Western Trillium is a perennial herb which can be spotted in bloom in the southwestern coastal areas of BC Thick, fleshy rhizomes support stiff stems. Stems are unbranched and smooth. Three egg-shaped smooth leaves grow on the stem. No basal … Continue reading →
In the later part of November we hiked west in Kenna Cartwright Park out to the end of the Sunset Trail and back. The pipeline work is now finished in the area and hydroseeding and restoration has been completed. Along … Continue reading →
November hikes were across grassland benches, grassland hills, open forest slopes, and in montane forest areas. Wildflowers were long gone, with a few dried stalks still visible. Some perennial shrubs and forbs retained some color, but soon will be buried … Continue reading →
There are several types of groundsel (Senecionae) found in our region: arrow-leaved groundsel (Senecio triangularis) western groundsel (Senecio integerrimus) black-tipped groundsel (Senecio lugens) woolly groundsel (Senecio canus) and related buttterweeds (Senecio sp.) They are all perennials in the sunflower family, … Continue reading →
On a hike through the forests south of Kamloops on a November day, I made a number of observations along the way. A number of perennials were spotted and identififed by their leaves and their growth habits. There was bunchberry … Continue reading →
In mid-November I hiked over to and then around Rabbit Island. I waded through the river channel with a drysuit and changed on the far side. I followed the river shoreline around the island, but also hiked onto the island … Continue reading →
While hiking in the sagebrush grasslands I hiked around a series of rock outcrops to view some crustose lichens. Lichens are a result of symbiosis between a fungus and algae. The fungus provides structure/protection and the algae provide nutrients through … Continue reading →
Marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) is a shrubby perennial that grows from rhizomes in wetland areas. Long, creeping rhizomes are sometimes woody and spread horizontally, often on the water. Reddish stems grow vertically and horizontally. Branches have alternate green hairy jagged … Continue reading →
I hiked through the grasslands hills south of Kamloops. After some frosts, most of the forbs are now withered and dormant for the winter season. Various species of grasses have lots their summer color, but still stand. I hiked past … Continue reading →
Western spring beauty (Claytonia lanceolata) is a perennial in the purslane (Portulacaceae) family. The fleshy plant grows from a corm with fibrous roots and can have one or several stalks. A few lanceolate basal leaves may have underground stalks. Two … Continue reading →
Silverleaf phacelia (Phacelia hastata) is a highly variable perennial commonly found on rocky slopes. From the taproot, a branched woody base will have several silver-haired stems. Some stems will be prostate and some will be more erect. Elliptical-shaped veined leaves … Continue reading →
Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park (known locally as Tree Island) is a protected area, home to about 140 species of wildflowers and flowering shrubs. It is mostly accessed by boat, but we hiked over from Denman Island at low tide. … Continue reading →
