Places › States › Massachusetts › Plants

Plants of Massachusetts

The plants most often spotted in Massachusetts, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

493,821
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 493,821 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Massachusetts. The most frequently seen is the Eastern White Pine, with 21,857 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Massachusetts include Spotted Wintergreen and American Chestnut - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Spotted WintergreenAmerican Chestnut

Most-observed plants in Massachusetts

Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
21,857 observations
Striped Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
17,893 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
14,464 observations
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
14,411 observations
Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
14,350 observations
Asian Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
13,994 observations
Eastern Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
13,748 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
12,467 observations
Pitch Pine
Pinus rigida
12,396 observations
Canada Mayflower
Maianthemum canadense
12,389 observations
Common Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
12,233 observations · iNaturalist
Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilis
11,798 observations
Pink Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium acaule
11,751 observations
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
11,604 observations
Alder Buckthorn
Frangula alnus
10,649 observations · iNaturalist
Sweet Pepperbush
Clethra alnifolia
10,630 observations
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
10,364 observations
Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens
9,880 observations
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
9,746 observations
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
9,690 observations
White Oak
Quercus alba
9,298 observations
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
9,288 observations
Mapleleaf Viburnum
Viburnum acerifolium
9,080 observations
Common Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
9,046 observations
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
8,912 observations
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
8,896 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
8,650 observations
Yellow Birch
Betula alleghaniensis
8,649 observations
Japanese Knotweed
Reynoutria japonica
8,455 observations
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
8,416 observations
Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
8,157 observations
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
7,989 observations
Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
7,906 observations
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
7,898 observations
Northern Starflower
Lysimachia borealis
7,897 observations · iNaturalist
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
7,742 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Teaberry
Gaultheria procumbens
7,652 observations
Winged Euonymus
Euonymus alatus
7,638 observations · iNaturalist
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
7,632 observations
Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana
7,512 observations
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina
7,505 observations
Ground-ivy
Glechoma hederacea
7,343 observations · iNaturalist
Wild Sarsaparilla
Aralia nudicaulis
7,328 observations
Rugosa Rose
Rosa rugosa
7,154 observations · iNaturalist
Wood Anemone
Anemonoides quinquefolia
7,065 observations · iNaturalist
American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
6,997 observations
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
6,923 observations
American Witch-hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
6,918 observations
Greater Celandine
Chelidonium majus
6,811 observations · iNaturalist
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
6,750 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Plants in nearby places

Out spotting plants in Massachusetts?

Take Huck with you. Identify any plant you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.