Places › States › South Carolina › Plants

Plants of South Carolina

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

116,833
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 116,833 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in South Carolina. The most frequently seen is the American Sweetgum, with 5,827 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in South Carolina include Spotted Wintergreen - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Spotted Wintergreen

Most-observed plants in South Carolina

American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
5,827 observations
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
3,763 observations
Spanish Moss
Tillandsia usneoides
3,583 observations
American Holly
Ilex opaca
3,521 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
3,149 observations
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
3,062 observations
American Tuliptree
Liriodendron tulipifera
3,039 observations
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
3,031 observations
Striped Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
2,967 observations
Muscadine
Vitis rotundifolia
2,916 observations · iNaturalist
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
2,799 observations
Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens
2,577 observations
Chinese Privet
Ligustrum sinense
2,530 observations
Yellow Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
2,472 observations · iNaturalist
Purple Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
2,468 observations
American Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
2,434 observations
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
2,394 observations
Shining Sumac
Rhus copallinum
2,383 observations
Little Brown Jugs
Asarum arifolium
2,369 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
2,300 observations
Resurrection Fern
Pleopeltis michauxiana
2,283 observations · iNaturalist
Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
2,231 observations
Cross Vine
Bignonia capreolata
2,214 observations · iNaturalist
Dogfennel
Eupatorium capillifolium
2,199 observations · iNaturalist
Saw Greenbrier
Smilax bona-nox
2,196 observations · iNaturalist
White Clover
Trifolium repens
2,061 observations
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
2,054 observations
American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
2,020 observations
Lyreleaf Sage
Salvia lyrata
2,000 observations
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
1,984 observations
Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris
1,971 observations
Ebony Spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
1,937 observations
Crane-fly Orchid
Tipularia discolor
1,921 observations · iNaturalist
Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
1,917 observations
Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
1,881 observations
Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana
1,843 observations
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
1,831 observations
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
1,830 observations
Cabbage Palmetto
Sabal palmetto
1,820 observations
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
1,814 observations · iNaturalist
Common Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
1,779 observations
Persian Silk Tree
Albizia julibrissin
1,765 observations · iNaturalist
Netted Chain Fern
Woodwardia areolata
1,764 observations
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
1,757 observations
Strawberry Bush
Euonymus americanus
1,738 observations · iNaturalist
Chinese Tallow
Triadica sebifera
1,728 observations · iNaturalist
Water Oak
Quercus nigra
1,702 observations
Spurge Nettle
Cnidoscolus stimulosus
1,684 observations · iNaturalist
Sea Ox-eye
Borrichia frutescens
1,663 observations · iNaturalist
Southern Dewberry
Rubus trivialis
1,662 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 South Carolina?

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.