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Introduction

The purpose of this work is to highlight historical observations of the various plants found within Massachusetts in an effort to classify their native range and population distributions. Its other intent is to develop an accurate etymology of historical Latin names to the present day. For most plants, we will be using Florula Bostoniensis written by Dr. Jacob Bigelow as a launching point for naming conventions and status within Massachusetts. While his book was originally intended to classify plants within 5-10 miles of Boston, Bigelow later expanded his range to many parts of New England. There are many interesting observations of rare plants and those species unique to the alpine zones of Northern New England, but here I only include those that are native to Massachusetts. There should be no plants listed here that are not native to the state. To build a complete picture, I chose the earliest floras from Middlesex County, Worcester County, and Berkshire County as historical markers for various regions of the state: east, central, and west respectively. I have broadly included the southeastern coastal region as part of the east in several descriptions, but be advised that most plants that often appear in this plant community will be ones that prefer dry or sandy soils. The range of all species come from the field guides cited below or GoBotany, when no physical information could be found. This document is organized according to the Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist which is the authoritative list of the plants known to Massachusetts.

Bibliography

Florula Bostoniensis, 1st-3rd editions, 1814-1840, Jacob Bigelow

Gray’s Manual of Botany, 1st-6th editions, 1848-1890, Asa Gray

Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, volumes 1-3, 1913, Brown and Britton

Flora of Middlesex County, 1888, L.L. Dame

Further Additions to the Flora of Middlesex County, 1899, Alfred W. Hosmer

Reports on the Flora of the Boston District, III-IV, 1908-1909, New England Botanical Club

Flora of Worcester County, 1st-3rd editions, 1883-1909, Joseph Jackson

Flora of Berkshire County, 1922, Ralph Hoffmann

Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, 2006, Steven Clemants and Carol Gracie

Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist, First Revision, 2011, Melissa Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie, and Paul Somers

Rhodora, Journal of the New England Botanical Society, 1899-Present

Consortium of Northeastern Herbaria, https://portal.neherbaria.org

GoBotany, Native Plant Trust, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org

Alliaceae – Onion Family

Allium

Two species of onion are present.

Allium canadense (Meadow Garlic)

Bigelow uses Allium canadense (Linnaeus), found in the woods at Chelsea Beach Island. Gray uses the same name but attributes it to Kalm.

Boston District: Moist open woods and meadows, frequent; not reported south of Needham

Middlesex: Frequent

Worcester: In moist meadows; not rare

Berkshire: Alluvial ground; occasional in the southern part of the valley

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England, excluding the northern region. iNaturalist data shows observations in the Boston region and the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; frequent

Allium tricoccum (Wild Leek)

Bigelow uses Allium tricoccon (Willdenow), found in the woods in Berwick, Maine. Gray uses Allium tricoccum (Aiton).

Boston District: Andover, locally abundant; Framingham, rare; Waltham, very abundant in one station

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: Worcester

Berkshire: Rich woods; common on well drained hillsides

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England, excluding northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations mostly in western Massachusetts tapering off eastward. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Colchicaceae – Autumn Crocus Family

Uvularia

Three species of bellwort are present.

Uvularia grandiflora (Large Flowered Bellwort)

Bigelow uses Uvularia grandiflora (Smith), found in the woods in Vermont. Gray uses the same name. It is on the state watch list.

Middlesex: Concord; introduced from Vermont

Berkshire: Rich woods; common in the valley

Conservation status S3; range in western New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in the Berkshires and observations around the Boston region of Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Uvularia perfoliata (Perfoliate Bellwort)

Bigelow uses Uvularia perfoliata (Linnaeus), found in the woods in Watertown and Brookline. Gray uses the same name.

Boston District: Leaf-mould soil in open deciduous woods; occasional 

Middlesex: Rather common

Worcester: Rich woods; common

Berkshire: Rich or dry woods; common

Conservation status S4; range from central New England southward. iNaturalist data shows populations west of Worcester County in Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Uvularia sessilifolia (Sessile Leaved Bellwort)

Bigelow uses Uvularia sessilifolia (Linnaeus), found in the woods in Brookline. Gray uses the same name and later uses Oakesia sessilifolia (Watson).

Boston District: Moist open woods; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Low woods; common

Berkshire: Woods; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England excluding a small region of northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations widely distributed in Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Dioscoreaceae – Yam Family

Dioscorea

One species of yam is present.

Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)

Bigelow uses Dioscorea villosa, found in the woods on the Concord Turnpike and it is rare. Gray uses the same name and attributes it to Linnaeus. Bigelow also references the unconfirmed synonym Dioscorea paniculata (Michaux).

Middlesex: Not reported since Bigelow

Conservation status SNR; range from Connecticut east to Plymouth County, Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows five observations in Massachusetts that are likely botanical garden specimens. Suggestion: rare in the east

Hypoxidaceae – Star Grass Family

Hypoxis

One species of star grass is present.

Hypoxis hirsuta (Common Star Grass)

Bigelow uses Hypoxis erecta (Linnaeus) and references the synonym Hypoxis caroliniana (Michaux). Gray uses Hypoxys erecta (Linnaeus), later changing the spelling to Hypoxis.

Boston District: Open woods and fields in dry and moist soils; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Meadows; common

Berkshire: Open woods and meadows; frequent in the valley

Conservation status S4S5; range mostly in southern New England with a population in Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in the southern Berkshires and from the Connecticut River Valley eastward in Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Iridaceae – Iris Family

Iris

Two species of iris are present.

Iris prismatica (Slender Blue Flag Iris)

Bigelow uses Iris prismatica (Pursh), found in South Boston and Cambridge; same habitat as I. versicolor but much less frequent. He also references the synonyms Iris gracilis and Iris virginica (Torrey). Gray references these names as Iris virginica and later uses Iris prismatica (Pursh).

Boston District: Wet meadows and freshwater marshes, also edges of salt marshes. Near the coast for the most part but following up the Merrimack and its tributaries to Wilmington, Chelmsford, Billerica, Bedford, and Concord

Middlesex: Less common than I. versicolor

Conservation status S4; range along the coast of New England up to southern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard with scattered observations in eastern Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the east

Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris)

Bigelow and Gray use Iris versicolor (Linnaeus). Bigelow also references the synonym Iris virginica.

Boston District: Wet meadows and swamps; common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Common

Berkshire: Wet meadows, borders of streams and ponds, wet open hillsides; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations widely distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Sisyrinchium

Five species of blue eyed grass are present. S. mucronatum is rare.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Eastern Blue Eyed Grass)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Sisyrinchium bermudiana var. mucronatum and later uses Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Miller).

Boston District: Fields and meadows, apparently less frequent than S. atlanticum

Middlesex: Wilmington, Chelmsford; much the less common species

Worcester: Moist meadows; common

Berkshire: Meadows and open places in woods; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding northern Vermont and northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows observations scattered throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Sisyrinchium atlanticum (Eastern Blue Eyed Grass)

Bigelow uses Sisyrinchium anceps. He also uses the synonym Sisyrinchium gramineum (Curtis). Gray uses Sisyrinchium bermudiana var. anceps and later uses Sisyrinchium anceps (Cavanilles). These names appear to be used incorrectly at the time, but collected specimens point to S. atlanticum.

Boston District: Wet meadows and grassy woodland; common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Spencer

Berkshire: Low meadows, borders of bogs and swamps; frequent on the plateau, occasional in the valley

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England excluding the northern regions. iNaturalist data shows few observations scattered east of the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Sisyrinchium fuscatum (Coastal Plain Blue Eyed Grass)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. It is not described in the floras.

Conservation status S3; range from eastern Connecticut to southeastern Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows populations in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the east

Sisyrinchium montanum (Strict Blue Eyed Grass)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. It is not described in the floras. There are two subspecies in the state: var. crebrum is widespread while var. montanum is uncommon. Collected specimens distributed throughout Massachusetts.

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows scattered observations throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needle Tipped Blue Eyed Grass)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species.

Berkshire: Meadow, Cheshire Harbor, Cushman; sandy field Sheffield

Conservation status S1; range throughout New England, excluding a large portion of Maine and Vermont. iNaturalist data shows five observations in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare

Liliaceae – Lily Family

Clintonia

One species of blue bead lily is present.

Clintonia borealis (Yellow Blue Bead Lily)

Bigelow uses Dracaena borealis (Aiton), found in the woods in Gloucester and Mt. Wachusett. Gray references this name and uses Clintonia borealis (Rafinesque).

Boston District: Rich woods, locally abundant

Middlesex: Common, especially in the northern part of the county

Worcester: Cold moist woods; common

Berkshire: Cool woods and shaded swamps; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations from Worcester County westward with scattered observations in eastern Massachusett. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Erythronium

One species of trout lily is present.

Erythronium americanum (American Trout Lily)

Bigelow uses Erythronium americanum, found in rich, moist soils in South Boston and Cambridge. He also uses the unconfirmed synonyms Erythronium longifolium (Poiret), Erythronium lanceolatum (Pursh), and Erythronium denscansis (Michaux). Gray uses Erythronium americanum (Smith).

Boston District: Moist deciduous woods; common in Essex County, occasional elsewhere

Middlesex: Frequent

Worcester: Rich moist grounds; common

Berkshire: Rich woods and low meadows; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts with scattered observations eastward. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Lilium

Three species of lily are present.

Lilium canadense (Canada Lily)

Bigelow and Gray use Lilium canadense (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Meadows; frequent

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Moist meadows; common

Berkshire: Low meadows and moist thickets; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts and scattered observations throughout. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Lilium philadelphicum (Wood Lily)

Bigelow and Gray use Lilium philadelphicum (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Open woods and fields in rather dry soil; common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: In dry woods and thickets; common

Berkshire: Dry open woods, clearings, brushy pastures; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations distributed from the Connecticut River Valley eastward in Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Lilium superbum (Turk’s Cap Lily)

Bigelow uses Lilium superbum (Linnaeus), found in low grounds and is rare. Gray uses the same name.

Worcester: Southbridge

Conservation status S3S4; range from Connecticut to southern New Hampshire following an eastward path. iNaturalist data shows populations in southeastern Massachusetts with scattered observations mostly in the east. Suggestion: occasional in the east

Medeola

One species of indian cucumber root is present.

Medeola virginiana (Indian Cucumber Root)

Bigelow and Gray use Medeola virginica (Linnaeus) and reference the synonym Gyromia virginica (Nuttall). Gray later uses Medeola virginiana (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Rich deciduous woods; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Rich woods; common

Berkshire: Woods; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Streptopus

Two species of twisted stalk are present.

Streptopus amplexifolius (Clasping Leaved Twistedstalk)

Bigelow uses Streptopus distortus (Michaux), found in rich woods in western Massachusetts. Gray uses this name and later uses Streptopus amplexifolius (De Candolle). Bigelow references the synonym Uvularia amplexifolia (Willdenow), which Gray attributes to Linnaeus. It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: 

Middlesex: Ashby

Worcester: In rich woods

Berkshire: Rich cool woods; frequent on the plateau, occasional elsewhere

Conservation status S3?; range from western Connecticut and Massachusetts into northern New England. iNaturalist data shows observations in the north of Berkshire County and one in the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Streptopus lanceolatus (Lance Leaved Twistedstalk)

Bigelow uses Streptopus roseus (Michaux), found in Vermont and New Hampshire. Gray uses the same name.

Boston District: Newburyport, Rockport, Beverly

Worcester: In moist woods; not common

Berkshire: Rich woods and cool swamps; frequent throughout

Conservation status S4; range from western Connecticut to Massachusetts northward. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts and few scattered observations eastward. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Melanthiaceae – Bunchflower Family

Chamaelirium

One species of devil’s bit is present.

Chamaelirium luteum (Devil’s Bit)

Bigelow uses Helonias dioica (Pursh), found in various parts of Connecticut. Bigelow also references the synonym Veratrum luteum (Willdenow), which Gray attributes to Linnaeus. Gray references these names as Chamaelirium luteum and later uses Chamaelirium carolinianum (Willdenow)..

Berkshire: Dry woods; occasional in the southern part of the valley

Conservation status S1; range in the west of southern New England. iNaturalist data shows one observation in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Trillium

Three species of wakerobin are present.

Trillium cernuum (Nodding Wakerobin)

Bigelow and Gray use Trillium cernuum (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Damp woods, common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Moist woods; common

Berkshire: Borders of swamps and alluvial thickets; occasional in the valley

Conservation status S4S5; range throughout New England excluding a northern region of Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in eastern Massachusetts reducing in size westward. Suggestion: frequent in central and east, occasional elsewhere

Trillium erectum (Red Wakerobin)

Bigelow uses Trillium erectum (Linnaeus), found in old woods in the middle and western parts of the state. Gray uses the same name.

Boston District: Rich woods; occasional in Essex County

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: Rich woods; common

Berkshire: Rich woods and shaded swamps; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts reducing in size eastward. Suggestion: frequent in central and west, occasional elsewhere

Trillium undulatum (Painted Trillium)

Bigelow uses Trillium pictum (Pursh), found on the Ascutney Mountain in Vermont. Gray references this name as Trillium erythrocarpum (Michaux).

Boston District: Rich woods; rare

Middlesex: Rare, except in the northern towns

Worcester: Common

Berkshire: Cool woods; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations from Worcester County westward in Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in central and west

Nartheciaceae – Asphodel Family

Aletris

One species of colic root is present.

Aletris farinosa (White Colic Root)

Bigelow uses Aletris farinosa, found in low grounds in Bridgewater. Gray uses the same name and attributes it to Linnaeus. Collected specimens found mostly in eastern Massachusetts.

Boston District: Sandy roadside, common, Bridgewater

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: Grassy places; not common

Conservation status S4; range mostly in southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations mostly in southeastern Massachusetts with few observations around the Connecticut River Valley. Suggestion: frequent in the east

Orchidaceae – Orchid Family

Aplectrum

One species of putty root is present and it is rare.

Aplectrum hyemale (Putty Root)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Aplectrum hyemale (Nuttall), found in rich woods and it is rare. It is not described in the floras. Collected specimens found mostly in western Massachusetts.

Conservation status S1; range in western New England. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Arethusa

One species of dragon’s mouth is present and it is rare.

Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon’s Mouth)

Bigelow uses Arethusa bulbosa (Linnaeus), found in wet meadows in Brookline and West Cambridge. Gray uses the same name and says that it is rare.

Boston District: Grassy and sedgy swamps and bogs, generally distributed throughout

Middlesex: Frequent

Worcester: Bogs; not rare

Berkshire: Open bogs; occasional in the southern part of the county

Conservation status S2; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows observations around the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts and near the Rhode Island border. Suggestion: widely distributed; occasional

Calopogon

One species of grass pink is present.

Calopogon tuberosus (Tuberous Grass Pink)

Bigelow uses Cymbidium pulchellum (Swartz), found in meadows at Cambridge and elsewhere. He also references the synonym Limodorum tuberosum (Linnaeus). Gray uses Calopogon pulchellus (Brown) and says that it is common.

Boston District: Wet meadows, grassy and sedgy swamps and bogs, generally distributed throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: In wet meadows and in swamps; common

Berkshire: Borders of bogs; occasional in the valley

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding a portion of northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations scattered throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Coeloglossum

One species of green orchid is present.

Coeloglossum viride (Long Bracted Green Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis bracteata (Willdenow), found in the woods of Vermont, etc. He also references the synonym Habenaria bracteata (Brown). Gray uses Platanthera bracteata (Torrey) and later uses Habenaria viridis var. bracteata (Reichenbach) and the synonym by Bigelow. Collected specimens found mostly in western Massachusetts.

Worcester: Mt. Wachusett

Berkshire: Rich woods; occasional

Conservation status S2S3; range throughout New England excluding the coastal region of southern New England. iNaturalist data shows three observations around central Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the west

Corallorhiza

Three species of coral root are present.

Corallorhiza maculata (Spotted Coral Root)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Corallorhiza multiflora (Nuttall).

Boston District: Saprophytic in woods, frequent northward, apparently rare in southern portion

Middlesex: Rather common

Worcester: Dry woods; not rare

Berkshire: Rich woods; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows XXX. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Fall Coral Root)

Bigelow and Gray use Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Nuttall). Bigelow also references the synonym Cymbidium odontorhizon (Willdenow).

Boston District: Waltham; Six plants were found near Overbrook Hill, Stony Brook Reservation in 1878; Rare, rather plentiful on the east side of Edward’s Swamp; Roxbury

Worcester: Southbridge

Conservation status S3; range mostly in southern New England and western Vermont. iNaturalist data shows populations in the Connecticut River Valley, Berkshire County, and around Boston in Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; occasional

Corallorhiza trifida (Early Coral Root)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Corallorhiza innata (Brown) Britton and Brown references this name as Corallorhiza corallorhiza (Karsten) with Corallorhiza trifida (Chatelain) used as a synonym.

Boston District: Occasional northward, also in Purgatory Swamp, Norwood, and Cedar Swamp, Walpole

Middlesex: Stoneham, Medford, Bedford, Natick, Tewksbury

Worcester: In swampy woodlands; not common

Berkshire: Rich woods, wet slopes, and shaded peat bogs; frequent

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Cypripedium

Four species of lady’s slipper are present. C. arietinum and C. reginae are rare.

Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady’s Slipper)

Bigelow and Gray use Cypripedium acaule (Aiton). Bigelow also references the unconfirmed synonym Cypripedium humile (Swartz, Salish, Willdenow).

Boston District: Dry woods, especially pine, sometimes in swampy woods; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Common

Berkshire: Dry woods and knolls in swamps; frequent

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations from eastern Massachusetts westward, declining after the Connecticut River Valley. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Cypripedium arietinum (Ram’s Head Lady Slipper)

Bigelow uses Cypripedium arietinum (Aiton), found in Hallowell, Maine. Gray uses xxx.

Berkshire: Great Barrington

Conservation status S1; range from northwestern Massachusetts north into Vermont and New Hampshire. iNaturalist data shows one observation in the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Cypripedium parviflorum (Yellow Lady’s Slipper)

Bigelow uses Cypripedium parviflorum (Willdenow), found in the woods of Vermont, New Hampshire, etc. Bigelow also references the unconfirmed synonym Cypripedium calceolus (Michaux). Gray uses Cypripedium parviflorum (Willdenow) and later attributes it to Salisbury. He classifies Cypripedium pubescens (Willdenow) separately. There are three subspecies in the state: var. makasin is rare, var. parviflorum is historical, and var. pubescens is rare/uncommon.

Boston District: Acton, Danvers, Wenham, Swampscott, Groton, Westford, Methuen, West Haverhill, Canton

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: In woods; not common

Berkshire: Rich woods and borders of swamps; frequent

Conservation status varies by subspecies; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows observations mostly in western Massachusetts and scattered in the east. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional in central

Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady’s Slipper)

Bigelow uses Cypripedium spectabile (Willdenow), found in Augusta, Maine and Woodstock, Vermont. Gray uses the same name but attributes it to Swartz and later Salisbury. Bigelow also uses the unconfirmed synonym Cypripedium canadense (Michaux). Britton and Brown also use Cypripedium hirsutum (Miller) as a synonym.

Boston District: Amesbury, Wenham, Andover, Reading, Danvers, Wilmington

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: Ashburnham

Berkshire: Cold swamps; frequent in the valley

Conservation status S1; range throughout New England excluding the coastal region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. iNaturalist data shows populations in Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Galearis

One species of showy orchid is present. It is on the state watch list.

Galearis spectabilis (Showy Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis spectabilis (Willdenow), found in woods in Vermont and New Hampshire. Gray uses the same name but attributes it to Linnaeus.

Boston District: Rich woods and swamps; very rare

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: In woods; occasional

Berkshire: Rich woods; frequent in the valley

Conservation status S2S3; range mostly in western New England. iNaturalist data shows observations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional in central

Goodyera

Three species of rattlesnake plantain are present. G. repens is rare. Britton and Brown classifies this genus under Peramium and lists the genus Epipactis as a synonym.

Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain)

Bigelow uses Neottia pubescens (Willdenow) and references the unconfirmed synonym Satyrium repens (Michaux). He also references Goodyera pubescens (Nuttall) which Gray attributes to Brown.

Boston District: Dryish woods, generally distributed throughout

Middlesex: Rather common

Worcester: In rich woods; not rare

Berkshire: Rich upland woods; frequent

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding the northern regions. iNaturalist data shows populations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Goodyera repens (Dwarf Rattlesnake Plantain)

Bigelow uses Neottia repens (Willdenow) and references the unconfirmed synonym Satyrium repens (Linnaeus). He also references the synonym Goodyera repens (Brown) which is used by Gray.

Middlesex: Not uncommon

Worcester: In rich woods; not rare

Berkshire: Under spruces on the upper slopes of Greylock; under hemlocks on serpentine, Florida

Conservation status S1; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; occasional

Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species.

Boston District: Rich woods, occasional in northern sections; occurring also at Dedham, North Easton, Norwood, and Walpole

Berkshire: Under conifers; frequent

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts and scattered observations eastward. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Isotria

Two species of whorled pogonia are present. I. medeoloides is rare.

Isotria medeoloides (Small Whorled Pogonia)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Pogonia affinis (Austin). It is not described in the floras.

Conservation status S1; range from Connecticut northeast into Southern Maine. iNaturalist data shows observations in Worcester County and the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts . Suggestion: rare in central

Isotria verticillata (Large Whorled Pogonia)

Bigelow uses Arethusa verticillata (Linnaeus), found in Medfield, Massachusetts and Brooklyn, Connecticut. He also references the synonym Pogonia verticillata (Brown). Gray uses this name but attributes it to Nuttall. It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Lowell; Lynnfield; Purgatory Swamp, Norwood; Milton; Quincy; printed records from nine other widely scattered stations, mostly north of Boston

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: In moist woods; not rare

Berkshire: Dy open woods; occasional in the valley

Conservation status S3S4; range throughout New England excluding the northern sections. iNaturalist data shows populations scattered throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; occasional

Liparis

Two species of wide lipped orchid are present. L. liliifolia is rare.

Liparis liliifolia (Lily Leaved Wide Lipped Orchid)

Bigelow uses Malaxis liliifolia (Willdenow), found in the woods in Cambridge. Gray references this name as Liparis liliifolia (Richard) but attributes it to Swartz.

Boston District: Wet woods; rare

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: In rich woods; not common

Berkshire: Rich woods in the western part of the valley; occasional

Conservation status S2; range in southern New England and half of Vermont and New Hampshire . iNaturalist data shows four observations in the Connecticut River Valley and one near Boston in Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in central and west

Liparis loeselii (Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Liparis loeselii (Richard).

Boston District: Wet fields; rare

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: Spencer

Berkshire: Bogs and wet roadsides; frequent

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding counties in New Hampshire. iNaturalist data shows populations in Berkshire County in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Malaxis

Three species of adder’s mouth are present and they are rare.

Malaxis bayardii (Bayard’s Adder Mouth)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. It is not described in the floras.

Conservation status S1; range scattered in southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in southeastern Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the east

Malaxis monophyllos (White Adder’s Mouth)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Microstylis monophyllos (Lindley). Britton and Brown reference this name as Malaxis monophylla (Swartz).

Worcester: Spencer

Berkshire: Cold bogs; occasional

Conservation status S1; range in western New England and northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Malaxis unifolia (Green Adder’s Mouth)

Bigelow uses Malaxis unifolia (Michaux), found in woods and is rare. He also references the synonym Malaxis ophioglossoides (Willdenow). Gray uses Microstylis ophioglossoides (Nuttall). Britton and Brown reference this name as Malaxis unifolia (Michaux). It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Wet fields, bogs, and open woods; rare

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: Sutton

Berkshire: Bogs, wet woods, dry slopes and ledges; frequent

Conservation status S2?; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the west

Neottia

Two species of twayblade are present and they are rare.

Neottia bifolia (Southern Twayblade)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Listera australis (Lindley). It is not described in the floras. Collected specimens found in Plymouth County in Massachusetts. It is on the state watch list.

Conservation status S1?; range in southeastern Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows populations in southeastern Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the east

Neottia cordata (Heart Leaved Twayblade)

Bigelow uses Epipactis convallarioides (Willdenow), found particularly at the base of the White Mountains. Gray references this name as Listera cordata (Brown). Bigelow also references the unconfirmed synonyms Ophrys cordata (Michaux) and Listera convallarioides (Nuttall).

Boston District: “Not rare. Magnolia, Gloucester”; Purgatory Swamp, Norwood; Great Swamp, Walpole; West Boxford and Hamilton

Conservation status S2; range mostly in northern New England and scattered southwards. iNaturalist data shows one observation on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; rare

Platanthera

Thirteen species of bog orchid are present. P. cristata, P. dilatata, P. flava, P. hookeri, P. huronensis, P. macrophylla, and P. orbiculata are rare. P. ciliaris and P. obtusata are historical.

Platanthera aquilonis (North Wind Bog Orchid)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. It is not described in the floras. Collected specimens mostly from western Massachusetts.

Conservation status S3S4; range throughout New England excluding the coastal region of southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Platanthera blephariglottis (White Fringed Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis blephariglottis (Willdenow), found in swamps and meadows in Cambridge, etc. and it is rare. Gray uses Platanthera blephariglottis (Lindley). Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria blephariglottis (Brown) which Gray attributes to Hooker and later Torrey.

Boston District: Wet open woods and bogs, occasional throughout

Middlesex: Generally distributed, but rare

Worcester: Princeton

Berkshire: Borders of peat bogs; occasional

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding a northern portion of Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in the west and southeast of Massachusetts with scattered observations elsewhere. Suggestion: scattered; frequent

Platanthera ciliaris (Orange Fringed Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis ciliaris (Linnaeus), found in Northborough. Gray uses Platanthera ciliaris (Lindley). Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria ciliaris (Brown) which is later used by Gray.

Boston District: Dedham, Lexington, Sharon

Middlesex: Very rare

Worcester: A rare species in this county

Conservation status SH; range mostly in southern New England and a small region in northern Vermont and New Hampshire. iNaturalist data shows two observations in Massachusetts that were likely plantings at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. Suggestion: rare in central and east

Platanthera clavellata (Little Club Spur Bog Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Gymnadenia tridentata (Lindley) and later uses Habenaria tridentata (Hooker). Britton and Brown references the latter name as Gymnadeniopsis clavellata (Rydberg).

Boston District: Wet woods and swamps, occasional throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Worcester

Berkshire: Swampy woods; frequent

Conservation status S4S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts and scattered observations in the east. Suggestion: frequent in the west and east, occasional elsewhere

Platanthera cristata (Crested Orange Bog Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Platanthera cristata (Lindley) and later uses Habenaria cristata (Brown). It is not described in the floras. Collected specimens found in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Conservation status S1; range only in southeastern Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows populations in Massachusetts that were likely plantings at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. Suggestion: rare in the east

Platanthera dilatata (White Northern Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis dilatata (Pursh), common on the sides of the White Mountains by the margins of brooks. Gray uses Platanthera dilatata (Lindley). Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria dilatata (Brown) which Gray later uses but attributes to himself. Collected specimens mostly found in western Massachusetts.

Middlesex: Lexington, Reading, Stoneham

Berkshire: Shaded swamps; frequent

Conservation status S2; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows one observation in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the west

Platanthera flava (Northern Tubercled Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis herbiola, found about Fresh Pond. Gray references this name as Platanthera flava and later uses Habenaria virescens (Sprengel). Britton and Brown references the latter name as Perularia flava (Farwell).

Boston District: Wet fields and woods, generally rare but locally abundant

Middlesex: Not uncommon

Worcester: In grassy places; not common

Berkshire: Wet places; frequent

Conservation status S2; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west, occasional elsewhere

Platanthera grandiflora (Greater Purple Fringed Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis grandiflora, found in Lancaster, Leominster, and Deerfield. Gray references this name as Platanthera fimbriata (Lindley) and later uses Habenaria fimbriata (Brown). Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria grandiflora (Torrey, etc.).

Boston District: Wet woods and grassy swamps; occasional

Middlesex: Generally distributed, but not common

Worcester: Quite common

Berkshire: Swamps and borders of wet woods; frequent on the plateau

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations scattered throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; frequent

Platanthera hookeri (Hooker’s Bog Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Platanthera hookeri (Lindley) and later uses Habenaria hookeri (Torrey). It is on the state watch list. Collected specimens found mostly in western Massachusetts or Worcester County.

Boston District: Big Hill, Acton; Georgetown; Middleton; Bear Hill, Stoneham; Hopkinton; Blue Hill; West Boxford and Groveland

Worcester: In rich woods; not rare

Berkshire: Woods; frequent

Conservation status S2?; range throughout New England excluding the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in central and west

Platanthera huronensis (Lake Huron Bog Green Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Platanthera hyperborea (Lindley) and references the synonym Platanthera huronensis (Lindley). He later uses Habenaria hyperborea (Brown). Fernald references this name as Habenaria hyperbora var. huronensis (Farwell). It is on the state watch list.

Berkshire: Woods; common

Conservation status S2?; range from western Massachusetts into northern New England. iNaturalist data shows two observations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the west

Platanthera lacera (Green Fringed Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis psycodes (Willdenow) and references the synonym Orchis lacera (Michaux). Gray references these names as Platanthera lacera and later uses Habenaria lacera (Brown). Bigelow also references the unconfirmed synonym Habenaria psycodes (Brown)

Boston District: Wet fields, meadows, and bogs; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Quite common

Berkshire: Wet meadows; frequent

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding the northern region of Maine. iNaturalist data shows observations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Platanthera macrophylla (Large Leaved Bog Orchid)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. It is on the state watch list.

Berkshire: Savoy, Lanesboro, Dalton, Sandisfield

Conservation status S2?; range mostly from Massachusetts northwards. iNaturalist data shows three observations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare

Platanthera obtusata (Blunt Leaved Bog Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Platanthera obtusata (Lindley) and later uses Habenaria obtusata (Richardson). Collected specimens found only in Berkshire County in Massachusetts.

Worcester: Mt. Wachusett

Berkshire: Bog, Hinsdale

Conservation status SH; range mostly in northern New England extending down to western Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows no observations in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare

Platanthera orbiculata (Round Leaved Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis orbiculata (Pursh), found in Danvers, Massachusetts. Gray uses Platanthera orbiculata (Lindley). Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria orbiculata (Brown), which Gray later uses but attributes to Torrey. It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Rich woods northward, rare

Middlesex: Generally distributed, but not common

Worcester: In rich woods; scarce

Berkshire: Rich woods; frequent

Conservation status S1S2; range throughout New England, scattered in the south. iNaturalist data shows five observations in the northern Berkshires of Massachusetts. Suggestion: occasional in the west

Platanthera psycodes (Lesser Purple Fringed Bog Orchid)

Bigelow uses Orchis fimbriata (Aiton). Gray references this name as Platanthera psycodes and later uses Habenaria psycodes. Bigelow also references the synonym Habenaria fimbriata (Brown) which is incorrect.

Boston District: Wet meadows and swamps, common but not abundant

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: In meadows and swamps; common

Berkshire: Swamps and wet meadows; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts with scattered observations eastward. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Pogonia

One species of pogonia is present.

Pogonia ophioglossoides (Rose Pogonia)

Bigelow uses Arethusa ophioglossoides (Linnaeus) and references the synonym Pogonia ophioglossoides (Brown). Gray uses the latter name but attributes it to Nuttall.

Boston District: Wet meadows and bogs, common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: In moist meadows and swamps; common

Berkshire: Marshes and peat bogs; frequent

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations from western Massachusetts to Worcester County with scattered observations eastward. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Spiranthes

Seven species of ladies’ tresses are present. S. lucida, S. romanzoffiana, and S. vernalis are rare.

Spiranthes cernua (Nodding Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow uses Neottia cernua (Willdenow) and references the synonym Ophrys cernua (Linnaeus). Gray uses Spiranthes cernua (Richard).

Boston District: Wet fields and meadows, common throughout

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Wet places; common

Berkshire: Wet meadows; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England, excluding northern Maine. iNaturalist data shows observations from northern Massachusetts southeast through Worcester County into Cape Cod. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Spiranthes lacera (Slender Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow uses Neottia gracilis. Gray uses Spiranthes gracilis (Bigelow). There are two subspecies in the state: var. gracilis and var. lacera are distributed throughout.

Boston District: Dry fields and pastures, rather common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Pastures; quite common

Berkshire: Dry open soil; common

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England excluding a northern portion of Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in southeastern Massachusetts and observations around the Connecticut River Valley. Suggestion: widely distributed; frequent

Spiranthes lucida (Shining Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Spiranthes latifolia (Torrey). It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Martin’s Pond, North Reading; Lynnfield and Newton

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: In moist places; somewhat rare

Berkshire: Gravelly shores of ponds, borders of swamps and roadside ditches; frequent in the valleys

Conservation status S2?; range throughout New England excluding a northern portion of Maine. iNaturalist data shows populations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Spiranthes ochroleuca (Yellow Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow and Gray do not describe this species. Collected specimens mostly found in western and eastern Massachusetts.

Boston District: In drier soil than the typical form of the species, and apparently as generally distributed

Berkshire: In drier situations than the type; frequent

Conservation status S4; range mostly in southern New England and scattered northwards. iNaturalist data shows observations scattered throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; frequent

Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Hooded Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Spiranthes romanzoviana (Chamisso) and later uses Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Chamisso).

Berkshire: Bogs; occasional

Conservation status S1; range from western Massachusetts northwards into northern New England. iNaturalist data shows two observations in western Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Spiranthes tuberosa (Little Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Spiranthes simplex. Britton and Brown reference this name and Gyrostachys simplex (Kuntze) as Ibidium beckii (Lindley). It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Holbrook; Easton; North Easton near the Sharon line

Worcester: Winchendon

Conservation status S3S4; range mostly in southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in southeastern Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the east

Spiranthes vernalis (Spring Ladies Tresses)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Spiranthes graminea var. walteri and later uses Spiranthes praecox (Watson).

Boston District: Sandy roadside, Canton Road, Randolph; In dry fields, Easton; Baldwin

Middlesex: Rare

Worcester: Wet grassy places; rare

Conservation status S2; range from southern New Hampshire southwards, excluding western Massachusetts. iNaturalist data shows populations near Boston and in southeastern Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in central and east

Tipularia

One species of cranefly orchid is present and it is rare.

Tipularia discolor (Cranefly Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Tipularia discolor (Nuttall) and says that it is very scarce. It is not described in the floras. Collected specimens found in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts.

Conservation status S1; range from southeastern Massachusetts southwards following a coastal direction. iNaturalist data shows populations around the Cape Cod region and on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the east

Triphora

One species of three birds orchid is present and it is rare.

Triphora trianthophora (Three Birds Orchid)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Pogonia pendula (Lindley) and references the genus Triphora as a synonym. Britton and Brown references these names as Triphora trianthophora (Rydberg). It is not described in the floras.

Conservation status S1; range from southern New England into Vermont. iNaturalist data shows populations near the southern region of the Connecticut River Valley with scattered observations northwards in Massachusetts. Suggestion: rare in the west

Ruscaceae – Butcher’s Broom Family

Maianthemum

Four species of false solomon’s seal are present.

Maianthemum canadense (Canada Mayflower)

Bigelow uses Convallaria bifolia (Linnaeus) and references the synonym Smilacina canadensis (Pursh). Gray references the latter name as Smilacina bifolia (Ker) and later uses Smilacina bifolia var. canadensis and Maianthemum canadense (Desfontaine).

Boston District: Woods, common throughout 

Middlesex: Very common

Worcester: Moist woods; common

Berkshire: Woods and shaded swamps; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations widely distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Maianthemum racemosum (Feathery False Solomon’s Seal)

Bigelow uses Convallaria racemosa (Linnaeus). Gray uses Smilacina racemosa (Desfontaine).

Boston District: Deciduous woods; very common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: In moist copses; common

Berkshire: Woods, dry ledges, and thickets; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Maianthemum stellatum (Starry False Solomon’s Seal)

Bigelow uses Convallaria stellata, found in low grounds in South Boston. He also references the synonym Smilacina stellata (Pursh) which Gray attributes to Desfontaine.

Boston District: Sandy soil and wet meadows; occasional

Middlesex: Waverly; near Fresh Pond, Cambridge

Berkshire: Alluvial banks; frequent along the Hoosac, Housatonic, and Deerfield Rivers

Conservation status S4; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations north of Boston and along Cape Cod with scattered observations in the east and west in Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; frequent

Maianthemum trifolium (Three Leaved False Solomon’s Seal)

Bigelow uses Convallaria trifolia (Linnaeus), found near Mt. Monadnock. He also references the synonym Smilacina trifolia (Pursh) which Gray attributes to Desfontaine. Sixteen collected specimens found only in Worcester County. It is on the state watch list.

Boston District: Cold bogs and cedar swamps; rare

Middlesex: Occasional throughout the county but nowhere common

Worcester: Bogs, rare in southern part of the county

Berkshire: Cold swamps; frequent

Conservation status S3?; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows five observations in the west, six in the north of Worcester County, and one observation in Rockport, Massachusetts. Suggestion: scattered; occasional

Polygonatum

Two species of solomon’s seal are present.

Polygonatum biflorum (King Solomon’s Seal)

Bigelow uses Convallaria canaliculata and references the synonym Polygonatum canaliculatum (Pursh). Gray attributes the first name to Muhlenberg and uses the latter. He later uses Polygonatum giganteum (Dietrich). Britton and Brown reference this name as Polygonatum commutatum (Dietrich).

Berkshire: River banks and moist thickets; frequent in the valley

Conservation status S4; range mostly in southern New England. iNaturalist data shows observations in the Connecticut River Valley, Martha’s Vineyard, and around Boston, Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the west

Polygonatum pubescens (Hairy Solomon’s Seal)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Polygonatum pubescens (Pursh) and later uses Polygonatum biflorum (Elliott). Britton and Brown describe this species as Hairy Solomon’s Seal.

Boston District: Moist deciduous woods; common

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Woods; common

Berkshire: Dry or rocky woods; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows populations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Smilacaceae – Catbrier Family

Smilax

Three species of greenbriar are present.

Smilax glauca (Glaucous Leaved Greenbriar)

Bigelow does not describe this species. Gray uses Smilax glauca (Walter).

Boston District: Dedham, Hanson, Milton, Roxbury, Weston, Westwood

Middlesex: Weston, an extreme northern station

Conservation status S5; range mostly in southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations on Cape Cod with observations south of Boston, Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in the east

Smilax herbacea (Carrion Flower)

Bigelow uses Smilax peduncularis (Muhlenberg). Gray references this name as Smilax herbacea (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Moist fields and open woods; fairly common but not reported south of the Blue Hills

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Common by roadsides

Berkshire: Thickets in low ground; borders of meadows; common

Conservation status S5; range throughout New England. iNaturalist data shows observations distributed throughout Massachusetts. Suggestion: widely distributed; common

Smilax rotundifolia (Roundleaf Greenbriar)

Bigelow and Gray use Smilax rotundifolia (Linnaeus).

Boston District: Woods; very common; more luxuriant in moist situations

Middlesex: Common

Worcester: Common

Berkshire: Collected only in one station in Sheffield

Conservation status S5; range from southern Maine following a southeast path into southern New England. iNaturalist data shows populations in the east and observations in the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Suggestion: frequent in central and east