Hylocomium splendens Step moss is one of the most well-known and widespread species of moss in British Columbia. It is one of the first “feather mosses” (large branching mosses that dominate the forest floor) that you will find as … Continue reading →
When we were visiting the Columbia River Valley near Radium, we encountered many pasqueflowers in bloom in May. Anemone patens is frequently called prairie crocus. This perennial grows to about 30 cm from a long taproot and woody base. Several … Continue reading →
Umbilicaria americana Umbilicaria is a rather large genus of lichens usually found attached to rocks that consist of small rounded lobes that are attached at a single point to the rock by a holdfast. On a recent hike with … Continue reading →
We hiked into the lower Stein Valley (out and back for 17.5 km) in May and enjoyed the deep valley with the rushing, cascading river surrounded by mountains. The eastern end was dry forest but the far end was in … Continue reading →
Scouleria aquatica On a recent hike along the Stein River, some of the boulders that were adjacent to or partially submerged in the river had patches of this large, coarse, blackish green moss. The common name for this species is … Continue reading →
We hiked all the way from the Tranquille – Criss creek Road to Savona (Steelhead Park) over 2 days, camping overnight near Carbine Creek. We crossed many hills along the 28 km route and spotted a few plants to photograph, … Continue reading →
Koeleria macrantha Junegrass is one of my favourite native grasses. It is a small attractive bunchgrass that is common in the Kamloops area. It is never a dominant species on the landscape but it is frequently present in middle- … Continue reading →
While staying at UBC in April, I hiked the Spanish Trail and some connector trails to make a loop in Pacific Spirit Park. A few wildflowers and flowering shrubs were spotted along the way and are included here. Click an … Continue reading →
Entosthodon rubiginosus On a recent trip with the Kamloops Hiking Club we hiked through Painted Bluffs Provincial Park on the north side of Kamloops Lake – a surreal landscape of ridges and valleys devoid of vegetation with soils in various … Continue reading →
On a quiet, sunny morning, I hiked the lower trails just off Rose Hill Road, mostly through sagebrush-grassland ridges and gullies and stopped to take a few photos along the way. Click the image for a caption.
Continue reading →Pseudoroegneria spicata (Elymus spicatus) Bluebunch wheatgrass is a widespread and dominant species in the grasslands and dry open forests of southern British Columbia. In undisturbed grasslands, it is usually the dominant species at lower elevations and on steep slopes with … Continue reading →
We walked the Botanical Gardens in April when the rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, and some herbaceous perennials were in bloom. Some of the flowers are complex and more difficult to photograph (with good depth of field) so we tried various methods, … Continue reading →
