The flora, or vegetation, of Pennsylvania can be found in areas like the mountains, valleys, grasslands, farmlands, and wetlands. Some of the flora found in Pennsylvania can be found in all environments and other flora will only be found in one of the specific environments. Pennsylvania is Latin for Penn's Woods and the fact still holds true with over 60% of Pennsylvania's 17 million acres being forest. Pennsylvania contains 108 different species of native trees with the official state tree being the Eastern Hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis) and the official state flower being the Mountain Laurel flower (Kalmia latifolia). Pennsylvania trees are classified as either deciduous (lose their leaves in winter) or coniferous (stay green year around)
The flora of Pennsylvania provide the residents with shade, oxygen, lumber for construction, transportation (canoes, boats, wagon wheels) medicine, employment (tree trimmer, landscaper, botanist, wetland scientist), sports equipment (baseball bats, tennis rackets, bow and arrow, snow shoes), shelter (cabin, house, dog house, barn), food (fruits, nuts, vegetables, roots), firewood, beauty (roses, dogwoods, lilacs, orchids), habitat (squirrel nest, tree house, birds nests, wood pecker holes), and tourism attractions (leaves changing, zip lining, Falling Waters, Red Pine stands at PEEC). Much of the flora found in Pennsylvania can be identified by four different ways; first would be the shape of the leaf, second would be the arrangement of the leaves, third would be the bark and stalk of the flora, and fourth would be any fruits or nuts produced. Pennsylvania flora is under attack from illogical development, invasive insects, irresponsible logging, and acid rain. While acid rain is the toughest for us to control at the local and state level, illogical development and irresponsible logging can be reduced and controlled through education and awareness. Invasive insects can be controlled and even eliminated through education and vigilance. |
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PA Ecology 4th period Room 204 Mr. Solderich [email protected] last revised 8/3/15