Chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis sp.) is a perennial lily which grows from a bulb in spring. Many people call it checker lily. Each year the plant produces bulblets which help with propagating the species. An unbranched stem usually has a few whorled leaves which are linear to lanceolate-shaped. Two to five bell-shaped flowers appear in spring. The flower has … Continue reading →
There are three native orchids on the Hawaiian islands, mostly found in higher areas in rain forests, and often in the trees. They are rare and not easy to find. There are many orchids featured in botanical gardens and show gardens from all over the world. There are two orchids, though, that have become endemic/naturalized to the islands … Continue reading →
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.) is a short, stiff perennial in the iris family. Most of the ones spotted in our area are Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchrum idahoense sp.), but Mountain blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) is quite similar and may also be found in pockets in the Interior area. They grow from fibrous roots to as much as 30 cm. … Continue reading →
I backpacked Grand Canyon, hiking from the South Rim (8000 ft elevation) down trails to the river and then traversing the benchlands, doing a loop route over 4 days. Afterward I also did some day hikes down and back up. It was April and there was a bit of snow up on the South Rim, but 5000 feet below, … Continue reading →
Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus) is a deciduous shrub growing from rhizomes. It is found in damp, shaded forests, mostly in areas to the east and north of Kamloops. Thick stems spread horizontally and tend to overlap, rising up to 1 to 3 m. Large yellowish spines line the stems. Large green lobed leaves with pointed tips grow from … Continue reading →
Upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) is a perennial which grows from a tuberous many-branched root. Tall stalks rise 15 – 40 cm. Most of the leaves are basal. The leaves are palmate and divided/lobed. Purple/blue flowers emerge at the top of stems and on long pedicels. The petals tend to be lighter colored (blue-whitish) and the sepals are usually blue-violet … Continue reading →
