Fagus grandifolia this is not considered distinct in the Flora of North America. The Mexican beech ("Fagus mexicana"), native to the mountains of central Mexico, is closely related, and is sometimes treated as a subspecies of American beech, but more often as a distinct species. The only "Fagus" species found in the Western Hemisphere (assuming "F. mexicana" is treated as a subspecies), "F. grandifolia" is believed to have spanned the width of the North American continent all the way to the Pacific coast before the last ice age. It is a deciduous tree growing to tall, with smooth, silver-gray bark. The leaves
Luzula sylvatica grow on acidic soils in damp habitats. "L. sylvatica" can be found on stream banks and well-drained, open woodland, as well as in open ground and rock ledges and peaty heath moors. Despite its preference for acidic soils, it can tolerate most soil pH levels. The leaves of "Luzula sylvatica" are picked in winter by golden eagles to line their eyries. The flowers and seeds of "L. sylvatica" are also the sole food source for the larvae of the "Coleophora sylvaticella" moth. "Luzula sylvatica" is commonly used in horticulture — its thick, patch-forming habit (which allows the plant to act