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 →
Curly-cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) is a flowering perennial (sometimes a biennial) which can be seen on disturbed sites, on roadsides and trailsides, and on open ground in the grasslands. Gumweed grows from a taproot and has a study base for … Continue reading →
By early February, the weather had warmed up, the snow melted, and trails began to dry out. Two of the hikes from this time were in Cooney Bay and in the nearby Mara Hills. A few plants were … Continue reading →
Red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is a flowering perennial which grows in moist openings, meadows, road sides, and in subalpine zones. Columbine grows from a taproot and stems reach 0.6 to 2 m in height. Short stems grow from the basal … Continue reading →
Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) is a biennial flowering plant that grows from a long taproot. Stems are leaved and branched. Greenish narrow leaves have a clasping habit from the base to the the upper stem. The stems become enlarged just below … Continue reading →
White Prairie aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) is a perennial that grows in the grasslands, meadows, and open forests in our area. White prairie aster and white heath aster (Symphyotrichum falcatum) are very similar. From rhizomes, rough and hairy stems grow to … Continue reading →
