NWflora

Streambank Arnica, Arnica amplexicaulis

2012-02-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

Makes me look forward to Spring, when flowers like this reappear.

Red Alder cones, Alnus rubra

2011-11-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

These female Alder cones were discovered yesterday after falling onto a bed of moss. The cones are sometimes used by aquarists to lower water pH.

Pixie Cups, Cladonia fimbriata

2011-11-20T17:42:00.001-08:00

About 15 years ago I arranged some rocks to line the perimeter of a turn-around on our driveway. At the time, I had no idea that I was creating ideal habitat for Pixie Cup lichens. This photo shows the results of many years of slow but steady growth.

Purple Jelly Drops, Ascocoryne sarcoides

2011-11-08T15:35:00.001-08:00

While tromping through the woods today, a fallen Alder branch blocked my path and these tiny fungi were right at eye level. The largest one is only about 1/4" long.

Western Wahoo, Euonymus occidentalis

2011-09-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to seedmoney on gardenweb.com for identifying this plant for me.

Also known as Western Burning Bush, this plant has very unusual flowers and was found growing near the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.

Coast garter snake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris

2011-09-05T15:48:00.001-07:00

I was walking through the woods today and came across this colorful snake staring back at me.

Canada Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis

2011-09-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

This native perennial, often considered a weed, can be used to make tea.

Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota

2011-08-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

Much to my wife's distress, here is a picture of an immature Queen Anne's Lace flower in our back yard.

Wall Flower, Lactuca muralis

2011-08-13T07:38:00.001-07:00

This common weed has flowers that are pretty but nothing special-

But occasionally, they give way to an awesome geometric pattern-

Oregon Bestraw, Galium oreganum

2011-07-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

This plant is in the same family as Cleavers (10-25-09 blog post). I found it growing along a logging road on Spotted Dear Mountain in Clark County, Washington. I was surprised to see that my reference books don't have any reports of this plant being spotted in Clark County before.

Northwestern Twayblade, Listera caurina

2011-06-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Very similar to my June 3, 2009 posting of Heartleaf Twayblade, the small number of this uncommon plant on Spotted Dear Mountain will undoubtedly be uprooted/destroyed by logging operations scheduled for the near future.

Sleepy Catchfly, silene antirrhina

2011-06-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

The Catchfly family get its name from sticky hairs that act as flypaper. This annual native was photographed in the Columbia River gorge.

Fringe Cup, Tellima grandiflora

2011-06-13T20:14:00.001-07:00

A resident of the Columbia River gorge; bugs seem to really like this one!

A different plant with less frilly petals.

Woods Forget-Me-Not, Myosotis sylvatica

2011-05-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

Growing along the road near Ainsworth State Park in the Columbia River gorge, this member of the Borage family is not native to the area, but doesn't appear to be taking over.

Devil's Club, Oplopanax horridus

2011-05-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I planted Devils' Club seeds harvested from a plant growing in the nearby forest. Two years later, three plants sprouted- one of which is shown below. The picture captures the dual nature of the plant - graceful stems and leaves unfurling and the wicked spines that are found all over the plant.

Oregon Fawn Lily, Erythonium oregonum

2011-04-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Just outside Yacolt, Washington is a very small area that has conditions that are ideal for this attractive lily. After taking this picture, it was very sad to see a local resident use a pocket knife to cut every flower he could get his hands on......

Snow Queen, Synthyris reniformis

2011-04-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of the few flowers I saw today while walking through Moulton Falls Park. This native perennial grows low to the ground and the flowers are only about 1/4" long and easy to miss.

Trumpet Daffodil, Narcissus

2011-04-02T18:45:00.001-07:00

Although not native to the Northwest, there sure are a lot of them around here! Recent rains broke the stem on this one so it now resides in a vase in the kitchen.

Focus Stacking

2011-03-19T15:28:00.001-07:00

Even though I have posted Pixie Cup images before, I wanted to share another as this is my first result of using StackShot hardware and Zerene Stacker software. The above image is a composite of 14 separate pictures taken at f/4. Stack Shot is a motor driven mechanism that sequentially moves the camera closer (or farther - your choice) to the subject, thus allowing the images to capture a deep in-focus area. Zerene software then blends the images into a composite that results in a depth of field that can't be obtained otherwise.

Here is another "focus-stacking" example that is comprised of 20 images of a 3" long twig viewed end-on.

Here is one of the 20 images:

Yellow Coral Mushroom, Clavulinopsis corniculata

2011-03-06T14:02:00.001-08:00

This picture shows a small portion of a 3-foot diameter Douglas Fir stump that for the last 18 years has had nothing much growing on it. About 3 years ago the bark fell to the ground and a few weeks ago I noticed these 1" high coral mushrooms sprouting from the trunk.

Red Pixie Cup, Cladonia Borealis

2011-02-12T22:13:00.000-08:00

Taking advantage of a lull between storms, I took a trip to the Moulton Falls area on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington this afternoon. There is a very large fallen Cedar tree that is home to many lichen and I stumbled across this interesting specimen. It is only about 1/10" across and reminds me of a miniature goblet with red ornaments around the perimeter.

I suspect that the odd, but similar looking lichen to the lower left of the Red Pixie Cup is the immature form.

Hair Ice, Haareis (German), Silk Frost, Frost Flower

2011-02-02T11:09:00.001-08:00

This has got to be one of the strangest things I have ever seen. I was walking in our woods this frosty morning and came upon this old Alder branch that had fallen to the ground. At first I thought this was a fungus that I had never seen before, but I broke off a piece and it literally melted on my fingers - this strange sculpture is made of ice finer than a human hair! The only thing I can figure is that moisture inside the branch was forced out into the freezing air through extremely small openings. The entire 'frost beard' is about 6" long and 2" high.

Here is a link to a You Tube video that I made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuyViwX9CCk

Same branch, different frosty morning (2-18-2011). When this picture was taken, temperatures had been below freezing for only 2 hours which probably explains why this ice formation is only 1/4" high.
After 15 minutes I went back to check on the ice and to my amazement it had doubled in height to 1/2"

Today (2-20-2011) again had the right conditions for silk ice formation; the picture below shows the same branch as the previous two sessions

I searched our property for more examples and out of the hundreds of Alder branches on the ground I found two more branches with silk ice:

Closeup of ice strands exiting the third branch that I found.

Deer Fern, Blechnum spicant

2011-01-30T11:48:00.000-08:00

This evergreen, medium sized fern is found along stream banks in moist to wet forests, so it is easy to see why so many are found in the Pacific Northwest!

Bog Deervetch, Lotus pinnatus

2011-01-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

Growing along the banks of the East Fork of the Lewis River near Moulton Falls, this interesting bi-colored flower is found in wet areas. A member of the Pea family, and also known as Meadow Bird's-Foot Trefoil. Here is a view looking straight down from above:

Side view:

False Hellebore, Veratrum californicum

2010-12-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

While hiking near the top of Bells Mountain in SW Washington, I came upon this nearly 6 foot tall plant growing along a small spring. Hellebore is poisonous to cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals that graze this plant.

icicles

2010-11-25T06:39:00.000-08:00

Little Salmon Creek, in SW Washington, is shown flowing from left to right underneath an over hanging stream bank. In warmer weather springs drip from the overhang into the creek, but during the recent freezing weather foot long icicles form.

Carbon Antlers, Xylaria hypoxylon

2010-11-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

This unusual plant (fungus) grows up through the leaf litter on the forest floor in the Fall and is about 2" tall.

Western Starflower, Trientalis latifolia

2010-11-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Also called Indian Potato for its large tubers, this specimen was found growing along a logging road in SW Washington.

Angled Bitter-Cress, Cardamine angulata

2010-10-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

Typically found along stream-banks, Angled Bitter-Cress is a common native perennial. These flowers were photographed along the banks of Little Salmon Creek in SW Washington.

Vine Maple, Acer circinatum

2010-09-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of a Vine Maple flower bud and leaves that are in the process of unfurling:

Here is a picture taken later in the season where the flowers are fully open:

Kinnikinnick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

2010-08-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Dried Kinnickinnick leaves were used in smoking mixtures by native Americans. Pink flowers in early Summer

give way to what look like miniature apples:

Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare

2010-08-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Immature flower:

Armed with spikes, this plant is one to be avoided when hiking.

Tiger Lily, Lilium columbianum

2010-08-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting another picture of this beautiful flower.

Everlasting Pea, Lathyrus latifolius

2010-08-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

This non-native member of the Pea family was found growing along the Trask River in NW Oregon.

Tansy Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea

2010-07-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

This introduced weed is toxic to livestock and commonly found West of the Cascades.

Red Clover, Trifolium pratense

2010-07-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

This non-native perennial was found growing along a logging road in SW Washington.

Red Columbine, Aquilegia formosa

2010-07-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

I found this flower along a path in Lucia Falls County Park, along the East Fork of the Lewis River, in Southwest Washington. Indians had several medicinal uses for this plant.

Flower bud:

Indian-Pipe, Monotropa uniflora

2010-06-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

Definitely not a colorful resident of the forest floor, Indian Pipe nevertheless has a graceful appearance. It lacks chlorophyll and receives its nutrition via fungi attached to the roots of coniferous trees.

American Speedwell, Veronica americana (ex Mystery blue flower)

2010-06-13T17:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks to deejuas in Melbourne, Australia via gardenweb.com for the plant ID. These flowers are growing along a gravel road in SW Washington and are about 1/4" in diameter

Mountain Golden-Pea, Thermopsis montana

2010-06-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

I found this nonnative member of the Pea family along a logging road in SW Washington.

Pacific Tree Frog, Hyla regilla

2010-06-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

While looking for flowers to photograph, my wife found this 1" frog resting on a Rhododendron leaf about 200 feet from the nearest water.

Orange Honeysuckle, Lonicera ciliosa

2010-05-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

This climbing vine has trumpet shaped flowers that are visited by Hummingbirds.

Closeup of a group of flowers

Side-view of buds that will be opening soon.

Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum

2010-05-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

This plant has unique flowers and lives in shady, moist areas.

White Clover, Trifolium repens

2010-05-08T19:51:00.000-07:00

The leaves and flowers of this plant are favorites of the wild rabbits in the area.

Leafy Mitrewort, Mitella caulescens

2010-05-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Growing in moist shady forests, this Mitrewort flowers from the top down. There was a slight breeze when I took the picture this morning and I was concentrating on getting the flowers in focus and didn't notice the aphid until afterward.

Common Red Paintbrush, Castilleja miniata

2010-04-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

I found this attractive native perennial growing on Spotted Deer Mountain in SW Washington.

Early Blue Violet, Viola adunca

2010-04-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Growing wild in our front yard, these pretty flowers are usually eaten by rabbits before I can take a photo.

Redwood Sorrel, Oxalis oregana

2010-03-20T15:34:00.001-07:00

I found this small flower peeking out from adjacent leaves along Little Salmon Creek in SW Washington

Green carpet of sorrel leaves

Salmon Berry, Rubus spectabilis

2010-03-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

A common native perennial with flowers that open early in Spring and then give way to edible berries.

A rare double that I found growing along the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.

Fully ripe berry.

Purple deadnettle, Lamium purpureum

2010-02-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

This annual member of the mint family has reddish leaves later in the season. The picture below was taken in January, 2010.

Same plant, picture taken February 28, 2010, shows attractive flowers.

Flower closeup:

Bird's Nest Fungus, Nidula niveo-tomentosa

2010-02-14T19:07:00.000-08:00

I found this odd, 1/4" diameter, fungus growing on a 4-foot diameter log that had been down for a long time - it was covered in Pixie Cup Lichens. In Fall, Bird's Nest Fungi have spores inside the urn shaped fruiting body that resemble eggs in a nest. Unfortunately, it was too late in the season to photograph the spores.

Another empty "nest":

January 14, 2012 update
I finally found a nest with some eggs residing on a 1" diameter dead Elderberry branch:

Pixie drops

2010-01-31T12:26:00.000-08:00

Recent rains placed tiny water drops inside the Pixie Cup lichen in our front yard. The biggest drop is less than 1/8" in diameter.

Columbia River Gorge

2010-01-23T21:50:00.001-08:00

Picture taken today from Vista House, looking East

View of Sand Island in Columbia River, near Bridal Veil Falls

Looking across the Columbia River from the Oregon side to Cape Horn on the Washington side. This is a composite of 7 photos stitched together.

Closeup of Cape Horn waterfalls

Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Claytonia lanceolata

2010-01-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

I found this small flower along a logging road in the nearby state forest. It is in the same family as Miners Lettuce and the flowers are almost identical.

Pseudotsuga menziesii, Douglas Fir

2010-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say I live in a rain forest, but as the pictures show, its close....

Needle Ice, kammeis (German), shimo bashira (japanese), pipkrake (Swedish)

2009-12-26T14:44:00.000-08:00

Freezing weather usually brings ice crystals growing out of the ground. This years crop is unusual in that the crystals are up to 2" long.

What ever is on the surface gets pushed upward - dirt, roots, or Doug Fir needles

Indian Plum, Oemleria cerasiformis

2009-12-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

The fruit from this small tree is fairly tasty, but there is very little to eat as the seeds are huge. Red stems, dark blue fruit, and green leaves make for an interesting color combination.

Immature fruit:

Mature fruit:
Finally got a picture today (February 28, 2010) of the flowers that appear in early Spring:

Icy Little Salmon Creek

2009-12-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

With the recent cold weather, Little Salmon Creek is starting to get icy. Water is flowing behind this 2 foot tall frozen waterfall:

Water flowing underneath interesting patterns in the ice:

Creeping Buttercup, Ranunculus repens

2009-12-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

Another introduced perennial species, Creeping Buttercup is common in pastures and toxic to cattle.

Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum

2009-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

Used as a herbal remedy for thousands of years in China and Japan, this shelf mushroom plays an important role in forest ecology by breaking down dead wood. This specimen is about 1" across.

This is the first blog post taken with my new Canon 7D - what a camera!!

Smith's fairybell, Disporum smithii

2009-11-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

This flower is similar in appearance to Hooker's fairybell shown in my May 1, 2009 blog entry. The main distinguishing feature is that Smith's petals flare only slightly at the tip.

Jelly Fungus, Dacrymyces palmatus

2009-11-14T20:00:00.000-08:00

This odd looking fungus growing on a Douglas Fir tree trunk looks vaguely reminiscent of of corn kernels:

Another clump was residing elsewhere on the same tree trunk:

Fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium

2009-11-07T07:25:00.001-08:00

Fireweed is found throughout North America and spreads via seeds and rhizomes. It can grow to approximately 8 feet with striking flower spikes at the end of straight unbranched stems.

Trailing Blackberry, Rubus ursinus

2009-11-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

The only native blackberry in the NorthWest, Trailing Blackberry grows close to the ground and produces excellent tasting berries in the Summer.

Cleavers, Galium aparine

2009-10-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Cleavers is a weak-stemmed, native annual with very small white flowers. Every Summer I gather Cleavers for our rabbits who consume it with great enthusiasm.

After flowering, a double seed appears:

This closeup shows how the seeds are able to attach themselves to passers-by:

Self-Heal, Prunella vulgaris

2009-10-18T09:11:00.001-07:00

Also known as Heal-All, this member of the Mint family has been used in salves to speed the healing of burns.

July 17, 2010 update: Here is an uncommon color variation:

October 3, 2010 update:
Dark clouds this afternoon made for a long exposure (1.8 seconds) on this view looking down at the top of the flower heads:

Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum pedatum

2009-10-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Historically, Maidenhair Fern has been used in basketry and also for medicinal purposes.

This collection of ferns is growing on a moist rock face on the East Fork of the Lewis River in Southwest Washington.

The pictures, below, taken in early Spring (4/17/2011) shows what the fronds look like before they are fully unfurled.

Spotted Coralroot, Corallorhiza maculata

2009-10-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Coralroots are members of the Orchid family and are unusual in that they get their nutrients from decaying organic material. This particular specimen was mowed down by the County road department two days after I took the picture.

Chicory, Cichorium intybus

2009-09-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

Originally from Europe, Chicory root can be baked and ground and used as a coffee substitute.

Fairyslipper, Calypso bulbosa

2009-09-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

This attractive, fragrant lily was found growing on Kamiak Butte in Eastern Washington.

Pacific Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus

2009-09-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was walking along the creek next to our house looking for wildflowers to photograph and came across this 13" long salamander:
I only see one about once every 5 years and don't know if it is due to their coloring being so similar to the rocks or that they are rare. After I took the first picture he walked/swam through shallow water and I took a second picture:

The salamander was using his front legs to walk on the bottom and his hind legs as flippers to paddle through the water.

Wild Strawberry, Fragaria vesca

2009-09-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

Small, tasty, bright red strawberries are the main attraction on this native perennial.

Pacific Ninebark, Physocarpus capitatus

2009-08-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

This native, deciduous bush has multi-layered bark and attractive flowers.

Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa

2009-08-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yellow flowers give way to tart blue berries. Shredded stems and roots have been used to make a yellow dye for staining baskets.

Lesser Snapdragon, Antirrhinum orontium

2009-08-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Found this member of the Figwort family residing in my vegetable garden. Side view of the flower:

Flower head-on:

This view is looking down into a seed pod, where the yet to be dispersed seeds can be seen. I think this picture gives an idea why this plant is also called "Weasel's snout"

Big-Leaved Sandwort, Moehringia macrophylla

2009-08-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

This native perennial grows from rhizomes and is common throughout the NorthWest.

Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota

2009-07-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

This carrot relative has a distinctive, dark red (almost black) central flower. For bonus points, can you spot the well camouflaged spider?

Central flower closeup.

Purple-Leaved Willowherb, Epilobium ciliatum

2009-07-21T18:07:00.001-07:00

Tiny flowers on the end of long, slender, developing seed pods.

Flower close-up

Seed dispersal.

This common, native perennial has an affinity for my vegetable garden and is a real nuisance!

Common Chickweed, Stellaria media

2009-07-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Even though this introduction from Europe is considered a weed, the leaves are edible and the flowers have a symmetry that is attractive.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata

2009-07-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

Common East of the Cascades, this sunflower relative grows in abundance on Kamiak Butte.

Palmate Coltsfoot, Petasites palmatus

2009-07-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

This native perennial produces flowering stems that are present before leaves appear.

Windflower, Anemone piperi

2009-06-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

This rather unassuming flower was found growing on Kamiak Butte in Eastern Washington.

Stink Currant, Ribes bracteosum

2009-06-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

The crushed leaves of this plant have a 'skunky' smell. The flowers give way to edible blue-black berries.

Small-Flowered Buttercup, Ranunculus uncinatus

2009-06-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Very small flowers, only about 0.2" across, are found on this native perennial that grows in shady, moist soil.

Upland Larkspur, Delphinium nuttallianum

2009-06-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, when I visited Kamiak Butte, these pretty flowers had not yet completely opened.

Heart-Leaved Twayblade, Listera cordata

2009-06-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Not many flowering plants have green flowers, but this member of the Orchid family is an example.

Yellow Glacier Lily, Erythronium grandiflorum

2009-05-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

Also known as Fawn Lily, this beautiful flower was found in abundance on Kamiak Butte.

Dame's Rocket, Hesperis matronalis

2009-05-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

Originally from Europe, this garden escapee has very fragrant flowers and has established itself along roadside ditches in the Northwest.

Western Meadowrue, Thalictrum occidentale

2009-05-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

The slightest breeze causes the hanging stamens to move, which made it impossible for me to get a sharp picture.

Hooker's Fairybell, Disporum hookeri

2009-05-14T20:00:00.001-07:00

This native member of the Lily family has berries that appear later in the Summer that taste somewhat like watermelon.

Cusick's shooting-star, Dodecatheon cusickii

2009-05-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

This striking flower was found near the summit of Kamiak Butte, north of Pullman, WA

Pacific Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa

2009-05-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

This common native perennial, also known as 'dutchman's breeches', is an old-fashioned favorite.

Western Saxifrage, Saxifraga occidentalis

2009-05-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Found this native perennial growing out of a moist rock outcrop on the East Fork of the Lewis River.

Scouler's corydalis, Corydalis scouleri

2009-04-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

These plants like it wet! I had to set up my tripod in a small spring to get these shots. The flower color varies from plant to plant.

Hooker's Willow, Salix hookeriana

2009-04-22T17:09:00.001-07:00

I found this catkin in full bloom today. Indians used to make fishing line and rope from the bark of this small tree.

Mycena stipata mushroom

2009-04-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Found these little 'shrooms growing on a log, poking up through a mat of moss in Dec. '08
The following picture was taken In Nov. '09 after recent rains that turned the mosses into the intensely green color shown here - I didn't Photoshop this!!

Lysichiton americanus, Western Skunk Cabbage

2009-04-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

A sure sign of Spring!

Ramalina dilacerata Lichen

2009-03-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Found this small (3/4" across) lichen on yet another fallen branch. I continue to be amazed at how many lichen species are around us.......

Rosette Lichen, Physcia sp.

2009-03-21T16:45:00.001-07:00

This lichen is rather small - the "nail" in the photo is actually a pin.

Reindeer Lichen, Cladina portentosa

2009-03-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Found this multi-branched lichen growing on the trunk of an old Douglas Fir.