Curly-cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) is a flowering perennial (sometimes a biennial) which can be seen on disturbed sites, on roadsides and trailsides, and on open ground in the grasslands. Gumweed grows from a taproot and has a study base for … Continue reading →
By early February, the weather had warmed up, the snow melted, and trails began to dry out. Two of the hikes from this time were in Cooney Bay and in the nearby Mara Hills. A few plants were … Continue reading →
Red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is a flowering perennial which grows in moist openings, meadows, road sides, and in subalpine zones. Columbine grows from a taproot and stems reach 0.6 to 2 m in height. Short stems grow from the basal … Continue reading →
Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) is a biennial flowering plant that grows from a long taproot. Stems are leaved and branched. Greenish narrow leaves have a clasping habit from the base to the the upper stem. The stems become enlarged just below … Continue reading →
White Prairie aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) is a perennial that grows in the grasslands, meadows, and open forests in our area. White prairie aster and white heath aster (Symphyotrichum falcatum) are very similar. From rhizomes, rough and hairy stems grow to … Continue reading →
Blue clematis (Clematis occidentalis) is a perennial climbing woody vine with distinctive bluish-purplish flowers. Vines grow from a strong root system to 1-3 m in height, but some recumbent vines may reach 5m. Leaves grow on long hairy stalks in … Continue reading →
We have a large compost on the bottom part of our property and by the fall, it is heaped up. Late in spring I will be turning one side to get at the composted material below. We start at one … Continue reading →
Yellow waterlily (Nuphar polysepala) is an aquatic perennial found in shallow bays in lakes and ponds. Waterlilies have thick fleshy rhizomes anchored in the mud. Stems are also thick and fleshy. Most leaves are roundish or heart-shaped and float on … Continue reading →
Right before the Winter Solstice I hiked a series of trails in the lower end of Peterson Creek Park and stopped to make observations of some of the shrubs, trees, and ferns, and perennials. A number of berries were spotted … Continue reading →
Gallardia aristata is sometimes called common gaillardia, blanketflower, or brown-eyed Susan. It is a perennial in the sunflower (Asteraceae) family. Gallardia grows from a long narrow taproot. Several hairy unbranched stems grow to 20 to 50 (it can reach up … Continue reading →
We hiked a loop route in Peterson Creek Canyon. We followed the Mariposa Trail then crossed the creek and came back on the East Rim, a single track overlooking the canyon. We then dropped down to the Bridalveil Falls Viewpoint … Continue reading →
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 →
