Northern gentian (Gentianella amarella sp.) is an annual or biennial in the harebell family. Stems grow from taproots (10 – 40 cm tall). Basal leaves are usually elliptical – lanceolate shaped. Pairs of green-purple lanceloate leaves are spaced on the … Continue reading →
Clematis lingusticfolia is a woody vine that climbs and drapes over shrubs and trees at lower elevations in our area. Stems can grow up to 20m long. Leaves grow in opposite pairs. They tend to be oval to lanceolate and … Continue reading →
Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) is a perennial that we most often see in subalpine locations in wet meadows, on snowmelt slopes, or in wet openings in forests. Valerian grows up with a stout stem from thick rhizomes. Leaves grow in pairs … Continue reading →
The pussytoes (Antennaria sp.) group are perennials that have clusters of flowering heads on unbranched stems. The flowers are often hard to distinguish, except for rosy pussytoes. Most have basal leaves and many species are mat-forming. Rosy Pussytoes (Antennaria rosa): … Continue reading →
Showy jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium pulcherrimum) is a perennial in the phlox family that grows from a long taproot. It is a taprooted perennial, growing up to about 30 cm. Several stems each have sticky hairs. Basal leaves are sticky and smelly, … Continue reading →
Marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala) is a perennial in the buttercup family. We encounter it most often in subalpine and alpine wet meadows. The plant has fleshy, thick, fibrous roots. Stems rise above the base and are erect, rising from 5 … Continue reading →
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) is a perennial that grows over one meter (1-3m) in height. It is often one of the first plants to establish after a forest fire or after a clearcut. Roots grow horizontally and stems grow up from … Continue reading →
Spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga bronchialis sp.) is a mat-forming perennial that grows up to about 12 cm in height. Found on high open rocky slopes. Mat-cushion forming habit. Basal leaves are leathery and overlapping. Spiny tips and hairy edges. Older leaves … Continue reading →
Thread-leaved sandwort (Arenaria capillaris) is a flowering perennial that grows in many ecozones. The height of the flowering plant is up to 30 cm tall, growing from a taproot. The leaves are mostly basal and are long and narrow. Two … Continue reading →
Self-heal is usually spotted in middle elevations in open areas, near wet spots. Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) is a perennial in the mint family. Growing from fibrous roots and a woody base, stems rise 5 to 20 cm high. Leaves are … Continue reading →
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahense s. angustifolium) is a short perennial in the iris family. Leaves are basal and are long and narrow, almost grass-like. Flowers are blue to purple with a yellow eye. The petals have pointed tips. Blooms appear … Continue reading →
Queen’s Cup (Clintonia uniflora) is a perennial in the lily family. Clintonia grows from rhizomes and grows to about 15 cm. The flowering stalks have no leaves. Basal leaves are oblong, slightly shiny, sometimes lightly hairy, and fleshy to the … Continue reading →
