False Hellebore, Veratrum californicum

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

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

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

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

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

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:

And the end result are these double-winged seeds:

Kinnikinnick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

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


give way to what look like miniature apples: