Two types of shrub communities are found in Southeast Michigan.

Wet shrublands, often with standing water during part of the year, are adjacent to rivers, and to ponds, wet meadows and marshes.

Dry shrublands are often found in areas that were once open; either old fields or dry prairies. Often thick with woody species, few other plants can get established under the dense shade of shrublands. In some areas, non -native shrubs such as buckthorn (Rhamnus) and honeysuckle (Lonicera) are invading native communities, especially when natural processes such as seasonal flooding or periodic fires have been absent for some time.

A wide variety of birds use willow (Salix) and dogwood (Cornus) shrubs for nesting. These include the stunning Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, and Willow Flycatcher. Areas with hawthorn (Crataegus) often have a large number of nesting American Robins and Mourning Doves. The presence of large trees also offers nest sites for Eastern Kingbirds and Baltimore Orioles.

Listed below are some of the plants that may be found in Southeast Michigan river corridor shrubland communities.

Wet Shrubland: Non-native species are noted with an asterisk (*).

Shrubs
elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)*
guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)*
nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
red -osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
silky dogwood (Cornus amomum)
willow (Salix)

Wildflowers
forget -me -not (Myosotis scorpiodes)*
fringed loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
golden ragwort (Senecio aureus)
skunk -cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

Dry Shrubland: Non -native species are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Shrubs
American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)*
common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)*
gray dogwood (Cornus foemina)
hawthorn (Crataegus)
honeysuckle (Lonicera)*
smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)
staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)

Wildflowers
bee -balm (Monarda fistulosa)
tall agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)
thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana)
white avens (Geum canadense)

The above definition and plant list were taken with permission from Along the Huron: The Natural Communities of the Huron River Corridor in Ann Arbor, Michigan written by the Natural Area Preservation Division, Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Ann Arbor, 1999. You can order the book from the University of Michigan Press.

Additional definitions and pictures

• See extensive pictures and a description from the Vegetation of Wisconsin Habitats
• See page 31 of the terrific book Along the Huron: the Natural Communities of the Huron River Corridor in Ann Arbor, MI by the Natural Area Preservation Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the City of Ann Arbor
• Also see the description in the Michigan Natural Features Inventory