Budburst divides its reportable plants into five groups: deciduous trees and shrubs, conifers, evergreen trees and shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers and herbs. Note that the Budburst plant groups are determined by the similarity of plant phenology, not necessarily by botanical family or groupings. For each Budburst plant group you will find a definition, along with phenophase descriptions.
Use the Plant List to search for a specific plant. Budburst maintains a list of 300 plants. If you are unable to find the plant using either its common or scientific name, you can still submit data on your plant to the Budburst database. Your plant may exist in the database because someone else reported on it previously.
Printable Report Forms: Printable phenology report forms are provided for your convenience where online reporting may not be feasible.
We are always interested in your observations of other species as well. All observations help us better understand how plants are responding to changes in their environments.
Wildflowers and Herbs
A wildflower is a flower that grows 'on its own' without needing cultivation. Some wildflowers are native species, that is, they are indigenous to an area or region. Other wildflowers have been introduced to an area but are able to thrive on their own. Some species of wildflowers are very common while others are quite rare.
For the purposes of Budburst observations, this category includes forbs, plants that die back to the ground over the winter months and re-emerge in the spring. Examples include the following: Black-eyed Susan, Large flowered trillium, Wild bergamot, and Butterfly milkweed.
Observing Phenophases in Wildflowers and Herbs
Life events for this group of plants revolve around leafing, flowering and fruiting. All plants are unique and the first ripe fruit phenophase for the large flowered trillium differs from the first ripe fruit for the common milkweed.
First Flower
Date the first flowers are fully open. When open, you will see the stamens among the unfolded petals.
Full Flower
Date when half or more of the flowers are completely open.
First Ripe Fruit
Date when you notice the first fruits becoming fully ripe or seeds dropping naturally from the plant. Ripening is usually indicated by a change in color to the mature color, or by drying and splitting open (for dry fruits such as capsules).
Full Fruiting
Date when half or more of the fruits are completely ripe or seeds are dropping naturally from the plant.
All Leaves Withered
Date when most or all of the leaves that developed this season, have lost green color or are dried and dead.
One-Time Phenology Status
Everyone loves to view the spring ephemerals following a snowy winter! If you visit a nature center and see Large flower trillium, you can report its status today through your Budburst account. You may never have seen this particular trillium before and may never see it again. But: you can report its status today.
estimating on your part: be a careful observer. Report your observations using your Budburst account.
Flowers
- No flowers
- Early: Only a few flowers have emerged (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many flowers have emerged
- Late: Most flowers have wilted or fallen off (over 95%)
Fruit
- No ripe fruits
- Early: Only a few ripe fruits are visible (less than 5% are ripe)
- Middle: Many fruits are ripe
- No ripe fruits
- Late: Most fruits or seeds have been dispersed from the plant (over 95%)
Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
Deciduous trees and shrubs are woody plants that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season, usually in the winter. However, leaf drop can also occur during a dry season in warm climates. Examples include red maple, chokecherry, and common lilac.
At Budburst, we group deciduous trees and deciduous shrubs together. However, there are significant differences. Deciduous trees are generally defined as woody, self-supporting perennial plants that have a single main stem (trunk) and grow to more than 20 feet tall. Deciduous shrubs—while also woody, perennial plants—are smaller than trees (less than 20 feet) and usually have several stems.
Although these trees and shrubs differ in appearance, they share similar life events (phenology). This is why Budburst places them in the same group.
Observing Phenophases in Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
In the life of every plant a series of key events occur. The study of these events is called Phenology; each event is called a phenophase. Plants are unique, and the same phase on one plant might look a little different than the same phase on another plant. This is true even between one deciduous tree and another, between a red maple and a silver maple.
However, closely observing the Red maple in your backyard, for example, gives you the opportunity to identify the date it reaches each of these events. Please report your phenology observations using your Budburst account.
Bud Burst
Date when the protective scale coating is shed from the bud, exposing tender new growth tissues of one or more flower buds or leaves.
First Leaf
Date the first leaves are completely unfolded from the bud on at least three branches. Leaves need to be opened completely (flat) and the leaf stem or base must be visible (you might need to bend the leaf backwards to see those).
All Leaves Unfolded
Date when at least 90 percent of the growing leaf buds have reached the first leaf stage.
First Flower
Date the first flowers are fully open (stamens are visible) on at least three branches. When open, flowers on wind-pollinated plants will release yellow pollen dust when touched.
Full Flower
Date when half or more of the flowers are fully open or releasing pollen on three or more branches.
First Ripe Fruit
Date when the first fruits become fully ripe or seeds drop naturally from the plant on three or more branches. Ripening is often indicated by a change to the mature color or by drying and splitting open.
Full Fruiting
Date when half or more branches have fully ripe fruit or the seeds are dropping naturally from the plant. If fruits are in clusters or stalks, then record when at least one fruit is ripe on at least half of the branches.
50 Percent Color
Date when half or more of the branches have leaves that have started to change color.
50 Percent Leaf Fall
Date when at least half of the leaves have fallen off the tree or shrub.
One-Time Phenology Status
What if you come upon an interesting tree or shrub while away from home - on a vacation or a business trip? You may never have seen this particular tree before; you may never see it again. But, you want to report its status today. You can do it!
This type of one-time, status-based, report - like the recurring report - provides important information about how plants respond to climate conditions and changes.
A one-time report for a deciduous tree or shrub includes the status of the leaves, flowers, and fruits on that particular day. The status might be “None,” and that is a valid observation. There will be some estimating on your part: be a careful observer, but DO make the report. Remember: a one-time, status-based report, contributes to our understanding of how plants respond to climate change.
Leaves unfolding
- No leaves
- Early: Only a few leaves have unfolded from the buds (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many leaves have unfolded from the buds
- Late: Most leaves are fully unfolded (over 95%)
Leaves changing color
- No leaves have changed color
- Early: Only a few leaves have changed color (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many leaves have changed color
- Late: Most leaves have changed color (over 95%)
Leaves dropping
- No leaves have dropped
- Early: Only a few leaves have dropped (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many leaves have dropped
- Late: Most leaves have dropped (over 95%)
Flowers
- No flowers or pollen
- Early: Only a few flowers have emerged (less than 5%) or pollen is just starting to disperse
- Middle: Many flowers have emerged or a lot of pollen is falling
- Late: Most flowers have wilted or fallen off (over 95%) or most pollen has fallen
Fruit or Seeds
- No ripe fruits
- Early: Only a few ripe fruits are visible (less than 5% are ripe)
- Middle: Many fruits are ripe
- Late: Most fruits or seeds have been dispersed from plant (over 95%)
Conifers
Conifers are woody trees and shrubs that produce cones rather than flowers. Examples of conifers include pines, spruces, and firs.
Most of these trees and shrubs have evergreen needles, although some have deciduous needles (for example larches, bald cypress, dawn redwoods). Conifers have male cones that produce pollen that is wind dispersed, and woody cones where seeds are borne. Because of these significant differences in flowering and fruiting phenophases, Budburst has created a conifer plant group separate from the other evergreens.
Observing Phenophase Changes in Conifers
Plants are unique, and the same phase on one plant might look a little different than the same phase on another plant. This is true even among members of the same Budburst plant group. First ripe fruit (cone) for a Douglas fir looks different than it does for a western redcedar.
When following the same plant over time, you can identify a specific date for each phenophase. Report your observations using your Budburst account.
First Needles
Date when new needles emerge from tips of buds or are visible from the side of the buds on three or more branches.
First Pollen
Date when the plant starts releasing the powdery yellow pollen from cones on three or more branches (from male cones which are usually small and rounded). When open, the male cones will release yellow pollen dust when touched.
Full Pollen
Date when half or more branches have pollen. When open, the male cones will release yellow pollen dust when touched.
First Ripe Fruit (Cones)
Date when you notice the first seed cones becoming fully ripe or seeds dropping naturally from the plant on three or more branches. Record when the seed cones turn brown and the scales expand (seeds should start dispersing shortly thereafter).
Full Fruiting (Cones)
Date when half or more branches have fully ripe cones or most of the seeds are dropping naturally from the tree.
One-Time Phenology Status
Do you ever visit locations where there are lots of conifers? If you find an interesting tree—one you have never seen before and may never see again—you can report its phenology status today.
A one-time, status-based report for a conifer includes the status of the needles, pollen and fruit (cones), on that particular day. The status might be “None,” and that is a valid observation.
With any one-time observation, there will be some estimating on your part. Be a careful observer, but DO make the report. Remember: one-time, status-based, reports contribute to our knowledge about plants and their response to climate change.
First Needles
- No new needles are emerging
- New needles are emerging from tips of buds or are visible from the side of the buds
Pollen
- No pollen is falling
- Early: Pollen is starting to fall (less than 5%)
- Middle: A lot of pollen is falling
Fruit (Cones)
- No ripe fruits (cones)
- Early: Only a few ripe fruits (cones) are visible (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many fruits (cones) are ripe
- Late: Most fruits (cones) or seeds have been dispersed from plant (over 95%)
Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
Evergreen trees and shrubs include both herbaceous and woody species that maintain green leaves or needles year-round. Examples include magnolias, wax myrtle, holly, and live oaks. Each species of evergreen tree or shrub is unique; first flower on a Southern magnolia might look a little different than the first flower on an Oregon grape.
Conifers, while also evergreens, have significant differences in flowering and fruiting phenophases and are, therefore, their own plant group in Budburst.
Observing Phenophases in Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
Life events for this group of plants revolve around flowering and fruiting. All plants are unique and the first ripe fruit phenophase for one evergreen may look different than that of another. Report your Life-cycle (event-driven) observations using your Budburst account.
First Flower
Date the first flowers are fully open (stamens are visible) on at least three branches. When open, flowers on wind-pollinated plants will release yellow pollen dust when touched.
Full Flower
Date when half or more of the flowers are fully open or releasing pollen on three or more branches.
First Ripe Fruit
Date when you notice the first fruits becoming fully ripe or seeds dropping naturally from the plant on three or more branches. Ripening is usually indicated by a change in color to the mature color, or by drying and splitting open (for dry fruits such as capsules).
Full Fruiting
Date when half or more of the fruits are completely ripe or seeds are dropping naturally from the plant.
One-Time Phenology Status
A one-time, status-based report can provide important data on how plants respond to climate conditions and changes. For evergreens, a One-time report includes the status of only the flowers and fruits on the day of your observation. The status for one or both phases might be “None,” and that is a perfectly valid observation. There will be some estimating on your part: be a careful observer.
Report your observations using your Budburst account.
Flowers
- No flowers
- Early: Only a few flowers have emerged (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many flowers have emerged
- Late: Most flowers have wilted or fallen off (over 95%)
Fruit
- No ripe fruits
- Early: Only a few ripe fruits are visible (less than 5% are ripe)
- Middle: Many fruits are ripe
- Late: Most fruits or seeds have been dispersed from the plant (over 95%)
Grasses
Grasses are plants with long, linear leaves growing from the base of the plant and tiny, wind-pollinated flowers. The stems are hollow, and leaves wrap around the stem and are generally attached at nodes or distinct swellings on the stem. Grasses die back at the end of the growing season. Examples include Kentucky bluegrass, big bluestem, and wild rice.
At Budburst we also include in this grouping plants that have a grasslike appearance and exhibit similar phenophases; these include cattails, sedges, and rushes.
Observing Phenophase Changes in Grasses
Plants are unique, and the same phase on one plant might look a little different than the same phase on another plant. Full Flowering/Pollen looks different for Little bluestem than it does for Parry’s oatgrass.
Correct identification of flowering and fruiting events for this plant group usually requires a magnifying glass or macro lens. Use the Life-cycle Report option to track one plant through each phenophase event for it's growing season.
First Flower Stalk
Date when the first flower stalk is emerging from the stem of the grass and you can see the first flower cluster (spikelet) rising above the leaves of the stem.
First Flowering/Pollen
Date when the plant starts releasing the powdery yellow pollen when touched. When open, grass flowers will release yellow pollen dust when touched.
Full Flowering/Pollen
Date when half or more of the grass flowers are open and releasing pollen.
First Ripe Fruit
Date when you notice the first fruits becoming fully ripe or seeds dropping naturally from the plant. For grasses, fruits are fully ripe when the seed is hard when squeezed and is difficult to divide with a fingernail.
Full Fruit
Date when half or more of the fruits are fully ripe.
All Leaves Withered
Date when most or all of the leaves that developed this season have lost green color or are dried and dead. Note that cool-season grasses often die back during dry or hot periods, but are still green at the base of the leaves so have not yet reached the “all leaves withered” stage.
One-Time Reporting (Status-based reporting)
What if, while on vacation, you come upon a grass you don’t see at home. You may never see this grass again. But you want to report its status to Budburst today. You can do it!
A one-time, status-based report contributes important data on how plants respond to climate conditions and changes. Record the location and submit a one-time report.
A one-time report for members of the Budburst grass group includes the status of the flower stalks, pollen, and fruit (seeds), on that particular day. The status might be “None,” and that is a valid observation. Some estimating may be required on your part. Refer to the phenophase descriptions above and be a careful observer.
Report your one-time, phenophase status observations using your Budburst account.
Flower Stalk Emerging
- No flower stalks have emerged
- New flower stalks have emerged
Pollen
- No pollen is falling
- Early: Pollen is starting to fall (less than 5%)
- Middle: A lot of pollen is falling
Fruit
- No ripe fruits
- Early: Only a few ripe fruits are visible (less than 5%)
- Middle: Many fruits are ripe
- Late: Most fruits or seeds have been dispersed from plant (over 95%)