Cleavers, Galium aparine

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

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

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

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.

Update:
On 4-3-15 while walking through a dense stand of old Doug Firs I came upon this group of 4 Coralroots that had not opened yet.

On 5-15-2015 most of the flowers are now open.

Here is a closeup:

Chicory, Cichorium intybus

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

Fairyslipper, Calypso bulbosa

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

Pacific Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus

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.