Sickletop lousewort (Pedicularis racemosa) is a perennial herb in the Orobanchaceae (broomrape) family. Several stems (20 – 50 cm tall) grow from coarse fibrous roots and a thick basal area. Stems are smooth and unbranched (greenish or reddish color). Leaves … Continue reading →
Trees that grow on hilltops are subject to the elements – winds, lightning, and winter storms. Those that survive are sometimes stunted or somewhat shaped over time. We hiked over a series of hills on the south side of Kamloops … Continue reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
On a fine fall day we drove down to the Coquihalla Summit area, then took the Falls Lake Road to the trailhead for Zoa Peak. We hiked the 10 km up and back route in sunny conditions. After a summer … Continue reading →
While on Denman Island we took the ferry across to Hornby Island, then we hiked Helliwell Provincial Park. The route was through the forest and out to the rocky headland at St. John’s Point, then along the open seabluffs back … Continue reading →
We hiked the trails on Mt. Embleton and enjoyed the forest, the fall colors, the views, and the plants we saw along the way. We stopped to take some photos in wet areas, on open ridges, and in the forest. … Continue reading →
At the end of September I hiked the trails in Monck Provincial Park, on the slopes above Nicola Lake. After a summer of drought, flowering plants were next to water, or were well-established shrubs or perennials flowering in season. A … Continue reading →
