Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnafolia) is a deciduous shrub that can grow to the size of a small multi-stemmed tree. Slender, smooth reddish-brown stems grow from stolons or rhizomes. Alternate leaves vary from round to elliptical with rounded ends, with saw-toothed edges. … Continue reading →
Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera sp.) is a deciduous shrub that grows from 1 to 4 m high, and it can extend to 4-5m wide. Many alternate stems grow vertically and horizontally. Younger stems can be bright red in the fall … Continue reading →
When we hike in subalpine areas, we often come across white-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum). It is decidouous shrub, growing to 2m. It tends to have a spreading habit with thick masses of shrubs in wet or shady areas right up … Continue reading →
Some photos of fungi spotted along the fringes of various trails we have hiked are included here. Most were spotted in late summer or fall, at various locations. The process of learning more about fungi has been a slow one. … Continue reading →
Twinflower Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) is a trailing evergreen shrub/subshrub in the honeysuckle family. The base is semi-woody and multiple slender stems grow horizontally. The stems are leafy with fleshy opposite/paired green (egg-shaped) leaves. Short vertical y-shaped stalks are crowned with … Continue reading →
We hiked up into the Ironmask Hills, zig-zagging up around Duffy Hill. The location of the hill is right at the wind break for the Thompson River Valley, so some of the exposed trees are subjected to winds and storms … Continue reading →
Kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an evergreen shrub witha trailing habit. Deep-rooting stems tend to form large mats, with flexible branches. Leaves are alternate, leathery, evergreen, smooth, and spoon-shaped. The leaves can be shiny on top and hairless. Small, pink urn-shaped … Continue reading →
Wild red raspberry (Rubus idaeus sp.) is commonly found at mid-elevations in our region. Red raspberry is a stiff, erect flowering shrub, usually in the 1.0 to 2.0 m range. Thorns cover the stems and the yellowish-brown bark peels, all … Continue reading →
The Downton Alpine area is in the Cayoosh Range, west of Lillooet, access by backroads off Highway 99. A trail starts at 1755m (ft) and ascends to a cirque above treeline. Meltwater streams feed tarns and creeks so the area … Continue reading →
Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans toxicodendron rydbergii) is a woody deciduous shrub. From creeping roots, stems rise to 0.5 to 2m, but most often 0.5 to 1.0 m in our area. Clusters of poison ivy tend to colonize nearby areas. Pointed, … Continue reading →
Black twinberry is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family. Black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata sp.) is a shrub that grows between 0.5m and 4.5m. It is mostly found in moist soils, and often on lakeshores, the edges of marshes, ditches. … Continue reading →
Baneberry (Actea rubra sp.) is a perennial that grows up to 100 cm in height. Stems grow from a woody base of rhizomes. The stems are branched and leafy. Leaves are alternate and divided into three parts with toothed edges. … Continue reading →
