Pickleweed (Salicornia rubra) is a fibrous annual in the amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family. Free-branching smooth, fleshy stems grow up to 25 cm. Leaves are short, fused, scale like bracts. Small fleshy spiked flowers appear from the joints of the spikes. … Continue reading →
Birch-leaved spirea (Spiraea betulifolia) is a deciduous shrub. Smooth stems grow erectly from rhizomes. Branches are thin and short. Oblong toothed green leaves grow oppositely from the stem. The shrub is low-growing (30 – 90 cm). The Inflorescence is a … Continue reading →
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a low-growing perennial in the dogwood family. Bunchberry grows from spreading rhizomes to form a woody base. Erect bare stems have greenish leaves in opposite positions on the stem and a cluster of 6 (oval to … Continue reading →
Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) is a perennial in the rose family. It is also called common silverweed, silver cinquefoil, and coloquially as Indian sweet potato. Silverweed is a low-growing herbaceous plant that sends out reddish stolons (similar to strawberries). The basal … Continue reading →
Meadow rue (Thalictrum occidentale) is a perennial which we spot in open forests, meadows, and wet slopes at middle elevations in our area. Meadow rue grows from fibrous rhizomes. The stems grow to 40 to 100 cm tall. The plant … Continue reading →
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolia sp.) is a woody evergreen shrub. Tall oregon grape is the species found through the Interior of BC. From rhizomes, multiple stiff stems grow from 0.5 to 2.5 m tall. The leaves are holly-like, pinnate (opposite), … Continue reading →
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa sp.) is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. From creeping rhizomes, vertical simple stems grow 30 – 60 cm. Stem leaves are toothed, opposite and somewhat lanceolate. The inflorescence (complete flower head) is a … Continue reading →
Heart-leaved arnica (Arnica cordifolia) is a perennial herb in the aster (Asteraceae) family. From rhizomes, stems grow 10 to 60 cm high. Two to four pairs of leaves grow on short petioles (leafstalks). Leaves are heart-shaped to lanceolate (arrow-shaped) … Continue reading →
Early Blue Violet (Viola adunca) is a hardy perennial herb. The plant is compact. It grows from rhizomes and has no stems early in the season. Basal ovate green leaves have fine edges. Leafy aerial stems form and terminal flowers … Continue reading →
Rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) is an evergreen perennial in the orchid family. Western rattlesnake plantain grows from rhizomes and will have a thick base. Stems grow 25 – 40 cm tall. Basal leaves are oblong and green with white veins … Continue reading →
Fringed grass of parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) is a perennial herb we spot in wet zones at mid-to- subalpine areas. A short, stout rootstock develops from fibrous roots/rhizomes. Stems grow 15 – 30 cm. Most of the leaves are basal, heart … Continue reading →
Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) is a perennial herb with bright yellow ray and disk flowers. This aster has a stout taproot root and branching stems. Basal leaves tend to be appressed (close, flat, and pointing upwards) and hairy. Stem … Continue reading →
