeropteris cooperi

A towering icon of the Australian bush, the Scaly Tree Fern brings a lush, prehistoric feel to any landscape. With it...

Plants
Scarlet Sage

Scarlet Sage

Salvia splendens

The undisputed king of the pollinator garden, Scarlet Sage offers a brilliant explosion of red that draws hummingbird...

Plants
sea kale

sea kale

Crambe maritima

A hardy survivor of the shoreline, Sea Kale transforms barren shingle beaches into lush, blue-grey mounds topped with...

Plants
sea lavender

sea lavender

Tournefortia gnaphalodes

A resilient guardian of the shoreline, sea lavender shimmers with silvery-gray foliage and delicate white blooms. Thi...

Plants
sea oats

sea oats

Uniola paniculata

The iconic sentinel of the shoreline, sea oats are much more than just a pretty beach grass. These hardy plants are t...

Plants
Sea Stock

Sea Stock

Matthiola sinuata

A hardy jewel of the shoreline, the Sea Stock thrives where few others can. With its felted silver leaves and intoxic...

Plants
seashore paspalum

seashore paspalum

Paspalum vaginatum

The ultimate coastal survivor, seashore paspalum is a salt-loving grass that turns harsh, brackish shorelines into lu...

Plants
Sheep's Fescue

Sheep's Fescue

Festuca ovina

A resilient, fine-textured bunchgrass that transforms dry landscapes into shimmering blue-green meadows. Sheep's Fesc...

Plants
Shoreline Sedge

Shoreline Sedge

Carex hyalinolepis

A champion of the wetlands, Shoreline Sedge forms lush, bluish-green carpets that transform simple shorelines into th...

Plants
Shortleaf Spikesedge

Shortleaf Spikesedge

Cyperus brevifolius

A resilient inhabitant of damp soil, the Shortleaf Spikesedge brings a vibrant splash of lime-green to the often-over...

Plants
Showy Skullcap

Showy Skullcap

Scutellaria serrata

A crown jewel of the spring forest, the Showy Skullcap enchants with its pairs of vivid blue, hooded blossoms. Found ...

Plants
Shrimp plant

Shrimp plant

Justicia brandegeeana

Named for its striking resemblance to a swimming crustacean, the Shrimp plant is a tropical wonder. Its vibrant red b...

Plants
Shrubby Glasswort

Shrubby Glasswort

Tecticornia arbuscula

The Shrubby Glasswort is a master of the salt marsh, turning harsh, saline mudflats into a thriving succulent forest....

Plants
Sideoats Grama

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

The crown jewel of the shortgrass prairie, Sideoats Grama features delicate, oat-like seeds that dangle elegantly fro...

Plants
Silver Sage

Silver Sage

Salvia argentea

With its shimmering, velvet-soft leaves and architectural flower spikes, Silver Sage is the Mediterranean's most tact...

Plants
Silver Sagebrush

Silver Sagebrush

Artemisia cana

A resilient icon of the American West, the Silver Sagebrush is more than just a plant; it is a shimmering sanctuary f...

Plants
Singapore graveyard flower

Singapore graveyard flower

Plumeria obtusa

With its iconic waxy blooms and heavenly scent, the Singapore graveyard flower is the crown jewel of the tropical bac...

Plants
Slender Path Rush

Slender Path Rush

Juncus tenuis

The unsung hero of the garden path, Slender Path Rush turns compacted soil into a vibrant green corridor. It is a mas...

Plants
slender tree fern

slender tree fern

Cyathea cunninghamii

The slender tree fern is the elegant minimalist of the forest, boasting a towering, pencil-thin trunk topped with a c...

Plants
slender tufted-sedge

slender tufted-sedge

Carex acuta

An elegant, moisture-loving perennial that forms iconic green mounds along the water's edge. Slender tufted-sedge is ...

Plants
Slender wheatgrass

Slender wheatgrass

Elymus ciliaris

A resilient East Asian bunchgrass known for its graceful, fringed seed heads and its ability to provide essential she...

Plants
Slim-stem Small-reedgrass

Slim-stem Small-reedgrass

Calamagrostis stricta

A slender, vertical masterpiece of the wetlands, Slim-stem Small-reedgrass adds grace and movement to any damp corner...

Plants
slough sedge

slough sedge

Carex obnupta

A robust, evergreen anchor for the Pacific coast's wet spaces, Slough sedge offers year-round beauty and a vital sanc...

Plants
Small-fruited Prickly-sedge

Small-fruited Prickly-sedge

Carex pairae

A hardy, tufted perennial that brings a touch of wild elegance to dry garden spots. Its prickly, star-shaped seed hea...

Plants
small-leaf bramble

small-leaf bramble

Rubus parvifolius

A hardy and beautiful native raspberry, the small-leaf bramble offers a stunning display of pink flowers and ruby-red...

Plants
Small-leaved Lilly Pilly

Small-leaved Lilly Pilly

Syzygium luehmannii

A stunning Australian native famous for its vibrant pink new growth and edible red 'riberries.' This lush rainforest ...

Plants
Smallflower Sagebush

Smallflower Sagebush

Syncolostemon parviflorus

A delicate beauty of the Southern African grasslands, the Smallflower Sagebush transforms rocky slopes into a sea of ...

Plants
smooth black sedge

smooth black sedge

Carex nigra

A striking wetland staple known for its coal-colored spikes and hardy nature. The smooth black sedge is a cornerstone...

Plants
Smooth Brome

Smooth Brome

Bromus inermis

A hardy and persistent perennial, Smooth Brome is easily identified by a unique 'W' mark on its leaves. While beautif...

Plants

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