Wildflowers of Mount Ashland - Southern Oregon Digital Archives

Transcription

Wildflowers
of Mount Ashland
E. Noelle Jordan
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many individuals and organizations are deserving of special thanks.
The United States Forest Service, Medford District, namely Mr. Wayne Rolle, provided financial
backing and botanical expertise.
The University of Washington Press, Stanford University Press, and University of California
Press provided the line drawings. Drawings are from University of Washington Press unless
otherwise indicated.
Bob Vos and Elizabeth Wasserman kindly donated the photographs that are credited to them.
Some photographs were obtained from various internet sites and are credited to the appropriate
individuals. All other photographs were taken by the author.
Dr. Steve Jessup provided guidance, great reference material, and much needed assistance in
identification of specimens.
Dr. Frank Lang provided direction, focus, and his valuable time and patience in trying the key
for the first time.
Lori Hammer, Matt MacKinnon, John Taylor, Chris van Schaak, and Elizabeth Wasserman
assisted with collecting and identification of specimens.
Mr. Jim Duncan, and Mr. Wayne Rolle provided partial floral lists for Mt. Ashland.
Mr. Steve Johnson of the U. S. Forest Service, Ashland District, provided statistics, various
information, photographs, and maps.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Part 1: Background Information
Part 2: The Key System and How It Works
Part 3: Family Descriptions
Flower Descriptions
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Illustrated Glossary
Appendix C: Bibliography
Index by Common Name
Index by Scientific Name
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PART 1
Background Information
"Drink in the beauty, and think
and wonder at the meaning of what you see."
Rachel Carson
Sense of Wonder (1956)
Introduction
The term "wildflower" is vague, often defined differently by different people. What one
person considers a weed, another considers a wildflower. What one considers a wildflower,
another considers a shrub. In this field guide, the term "wildflower" is used to indicate
herbaceous plants that have showy flowers, and all flowering shrubs. An herbaceous plant is
simply a non-woody plant, and a shrub is any plant that is woody throughout, shorter than 1.5 m
tall, or branched from the base. This guide does not include conifers, ferns, mosses, lichens,
grasses, sedges, or rushes.
This key and guide are designed for nature enthusiasts who have recently been introduced
to the world of plants and flowers. It is my hope that the beginner botanist will find this guide
simple and straight-forward to use. But I have also designed this guide in hopes that you will
learn a few new words to improve your observational skills, not only of wildflowers, but of all
things in the natural world. Most of all, I hope to share with you some of the beauty and wonder
of the wildflowers on Mount Ashland.
Because this field guide covers a fairly small area, I had the luxury of being extremely
thorough. Within these pages you will find descriptions and anecdotes for over 200 species of
wildflowers and flowering shrubs.
Why Wildflowers?
Wildflowers brighten all seasons. Spring and summer see the bright faces of the
blossoms, the autumn air is full of the blowing seeds; and winter is speckled with vivid fruits and
berries.
Wildflowers have touched peoples' lives in many ways through the millennia.
They are symbols of love, happiness, and all the joys of summertime. They act
as timepieces - people have come to know that certain flowers appear at certain
times of the year, or that flowers progress through their life cycles at certain
times. And flowering plants have earned our respect as sources of food,
medicine, dyes, oils, spices, fibers, perfumes, and tools. Indeed, without the
flower, where would we be? It seems important that we spend some time becoming familiar
with the very things that bring us life and happiness.
Why Mount Ashland?
Mount Ashland, the tallest peak of the Siskiyou Crest, is a special place providing
sweeping vistas of fields abloom and of other peaks in the distance. The dry hillsides, wet
meadows, and forested areas offer three types of habitats to explore, and new sets of flowers in
each. The Pacific Crest Trail that courses along the south slope of Mount Ashland offers hours
of hiking and naturalizing pleasure. Whether you plan to picnic, camp, hike, bike, drive, or
simply meander along Mount Ashland, flowers will greet you everywhere. Ski Ashland brings
hundreds of skiers to Mount Ashland every winter. I wonder if they are curious to see what lies
blanketed beneath their snow.
The Siskiyou Crest comprises the mountain peaks and ridges of the Siskiyou Mountains
in the Rogue River and Klamath National Forests. Mount Ashland is joined by McDonald Peak,
Siskiyou Peak, Red Mountain, Dutchman's Peak, Observation Peak, and several more. The
Siskiyou Mountains are unique in that they are one of the few east-west mountain ranges in the
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United States. The Siskiyou Mountains connect the Cascade Mountains to the Coastal Mountain
Range, and to the greater Klamath Ranges.
Many of the flowers on Mount Ashland can easily be viewed from the Pacific Crest Trail
and from the forest service roads. There is no need to venture far in order to soak in the beauty
and serenity of these places. If, however, you are feeling spritzy and wish to leave the trail or the
roads, please walk lightly. These subalpine ecosystems are fragile, and could be in danger of
being loved to death.
Some of the flowers you will see on Mount Ashland can be seen nowhere else in the
world! So, enjoy, revel, ponder, and play. But please ...take only pictures, and leave only
footprints!
How to Get There
Take 1-5 to exit 6 to reach Mount Ashland.
Go straight at the end of the ramp, and turn right
onto Mount Ashland Road (County Road 1151).
The road is paved up to the ski area, and just
beyond the ski area parking lot, the road turns to
gravel and becomes U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
Road 20. At mile 10 the road forks - the right
fork, Road 300, will take you to the summit, the
left fork, USFS Road 20, will take you to Grouse
Gap and beyond to Siskiyou Peak.
If you have more time and are up an adventure, hike into the area on the Pacific Crest
National Scenic Trail, more commonly called the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT. You can find the
trail at several different places. To hike the entire mountain, pick up the trail on the road close to
the junction of 1-5. For a shorter hike (an easy 3.5 miles one way), take the trail from mile 7.1
along County Road 1151 (just beyond the signs for Bull Gap) to Grouse Gap Shelter. For a
leisurely stroll, you can locate the trail at USFS Road 40S15 just below the picnic and camping
area, and follow it to Grouse Gap Shelter (approximately 1.5 miles).
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail snakes 2,650 miles from the U.S./Canada border
to the U.S./Mexico border. The north section follows the Cascade Mountains through
Washington and most of Oregon. In southern Oregon, it winds through the eastern Siskiyous
and into the Klamath Mountains in California. The section of the trail through the Siskiyou
Mountains is jointly managed by the Ashland Ranger District and the Klamath National Forest of
northern California. The PCT is open to hikers, campers, and horseback riders; bikes and motor
vehicles are prohibited.
For maps and more information, you can contact the following organizations:
Ashland Ranger District of the Rogue River National Forest, 541/482-3333,
Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest, 530/468-1238,
Pacific Crest Trail Association. 916/349-2109, or at www.pcta.org.
You may also want to pick up The Pacific Crest Trail Volume 2: Oregon and Washington
(Schaffer and Selters 1990).
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Area Covered By This Field Guide
Welcome to the eastern portion of the Siskiyou Crest! With this field guide in hand, you
will have the pleasure and excitement of discovering some of the most colorful beauties in
southern Oregon. The flowers in this field guide can be found on Mount Ashland above 6,200
feet in elevation. However, these flowers are representative of those found all along the eastern
section of the Siskiyou Crest wherever you find granite-diorite soils.
Mount Ashland Area Covered by this Field Guide and Major Landmarks
(Source: USGS Mt. Ashland Quadrangle 1983 edition, 7.5 minute series)
Map Legend:
Boundary of Survey Area, 1900 m (6200 ft)
USFS Road 20
_
USFS Road 300 to summit
— — Grouse Gap Shelter
X
Rabbit Ears
Summit
Q
Picnic Area
USFS Road 40S30, Grouse Gap Road
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
A
Ski Ashland Lodge
|
The Knoll
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Management of Mount Ashland
Mount Ashland straddles two National Forests and therefore is under management of two
districts (and two different regions) within the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The north slope of
Mount Ashland lies within the Rogue River National Forest and is an extremely important area
in the Ashland Watershed. The north slope is managed by the USFS Ashland Ranger District,
part of the Pacific Northwest region which includes Washington, Oregon and parts of California.
The south slope lies within the Klamath National Forest and is managed by the USFS Oak Knoll
Ranger District, part of the Pacific Southwest Region, which includes parts of California, parts of
Arizona, and Nevada.
Most of Mount Ashland has been designated as a Late Successional Reserve (LSR) in
accordance with the Northwest Forest Plan. LSRs are designated areas that are managed to
protect and enhance late successional and old growth forest ecosystems in order to preserve
habitat for the Spotted Owl and other old-growth obligate species. Surprisingly, this does not
mean that the area cannot be logged or managed in other ways. LSRs can be logged as long as
the activity is certified to maintain or enhance the old-growth qualities.
The land on which the ski area was built is owned by the City of Ashland and is leased to
Ski Ashland who operates and manages the ski area in accordance with the rules and regulations
set forth by the USFS.
At the summit, there is a television transmitter for KTVL, and a National Oceanographic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio (162.475 MHz) that broadcasts
continuous weather information through the National Weather Service Program Office in
Medford, Oregon.
Topography and Geology of Mount Ashland
From a distance, the mountain peaks in southwest Oregon appear to be masses of bare
rock, but upon closer inspection, we find an embarrassment of riches right at our back door. The
steep, craggy slopes of Mount Ashland are cloaked in open dry meadows, wet meadows,
coniferous forest, and rocky outcrops. Flowers will be found in all of these habitats. Many
flowers specialize in one particular habitat, but some will be found in several - or all - of the
habitats.
The highest point in Oregon west of the Cascade Range, Mount Ashland (7,533 feet) is
considered part of the Ashland batholith, an ancient granitic intrusion. The dominant rock types
constructing this peak are quartz diorite and granite. Much of the rock is now very weathered
and decomposed, resulting in loose, gravelly to cobbly sandy loam soils. The topsoil depth,
which varies with aspect and slope, are generally between 5 and 10 inches, while the overall soil
depth ranges from two to four feet. The soils are moderately well-drained to excessively
drained.
Nowhere is it documented that glaciers covered any area in the Siskiyou Mountains.
However, Mount Ashland reveals evidence of ancient small montane glaciers. Glacial features
on Mount Ashland are found primarily on the upper northern slopes where there is a steepwalled cirque and a lateral moraine. This area is commonly called "the bowl" by downhill and
cross-country skiers. Two other small cirques, many small remnants of moraines, and two Ushaped valleys are found to the west and north of the bowl.
The steep, fragile slopes of Mount Ashland are riddled with unstable terrain. If
observant, you will notice areas scarred by severe erosion and landslides. Ridges are generally
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more stable, and are characterized by gentle slopes, rock outcrops, and bouldery ground. Northfacing slopes are dominated by coniferous forests, while the summit, ridges, south and west sides
of the mountain are mostly non-forested plant communities, alternating from meadow to
shrubland.
Mount Ashland produces the headwaters of
Ashland Creek, Grouse Creek, and Cottonwood Creek.
The East and West Forks of Ashland Creek, the primary
source of drinking water for the nearby City of Ashland,
originate on the north slopes of Mount Ashland.
Ashland Creek runs through Lithia Park in the City of
Ashland and feeds into Bear Creek, a tributary of the
Rogue River. Grouse Creek originates on the south
slope, and Cottonwood Creek flows down the southeast
slope of Mount Ashland, both emptying into the
Klamath River.
For more information on the topography and geology of Mount Ashland, try the
following resources:
Final Environmental Impact Statement: Mount Ashland Ski Area (USFS 1991), and
Roadside Geology of Oregon (Alt and Hyndman 1978).
The Climate Of Mount Ashland
The general climate in and around Ashland, Oregon is characterized by hot, dry summers
and mild, wet winters. This type of regime is often referred to as a Mediterranean climate. The
average annual precipitation in the City of Ashland is about 50 cm (20 inches), while the average
annual precipitation on Mount Ashland from 1961-1990 was 150-200 cm (60-80 inches).
Snow begins falling on Mount Ashland around mid to late November and accumulates
through the end of April during a good snow year. Snow depth on the south slopes can reach 23210 cm (9-84 inches), depending on the amount of precipitation, with snow drifting sometimes
much deeper. Snow depth on the peak can vary from 55-560 cm (22-220 inches), and at the ski
lodge from 37-384 cm (15-151 inches). The average temperature during the winter months is
3.33° C (26°F). The summit and open ridges are exposed to severe winter winds.
Summer temperatures on Mount Ashland reach 29-32°C (85-90°F). Summer
precipitation is rare, and usually occurs as thunderstorms.
For more information on the climate of Mount Ashland, check the website for the
Western Regional Climate Center at www.wrcc.dri.edu, or call the U.S. Forest Service, Ashland
Ranger District at 541/482-3333.
Subalpine Plant Adaptations
An adaptation is defined as a change in structure, function or form that improves the
chance of survival for an organism within a given environment. Darwin used the term largely to
refer to favorable characters which enable organisms to adjust to their surroundings, and
therefore, persist, while organisms lacking such characters perished. It follows, then, that
adaptations arise from a mutual relationship between an organism - plants, in this case - and its
environment. Plants are special because they are completely at the mercy of the physical
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environment. Although over time plants can migrate as a result of seeds blowing on the wind or
hitching a ride on animal fur, an individual plant cannot pick up and move to a more favorable
location.
For many reasons, mountains probably more than any other place offer the greatest
possibilities for wildflowers. Differences in elevation, abundant water, clear air, light, different
soil types, and temperature mingle together to create a richness irresistible to flowers and those
who love them. The flowers on Mount Ashland above 1900 m (6200 ft) are, strictly speaking, in
the subalpine zone, that is at or below the tree line. On higher mountains, the alpine zone starts
just above the tree line.
Plants in the alpine and subalpine zones face special challenges compared to plants in
lower elevations. They must grow, reproduce and set seed during a very short growing season.
They must withstand cold temperatures, brisk winds and snow, and survive frost, intense sun,
and occasional seasonal drought that is exacerbated by porous soils. We can say that flowers in
the subalpine zone are both hearty and fragile. How do they survive? They have developed
adaptations - such as matted growth habits, hairs, small waxy leaves, and red coloration - that
allow these beautiful wonders not only to survive, but to thrive in their subalpine habitat.
As you read through the descriptions for the plants in this book, you will notice that the
majority on Mount Ashland are perennials (plants that require three or more years to complete
their life cycle). The deep roots of perennials grasp firmly onto the loose soil or rocks and
stretch to find water during the dry summers. Large perennial roots, rhizomes, or bulbs store
large amounts of carbohydrates necessary to sustain the plant through long winters. Perennials
often reproduce vegetatively because seed set requires a very specific set of circumstances.
Annuals - plants that complete their life cycle in one year - are rare for several reasons. They
generally cannot afford to bloom and go to seed in the short capricious season that the mountains
call summer. The annuals that grow on Mount Ashland, including Torrey's Blue-Eyed Mary
(Collinsia torreyi), Staining Collomia (Collomia tincturia), and Twinleaf Bedstraw (Galium
biflorum), tend to be diminutive plants that can be easily missed if you are not looking closely.
They huddle close to the ground on short, delicate stalks so as not to expend energy creating
tissue; most of their energy is expended in ovule and seed development.
On Mount Ashland, you will also find that many plants growing along the high ridgelines
hug the ground and spread in a matting fashion. These plants survive by becoming dwarfs; they
are smaller than their lower elevation counterparts. This growth form yields several advantages
to the plant. It brings protection from the winter winds that blast over them, while allowing them
to take advantage of the warmth radiated from the soil. The short stems easily conduct water to
their flowers. Usually, these plants have masses of flowers that help to advertise to their insect
pollinators.
Another frequent characteristic of these flowers is hairs. Hairs of all
types - bristly, silky, sticky, wavy - work for the flowers in three ways. They
trap heat to prevent the plant from freezing, and they are usually white to
deflect the harsh sunshine. In this way, the plants can regulate their own
temperature and save water. Finally, they deter insects and other animals
from eating the plants. You'll find hairy leaves, hairy stems, hairy sepals, and
even some hairy petals.
Subalpine plants must be frugal; leaves are often small, hairy or waxy.
This is especially obvious in flowering shrubs. These sclerophyllous leaves -
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leaves that are stiff and waxy - can withstand nightly freezing with complete cessation of water
conduction without suffering damage to the plant.
You may notice that many flowers, including Pussy Paws (Calyptridium
umbellatum), Western Burnet (,Sanguisorba occidentalis) and Oregon Willow-herb
(Epilobium oregonense) have red stems. The red coloring is a result of a cellular
pigment called anthocyanins. The anthocyanins act as ultraviolet filters, protecting
* \£
the plant tissues from radiation caused by the brutal sun.
Great sources for additional reading on this topic include Timberline:
Mountain and Arctic Forest Frontiers (Arno and Hammerly 1984), Arctic and
Alpine Vegetation: Plant Adaptations to Cold Summer Climates (Billings 1974),
and Adaptive Plant Evolution in the Alpine Environment of the Greek Mountains
(Papanicolaou and Kokkini 1982).
Special Species On Mount Ashland
Although all the plants on Mount Ashland are special, there are a few flowers that
warrant special mention. These species are rare either because they are endemics to this peak
(that is, they grow nowhere else in the world) and therefore, have very restricted ranges, or
because they are growing at the western-most point of their range, and are rare in this area. Pay
special attention and watch for these species....
Mt. Ashland Lupine (Lupinus aridus var. ashlandensis) and Henderson's Horkelia
(Horkelia hendersonii): Mount Ashland Lupine is a beautiful flower that is endemic to Mount
Ashland! It can be found on the south and west slopes above 2100 m (6800'), and around the
summit. The total population consists of 5,000 - 6,000 individuals and covers an area of about
24 ha (60 acres).
Currently, there are six populations of Henderson's Horkelia recorded in the United
States. They are all found in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern
California, within the Klamath National Forest. In Oregon, the populations are found on Mount
Ashland, McDonald Peak, Split Rock, Dutchman Peak- Jackson Gap, and Observation Peak. In
California, one population has been recorded at Dry Lake Lookout, eight miles south of the
Oregon-California state line. The Mount Ashland population is the largest.
The U.S. Forest Service considers Mount Ashland Lupine and Henderson's Horkelia
sensitive species. Essentially, that means that the U.S. Forest Service assumes an obligation to
maintain viability of these species. From 1980 to 1996, both flowers were Category 2 candidates
for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This category included species for which
sufficient data was not available to confirm vulnerability. In 1996, this category of species was
discontinued, and both species were dropped. In September 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service received a formal petition from the Rogue Group of the Sierra Club of Ashland to list
Mount Ashland Lupine and Henderson's Horkelia as endangered or threatened. In June 2000,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the two flowers are candidates, and a
comprehensive review of both flowers would be conducted to determine if they should be
protected under the Endangered Species Act. As of this writing, no final decision has been
made.
Jayne's Canyon Buckwheat (Eriogonum diclinum): This special flower is endemic to
the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southern Oregon. That is, if you want to see
these flowers, you must come to the Klamath Mountains because they grow nowhere else in the
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r
world. Currently, botanists are aware of about 5 populations of Jayne's Canyon Buckwheat in
Oregon, and the population on Mount Ashland is one of the largest. The U.S. Forest Service
considers this a sensitive species, assuming an obligation to maintain its viability.
American Sawwort (Saussurea americana): At the edge of its range and rare in the
Siskiyou Mountains, American Sawwort is of great local concern because of its contribution to
local and regional floral diversity. There are four known populations in the Siskiyou Mountains,
and the population on Mount Ashland is one of them. However, it is more common farther north
in the Cascades and in Northeast Oregon. This flower is not afforded any legal or U.S. Forest
Service protective status.
What's In A name?
As we get to know the flowers, they become our friends. And like friends, we want to
know their names. Common names are very interesting because they arise from discoverers,
myths and legends, folklore, healing properties, and the colors, shapes, and smells of the flowers.
For example, on Mount Ashland, there is Sneezeweed, Serviceberry, Miner's Lettuce, and Trip
Vine. However useful these names are in certain regional areas, common names can lead us
astray. This is why I have included the scientific names, as well as the derivation of the Latin
and Greek words. The scientific names can tell us a great deal more about a flower, and add to a
fond relationship with it. In deciphering the scientific names, we often learn that they are the
true sources for many of the popular, common names.
The system of naming plants with scientific names was developed by the Swedish
botanist, Carl von Linne (1707-1778), also known as Carl Linneaus. Linneaus chose Latin
because it was at that time the international academic form of communication. Today, Latin and
Greek are the languages most drawn on for these names, but in some cases the words are
latinized versions of other languages.
The complete scientific name for a plant has two parts, and is therefore, called a
binomial. The first part is the genus (plural = genera), the second part is the specific epithet.
Together, they create a unique name that often contains clues for the plant's identification. In
most texts, the binomial scientific name appears in italics. Generic names are always capitalized,
and the specific epithet is always in lower case letters. The binomials are immediately followed
by the last name of the author, or the accepted abbreviation of the author's name, who published
the species (plural = species) name. Often there will be two names, one in parentheses and one
without. The name in parentheses is the original author who placed the species in a different
genus. The name without parenthesis is the author who placed the species
in the current genus. The scientific name of a plant is never complete
without the name of the publishing author(s) attached.
Aside from using the scientific name as the ultimate reference for
identification, the Latin and Greek words can provide a lot of interesting
information. For starters, the general habitat of a plant is often indicated.
For example, palustris means "of the swamp" and arvense means
"afield." Knowing this will make it easier if you want to know where to
look to find a particular plant. The Latin and Greek words can also tell
you what a plant might look like. For example, lanatum means "woolly,"
and chrysophyllus means "yellow leafed." If you were looking for plants
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with these words in the scientific name, you would know to look for a plant with many fuzzy
hairs, or a plant with yellow leaves.
As you learn about the flowers in this field guide, give the scientific names a try. You
might be surprised at how easy it is.
For a deeper understanding of the scientific names, try the following resources:
Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms (Borror 1988), and Botanical Latin: History,
Grammar, Syntax, Terminology, and Vocabulary (Stearn 1992). To learn more about botanical
exploration in the West and many of the plant authors, try Botanical Exploration of the TransMississippi West, 1790-1850 (McKelvey 1991).
Using the Metric System
Throughout the key and in the written descriptions, I have used the metric system for
measurement because it is the conventional system in science. To make the transition from the
English system to the metric system easier, here are a few tips. The whole system is based on
tenths. In this book, the millimeter is the smallest unit of measurement. A millimeter (mm) is
approximately the depth of a dime. Ten millimeters make one centimeter (cm), which is
approximately the width of an adult male's small fingernail, or a little less than a lA inch. Ten
centimeters make one decimeter (dm), which is roughly equivalent to four inches. Thirty
centimeters is approximately the length of one foot.
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PART 2
The Key System and How It Works
"My soul can find no staircase to Heaven
unless it be through Earth's loveliness."
Michelangelo
EXPLANATION OF BASIC TERMS
All the terms described in this section are for the purposes of this field guide.
For illustrations of these terms, refer to Appendix B.
Flower Descriptions: Radial, Bilateral, and Indistinguishable
Radial Flowers are radially symmetrical meaning that the petals, or parts that look like
petals, extend from the center like spokes of a wheel. If these flowers were pies, each piece of
the pie would look more or less similar. Most of the flowers you will find on Mount Ashland are
radial. Some examples are Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii), Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum
lanatum), and Alpine Shooting Star (Dodecatheon alpinum).
Some plants, like Ballhead Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis congesta var. congesta) and Pussy
Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum), have flowers that grow in tight bunches. It is important to
isolate one single flower to determine whether the flower is radial or not.
Bilateral Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, meaning that there is only one way to
divide the flower so that the parts would be mirror-images of each other. The petals, or parts that
look like petals, generally do not look similar to each other. Usually, these flowers have upper
and lower lips. Some examples of bilateral flowers found on Mt. Ashland include Coyote Mint
{Monardella odorotissima), Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum), and Mt. Ashland
Lupine (Lupinus aridus var. ashlandensis).
Indistinguishable flowers have no visible petal-like parts, or the parts are so small that
they are not easily seen. Be careful with this category: a flower may be very small but still have
discernable parts. If you use this category and cannot find your specimen, reexamine the flower,
perhaps with a small 5x or 1 Ox hand lens. It may be an irregular flower that is difficult to
distinguish.
Plant Descriptions: Herbaceous Flowers, Shrubs, and Vines
Herbaceous wildflowers are plants that are not woody and not trailing or climbing.
They can be vigorous and grow quite tall, but there will be no woody features. When in doubt,
check the very base of the stem for a woody appearance. If it does not look or feel like wood,
the plant is herbaceous.
Shrubs are any woody plant that is less than 3 meters tall. Usually, shrubs have more
than one stem or branch from the base of the plant. Some plants, such as Coyote Mint
{Monardella odorotissima) and Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum), have woody stems and
are, therefore, technically shrubs. But since many people might overlook this feature, they are
considered herbaceous wildflowers.
A vine is a trailing or climbing plant, sometimes with thorns and/or tendrils.
Leaf Arrangements: Basal, Alternate, Opposite or Whorled
Basal leaves grow only at the base of the plant; leaves growing along the stem are
cauline leaves, or stem leaves. Alternate leaves grow singly at different points along the stem.
Opposite leaves appear at the same point on the stem in pairs, directly across from each other.
Whorled leaves appear at the same point on the stem in groups of 3 or more.
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When determining whether the leaves are alternate or opposite, it is best to look at the
largest leaves toward the middle of the stem. Try to avoid using the leaves at the top of the stem
as they are sometimes crowded, and it is difficult to determine their arrangement.
If there is only one leaf on the stem it is considered alternate.
Leaf Descriptions: Entire, Toothed, Lobed, or Compound
There are two very basic leaf types: simple and compound. If the leaf blade is made of
one undivided unit, it is a simple leaf. If the blade is divided into leaflets, the leaf is compound.
In order to determine whether a leaf is simple or compound, look for next years bud. The buds
are always at the base of the leaf.
In this field guide, the margins of simple leaves are described as entire, toothed, or lobed.
A leaf that has an unbroken margin is referred to as entire. An example of a plant with entire
leaves is Pussy Ears (Calochortus tolmiei). Toothed leaves have serrated edges. That is, the
leaf margin is broken into pointed segments. These pointed segments, or teeth, can be very
shallow so as to be barely noticeable, or they can be so deep that the leaf may appear to be
compound. An example of a plant with toothed leaves is Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache
urticifolia). A leaf that has a margin broken into wide, round segments is referred to as lobed.
An example of a plant with lobed leaves is Sticky Currant (Ribes viscosissimum).
Compound leaves are made up of several to many leaflets. A palmately compound leaf
has leaflets that all emerge from the same point, similar to the fingers on your hand. A pinnately
compound leaf has leaflets that emerge from different points along the central vein, similar to a
feather. Brewer's Lupine (Lupinus breweri) has palmately compound leaves, and Showy Jacob's
Ladder (Polemonium californicum) has pinnately compound leaves. When keying plants, it is
important to remember that leaflets can also be entire, toothed or lobed. If the plant you are
trying to identify has compound leaves, follow the key break for compound leaves, regardless of
whether the leaflets are entire, toothed, or lobed.
Basic Floral Structure
There are four major parts of a flower: sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil. A complete
flower will have all four parts; an incomplete flower could have only one, two, or three of these
parts. The sepals are the usually green leaf-like appendages on the outmost portion of the
flower. Collectively, the sepals are referred to as the calyx. Their purpose is to protect the
flower while it is in the bud stage, but the calyx usually persists while the flower is in bloom.
The petals are what most people notice first when they look at a flower. The petals are usually
the showy, colorful part of the flower. Collectively they are referred to as the corolla, and their
primary purpose is to attract pollinators. The reproductive structures are found in the center of
the flower. The stamens, which are the male reproductive parts, consist of the pollen-bearing
anther and the filament. The pistil, or the female reproductive part, consists of the stigma, the
style, and the ovary. The stigma is often sticky so that the pollen will adhere to it. Pollen tubes
grow down through the elongated style and into the ovary. Inside the ovary are the ovules,
which will become seeds after fertilization.
Most flowers have both the male and female reproductive parts, and are therefore called
perfect flowers. However, some flowers have only one reproductive part, and is called an
imperfect flower. Pistillate flowers contain only pistils, and staminate flowers contain only
12
stamens. These unisexual flowers can grow on the same plant or on different plants (one plant
with only pistillate flowers and a second plant with only staminate flowers). If they grow on the
same plant, the plant is called monoecious. If pistillate flowers grow on one plant and staminate
flowers grow on a separate plant, the plants are called dioecious.
Floral Inflorescences
Flowers on the same plant grow in several different arrangements. The general term for
the arrangement of flowers is the inflorescence. The inflorescences you will encounter on Mount
Ashland include umbels, heads, corymbs, spikes, racemes, panicles, cymes, paired or whorled in
the axils, and solitary flowers. Examples of plants with these inflorescences:
Swamp White Heads (Sphenosciadium capitellatum) - umbel
Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) and White Clover (Trifolium repens) - head
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - corymb (of heads)
White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys) - spike
White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta) - raceme
Jessica's Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha) - panicle
Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) - cyme
Changeable Phacelia (Phacelia mutabilisa) - one-sided coiled cyme
Wedded Honeysuckle (Lonicera conjugialis) - paired in axils
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - whorled in axils
White Pasque Flower (Anemone occidentalis) - solitary flower
For definitions of these inflorescences, refer to the glossary in Appendix A. The
Illustrated Glossary in Appendix B has illustrations of each.
13
IDIOSYNCRASIES OF THE KEY
Every key system has its share of quirks and quibbles, and sometimes you wonder just
what the author was thinking. In this section, I'll try to explain most of quirks of this key.
First of all, this key is designed for beginners, so I assumed that there may be some
confusion about certain things including the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), compound leaves,
and perianth parts to name a few.
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae): I know this pains many experienced botanists, but this key
assumes that the user is not aware that plants in the Sunflower Family have a head of flowers. It
assumes that the user will think that one head of flowers is one flower. Therefore, Oregon
Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) and Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) are radial flowers
with more than 7 petals.
Compound Leaves: The key was developed so that a plant with compound leaves can be keyed
out as a plant with compound leaves, or with lobed leaves. Accordingly, Big-leaf Lupine
{Lupinus polyphyllus) can be keyed out as a plant with compound leaves and as a plant with
deeply lobed leaves.
Perianth Parts: I assumed that the user would not be able to tell the difference between petals
and showy sepals, especially if the plant has no petals. That is why the choices under "Flower
Descriptions" include "petals or petal-like parts." Therefore, plants like Drummond's Anemone
(Anemone drummondii), which has no petals but showy sepals, is keyed out as if the sepals are
petals. And Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophyllus), which has no petals but small
green stamens, is keyed out as if the sepals are petals.
Leafless Stems: In some cases, the key assumes that plants with leafless stems are plants with
"no apparent leaves," even though the plant may have basal leaves. This, again, is for the
neophyte who may not realize that the leaves surrounding the flowering stem are, in fact, basal
leaves.
I apologize if these idiosyncrasies are difficult or insulting to experienced botanists. In my
opinion, this is the best way to introduce beginners to wildflowers without confusing them to the
point of no return.
14
THE KEY SYSTEM AUD HOW IT WORKS
This key was based on the system invented by Lawrence Newcomb and published in
1977 in Newcomb's Wildflower Guide, created for the northeastern United States. Identification
begins by answering several easy questions about the plant you are looking at. After answering
these questions, you will have a three-digit number. Find this number in the Locator Key, which
is a basic dichotomous key. This is a series of two-parted statements that describe the plants.
The plant you are looking at will fit the description of only one statement in the first series.
Then, move to the next series (indicated by the next level of indentation), and your plant will fit
the description of only one of these statements. You continue using this pattern until the key
indicates a species name. Then, turn to the page indicated for a thorough species description,
photograph, and line drawing.
The Questions
Looking at the flower...
• Is the flower radial or bilateral, or are the flower parts indistinguishable?
• If the flower is radial, how many petals (or petal-like parts) does it have?
Looking at the overall plant...
• Is the plant an herbaceous flower, a shrub, or a vine?
• If the plant is an herbaceous flower, does it have leaves?
• If the plant is herbaceous and has leaves, are they all at the base of the plant,
arranged alternately on the stem, or arranged opposite one another in pairs or whorls?
Looking at the leaves...
• Are the leaves simple or compound?
• If the leaves are simple, are the leaf margins entire (even and unbroken), or are they
toothed, or lobed?
If you need further explanation of any of these terms, turn to Appendix B where the terms are
illustrated.
Determining the Three-Digit Number
Each plant is classified in three ways. The first is by the flower description: the
arrangement and number of petals or petal-like parts. The second is by plant description herbaceous flower, shrub, or vine - and if the plant is an herbaceous flower, by the arrangement
of its leaves. The third is by leaf description. The combination of these three classifications
determines the plant group number to which your plant belongs. These three classifications and
their corresponding numbers are on page 17.
For example, if your flower is bilateral (number 1 under flower description), and is an
herbaceous wildflower with alternate leaves (number 3 under plant description), and has toothed
leaves (number 3 under leaf description), your group number is 133. Another example:
Common Blue Flax will be found in group number 532 because it is a radial flower with 5 petals
(5—), an herbaceous flower with alternate leaves (53-), and its leaves are entire (532).
After determining the three-digit number, turn to the Locator Key where your search will
be narrowed until the exact species is known.
15
puTTirrr IT ALL TOGETHER
1. Answer the following questions:
Flower Description
a. Is the flower radial or bilateral, or are the flower parts indistinguishable?
b. If the flower is radial, how many petals or petal-like parts does it have?
(Note: Because there is some variation among flowers of the same species, it helps to
look at more than one of the same flower. Some flowers lose petals, some leaves get
chewed on by insects or small mammals, etc.)
Plant Description
c. Is the plant a wildflower, a shrub, or a vine?
d. If it is a wildflower, does it have leaves?
e. If the wildflower has leaves, are they all at the base of the plant, or are they arranged
on the stem in an alternate fashion, opposite or whorled?
(Note: If there is only one stem on the leaf, it is considered alternate.)
Leaf Description
f. Are the leaves simple or compound?
g. If simple, are the margins entire (even and unbroken), toothed, or lobed?
2. Use the chart on the next page to determine the three-digit number for the plant.
3. Find the three-digit number in the Locator Key and follow the dichotomous key to determine
the plant.
a. The dichotomous key is a series of two-parted statements that describe a plant
characteristic. Series are indicated by the level of indentation.
b. Your specimen will match only one of the statements in the first series. Drop down
to the next level of indentation, and match your specimen to the correct statement in
this series.
c. Continue until you arrive at the species name and page number.
4. Turn to the page number indicated to confirm that you have the correct plant. You can use
the written description, photograph, and drawing for confirmation.
16
CHART FOR DETERMINING THE THREE-DIGIT NUMBER
FLOWER
DESCRIPTION
PLANT
DESCRIPTION
LEAF
DESCRIPTION
Bilateral flowers
Radial flowers with 2 petals or petal-like parts
Radial flowers with 7 or more petals or petal-like parts
Parts Indistinguishable
No apparent leaves
Herbaceous
Basal leaves only
Wildflowers
Alternate leaves
Opposite or Whorled Leaves
Shrubs
Vines
No Apparent Leaves
Leaves Entire
Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Leaves Compound
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
17
LOCATOR KEY
BILATERAL FLOWERS
111
Bilateral Wildflowers, No Apparent Leaves
Plant green and photosynthetic
Mt. Ashland Lupine (Lupinus aridus var. ashlandensis) p. 124
Plant not green
Plant 10 cm or shorter
Inflorescence a tight spike with many bracts
California Ground Cone (Boschiaka strobilacea) p. 170
Inflorescence not a spike
Flowers in wet or moist soil
Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora) p. 172
Flowers in dry, bare soil
Clustered Broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata) p. 170
Plant 13 cm or taller
Lower lip of flower white with purple spots
Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata) p. 162
Lower lip of flower not clearly spotted
Sepals and upper 2 petals clearly striped
Striped Coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) p. 164
Sepals and upper 2 petals not clearly striped
Western Coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana) p. 164
122
Bilateral Wildflowers, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Entire
Flowers white or cream
Leaves dark green with prominent white veins
Leaves solid green
Flowers yellow, pink, purple
Leaves very hairy
Leaves not obviously hairy, or not hairy at all
123
Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) p. 166
Macloskey's Violet {Viola macloskeyi) p.240
'.
Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides) p.230
Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) p. 162
Bilateral Wildflowers, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Leaves palmately lobed
Flowers deep purple, with long spur
Yellowtinge Larkspur (.Delphinium decorum) p. 198
Flowers lavender, not spurred
Leaves crenate or with rounded teeth, flowers white or cream
Macloskey's Violet (Viola macloskeyi) p.240
124
Bilateral Wildflowers, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Compound
Leaves palmately compound
Flowers with long spur
Flowers not spurred
Leaves pinnnately compound
132
Yellowtinge Larkspur (Delphinium decorum) p. 198
Steer's Head (Dicentra uniflora) p. 172
Bilateral Wildflowers, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Entire
Plants green and photosynthetic
Plants with colorful bracts beneath or in front of the flowers
Flowers primarily bright red (perhaps with some yellow)
Plant with many dense, gray hairs
Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja pruinosa) p.224
Plant glabrous, or sparsely hairy
Plant of moist places
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) p.224
Plant of dry places
Coast Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) p.222
Flowers primarily pink and white
Flower extended beyond bract, large white balloon
Siskiyou Mountains Owl's Clover
(Orthocarpus cuspidatus) p.230
Flower not or barely extended beyond bract
Mountain Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus imbricatus) p.232
18
Plants with no bracts, or with green bracts
Stamen fused with style and stigma forming a column
Lower petal spurred
Flowers white
White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys) p. 168
Flowers green
Spur short and blunt
Green-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera hyperborea) p. 166
Spur long and pointed
Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid (.Platanthera sparsiflora) p. 168
Lower petal not spurred
Basal leaves with obvious white veins
Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) p. 166
Basal leaves solid green
Inflorescence with large bracts
Hooded Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) p. 168
Inflorescence with very small bracts
Broad-leaved Twayblade (Listera convallarioides) p. 166
Stamens and styles separate
Flowers yellow
Plant tall with long raceme/spike
Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia) p.226
Plant small with solitary
flowers
Mountain Violet ( Viola purpurea) p.242
Flowers bicolored - white and deep purple/blue
Plant very glandular, sepals wide and blunt
Torrey's Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi) p.226
Plant minimally glandular; sepals narrow, sharp
Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsiaparviflora)
p.226
Plants not green
Plant with slender stem
Entire plant white or cream
Phantom Orchid (Cephalanthera austinae) p. 162
Plant mostly purplish-red
Lower petal of flower white with purple spots
Lower lip with 2 purple spots
Lower lip with 4 or more purple spots
Lower petal of flower not clearly spotted
Plant without obvious stem, many brown bracts
California Ground Cone (Boschniaka strobilacea) p. 170
Bilateral Wildflowers, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Leaves serrate or crenate
Flowers pale pink to white
Leafy Lousewort (Pedicularis racemosa)
Flowers yellow
Leaves purple-tinged, in dry areas
Mountain Violet {Violapurpurea)
Leaves solid-green, in wet areas
Stream Violet {Violaglabella)
Leaves lobed
Leaves palmately lobed
Leaf lobes toothed
Flowers with long spur
Plant 60 cm or taller
Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum)
Plant shorter than 60 cm
Upper and lower leaf surface glabrous
Leaf lobes < 4mm wide
Anderson's Delphinium (Delphinium andersonii)
Leaf lobes < 7mm wide
Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttalianum)
Lower leaf surface minutely hairy
Yellowtinge Larkspur (Delphinium decorum)
Flowers not spurred, large hood-like petal
Columbian Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum)
Leaf lobes entire
Plant 60 cm or taller, in wet areas
Big-leaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
Plant shorter than 60 cm, in dry areas
Sickle-keel Lupine (.Lupinus albicaulis)
Leaves pinnately lobed
Flowers red, orange, yellow
Plant cob-webby/woolly, flowers pale yellow
Cobwebby Paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea)
Plant not cob-webby/woolly, flowers red/orange
Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja pruinosa)
Flowers not red, orange, yellow
Flower extended beyond bract
Siskiyou Mountains Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus)
p.232
p.242
p.240
p. 198
p. 198
p.200
p. 198
p. 190
p. 126
p. 124
p.224
p.224
p.230
19
The Key System a n d How It Works
134
Bilateral Wildflowers, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Compound
Leaflets 3
Inflorescence with obvious colorful bracts
Flowers strongly bicolored, white and pink-purple
Flower extended beyond bract
Siskiyou Mountains Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus) p.230
Flowers yellowish-green
Cobwebby Paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea) p.224
Inflorescence with no bracts, or very small bracts
Inflorescence dense, head-like
Leaflets narrow, finely-toothed
Long-Stalk Clover (Trifolium longipes) p. 126
Leaflets as wide as long, heart-shaped
White Clover (Trifolium repens) p. 128
Inflorescence solitary flowers in leaf axils
Bird's Foot Trefoil {Lotus purshianus var. purshianus) p. 122
Leaflets more than 3
Flowers yellow
Shelton's Violet (Viola sheltonii) p.242
Flowers pink, purple, or blue
Flowers spurred
Upper and lower leaf surface glabrous
Anderson's Delphinium (Delphinium andersonii) p. 198
Lower leaf surface minutely hairy
Yellowtinge Larkspur {Delphinium decorum) p. 198
Flowers not spurred
Leaves pinnately compound
Leafy Pea {Lathyrus polyphyllus) p. 122
Plant 30 inches or taller
Big-leaf Lupine {Lupinus polyphyllus) p. 126
Plant shorter than 30 inches
Sickle-keel Lupine {Lupinus albicaulis) p. 124
142
Bilateral Wildflowers, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Entire
Flowers yellow, white, or brownish-greenish
Only two stem leaves, leaves rounded
Broad-leaved Twayblade {Listera convallarioides)
More than two stem leaves
Leaves glabrous
Seep Monkey Flower {Mimulus guttatus)
Leaves very hairy
Musk Monkey Flower {Mimulus moschatus)
Flowers pink, purple, lavender, blue
Plants woody at the base
Inflorescence short raceme
Davidson's Penstemon {Penstemon davidsonii)
Inflorescence dense, head-like
Coyote Mint {Monardella odoratissima)
Plants not woody
Leaves narrow, at least 4x longer than wide
Flowers strongly bicolored: upper lip white, lower lip blue or purple
Sepals sharply pointed
Blue-Eyed Mary {Collinsiaparviflora)
Sepal tips rounded or blunt
Torrey's Blue-Eyed Mary {Collinsia torreyi)
Upper lip and lower lip more or less same color
Siskiyou Penstemon {Penstemon anguineus)
Leaves wide, no more than 2x longer than wide
Flowers with 4 petals, almost radial
Thyme-leaf Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)
Flowers with 5 petals or lobes, clearly bilateral
Plant more than 10 cm tall
Azure Penstemon {Penstemonparvulus)
Plant less than 10 cm tall
Dwarf Purple Monkey Flower {Mimulus nanus)
143
p.228
p.228
p.234
p. 142
p.226
p.226
p.232
p.236
p.234
p.228
Bilateral Wildflowers, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Stamens 2
Axillary racemes
Flowers solitary in axils
Stamens more than 2
20
p. 166
American Brooklime ( Veronica americana) p.236
Thyme-leaf Speedwell {Veronica serpyllifolia) ^>.22)6^
Stamens strongly exserted
Stem square, glabrous
Stem round, glabrous except at nodes
Stamens not exserted
Flowers 2 cm long or longer
Flowers 1.5 cm long or shorter
Leaves glabrous
Leaves hairy
144
Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia) p. 140
Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) p.240
Woodland Penstemon (Nothochelone nemorosus) p.230
Torrey's Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi) p.226
Rough Hedge Nettle (Stachys ajugoides var. rigida) p. 142
Bilateral Wildflowers, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Compound
Main axis of leaf ends as a tendril
Main axis of leaf without tendril
152
Shrubs with Bilateral Flowers, Leaves Entire
Shrub erect, 15 cm or taller
Flowers pink, white, or lavender
Flowers orange-yellow, or maroon
Flowers orange-yellow trumpet shaped
Flowers maroon, bilabial
Shrub low, mat-forming, less than 10 cm tall
153
.....Leafy Pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus) p. 122
Coyote Mint (Monardella odoratissima) p. 142
Orange Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) p. 104
Wedded Honeysuckle (Lonicera conjugialis) p. 104
Davidson's Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) p.234
Shrubs with Bilateral Flowers, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Low, mat-forming shrub with lavender flowers
154
Brewer's Lupine (Lupinus breweri) p. 124
Shrubs with Bilateral Flowers, Leaves Compound
Low, mat-forming shrub with lavender flowers
Brewer's Lupine (Lupinus breweri) p. 124
RADIAL FLOWERS WITH 2 PETALS OR PETAL-LIKE PARTS
222
Radial Flowers, 2 Petals, Basal Leaves
Flowers creamy white or pink with red anthers
232
Radial Flowers, 2 Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Entire
Leaves, stems, sepals with black glands, very sticky
Sticky oil foul smelling
Sticky oil pleasant smelling
Leaves, stems, sepals without black glands, fairly sticky
233
Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata) p.82
Slender Tarweed (Madia gracilis) p.82
Greene's Goldenbush (Ericameria greenei) p.72
Radial Flowers, 2 Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers yellow, plant sticky, foul-smelling
242
Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum) p. 186
Radial Flowers, 2 Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Entire
21
243
312
Radial Flowers, 3 Petals, No Apparent Leaves
Flowers maroon with 3 long-tapered petal-like sepals
322
Wild Ginger (Asarum caudaturri) p.60
Radial Flowers, 3 Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Entire
Leaves linear, grass-like
Many small flowers in tight terminal cluster
1 or 2 fairly large flowers
Petals hairy
Petals not hairy
Leaves not grasslike
Flowers bright yellow
Flowers deep maroon with long-tapered petals
332
Pussy Ears (Calochortus tolmiei) p. 144
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) p. 140
Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) p. 182
Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) p.60
At least upper half of stem very sticky
Leaves, stems, sepals without black glands, fairly sticky
Upper half of stem not sticky
Leaves linear, grass-like
Petals hairy
Petals not hairy.
Flowers deep blue or purple
Flowers white-yellowish
Leaves elliptic or lanceolate, not grass-like
Flowers green; large, stout plant
Flowers deep red; dainty plant
333
Pacific Onion (Allium validum) p. 142
Slender Tarweed (Madia gracilis) p.82
Pussy Ears (Calochortus tolmiei) p. 144
Yellow-flowered Iris (Iris chrysophylla) p. 140
Plant sticky and foul-smelling
Plant not sticky
Petals red or maroon
Petals pink, white, or green
Leaves entire to shallowly toothed, margins may be wavy
Leaves fern-like with many segments
334
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) p. 184
Willow Dock (Rumex salicifolius) p. 186
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) p.60
Radial Flowers, 3 Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Compound
Leaves fern-like, petals white or cream
22
V
Flowers yellow
Flowers not yellow
Flowers large (25 mm or more wide)
Flowers small (less than 5 mm across)
343
Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) p. 150
Low Mountain Bedstraw (Galium bifolium) p.216
Flowers yellow
411
White flowers enclosed in brownish bracts
422
Plant woody at base
Plant not woody
Plant decumbent or prostrate
Plant erect
Petals lavender or purple, reflexed
Petals green or colorless
432
Pioneer Rockcress (Arabisplatysperma) p.96
Alpine Shooting Star (Dodecatheon alpinum) p.190
English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)p.\14
Flowers with 8 stamens (Evening Primrose Family)
Flowers white
Petals notched
Tall Annual Willow-herb (Epilobium brachycarpum) p. 158
Petals notched more than Vi petal length
Petals notched less than Vi petal length
Milkflower Willow-herb (Epilobium lactiflorum) p. 160
Petals entire
Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytum diffusum) p. 160
Flowers purple, lavender, or pink
Inflorescence long raceme, at least 30 cm
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) p. 156
Inflorescence short raceme, no longer than 15 cm
Leaf axils leafy
Fringed Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum) p. 158
Leaf axils not leafy
Hornemann's Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii) p.158
Flowers with 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 stamens, or stamens indistinguishable
Flowers with 6 stamens, 4 long, 2 short (Mustard Family)
Fruits heart-shaped
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) p.98
Fruits long and linear
Flowers bright yellow-orange
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) p. 100
Flowers white, cream, pale pink, or lavender
Fruits strongly reflexed (pointed downward)
Holboell's Rockcress (Arabis holboellii) p.96
Fruits erect to spreading
Plant more or less woody at base
Seeds with wide wing
Pioneer Rockcress (Arabis platysperma) p.96
Seeds with narrow wing
Lyall's Rockcress (Arabis lyallii) p.96
Plant not woody
Fruits strongly appressed, erect, flowers cream
Tower Rockcress (Arabis glabra) p.94
Fruits spreading, flowers pink/lavender..Spreading Pod Rockcress (Arabis xdivaricarpa) p.94
23
Flowers with 2, 3, 4, or 5 stamens, or stamens indistinguishable
Flowers yellow
Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata)
Slender Tarweed (Madia gracilis)
Leaves, stems, sepals without black glands, fairly sticky..Greene's Goldenbush {Ericameria greenei)
Flowers white or pale pink
Plant erect, many round
fruits
Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)
Plant decumbent to prostrate, red anthers
Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum)
Plant not green
California Ground Cone (Boschniaka strobilacea)
433
Spreading Pod Rockcress {Arabis xdivaricarpa) p.94
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) p.98
Holboell's Rockcress (Arabis holboellii) p.96
Mountain Tarweed {Madia glomerata) p.82
Pineapple Weed {Chamomilla suaveolens) p.70
Fringed Willow-herb {Epilobium ciliatum) p. 158
Pineapple Weed {Chamomilla suaveolens) p.70
Western Burnet {Sanguisorba occidentalis) p.214
Fendler's Meadow Rue {Thalictrumfendleri) p.202
Yarrow {Achillea millefolium) p.60
Mountain Tansy Mustard {Descurainea incisa) p.98
Baneberry {Acteae rubra) p. 192
Fendler's Meadow Rue {Thalictrum fendleri) p.202
Nuttall's Toothwort {Cardamine nuttallii) p.98
Leaves Opposite
Petals notched
Flowers white, cream, or yellow
Plant very sticky
Calyx inflated, petals white or cream
Calyx not inflated, petals yellow
Plant not sticky or barely sticky
24
Mountain Tansy Mustard (Descurainia incisa) p.98
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) p. 100
Petals yellow, green, or no petals
Plant pineapple scented
Plant not highly aromatic
Inflorescence tight spike
Inflorescence open panicle
Petals white, cream, pale pink, or purplish
Stem leaves sessile
Petals white or cream, leaves fern-like
Petals bright yellow
Stem leaves stalked (petioled)
Stamens and/or pistils obvious and exserted
Flowers white
Flowers green or purplish
Stamens and/or pistils inconspicuous
442
p. 100
p. 186
p. 170
Flowers with 6 stamens, 4 long and 2 short (Mustard Family)
Flowers yellow
Flowers 5-6 mm or narrower
Flowers 10-11 mm or wider
Flowers white, cream, pink, or lavender
Lower stem leaves sagittate and clasping
Fruits long, linear, and slender
Fruits heart-shaped
Lower stem leaves oblong to lanceolate
Flowers with 5 or 8 stamens, or stamens indistinguishable
Plant with many black glands, very sticky, foul-smelling
Plant without black glands, pleasant smelling or no scent
Plant pineapple scented
•
Plant not pineapple scented
434
p.82
p.82
p.72
Palmer's Cacthfly {Silene bernardina) p.108
Mountain Tarweed {Madia glomerata) p.82
Leaves 2-5 cm, oval to lance-shaped
Milkflower Willow-herb (Epilobium lactiflorum) p. 160
Leaves less than 1 cm, linear, purple-tipped
Oregon Willow-herb (.Epilobium oregonense) p. 160
Flowers lavender, purple, or pink
Leaf axils leafy
Leaf axils not leafy
Hornemann's Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii) p. 158
Petals entire
Petal tips pointed, petals white
Milk Kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides) p.216
Petal tips rounded
Petals all white, 8 stamens
Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytum diffusum) p. 160
Petals blue or blue striped, 2 stamens
Thyme-leaf Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) p.236
Leaves Whorled
Plant without hooked hairs
Sweet Scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) p.216
Plant with hooked hairs
Goosegrass (Galium aparine) p.214
443
Radial Flowers, 4 Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Plants obviously hairy
Hairs glandular, sticky
Hairs stinging
Plants not obviously hairy
Inflorescence a raceme
Racemes axillary
Raceme terminal
452
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) p.238
Common Speedwell (Veronica arvensis) p.236
American Brooklime (Veronica americana) p.236
Shrub with Radial Flowers, 4 Petals, Leaves Entire
Flowers pale pink to white, fruits erect and wide
453
Pioneer Rockcress (Arabis platysperma)
p.96
Shrub with Radial Flowers, 4 Petals, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Petals maroon or deep red
Oregon Boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites) p. 112
511
Inflorescence a tight spike with many brown bracts
Inflorescence not a spike
1-3 flowers in a cluster, in wet or moist soil
More than 3 flowers in a cluster, in dry, bare soil
522
California Ground Cone (Boschiaka strobilacea) p. 170
Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora) p. 172
Clustered Broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata) p. 170
Leaves noticeably hairy
Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides) p.230
Leaves glabrous
Inflorescence a raceme or panicle
Leaves with distinct white veins, plant of dry forest areas
White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta) p. 120
Leaves solid green, plant of wet places
Oregon Saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana) p.220
Solitary, terminal
flowers
White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala var. biflora) p. 196
25
523
Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers or flowering heads wider than 1 cm
Petals, or petal-like structures yellow
Petals white
Flowers or flowering heads smaller than 1 cm
Petals entire, white
Petals thread-like
Petals not thread-like
Leaf margins regularly, sharp-toothed
Leaf margins irregularly, shallowly lobed
Petals pinnately lobed, green
Leaf margins round-toothed, dry forest areas
Leaf margins sharp-toothed, streamside
524
Naked-stem Hawksbeard (Crepis pleurocarpa) p.72
White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala var. biflora) p. 196
Brook Saxifrage (Saxifraga odontoloma) p.222
Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor) p.62
Brewer's Mitrewort (Mitella breweri) p.220
Five-point Bishop's Cap (Mitella pentandrd) p.220
Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Compound
Plant tall, 20 cm or taller
Inflorescence an open cyme
Inflorescence an umbel
Plant short, 15 cm or shorter
Leaflets 3
Leaflets entire
Leaflets toothed
Leaflets 7-11
532
Lace Flower (Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata) p.222
Bigleaf Avens (Geum macrophyllum) p.206
Gray's Lovage (Ligusticum grayi) p.54
Three-leafed Wood Sorrel (Oxalis trilliifolia) p. 172
Wood Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) p.204
Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) p208
Plants not green
Plant cone-like, with many brown bracts
Plant not cone-like
Inflorescence nodding, petals
free
Pinesap (Monotropa hypopytis) p. 118
Inflorescence erect, petals fused
Woodland Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea) p. 120
Plants green and photosynthetic
Leaves narrow, 5x longer than wide
Plant obviously hairy or bristly, glandular or not
Hairs bristly, not glandular
Nutlets 4
Back of nutlet rough
Pinewoods Cryptantha (Cryptantha simulans) p.92
Back of nutlet smooth, mottled
Torrey's Cryptantha (Cryptantha torreyana) p.92
Nutlet 1
Weak-stem Cryptantha (Cryptantha flaccida) p.92
Hairs soft or glandular
Inflorescence a panicle of heads
Plant strongly scented
Wright's Cudweed (Gnaphalium canescens) p.76
Plant not scented
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margariticea) p.64
Inflorescence not as above
Crushed leaves stain
fingers
Staining Collomia (Collomia tinctoria) p. 176
Crushed leaves do not stain
fingers
Slender Phlox (Phlox gracilis) p. 178
Plant glabrous, or not obviously hairy
Leaves with papery stipules at base
Petals opening completely
Davis's Knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) p. 182
Petals erect
Douglas's Knotweed (Polygonum douglasii) p. 184
Inflorescence a dense terminal cluster
Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) p.l82|
Leaves without stipules at base, plant close to the ground
Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa) p. 178
26
Leaves wide, less than 5x longer than wide
Inflorescence one-sided, coiled, uncoiling as flowers bloom
Leaves lobed, at least some of them
Lobed leaves with 3 lobes
Changeable Phacelia (Phacelia mutabilis) p. 136
Lobed leaves with 5-9 lobes
Vari-Leaf Phacelia (Phacelia heterophylla) p. 136
Leaves entire
Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata) p. 134
Inflorescence not coiled
Petals fused, flowers urn-shaped
Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis) p.l 14
Petals free
Leaves succulent, oblanceolate
Cream Stonecrop (Sedum oregonense) p.l 14
Leaves leathery but not succulent
Basal leaves white-veined
White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta) p. 120
Basal leaves solid green
One-sided Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda) p. 118
Flowers yellow, peach, brown, pink, blue, purple,
Flowers yellow, peach, brown
Petals fused
Inflorescence an elongated spike
Woolly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) p.234
Inflorescence not an elongated spike
Flowers yellow
Plant sticky, bush-like
Greene's Goldenbush (Ericameriagreenei) p.72
Plant not sticky, not very leafy
Naked-Stem Hawksbeard (Crepis pleurocarpa) p.72
Flowers brown or peach
Petals large and obvious
Large-flowered Collomia (Collomia grandijlora) p. 174
Petals minute and inconspicuous
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalism p.84
Petals free
Leaves succulent
Leaves oblanceolate
Cream Stonecrop (Sedum oregonense) p.l 14
Leaves lanceolate or elliptic
Basal leaves many, clumped, red
Spear-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum) p.l 12
Worm-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum) p.l 14
Basal leaves few, if any...
Leaves fleshy, or leathery, but not succulent
Plant covered with tiny, barbed hairs
Bushy Blazing Star (Mentzelia dispersa) p. 154
Plant glabrous
Leaves ovate
Plantain-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) p.200
Leaves round or heart-shaped
Popular Buttercup (Ranunculus populago) p.200
Flowers pink, blue, purple
Inflorescence a corymb of heads
American Sawwort (Saussurea americana) p.84
Inflorescence a simple head, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary in leaf axils
Petals obviously fused, plant of wet places
Bog Laurel (Kalmia polifolia) p.l 18
Petals free, or not obviously fused
Flowers 2 cm wide or more
Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) p. 154
Flowers 1 cm wide or narrower
Flowers 7-20 in a tight terminal head
Tiny Trumpet (Collomia linearis) p. 174
Flowers many in an open panicle
Jessica's Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha) p.94
Stamens 5, or stamens indistinguishable
Flowers in tight heads (Sunflower Family)
Flowers cream/pale yellow; plant of dry, open places
Flowers white; plant of moist woods
Flowers in various inflorescences, not heads
Stamens exserted
Inflorescence nodding
Inflorescence erect
Dusty Ma.\dzr\s(Chaenactis douglasii) p. 68
White Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum fendleri) p. 134
27
•
Inflorescence coiled in bud
Leaves hastate and entire
Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata) p. 134 |
Leaves all more or less pinnately lobed
Tall Phacelia (Phaceliaprocera) p. 136
Inflorescence not coiled in bud
Stem glabrous
Yampah (Perideridia oregana) p.58
Stem with white, woolly hairs
Ballhead Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis congesta) p. 178
Flowers 10 mm or wider
Large-flowered Boykinia (Boykinia major) p.218
Flowers 5 mm or narrower
Small-flower Nemophila (Nemophilaparviflora) p. 134
Stamens more than 5
Flower 1.5 cm or narrower
Petals notched or lobed
Small-flower Woodland Star (Lithophragmaparviflorum)
p.218
Petals entire
Petals thread-like
Lace Flower (Tiarella trifoliata) p.222
Petals as wide as long, not thread-like
One-sided Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda) p. 118
Flower 2 cm or wider
Stamens 10
Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii) p. 130
Stamens greater than 20
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) p.212
Flowers brown, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, or blue
Flowers brown, yellow, orange, or red
Petals free
Flower nodding with 5 spurs, red
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) p. 196
Flower opening toward sky, no spurs, yellow
Petals fused, at least at base
Leaves toothed, or serrate
Inflorescence one large, terminal head
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) p.84
Inflorescence not as above
Plant woody at base
Whitney's Bristleweed (Hazardia whitneyi) p.78
Plant not woody
Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens) p.80
Leaveslobed
Inflorescence open raceme, flowers large
Scarlet Gilia (.Ipomopsis aggregata) p. 176
Inflorescence panicle of heads, flowers small
Dusty Maidens (Chaenactis douglasii) p.68
Flowers pink, purple, or blue
Inflorescence or individual flowers nodding
Stamens and/or style greatly exserted
Petals reflexed or recurved
Flowers pale blue, raceme
Pale Bellflower (Campanula scouleri) p. 102
Flowers bright blue, panicle
California Harebell (Campanulaprenanthoides) p. 100
Petals straight, not opening completely
Stamens and/or style not exserted
Small Flower Nemophila (Nemophila parviflora) p. 134
Inflorescence or individual flowers erect
Petals
free
Oregon Checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana) p. 156
Petals fused
Heads radiate
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) p.70
Heads ligulate
534
Inflorescence more or less flat-topped
Inflorescence a corymb (of heads)
Inflorescence a simple or compound umbel (Carrot Family)
Plant stout, stem about 12 mm diameter or larger
Stem smooth to the touch, glabrous
Angelica (Angelica arguta) p.52
Stem rough to the touch, short stififhairs
Swamp White Heads (Sphenosciatum capitellatum) p.58/
28
Plant not stout, stem 6 mm diameter or less
Plant smells like anise or licorice when crushed
Flower bright yellow
Western Sweet Root (Osmorhiza occidentalism p.56
Flower white or cream
Western Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza chilensis) p.56
Plant does not smell like anise or licorice
Leaflets short, lobed
Gray's Lovage (Ligusticum grayi) p.54
Leaflets long, narrow, almost thread-like
Yampah (Perideridia oregana) p.58
Inflorescence rounded, not flat-topped
Stamens greater than 5, usually 10 or more
Flowers bright yellow or pale yellow
Leaves glabrous
Leaves hairy
Sticky Cinquefoil {Potentilla glandulosa) p.208
Flowers white, pink, green, or purplish
Leaves silky with long
Henderson's Horkelia (Horkelia hendersonii) p.206
Leaves glabrous or short-hairy, but not silky
Flowers white
Baneberry (Acteae rubra) p. 192
Flowers green or purplish
Fendler's Meadow Rue (Thalictrum fendleri) p.202
Stamens 5 or less, or stamens not obvious
Inflorescence an umbel, simple or compound (Carrot Family)
Flowers yellow
Leaves solid green
California Lomatium (Lomatium californicum) p.54
Leaves with purple coloring
Northern Sanicle (Sanicula graveolens) p.58
Anthers purple
Piper's Desert Parsley (Lomatiumpiperi) p.54
Anthers not purple
California Indian Potato (Orogenia fusiformis) p.56
Inflorescence not an umbel
Leaflets entire
Flowers blue or lavender
Showy Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium californicum) p. 180
Flowers red or orange
Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) p. 176
Leaflets toothed or lobed
Inflorescence or individual flowers nodding
Flowers with both stamens and pistil
Flowers with only stamens or pistils
Fendler's Meadow Rue (Thalictrum fendleri) p.202
Inflorescence or individual flowers erect
Inflorescence a one-sided cyme, coiled in bud
Lowermost leaves with 3 leaflets
Changeable Phacelia (Phacelia mutabilis) p. 136
Lowermost leaves with 5-9 leaflets
Vari-leaf Phacelia (Phacelia heterophylla) p. 136
Inflorescence a head, not coiled
Dusty Maidens (Chaenactis douglasii) p.68
Leaves not pinnately compound
Stamens 10 or fewer, or stamens indistinguishable
Petals notched or lobed
Small-flower Woodland Star (Lithophragmaparviflorum) p.218
Petals entire
Leaflets heart-shaped
Three-leaf Wood Sorrel (Oxalis trilliifolia) p. 172
Leaflets not heart-shaped
Inflorescence an umbel
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) p.52
Inflorescence an open cyme
Stamens greater than 10
Sepals longer than petals
Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) p.208
Sepals shorter than petals
Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) p.208
Petals tips notched, lobed, or fringed
Flowers white, cream, or pale pink
Klamath Weed (.Hypericum perforatum) p. 138
29
Flowers axillary (and terminal)
Sepals green, free
Petals 0, 5 green sepals
Curled Starwort (Stellaria crispa) p. 110
Petals white, 5 green sepals
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) p. 110
Sepals with red-brown markings, fused
Palmer's Catchfly (Silene bernardina) p. 108
Flowers in raceme
Uppermost leaves fused, completely encircling stem
Miner's Lettuce (Claytoniaperfoliata)
p. 188
Uppermost leaves free or, if fused, not completely encircling stem
Basal leaves more or less heart-shaped
Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia cordifolia) p. 186
Basal leaves not heart-shaped
Stem and leaves always green; petals striped
Candy Flower (Claytonia sibirica) p. 188
Stem and leaves often brownish; petals plain
Red-stem Spring Beauty (Claytonia rubra) p. 188
Petals entire
Plant woody at base
Flowers 1 cm or wider
Stamens 10, leaves elliptic
Bog Laurel (Kalmiapolifolia) p.l 18
Stamens 5, leaves needle-like
Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa)p.l7S
Flowers narrower than 1 cm
Plant smells minty when crushed
Plant not
fragrant
Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) p. 106
Plant not woody
Sepals hairy
Hairs glandular, sticky
Slender Phlox (Phlox gracilis) p. 178
Hairs not glandular, sticky
Upper leaves glabrous
.•
Milk Kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides) p.216
Upper leaves hairy
Nutlets 4
Back of nutlet rough
Pinewoods Cryptantha (Cryptantha simulans) p.92
Back of nutlet smooth, mottled
Torrey's Cryptantha (Cryptantha torreyana) p.92
Nutlet 1
Weak-stem Cryptantha (Cryptantha flaccida) p.92
Sepals glabrous
Leaves opposite
Inflorescence tight cluster of many flowers
Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria congesta) p. 108
Inflorescence open and few-flowered
Large-leaf Sandwort (Moehringia macrophylla) p. 108
Leaves whorled
Western Starflower (Trientalis latifolia) p. 190
Flowers yellow, purple, or pink
Petals reflexed
Little Prince's Pine (Chimaphila menziesii) p. 116
Petals not reflexed
Flower yellow
Tinker's Penny (Hypericum anagalloides) p. 138
Flower purple
Red Sand Spurry (Spergularia rubra) p. 110
543
Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers or inflorescence nodding
Plant more or less shrubby, woody at base
Leaves not evergreen; stamens 5
Leaves evergreen; stamens 10
Inflorescence sticky; leaf veins not bordered
Inflorescence not sticky; leaf veins bordered white
Plant not shrubby, not woody
Flowers white, yellow, pale blue, or pale purple
Leaves toothed
30
Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos
mollis) p. 106
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) p. 116
Little Prince's Pine (Chimaphila menziesii) p. 116
Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) p. 176
Flowers yellow to white
Flowers pink
Leaves lobed
Flowers or inflorescence erect
Flowers 19 mm wide or wider
Leaves opposite
Leaves whorled
"lowers 12 mm wide or smaller
Plant woody at base
Plant not woody
Stem square or ridged
Stem round
Leaves glabrous
Leaves short-hairy
544
Columbia Windflower (Anemone deltoidea) p. 192
Mahala Mat (Ceanothus prostratus) p.202
Nettleleaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifcolia) p. 140
California Valerian (Valeriana califomica) p.238
Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Compound
Leaves opposite
Stamens 10
Stamens 3
Leaves whorled
Fruiting heads erect
Fruiting head size of large marble
Fruiting head size of golf ball
Fruiting heads nodding
552
Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) p.208
Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) p. 102
Small-flower Nemophila (Nemophilaparviflora) p. 134
California Valerian (Valeriana califomica) p.238
Drummond's Anemone (Anemone drummondii) p. 194
White Pasque Flower (Anemone occidentalis) p. 194
Lyall's Anemone (Anemone lyallii) p. 196
Flowers urn-shaped or bell-shaped, and nodding
Shrub erect
Flowers 1-4 per inflorescence
Leaves thin and tissuey
Leaves more or less thick
Flowers more than 4 per inflorescence
Inflorescence terminal
Inflorescence axillary
Shrub low-lying, creeping
Inflorescence terminal
Inflorescence axillary
Flowers not as above
Plant erect
Petals or petal-like parts green
Leaf tips pointed
Leaf tips rounded
Petals or petal-like parts white, pink or lavender
Stamens 10
Stamens 4
Plant low, mat-forming
Leaves very narrow, needle-like
Leaves wider, elliptic
Thinleaf Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) p.120
Western Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum ) p. 122
Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylospatula)
p.l 16
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) p. 106
Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis) p. 114
Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) p. 106
Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophyllus) p. 128
Bush Chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens) p. 128
Bog Laurel (Kalmiapolifolia) p.l 18
Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa) p. 178
Davidson's Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) p.234
31
553
Shrub with Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers urn-shaped or bell-shaped
Leaves opposite
Flowers in pairs
Flowers in bunches of 8 or more
Shrub erect
Shrub creeping
Leaves alternate
Shrub spiny and/or bristly
Sepals green or purple, petals purple
Sepals red and reflexed, petals white
Shrub without spines
Leaves small, less than 3 cm wide
Bract at base of flowers lobed
Bract at base of flowers entire
Leaves large, 6 cm wide or more
Flowers not urn-shaped or bell-shaped
Stamens 5
Leaves evergreen
Leaves alternate, finely toothed
Leaves opposite, coarsely toothed
Leaves deciduous
Inflorescence dome-shaped
Inflorescence flat-topped
Stamens 10 or more
Petals reflexed, flowers nodding
Petals straight, flowers erect
Flowers 2 cm or wider
Flowers less than 2 cm in width
Sepals green
Sepals cream to pale yellow
554
Wax Currant {Ribes cereum) p. 130
Red Flowering Currant {Ribes sanguineum) p. 132
Sticky Currant {Ribes viscosissimum) p. 132
Tobacco Brush {Ceanothus velutinus) p.202
Mahala Mat {Ceanothus prostrates) p.202
Red Elderberry {Sambucus racemosa) p. 106
Blue Elderberry {Sambucus mexicana) p. 104
Little Prince's Pine {Chimaphila menziesii) p. 116
Serviceberry {Amelanchier alnifolia) p.204
Bitter Cherry {Prunus emarginata) p.210
Ocean Spray {Holodiscus discolor) p.208
Wood Rose {Rosa gymnocarpa) p.210
Black-cap Raspberry {Rubus leucodermis) p.212
Pennsylvania Blackberry {Rubus pensilvanicus) p.212
Blue Elderberry {Sambucus mexicana) p. 104
Red Elderberry {Sambucus racemosa) p. 106
Cascade Mountain Ash {Sorbus scopulina) p.214
Rough Fruit Berry {Rubus lasiococcus) p.210
Creeping Snowberry {Symphoricarpos mollis) p. 106
Orange Honeysuckle {Lonicera ciliosa) p. 104
Vine with Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers pinkish-white, nodding
32
Swamp Currant {Ribes lacustre) p. 130
Gummy Gooseberry {Ribes lobbii) p. 132
Vine with Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Leaves Entire
Flowers bell-shaped, pinkish-white
Flowers trumpet-shaped, orange
563
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) p. 106
Shrub with Radial Flowers, 5 Petals, Leaves Compound
Plant thorny or prickly
Leaflets 3
Leaflets 5
Plant without thorns or prickles
Leaves opposite
Inflorescence flat-topped
Inflorescence dome-shaped
Leaves alternate
Leaflets 9-13
Leaflets 3
562
Twinflower {Linnaea borealis) p. 102
511
622
Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) p. 146
.....Jayne's Canyon Buckwheat (Eriogonum diclinum) p.180
Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum) p. 180
Western Tofieldia (Tofieldia occidentalis) p. 150
Pacific Onion (Allium validum) p. 142
White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala) p. 196
Bride's Bonnet (Clintonia uniflora) p. 144
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) p.140
Radial Flowers, 6 Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers red
Flowers white or yellow
Leaves rounded, as wide as long....
Leaves dandelion-like, at least 3x longer than wide
632
Flowers yellow
Basal leaves two, large, tulip-like
Basal leaves many, small
Flowering stem 11 cm or shorter
Flowering stem 12 cm or taller
Bracts whorled beneath umbel
Bracts not present
Flowers white, pink, purple, blue, or red
Petals white or pale pink
Inflorescence dense head-like or spike-like
Stem sticky
Stem not sticky
Inflorescence solitary flower
Stamens 10 or more, pistils 5 or more
Stamens 6, pistil 1
Petals red, purple, or blue
Flowers many, small, < 5 mm wide.
Flowers few, large, >15 mm wide
623
Flowers yellow or bright blue-purple
Flowers yellow
Petal tips shallowly lobed or notched
Leaves sticky
Leaves not sticky
Petal tips entire
Flowers more or less 5mm wide
Flowers more or less 10 mm wide
Flowers bright blue-purple
Flowers white, green, or pale pink
Stem stout; plant 60 cm or taller
Leaves wide and pleated
Flowers white
Ovary glabrous; petals mostly entire
Naked-stem Hawksbeard (Crepispleurocarpa)
p.72
Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum) p. 180
Plantain-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) p.200
California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum) p. 152
33
Ovary hairy; petals
fringed
Flowers green
Leaves more or less narrow and not pleated
Stem slender; plant less than 60 cm tall
Petals long, 3 cm or longer
Petals short, 15 mm or shorter
Flowers bell-shaped, nodding
Flowers fully open, erect
Inflorescence dense, many-flowered
Inflorescence loose, few-flowered
Plant not green
633
Siskiyou False Hellebore (Veratrum insolitum) p. 152
Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride) p. 152
Yellow-flowered Iris (Iris chrysophylla) p.140
Hooker's Fairybells (Disporum hookeri) p. 144
False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa) p. 148
Starry False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina stellata) p. 150
Flowers greenish
634
Inflorescence wide, flat-topped
Inflorescence narrow, dome-shaped
642
Flowers large, >25 mm wide
Petals recurved
Petals yellow with purple or red dots
Petals white or pink with magenta dots
Petals straight, purplish-brown
Flowers small, <15 mm wide
Flowers white
Flowers yellow
644
White Pasque Flower (Anemone occidentalis) p. 194
Shurb with Radial Flowers, 6 Petals, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers yellow, leaves holly-like
34
Flowers green
Leaf tips pointed
Leaf tips rounded
Flowers yellow
653
Wiggin's Lily (Lilium pardalinum) p. 146
Washington Lily (Lilium washingtonianum) p. 148
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria atropurpurea) p. 146
Radial Flowers, 6 Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Compound
Fruiting heads nodding
652
Oregon Grape (Berberis nervosa) p.90
RADIAL FLOWERS WITH 7 OR MORE PETALS OR PETAL-LIKE PARTS
711
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, No Apparent Leaves
Flowers yellow, dandelion-like
722
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Entire
Petals white
Petals orange or yellow
Petals orange
Phyllaries (sepal-like structures) glabrous
Phyllaries (sepal-like structures) hairy
Petals yellow
Leaves glabrous
Phyllaries (sepal-like structures) soft-hairy
Phyllaries mottled with pink
Phyllaries pale green
Leaves hairy
Leaf hairs bristly
Leaf hairs soft
Leaf hairs spreading
Leaf hairs tightly appressed, silky
723
Scouler's Hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri) p.80
Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) p.62
Tall Agoseris (Agoseris elata) p.62
Large-flowered Agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) p.64
Pale Agoseris (Agoseris glauca) p.66
Alpine Lake Prairie Dandelion (Nothocalais alpestris) p.84
Hairy Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) p.80
Silky Raillardella (.Raillardella argentea) p.86
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Petals white
White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala)
Petals orange or yellow
Petals orange
Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca)
Tall Agoseris (Agoseris elata)
Petals yellow
Stem simple, flowers solitary
Phyllaries mottled with pink
Large-flowered Agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora)
Phyllaries pale green
Pale Agoseris (Agoseris glauca)
Outer phyllaries straight, purple-dotted...Alpine Lake Prairie Dandelion (Nothocalais alpestris)
Outer phyllaries relfexed
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Stem branched, more than one flower per plant
Leaves glabrous
Naked-Stem Hawksbeard (Crepis pleurocarpa)
Leaves bristly-hairy
Hairy Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
732
p. 196
p.62
p.62
p.64
p.66
p.84
p.90
p.72
p.80
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Entire
Petals yellow
Flowers daisy-like
Plant of wet places
Plant with black glands, very sticky
Plant without glands, not sticky
Stem stout, winged
Stem slender, not winged
Plant of dry places
Bolander's Madia (Madia bolanderi) p.82
Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii) p.78
Plantain-lead Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) p.200
35
Leaves woolly and more or less white
Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) p.76
Leaves glabrous, green
Inflorescence more or less flat-topped
Western Butterweed (Senecio integerrimus) p.86
Inflorescence more or less diamond-shaped
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) p.88
Flowers dandelion-like
Leaves and phyllaries (sepal-like parts) hairy
Phyllaries densely hairy
Phyllaries sparsely hairy
Lower surface of outer petals brownish-red
Hairy Cat's Ear (.Hypochaeris radicata) p.80
Lower surface of outer petals yellow
Flowers pale yellow or cream
White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) p.78
Leaves and phyllaries glabrous
Phyllaries recurved, very sticky
Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana) p.76
Phyllaries straight
Flowers many per plant (20+)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) p.88
Flowers few per plant (1-3)
Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) p.88
Petals white, cream, pink, purple, or blue
Flower daisy-like
Leaf margins wavy; phyllaries (sepal-like parts) not leafy
Branched at mid-stem, 1-7 flowers
Alice's Daisy (Erigeron alicea) p.72
Branched at top of stem, 1-4 flowers
Subalpine Fleabane (Erigeronperegrinus) p.74
Leaf margins straight, phyllaries leafy
Leafy Aster (Asterfoliaceus) p.68
Flower dandelion-like
White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) p.78
Flowers purple
733
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers yellow
Stems and phyllaries (sepal-like parts) very sticky
Phyllaries straight with black oil glands
Phyllaries recurved with no obvious glands
Stems and phyllaries not sticky
Leaves and stem full of white woolly hairs
Leaves and stem glabrous, or if hairy, not woolly hairs
Leaves more or less triangular
Leaves linear to lanceolate
Flowers purple or blue
Leaves and stems spiny
Leaves and stems without spines
Leaves deeply lobed
Leaves finely toothed
734
Arrowhead Butterweed (Senecio triangularis) p.88
Western Butterweed (Senecio integerrimus) p.86
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) p.70
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) p.70
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Entire
Leaves whorled
Leaves opposite
Flowers yellow
Plant hairy (glandular or not)
36
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Compound
Inflorescence wide, flat-topped
Inflorescence narrow, dome-shaped
742
Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana) p.76
Plant sticky at top
Plant not sticky, stem and leaves white with hairs
Plant glabrous
Flowers white
743
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Plant hairy (glandular or not)
Plant sticky at top
Plant not sticky, stem and leaves white with hairs
Plant glabrous
744
Heartleaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) p.66
Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Compound
Fruiting heads nodding, petal tips rounded
752
Heartleaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) p.66
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) p.l 10
White Pasque Flower (Anemone occidentalis) p.194
Shrub, Radial Flowers, 7 or More Petals, Leaves Entire
Leaf tips pointed
Leaf tips rounded
FLOWER PARTS INDISTINGUISHABLE
822
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Entire
Stamens exerted
Flowers creamy white or pink with red anthers
Flowers green or colorless with white anthers
823
English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) p. 174
Scabland Fleabane (Erigeron bloomeri) p.74
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers yellow
Flowers white
824
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Basal Leaves Only, Leaves compound
Flowers yellow
832
Cut-leaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus) p.74
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Entire
Leaves glabrous
Flowers brown, purple, red, or orange
Flowering head solitary, subtended by whorl of bracts
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)
Flowering heads several, not subtended by whorl of bracts
Flowers purple, stem green
American Sawwort (Saussurea americana)
Flower red-orange, stem brown-red
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)
Flowers white, cream, pink, or yellow
Plant prostrate
Plant erect
p.84
p.84
p.224
p. 186
37
Flowers yellow
Flowers pink and white
Leaves hairy
Leaves and stems white, gray, or frosted from dense hairs
Flowers white, yellow, or pink
Plant strongly scented
Plant not scented or slightly scented
Leaves erect to appressed
Leaves widely spreading
Leaves and stems green with sparse hairs
Plant tall, at least 60 cm
Flowers brown
Flowers purple
Plant short, 15 cm or shorter
833
Scabland Fleabane (Erigeron bloomeri) p.74
Wright's Cudweed (Gnaphalium canescens) p.76
Rosy Pussytoes (Antennaria rosea) p.64
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margariticea) p.64
Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castillejapruinosa) p.224
... Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) p. 84
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers yellow
Plants aromatic
Plant woody at base
Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) p.68
Plant not woody
Plant pineapple scented, flower cone-shaped
Pineapple Weed (Chamomilla suaveolens) p.70
Plant not pineapple scented, flower not cone-shaped
Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) p.66
Plants not aromatic
Leaves lobed
Leaves toothed
Leaves narrow, elliptic to linear
Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens) p.80
Leaves wide, ovate
Whitney's Bristleweed (Hazardia whitneyi) p.78
Flowers red, orange, purple, pink, or white
Leaves lobed
Leaves and stems thorny
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) p.70
Leaves and stems not thorny
Flowers red-orange
Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castillejapruinosa)
p.224
Flower white and/or pink
Leaves wide, triangular
Leaves narrow, 3-lobed
Siskiyou Mountains Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus) p.230
Leaves toothed
Flowers brown
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) p.84
Flowers purple
834
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Alternate Leaves, Leaves Compound
Flowers yellow
Plant aromatic (smells like pineapple)
Plant not aromatic
Flowers green
843
Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Opposite or Whorled Leaves, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers small and green, plant with stinging hairs
38
Pineapple Weed (Chamomilla suaveolens) p.70
Western Burnet (Sanguisorba occidentalis) p.214
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) p.238
852
Shrubs with Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Leaves Entire
Leaf tips pointed
Leaf tips rounded
853
Shrubs with Flower Parts Indistinguishable, Leaves Toothed or Lobed
Flowers fixzzv white
Willow (Salix eastwoodiae)
i, not fuzzy
or wider
or narrower
p.218
Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum) p.52
Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) p.68
39
FART 3
Family Descriptions
and
Flower Descriptions
"I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Afternoon on a Mill (1917)
Family Descriptions
FAMILY DESCRIPTIONS
Maple Family (Aceraceae)
Numbers
2 genera and 120 species
Distribution mostly northern temperate areas and tropical mountains
Plant Types shrubs and trees
Leaves
opposite, simple, generally palmately lobed
Flowers
small and radial, sepals 4 or 5, petals 1-6 but usually 5,
stamens 5-12 but usually 8; pistil 1, ovary superior; some
bisexual, some unisexual
Fruits
achenes.
Mountain Maple, a member of the
Maple Family
Carrot or Parsley Family (Apiaceae)
Numbers
300 genera, 3000 species
Distribution worldwide, especially in temperate areas
Leaves
usually compound, often finely cut, sheathed at base
Stems
hollow and often ridged
Inflorescence simple or compound umbels
Flowers
small, sepals 0 or 5, petals 5, stamens 5, pistil 2-parted
Fruits
schizocarp – splits into two parts
Interesting family members include carrots, celery, parsley, anise, dill, and fennel.
Birthwort Family (Aristolochiaceae)
Etymology
Greek; aristos means best, lochia means delivery; wort is old English word for
plant; Plants in this family thought to be of use during child birth.
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, mostly tropical and warm temperate areas
Leaves
simple, usually reniform or cordate, alternate or basal, stem and/or leaves
aromatic from oils
Flowers
reddish-brown, no petals, 3 showy sepals that are fused; often fetid odor to attract
pollinators (flies, fungal gnats, beetles), compound pistil 6-chambered
Fruits
many-seeded capsules
Wild Ginger, a member
of the Birthwort Family
41
Family Descriptions
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Numbers
1300 genera, 21000+ species, largest family in the world
Distribution worldwide
Inflorescence head – often mistaken for one large flower
Flowers
many small flowers on the head; sometimes of two forms – disk flowers (tube
shaped) in the center of the head and ligulate or ray flowers around the edge of the
head. Head can have only disk flowers, only ray flowers, or both. All flowers are
attached to the receptacle. Individual flowers have 5 petals fused into a tube or a
strap-shaped ray, 5 stamens fused into a tube around 1 pistil. Sepals are modified
into hairs collectively called pappus. Many bracts subtend the head of flowers;
these bracts are collectively referred to as the involucre.
Fruits
achene
Interesting plants in this family include lettuce, artichoke, endive, sunflower, aster,
chrysanthemums, coreopsis, marigolds, and zinnia.
Disk Flower
Ray Flower
Receptacle
Involucral Bracts
Barberry Family (Berberidaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, mostly temperate and tropical
Leaves
usually alternate or basal, simple or compound
Flowers
4-many sepals, 6-9 petals, many stamens, 1 simple pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
berry or capsule
Borage Family (Boraginaceae)
Numbers
100 genera 2000 species
Distribution mostly tropical and temperate, especially in western North America and the
Mediterranean
Leaves
simple, alternate, entire, typically rough- or stiff-hairy
Stems
rough- or stiff-hairy
Inflorescence usually tight one-sided coiled cyme that uncoils as the flowers open
Flowers
radial, 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, 1 pistil, superior ovary, petals have modified
glands called corona
Fruits
nutlets, usually 4
Interesting plants in this family include forget-me-nots, borage, hound’s tongue, and comfrey.
42
Family Descriptions
Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)
This family was formerly known as Cruciferae because the four petals are in the shape of a
Maltese cross.
Numbers
376 genera, 3200 species; in U.S./Canada 94 genera, 634 species
Distribution worldwide especially in cool regions
Leaves
usually alternate, if basal leaves are present they are often different from stem
leaves, watery/acrid sap
Flowers
4 sepals, 4 petals in cross shape, usually 6 stamens (4 tall, 2 short), 1 pistil 2parted; superior ovary
Fruits
siliques, silicles
Interesting plants in this family include cabbage, turnips, broccoli, and brussel sprouts.
Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae)
Numbers
Leaves
generally simple and alternate
Flowers
radial or bilateral, sepals 5, petals 5, stamens 5, pistil 1, ovary inferior
Fruits
capsule
Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in northern temperate areas
Plant Types shrubs, vines, and small trees
Leaves
opposite, simple or compound
Flowers
radial or bilateral, 5 sepals fused, 5 petals fused at base, stamens 5, pistil 1, ovary
inferior
Fruits
berry, drupe, or capsule
Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)
This common family name is not for the color pink, but for the usually-notched petals, as in
pinking shears.
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, mostly in arctic, alpine, and temperate areas in the northern
hemisphere
Leaves
usually simple, opposite, sometimes whorled
Stems
often swollen at nodes (think carnations, which are in this family)
Flowers
5 sepals free or fused, 5 petals, 5-10 stamens, compound pistil with 2-5 parts
Fruits
capsule usually opening at the top with recurved teeth
Paxistima sp., a member
of the Staff-Tree Family
Staff-Tree Family (Celastraceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially in southeast Asia
Leaves
simple, alternate or opposite
Flowers
radial, small, sepals 4-5, petals generally 4-5, stamens 4-5,
pistil 1, ovary superior
Fruits
capsule, achene, berry, drupe, or nutlet
43
Family Descriptions
Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially dry temperate areas
Leaves
succulent or fleshy, opposite, alternate or whorled, usually simple
Flowers
radial, 4-30 sepals, petals in the same number as sepals, ovaries usually as many
as sepals, superior ovaries
Fruits
1-chambered follicles
Heath or Wintergreen Family (Ericaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, but not found in deserts
Plant Types Herbaceous or woody-based perennials
Leaves
simple, alternate, opposite or whorled, vary from evergreen to reduced and
lacking chlorophyll
Flowers
radial or slightly bilateral, usually 4-5 sepals, usually 4-5 petals, 8 or 10 stamens,
1 pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
4-5 chambered capsule
Legume or Pea Family (Fabaceae)
Numbers
650 genera 18000 species; US/Canada 142 genera, 1521 species; 3rd largest
family in the world after Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), and Orchid Family
(Orchidaceae)
Plant Types trees, vines, and herbaceous species
Leaves
compound, usually alternate, usually stipules, sometimes with tendrils or thorns
Flowers
usually bilateral, often tiny and clustered on heads, 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10+
stamens, 1 simple pistil
Fruits
legume
This family is economically important providing food (peas, peanuts, lentils, beans, soybeans),
forage and fodder (clover, alfalfa), dyes, gums, resins, oils, medicines and timbers.
Oak Family (Fagaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in northern hemisphere
Leaves
simple, alternate, entire or lobed, small stipules
Flowers
unisexual; staminate flowers arranged in catkin, 5-6 sepals, no petals, 4-12+
stamens; pistillate flowers situated above the catkin, 6 sepals, no petals, 1 pistil,
inferior ovary
Fruits
acorn or nuts surrounded by spiny bracts
Species in this family provide valuable wood, cork, and food products.
44
Geranium or Cranesbill Family (Geraniaceae)
Etymology
Geranos is Greek for crane
Numbers
14 genera, 775 species; U.S./Canada 3 genera, 62
species
Leaves
deeply palmately lobed, usually with 5 lobes,
alternate
Flowers
5 sepals, 5 petals, 5-15 stamens, 5-parted pistil
Fruits
schizocarp – breaks into 5 parts
Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae)
Erodium cicutarium fruits that look
Numbers
1 genus, 120 species
like cranes’ bills.
Distribution primarily in northern hemisphere and temperate
south America
Plant Types shrubs
Leaves
simple, alternate, generally lobed
Flowers
radial, sepals 5, petals5 , stamens5, 1 pistil, ovary inferior
Fruits
berry
This family was formerly included in the Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae).
© University of California Press
Family Descriptions
Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in western U.S.
Leaves
alternate, opposite or basal rosettes, entire or
pinnately divided
Inflorescence usually one-sided coiled cyme
Flowers
radial, 5 sepals partially fused, 5 petals partially
fused into bell shape, 5 stamens, 1 pistil, superior
ovary
Fruits
1 chambered capsule
St. John’s Wort Family (Hypericaceae)
Numbers
Leaves
simple, opposite or whorled, often with black dots
Flowers
radial, sepals 5 often fused at base, petals 5, stamens many, pistil 1, ovary
superior
Fruits
capsule
Iris Family (Iridaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially in Africa
Leaves
basal, overlapping in 2 ranks, linear to lanceolate, entire with parallel veins
Flowers
radial or bilateral, 6 petal-like parts in 2 series, all generally fused at base, 3
stamens, 3-parted pistil, inferior ovary
Fruits
3 chambered capsule
Familiar plants in this family include iris, gladiolus, crocus and freesia.
45
Family Descriptions
Mint Family (Lamiaceae)
Numbers
Stems
square
Leaves
aromatic, opposite
Flowers
usually bilateral, 5 fused sepals, 5 petals fused into a two-lipped flower, 2 or 4
stamens, 4-parted pistil, ovary superior
Fruits
nutlets, usually 4
This family is an important source of aromatic oils (lavender, rosemary, mint) and herbs (basil,
thyme, and savory).
Lily Family (Liliaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in dry temperate and subtropical areas
Leaves
basal, alternate or whorled, entire with parallel veins
Flowers
radial; generally 3 sepals and 3 petals that look the same (tepals), 3 stamens, 1
pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
3-chambered capsule or berry
Familiar plants in this family include some edibles - onions, garlic, leeks – and some
ornamentals - tulips, lilies, hyacinths, hostas.
Flax Family (Linaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially temperate areas
Leaves
alternate, opposite or whorled, simple
Flowers
radial, sepals 4-5, petals 4-5, stamens 4-5, pistil 1 with 2-5 styles, ovary superior
Fruits
capsule
Loasa Family (Loasaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific
Leaves
generally alternate and lobed
Flowers
radial, sepals 5, petals 5, stamens 5, pistil 1, inferior ovary
Fruits
capsule (utricle)
Mentzelia sp., a member
of the Loasa Family
Mallow Family (Malvaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially in warm regions
Leaves
simple, alternate, usually with stipules
Flowers
radial, 5 sepals, 5 petals, many stamens, 1 pistil
Fruits
capsule or berry
46
Family Descriptions
Evening Primrose Family (Onograceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, mostly in western North America
Leaves
simple, alternate or opposite
Flowers
radial, 4 sepals, 4 petals, 4-8 stamens, 1 pistil, inferior ovary
Fruits
4-chambered capsule
Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide except in deserts, mostly in tropical areas
Leaves
linear to round, entire, parallel veins
Flowers
bilateral, sepals 3 and petal-like, petals 3, stamen 1 fused with style and stigma
into a column, ovary inferior
Fruits
Capsule
Broom-rape Family (Orobanchaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in northern temperate
Leaves
no true leaves but sometimes scaly bracts are present
Flowers
bilateral, sepals 0-5 fused into tube, petals generally 5 often fused into tube,
stamens 4, pistil 1, ovary superior
Oxalis Family (Oxalidaceae)
Etymology
Greek for sour
Numbers
8 genera 575 species; U.S./Canada 1 genera, 30 species
Distribution mostly temperate areas
Leaves
compound with 3 leaflets, usually clover-like, each
leaflet has pleat or fold down the center, sour, watery
juice
Flowers
5 sepals free, 5 petals fused at base, 5-15 stamens, 5parted pistil
Fruits
capsule, explodes when disturbed
Folded Oxalis leaf
Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in north temperate and north tropical areas and south Africa
Leaves
deeply lobed, alternate, stem or leaf juice is usually colored (often red or yellow,
sometimes orange)
Flowers
showy and large, usually 2 sepals that fall off early, 4-12 petals, many stamens, 1
4-parted pistil
Fruits
4-parted capsule
47
Family Descriptions
Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially temperate
Leaves
basal, simple with longitudal ribs
Flowers
unisexual or bisexual, radial, sepals 4 fused at base, petals 4 papery or colorless,
stamens 2, pistil 1, ovary superior
Psyllium, which is cultivated for a laxative, is in this family.
Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae)
Numbers
Distribution Americas, north Europe, north Asia
Leaves
alternate, simple or compound, if simple often entire
Flowers
radial, 5 sepals fused into a tube, 5 petals fused at the base to form a trumpetshaped flower, 5 stamens, 1 pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
3-chambered capsule
There are a few ornamental species in this family.
Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially in northern temperate areas
Leaves
alternate, sheathing stipules
Stems
often with swollen nodes
Flowers
small, radial, numerous in terminal or axillary clusters, often unisexual, 6 petallike parts in 2 whorls of 3, stamens usually 6-9, 1 simple pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
achene – flat, angled, or winged
Buckwheat and Rhubarb are in this family.
Purslane Family (Portulacaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, mostly in warm, temperate regions of the Americas, Australia, and
south Africa
Leaves
fleshy to succulent, usually opposite, entire, simple
Flowers
radial, 2 sepals, 4-many petals, 4-5+ stamens, compound pistil with 2-8 parts
Fruits
capsule
Primrose Family (Primulaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in the northern hemisphere
Leaves
simple, basal, alternate, opposite or whorled
Flowers
radial, sepals, petals and stamens in 4s or 5s, 1 pistil, ovary superior
Fruits
capsule
48
Family Descriptions
Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)
Etymology
Latin for Place of the Frog because many species grow in wet places.
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially in north temperate areas and tropical mountains
Leaves
often palmately divided or compound, usually alternate, leaves have sheathed
base
Flowers
5+ sepals, 0-many petals but usually 5, many stamens, many pistils
Fruits
achenes, berries, follicles
Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly tropical and subtropical
Plant Types shrubs, trees, and vines
Leaves
simple, generally alternate
Flowers
radial, sepals 4 or 5, petals 0,4 or 5, stamens 4 or 5, pistil 1, superior ovary
Fruits
capsule, drupe
Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Numbers
110 genera, 3000 species; U.S./Canada 62 genera, 870 species
Plant Types trees, vines, and herbaceous species
Leaves
usually alternate, often compound, usually stipulate, stems often have thorns
Flowers
radial, 5 sepals (partially fused), usually 5 petals, many stamens, 1 to many simple
pistils
Fruits
hips, pomes, drupes, aggregates, achenes,
Familiar plants in this family includes strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, plums, cherries,
peaches, apples, and pears.
Madder Family (Rubiaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, especially tropical
Leaves
entire, opposite or whorled
Flowers
small, radial, sepals 0 or 4, petals 4, pistil 1 or 2 fused
Fruits
berry, drupe, capsule, 2-4 nutlets
Willow Family (Salicaceae)
Numbers
Distribution mostly in temperate areas
Leaves
simple, alternate, deciduous
Flowers
unisexual, radial, no sepals, no petals, staminate flowers have 1-many stamens,
pistillate flowers have 1 pistil and superior ovary
Fruits
capsule
49
Family Descriptions
Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae)
Etymology
Latin for “rock breaking;” over long periods of time, plants that grow in rocky
areas help to break down the rocks
Numbers
Distribution mostly in north temperate, arctic, alpine areas
Leaves
usually alternate or basal forming rosettes, simple, sometimes lobed
Flowers
usually small and clustered, 5 sepals, 4-5 petals, 5 or 10 stamens, 1 pistil with 2
parts, superior ovary
Fruits
capsule, follicle, berry
Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)
Numbers
Leaves
alternate, simple, usually more or less entire
Flowers
bilateral, usually 2-lipped with 4-5 lobes, number of stamens vary – typically 4
with a 5th infertile stamen in Penstemon, 2 stamens in Veronica, 5 stamens in
Verbascum, 1 pistil, ovary superior
Fruits
usually 2-chambered capsule
Foxgloves (Digitalis) are in this family.
Nettle Family (Urticaceae)
Numbers
Leaves
alternate or opposite, glabrous or with stinging hairs
Stems
glabrous or with stinging hairs
Flowers
usually unisexual, radial, sepals 4-5 free or fused, petals 0, staminate flowers with
4-5 stamens, pistillate flowers with 1 pistil, superior ovary
Fruits
achene or drupe
Valerian Family (Valerianaceae)
Numbers
Distribution worldwide, except in Australia; mostly in temperate areas
Leaves
simple, pinnately lobed or compound, opposite
Flower
radial to bilateral, 5-15 sepals coiled inward becoming plumose in fruit, 5 petals
usually partially fused often bilabial, 1-3 stamens, 1 pistil, ovary inferior
Fruits
achene
Violet Family (Violaceae)
Numbers
15 genera, 600 species; U.S./Canada 3 genera, 106 species
Distribution worldwide, mostly in temperate areas
Plant Types in U.S., herbaceous species; in tropics, tree and shrub species
Leaves
Flowers
simple, usually cordate, alternate or basal, stipules at base
5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens flattened against the 3-parted pistil, ovary superior;
usually bilateral flower with spur; some species are cleistogamous
Fruits
capsule.
Approximately 120 species in this family are cultivated as ornamentals, including pansies.
50
Plant Descriptions
In this section, the flower descriptions are listed alphabetically by scientific name according to
family, genus, and species. To use this section most effectively, use the key system that starts on
page 17 to identify your plant, and then turn to the page(s) on which your species is described.
51
Plant Descriptions
Maple Family (Aceraceae)
Mountain Maple Acer glabrum Torrey var. torreyi (E. Greene) F.J. Smiley
Native. Maple Family (Aceraceae).
On Mount Ashland, Mountain Maple is a small shrub. Typical maple-shaped leaves grow
opposite each other on slender, reddish twigs. The three primary lobes are irregularly toothed. Drooping
inflorescences, with less than 10 greenish flowers each, appear before the leaves do. The flowers have
either stamens, or pistils, not both, making these flowers imperfect. The staminate flowers have 5 tiny
sepals, 5 tiny petals, and 8 stamens, while the pistillate flowers have 5 sepals, 5 petals, and 1 pistil.
Because both male and female flowers grow on the same shrub, Mountain Maple is called dioecious.
This short shrub grows in moist to dry slopes in forested areas along the Pacific Crest Trail. You
have to be on the mountain early in the season to find it in flower.
Acer is the Latin name for Maple. Glabrum is derived from the Latin word for smooth, referring
to the absence of hairs. When a plant is not hairy, it is called glabrous. Dr. John Torrey (1796-1879) was
a botanist of western North America. He reviewed and described the collections of many other noted
botanists, including William Baldwin, and David Douglas.
Carrot Family (Apiaceae)
Angelica Angelica arguta Nutt.
Also called Lyall’s Angelica, and Shining Angelica. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
This stout plant with many white flowers arranged in an umbel of umbels is abundant on the
south slopes in July. The dime-sized umbels look like little buttons, and each plant has 1-5 compound
umbels made up of tiny radial flowers with 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil; there are no sepals. The stem
leaves are compound with very obvious sheathing bases, and the leaflets are coarsely toothed all along the
margin. The basal leaves of Angelica are a perfect example of a ternate leaf – a compound leaf with 3
major divisions. This plant often grows up to 1 meter, and the stout stem is glabrous with a powdery
white substance, called bloom, that rubs off when touched.
Look for this tall perennial in wet areas on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. It is often found
near Gray’s Lovage (Ligusticum grayi) and Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa).
Angelica is Latin for angelic, in reference to the medicinal properties of some of the plants in this
genus. Arguta is Greek for shining or bright.
Cow Parsnip Heracleum lanatum Michaux
Also called Indian Rhubarb, Cow-cabbage, Masterwort, Hercules Parsnip, and Common Cow
Parsnip. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
Many small white flowers with 5 petals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil are borne in several umbels of
umbels. Usually, one central umbel is flanked by two smaller umbels. Each flowering stem is subtended
by an off-white, balloon-like sheath that tapers to a small, palmately lobed green leaf. The lower leaves
are alternate and compound with leaflets that are toothed and hairy. The hollow stems are stout, and
ridged, with coarse hairs. This perennial, which usually grows 60-150 cm tall, requires three years to
mature from seed.
Cow Parsnip is found in all the wet meadows on the south slopes with Big-leaf Lupine (Lupinus
polyphyllus var. pallidipes) and Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa).
The sap can cause temporary skin irritations. There is contradictory information regarding the
edibility of this plant for animals and humans. Some sources say Cow Parsnip is poisonous to cattle and
humans, while other sources claim that wild and domestic animals forage for the leaves in spring, and
parts of the plant can be consumed by humans if properly prepared. If you wish to forage plants for food,
seek the advice and confirmation of a professional botanist or ethnobotanist.
This huge, Herculean plant is named for the Greek hero, Heracles (more familiar by the Roman
name of Hercules), who is purported to have found medicinal qualities in parts of the plant. Lanatum is
Latin for wooly because the plant is so hairy.
52
Plant Descriptions
Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum var. torreyi)
Angelica (Angelica arguta)
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum)
53
Plant Descriptions
Gray’s Lovage Ligusticum grayii J. Coulter & Rose
Also called Gray’s Licorice-root. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
Tiny white radial flowers with 5 minute sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil are borne in an
umbel of umbels, with each plant producing several compound umbels. Most plants have only one
compound stem leaf with an enlarged base that clasps the stem. Many compound basal leaves surround
the base of the stem. The leaves are twice pinnate, and the leaflets are coarsely and irregularly lobed.
The glabrous flowering stem, which is often mottled reddish-brown, rises high above the basal leaves
reaching heights of 20-80 cm.
This perennial requires the moist soil near wet meadows and in partly shaded areas. Nearby, you
may find Wiggin’s Lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. wigginsii) or Angelica (Angelica arguta).
Dr. Asa Gray (1810-1888) is honored in both the common name and the specific epithet for this
plant. Dr. Gray and his teacher, Dr. John Torrey, published A Flora of North America in 1843. Dr. Gray
specialized in composites, or the Sunflower Family. Ligusticum is a Latin derivative of the town of
Liguria in Italy, which is home of the related Levisticum.
California Lomatium Lomatium californicum (Torrey & A. Gray) Mathias & Constance
Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
Compound umbels display tiny radial yellow flowers that have 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil.
The stems that bear the secondary umbels, are numerous and long. The stems and leaves of this perennial
are glabrous and glaucous (covered with a white, powdery substance that is easily rubbed off). The plant
has many pinnately compound basal leaves with leaflets that are wedge-shaped, and lobed. The lobes are
again toothed or lobed. Stem leaves are few and similar to basal leaves. California Lomatium can grow
to 120 cm, and is usually found in wooded areas or on brushy slopes at lower elevations.
Local Native Americans call(ed) this plant Icknish. They would collect the green sprouts while
they were soft and tender, and eat it like celery. A favorite modern dish is called Icknish and Hotdogs.
Try crushing the foliage on this plant – does it smell like celery?
Lomatium is derived from the Greek word for bordered, referring to the fruits that have prominent
marginal wings. Californicum is the Latinized version of California referring to the general range of this
species.
Piper’s Desert Parsley Lomatium piperi J. Coulter & Rose
Also called Indian Biscuit-root. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
This low-lying perennial bears small radial white flowers in compound umbels. The flowers are
made up of 5 petals, 5 stamens with purple anthers, and 1 pistil. Several basal leaves surround the
flowering stem. The basal leaves are pinnately or ternately compound with linear leaflets. Stem leaves
are quite different from the basal leaves; they are simple, linear, and entire. The underground parts of this
plant are important in determining Piper’s Desert Parsley (Lomatium piperi) from California Indian
Potato (Orogenia fusiformis). Piper’s Desert Parsely (L. piperi) has a slender root that ends in a spherical
tuber. California Indian Potato (O. fusiformis), on the other hand, has a slender, carrot-like taproot. If
you decide to dig up these plants to look at the underground parts, please re-plant them.
Lomatium is derived from the Greek word for bordered, referring to the fruits that have prominent
marginal wings. Piperi is the latinized version of the name Piper, after C.V. Piper (1867–1926), an
American botanist who authored more than five major floras, including the first Flora of the State of
Washington.
54
Plant Descriptions
Gray’s Lovage (Ligusticum grayi)
© Stanford University Press
California Lomatium (Lomatium californicum)
Piper’s Desert Parsley (Lomatium piperi)
55
Plant Descriptions
California Indian Potato Orogenia fusiformis S. Watson
As a member of the carrot family, this flower has the distinctive inflorescence – an umbel of
umbels. The tiny white radial flowers have 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil. The compound basal leaves
have entire, linear leaflets. The plant grows very close to the ground, reaching heights of only 4-8 cm.
Look for this low-lying perennial in May and early June at the edge of snow melt areas on the south
slopes in loose, gravelly soil. Because it appears so early in the season in loose soil, there will probably
not be any other flowers blooming near California Indian Potato.
Orogenia comes from Greek, and means mountain race, referring to the montane habitats of this
genus. Fusiformis is derived from Latin and means a spindly form or shape, referring perhaps to the
linear leaflets.
Western Sweet Cicely Osmorhiza chilensis Hook. & Arn.
The small, radial creamy white flowers are inconspicuous. The inflorescence is the typical form
for members of the carrot family – an umbel. Each plant can have from one to several loose umbels that
are short stalked when in flower and long stalked when in fruit. Western Sweet Cicely has basal leaves
and alternate stem leaves that all look the same: compound leaves that are twice divided into 3s. The
leaflets are coarsely toothed. When in flower, Western Sweet Cicely is usually 10-17 cm tall, but when
the fruits mature the plant usually stands 20-30 cm tall.
You’ll find this perennial in shaded, forested areas along the Pacific Crest Trail blooming in late
June, and the bristly-hairy fruits are obvious through July. Growing nearby, you may see Large-leaf
Sandwort (Moehringia macrophylla) or Jessica’s Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha).
Osmorhiza is derived from the Greek word for sweet root, referring to the wonderful anise aroma
of the roots of some plants in this genus. Chilensis is New Latin, meaning of Chile because it grows in
South America, as well as North America.
Western Sweet Root Osmorhiza occidentalis (Nutt.) Torrey
Also called Mountain Sweet Cicely. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
If you see a dainty umbel of umbels with yellowish-green flowers, scratch a stem or leaf and
sniff. If you smell anise or licorice, you’ve got Western Sweet Root. This perennial has very small,
regular, yellow flowers – you will need a hand lens to see the 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil. A mature
plant will have as many as five compound umbels. The twice pinnately compound leaves are mostly
basal, with 5 to 7 leaflets that are also compound. The leaflets are irregularly and coarsely toothed. Each
inflorescence is subtended by smaller compound leaves with three leaflets. The stem and alternate leaves
have short hairs that can only be seen with a hand lens; however, there are conspicuous cob-webby hairs
where the pedicel branches off the main stem. The fruits are long, linear and ribbed with no hairs. If
scratched, these also smell of anise. Western Sweet Root usually grows 30-60 cm tall.
Look for this flower in May and early June growing in partly shaded areas on dry hillsides. It is
often found near Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) and Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos
patula).
Osmorhiza is derived from the Greek word for sweet root, referring to the wonderful anise aroma
of the roots of this species. I don’t want you to dig it up, but scratch and sniff the stem and you’ll get an
idea of how the root smells. Occidentalis is Latin for of the west, referring to the range of this species.
56
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Br. Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary’s College
California Indian Potato (Orogenia fusiformis)
Western Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza chilensis)
Western Sweet Root (Osmorhiza occidentalis)
57
Plant Descriptions
Yampah Perideridia oregana (S. Watson) Mathias
Also called Squaw Potato, and Squawroot. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
This delicate plant could be easily overlooked because the stem is so slender and the flowers so
dainty. It could also be mistaken for a weak-looking Gray’s Lovage (Ligusticum grayi). But if you look
closely, you will see that the leaves are quite different from Gray’s Lovage.
The small radial white flowers of Yampah (P. oregana) have 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1
pistil, and are borne in an umbel of umbels. The slender, erect stem is glabrous and sometimes covered
with a white bloom (pronounced blome), a powdery substance that easily rubs off. The plant has basal
leaves and stem leaves, but the basal leaves may be difficult to find. They are pinnately compound and
the leaflets are linear and entire. The one or two stem leaves are similar to, but smaller than the basal
leaves. This perennial usually grows between 20-50 cm tall, and blooms in August in moist, open
meadows. Growing nearby, you may find Swamp White Heads (Sphenosciadium capitellatum) or
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis).
Perideridia is derived from the Greek words meaning around the neck, referring to the involucre the ring of bracts at the base of the primary umbel. Oregana is the latinized version of Oregon, referring
to the general range of this plant.
Northern Sanicle Sanicula graveolens DC.
Also called Sierra Snakeroot. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
Take a long sniff of this plant. Does it smell like a familiar culinary herb? I think it smells like
cilantro! This low-growing to erect plant has large obvious leaves and tiny yellowish-green flowers. The
flowers are radial with 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil, and are arranged in rounded compound
umbels. The pinnately compound leaves are alternate and the lowermost leaves are often attached below
the ground level, and seem to arise separately from the stem. The leaflets are toothed or lobed. This
perennial usually only grows 5-20 cm.
Northern Sanicle is an early bloomer on Mount Ashland, showing up in early June in dry areas or
on rocky slopes. You may find Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) or Chocolate Lily
(Fritillaria atropurpurea) growing nearby.
Sanicula comes from the Latin word meaning to heal, referring to the medicinal properties of
some of the species in this genus. Graveolens is derived from two Latin words meaning to emit a heavy
smell, referring to the strong cilantro scent.
Swamp White Heads Sphenosciadium capitellatum A. Gray
Also called Woolly Head Parsnip, and Ranger’s Buttons. Native. Carrot Family (Apiaceae).
Tiny radial flowers are arranged in compound umbels, and the secondary umbels are so tightly packed
with the tiny white flowers that they look like little round buttons. The tall, stout stems are rough to the
touch, owing to short, stiff hairs. The large basal leaves are pinnately compound and the large leaflets are
coarsely toothed. Stem leaves are alternate and small, also pinnately compound, with a large conspicuous
sheath at the base. This large perennial usually reaches heights of 90-180 cm, and grows in open, wet
meadows.
Swamp White Heads bloom in July and if you are lucky, you will find Richardson’s Geranium
(Geranium richardsonii) and Wiggin’s Lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. wigginsii) blooming nearby.
Sphenosciadium is derived from Greek words meaning wedge umbrella, referring to the umbel.
Capitellatum is derived from several Latin words meaning small head, referring to the tight rounded
umbels of flowers.
58
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Yampah (Perideridea oregana)
Northern Sanicle (Sanicula graveolens)
Swamp White Heads (Sphenosciadium capitellatum)
59
Plant Descriptions
Birthwort Family (Aristolochiaceae)
Wild Ginger Asarum caudatum Lindley
Also called Ginger Root, Long-Tailed Ginger, British Columbia Wild Ginger, and Western Wild
Ginger. Native. Birthwort Family (Aristolochiaceae).
Because the blooms lie on the ground beneath the large “pillowy” leaves, flower will be difficult
to find unless you can identify the leaves, which rise in pairs above the flower. The uniformly green basal
leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) to kidney-shaped (reniform) with entire margins. The maroon flower is
worth searching for. Gently push the leaves aside until you find the three long, tapering “petals” that are
actually modified sepals. The tube that encloses the 12 stamens and 1 pistil is made up of fused sepal
bases. The tube is white on the inside with one maroon stripe.
This perennial prefers moist, shaded areas, so search for it along the forested portions of the
Pacific Crest Trail from late June to mid July. Look for Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia cordifolia)
and Baneberry (Acteae rubra) growing nearby.
The edible rhizome has a ginger scent when crushed, but the ginger in your spice rack is from a
tropical plant, Zingiber spp.
Asarum is Greek, but the derivation is unknown. It could mean “without broom,” but its
reference is uncertain. Caudatum is Latin for tail, or trunk of a tree. This could be in reference to the
tapering sepals that appear to have tails, or it could indicate the fact that these flowers are only found in
forested areas, and therefore, at the base of tree trunks.
Yarrow Achillea millefolium L.
Also known as Soldier’s Wound-wort, Devil’s Plaything, Milfoil, Tansy, Thousand-leaf, and
Nosebleed. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
This perennial has alternate leaves that are three times pinnately compound, giving them a finely
dissected, fern-like appearance. Usually, there are many basal leaves surrounding the flowering stem; all
leaves are hairy. The inflorescence is a flat-topped corymb, and what appears to be one regular flower is
actually a composite of three to eight tiny whitish ray flowers (that look like petals) and many disk
flowers (the yellow, white, or purple center of the “flower”). This erect plant stands from 20-40 cm tall,
and is found in dry, open areas.
Look for Yarrow from late June through July around Rabbit Ears, Grouse Gap, and in the picnic
area. Nearby, you may also find Siskiyou Mountain Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus var.
cuspidatus), or Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii).
Yarrow has a long and honorable history of medicinal use. Native peoples across America and in
ancient Europe used Yarrow to make a tea to induce sweating and thereby reduce fevers, or to improve
indigestion. Leaves were chewed and the poultice was placed on wounds to stop bleeding and assist the
healing process. Yarrow was also used as an insect repellant: the stems and leaves were placed on hot
coals to repel mosquitoes. In addition to these and many other medicinal applications, Yarrow was used
in ancient Europe and China for divination, hence the name Devil’s Plaything.
The genus name, Achillea, comes from the legend that the plant was used by Achilles of ancient
Greek mythology to heal the wounds of his soldiers. Homer’s Iliad contains the legend that Chiron,
wisest of the centaurs and skilled in medicine, advised Achilles to make an ointment from yarrow to heal
his soldiers’ wounds after the siege of Troy. Yarrow was the Greek emblem for war, perhaps because of
its use in healing wounds. Millefolium is Latin for thousand leaves, referring to the highly dissected
leaves.
60
Plant Descriptions
Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
61
Plant Descriptions
Trail Plant Adenocaulon bicolor Hook.
Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Trail Plant is a composite, therefore it is made up of many small flowers densely packed in one
head. The tiny heads are arranged in an open panicle-like cyme. The outer flowers on each head are
pistillate (contain only the female reproductive parts) and the inner flowers on each head are staminate
(contain only the male reproductive parts). The staminate flowers look like a radial flower with five tiny
white petals, but the pistillate flowers appear to have four or five small white petals and many glandular
hairs, making these flowers sticky. A basal rosette of triangular leaves surround the single leafless
flowering stem. Each shallowly lobed leaf has a thin, white cottony covering on the lower surface. The
stem has glandular hairs near the top.
Look for this common perennial in shaded areas and in the forest at lower elevations. Other
flowers that may be blooming nearby include White-Veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta), and White
Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum).
This flower is called Trail Plant because when a human or an animal touches it, the underside of
the leaf faces upward. Because the undersides of the leaves are whitish in color, they act as a marker for
the trail. Adenocaulon is a combination of Greek and Latin roots that mean glandular stem. Feel the
upper part of the stem – it is sticky because these glands contain sticky oils. Bicolor is Latin for two
colors, referring to the leaves which are green on the upper surface and white on the lower surface.
Orange Agoseris Agoseris aurantiaca (Hook.) E. Greene
Also called Slender Agoseris. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
When I first noticed this plant, I though it looked like a tall, orange dandelion. This perennial has
only basal leaves that are oblanceolate, and generally entire, but may have irregular, shallow teeth along
the lower 2/3 of the leaf. The erect stem has sparse white woolly hairs that grow more dense toward the
top. What appears to be one regular flower is actually a composite head of many small ligulate flowers.
Each flower will produce a seed with a hairy parachute, similar to dandelions. This flower grows 25-35
cm, and is found in meadows.
Look for Orange Agoseris from late June through July around Rabbit Ears and around the picnic
area. You may also see Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) or Western Sweet Root (Osmorhiza
occidentalis) growing in the shade nearby.
Agoseris is Greek for goat chicory; aurantiaca is New Latin for orange-colored, obviously
referring to the color of the many tiny flowers on the head.
Tall Agoseris Agoseris elata (Nutt.) E. Greene
Tall Agoseris has a fairly stout stem with long white cobwebby hairs that vary from sparse to
dense, and the stem is often mottled with pink. The basal leaves are at least 1 cm wide (usually wider),
and vary from entire to toothed or lobed, and from glabrous to sparsely hairy. The leaves and stem exude
a milky sap when broken. The phyllaries, which may be mistaken for sepals, overlap in 3 or 4 series.
They are short, wide, and soft-hairy.
This plant looks similar to Orange Agoseris (A. aurantiaca), but there are several features that
distinguish the two. The leaves of Tall Agoseris are wider than those of Orange Agoseris. The phyllaries
of Tall Agoseris are shorter and wider than those of Orange Agoseris, and they are hairy, while those of
Orange Agoseris are glabrous. Most textbooks claim that the flowering head of Tall Agoseris is yellow,
drying pinkish. However, the flowers on Mount Ashland are orange, just like the flowering heads of
Orange Agoseris.
This perennial often grows 30-65 cm, and is found in open meadows, usually on dry soil.
Nearby, you may find Large-flowered Agoseris (A. grandiflora) and Orange Agoseris (A. aurantiaca).
Agoseris is Greek for goat chicory; elata is Latin for high, or lofty, referring to the plant’s height.
Tall Agoseris towers over many other plants.
62
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Trail Plant (Adenocaulon bicolor)
Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca)
Tall Agoseris (Agoseris elata)
63
Plant Descriptions
Large-flowered Agoseris Agoseris grandiflora (Nutt.) E. Greene
Also called Grand Mountain Dandelion. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
That is not one yellow flower at the top of the stem, rather it is a head of many tiny yellow
flowers. What appears to be one petal is one ligulate flower. Looking closely at the tip of the ligule, you
will notice that there are 5 lobes indicating that one ligule is made up of five petals that are fused together.
What, at first glance, appears to be the sepals are bracts that are called phyllaries. The narrow, lanceolate
phyllaries appear glabrous without magnification, and are usually purple-tipped and mottled with pink.
The basal leaves are either entire and linear, or lobed along the upper half of the leaf margin. The
upward-pointing lobes and the blade along the midrib are narrow. The leafless stem is sparsely hairy with
long, white hairs. The hairs are especially dense just below the flowering head.
Large-flowered Agoseris is a perennial that grows in dry, open areas on the south slopes. Nearby,
you might also find Orange Agoseris (A. aurantiaca) and Tall Agoseris (A. elata).
Agoseris is Greek for goat chicory; grandiflora is Latin for large flower.
Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. & Hook.
Also called Western Pearly Everlasting. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Prepare yourself for a tactile treat, for the velvety white leaves and stem make this plant a delight.
As a species in the Sunflower Family, what appears to be one flower is actually a head of many flowers,
but the white and yellow flowers are so small that the individual parts often cannot be distinguished
without magnification. When the plant first blooms, the yellow flowers in the center are not visible. But
as this perennial matures, the white bracts spread open revealing the yellow flowers. The leaves are
alternate, entire and sensuously fuzzy.
Pearly Everlasting can be found in dry, open areas at the base of the ski slopes, and along the
Pacific Crest Trail from USFS Road 20 to Grouse Gap. Look for Wright’s Cudweed (Gnaphalium
canescens ssp. thermale) or Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum) growing nearby.
Anaphalis is Greek and means male parts throughout. This must be in reference to the fact that
on many of the plants in this genus, the male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers are on separate
plants. Therefore, the plants with only staminate flowers would have “male parts throughout.”
Margariticea is Greek for a pearl, which could be in reference to the overall color of the plant, or to the
small, white, rounded heads of flowers that may have reminded someone of pearls.
Rosy Pussytoes Antennaria rosea E. Greene
Also called Pussy Toes, Pink Pussytoes, Cat’s Paws, Everlasting, Ladies Tobacco, and Rosy
Everlasting. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
In the early stages of blooming, these pink and white flower heads nod, eventually standing erect
as the plant matures. What appear to be pink or rose-colored petals are in fact showy bracts. The white
portion in the center is surprisingly made up of many tiny flowers. The individual flowers are too small
to be distinguished without magnification. The oblong to linear stem leaves are entire and alternate, and
the basal leaves are oblanceolate. The fuzzy hairs on the stem and leaves are a delight to touch. This
perennial grows 10-25 cm tall.
Look for Rosy Pussytoes in open, dry areas on the south slopes from mid-June through mid-July.
Nearby, you should see Mt. Ashland Lupine (Lupinus aridus var. ashlandensis) and Dusty Maidens
(Chaenactis douglasii).
This plant was discovered in 1881, and has had its name changed several times. Some
authorities consider it to be synonymous in botanical nomenclature to two other species.
Antennaria is Latin for antenna, and comes from the supposed resemblance of this plant to the
antennae of insects. Rosea is Latin for rosy or rose colored, referring to the color of the bracts that
surround the white flowers.
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Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Large-flowered Agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora)
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margariticea)
Rosy Pussytoes (Antennaria rosea)
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Plant Descriptions
Pale Agoseris Agoseris glauca (Pursh) Raf.
Also called Short-beaked Agoseris. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
First of all, you need to know that the “flower” at the top of the stem is not one yellow flower, but
a head of many tiny yellow flowers. What appears to be one petal is one ligulate flower. The tip of each
ligule has five tiny lobes indicating that one ligule is made up of 5 fused petals. The phyllaries, which
could be mistaken for sepals, are long-tapered and can vary from glabrous to densely soft-hairy. They
overlap in several series. Basal leaves that vary from entire to toothed to lobed surround the glabrous
stem. When torn, the leaves and stem exude a milky sap. This perennial usually grows 3-30 cm, and is
found in coniferous forests or moist meadows.
You may confuse Pale Agoseris with Large-flowered Agoseris (A. grandiflora) or Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale). To tell them apart, look first at the phyllaries. Those of Large-flowered
Agoseris are narrow and lanceolate, appear glabrous without magnification, and are usually purple-tipped
and mottled with pink. The phyllaries of Dandelion are glabrous and the outer series is reflexed. Then
look at the stem. The stem of Large-flowered Agoseris is sparsely long-hairy.
The other common name for this plant, Short-beaked Agoseris refers to the fruits, which consist
of a seed attached to a fluffy, white parachute made up of many fine bristles. The seed is attached to the
parachute by a short structure called a beak. Agoseris is Greek for goat chicory. Glauca is derived from
the Latin word for gray, referring to the stem, which is grayish as a result of hairs or bloom (pronounced
blome), a white substance that easily rubs off when the plant is touched.
Heartleaf Arnica Arnica cordifolia Hook.
Also called Leopard’s Bane. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Here is another bright member of the Sunflower Family. What appears to be one yellow flower is
actually a head of many flowers. The “petals” are ray flowers and the center is filled with disk flowers.
The “sepals” are bracts that are collectively referred to as the involucre. These are pointed at the tip and
have long, white hairs. The two to four opposite leaves are coarsely toothed and the base is often, but not
always, heart-shaped (cordate). Many basal leaves are present and often persist after the flower dies back.
The stem and leaves are slightly hairy, and sometimes a bit sticky. Heartlead Arnica grows 10-25 cm tall.
This perennial is usually found in partly shades areas on the north slopes. It flowers in late June
to early July with Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) and Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata).
In the past, Heartleaf Arnica was popular for several medicinal treatments. The flowers can be
steeped in water and applied to cuts and wounds, and it is also good for chapped lips.
It is uncertain whether Arnica is an ancient Latin or Greek name. Cordifolia means heart-shaped
leaf.
Mugwort Artemisia douglasiana Besser
Also called Douglas’ Sagewort. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
This highly aromatic perennial smells similar to Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var.
vaseyana). The small, rather inconspicuous yellow flowers are actually heads of several tiny flowers, but
you’ll need some form of magnification to distinguish each individual flower. The heads are generally
bell-shaped and nodding. Alternate grayish-green leaves are evenly spaced along the tall stem. The
lower surface of the leaves has many tiny, white hairs, while the upper surface has fewer white hairs. The
leaves are irregularly lobed, and the tips of the lobes are pointed. Some of the upper leaves may be entire.
Stems are fairly stout and can grow up to 120 cm.
Mugwort can be found along County Road 1151 between miles 7 and 8, and between Road 300
and Grouse Gap. There is also one clump of it at the base of the Sonnet chair lift.
The genus name, Artemisia, is for the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis. Douglasiana honors
David Douglas (1798-1834), the celebrated Scottish botanist who explored the western coast of North
America with John Scouler from 1825-1827, and again from 1830-1832. Douglas died while exploring
the Hawaiian islands, and is buried there.
66
Photo by Charles Webber,
California Academy of Sciences
Plant Descriptions
Pale Agoseris (Agoseris glauca)
Heartleaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia)
Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)
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Plant Descriptions
Mountain Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata Nutt. var. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle
Also called Sage, Sagebrush, and Mountain Big Sagebrush. Native. Sunflower Family
(Asteraceae).
Mountain Sagebrush, which is very popular for its soothing aroma, has small yellow flowers that
are quite inconspicuous. This is a member of the Sunflower Family, which means that what appears to be
one flower is actually a head of several tiny flowers. A hand lens or magnifying glass will make it easier
to distinguish the individual flowers. The flowering stalk appears in early August, and by mid-August,
the flowers are in bloom. The alternate leaves are grayish-green because of the dense white hairs that
cover them, and usually have three lobes at the tip. Occasionally, some leaves will have four or five
lobes.
This shrub usually grows to about 60-90 cm tall, and is found on the dry, open south slopes.
Growing nearby will be Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) and Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus).
The genus name, Artemisia, is for the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis. Tridentata is Latin for
three-toothed, referring to the three lobes at the apex of most leaves.
Leafy Aster Aster foliaceus Lindley var. lyallii (A. Gray) Cronq.
Also called Leafy-headed Aster, and Lyall’s Aster. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Because this flower is a composite, the blue “petals” on these plants are actually tiny flowers,
called ray flowers. The yellow center is made up of many tiny yellow disk flowers. What appear to be
leafy sepals are phyllaries that are collectively referred to as the involucre. The alternate leaves are entire
and glabrous, and the base of the leaves clasps the stem. The stem carries minute hairs and is often, but
not always, branched, and produces one to several heads. There are usually 4-12 heads per plant.
Leafy Aster can grow up to 30 cm tall, and is often found in moist areas on the south slopes.
Growing nearby, you will find Tall Agoseris (Agoseris elata), and Tall Annual Willowherb (Epilobium
brachycarpum).
Leafy Aster and Leafy-headed Aster are appropriate names because of the many, large phyllaries
that are leaf-like. In Greek, aster means star. Foliaceus is Latin for leafy.
Dusty Maidens Chaenactis douglasii (Hook.) Hook. & Arn.
Also called Hoary Chaenactis, Pincushion, and Douglas’ Dusty Maiden. Native. Sunflower
Family (Asteraceae).
The creamy-white radial flowers in the terminal heads have 5 petals and exserted stamens. The
branching stem usually has three to many flower heads, but it can have only one or two flower heads.
The 15-25 cm erect stems are reddish with white cobwebby hairs. Leaves are compound and alternate
with white cobwebby hairs, and often subtend branches on the upper portion of the stem. The larger
leaves toward the bottom of the stem are usually twice pinnately compound. There is also a basal rosette
of leaves that are twice pinnately compound. This is a biennial that sometimes flowers in its first year.
These flowers are not abundant, but they grow around Rabbit Ears and in other dry, open areas in
late June and early July. You may find Spear-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum) or Siskiyou Mountains
Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus) blooming nearby.
In Greek, chaenactis means gaping ray, referring to the enlarged outer corollas of some of the
species in this genus. Douglasii is derived from the name of David Douglas (1798-1834). Douglas
arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in April 1825 on a Hudson Bay Company ship. The Scottish
botanist explored and collected plants in what is now Oregon, Washington, and Idaho from 1825-1827.
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Plant Descriptions
Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana)
Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus var. lyallii)
Dusty Maidens (Chaenactis douglasii)
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Plant Descriptions
Pineapple Weed Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb.
Also called Rayless Chamomile. Non-native from western Canada and northeast Asia.
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
You can confirm your identification of this plant by rubbing your fingers over the leaves or the
flowers and taking a long, leisurely sniff. Mmmm…pineapple! The many tiny yellow flowers are held
on a button-like head, and each plant produces several flowering heads. The alternate leaves are
irregularly pinnately lobed. The plant usually is branched, and low-growing, only reaching heights of 510 cm.
Pineapple Weed usually grows in disturbed soils, so look for it around the ski lodge and along
County Road 1151 up to the ski lodge parking area from mid-July through mid-August. You may find
Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata) or Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) blooming nearby.
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, chamomilla is derived from several Greek words
that mean earth apple. Derived from Latin, suaveolens means sweet-scented, of course!
Chicory Cichorium intybus L.
Also called Blue Sailor, Ragged Sailors, Blue Daisy, Blue Dandelion, Coffee-Weed, and Wild
Succory. Non-native from Europe. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
There are not many of these sky-blue flowers growing on Mount Ashland. Because many people
consider this non-native to be a weedy plant, they are happy that there are very few on Mount Ashland.
The many blue or lavender petals are actually the ligule of individual flowers that will each produce its
own fruit (a dry achene). In the center of the head, pistils of each of these minute flowers are obvious.
The pistils arise out of a tube that is white at the base and blue at the top. Inside each tube are 5 stamens,
making each tube with its corresponding ligule a complete flower. If you look closely at the tip of the
ligule, you will see five lobes. These lobes represent five petals that are fused together to form the ligule.
The alternate leaves of Chicory are coarsely toothed and/or pinnately lobed. This plant grows 30-120 cm.
Look for it along County Road 1151 at lower elevations, next to Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana) or
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare).
Chicory is well known as a coffee substitute. Colonists from Europe and later, the Native
Americans, and still later, southerners in the United States, roasted and ground the roots to use as coffee
or to add to their coffee. Chicory also has many medicinal uses – almost as many as Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale).
Cichorium is an old Arabic name. The only known meaning of intybus is endive or chicory.
Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.
Also called Common Thistle. Non-native from Europe. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Bull Thistle is a biennial, which means it completes its life cycle in two years. During the first
year, only the spiny basal leaves will be obvious growing in a rosette on the ground. The second year, the
plant sends up a flowering stalk that produces several purple heads of flowers that are surrounded by
spiny bracts. The alternate leaves on the stem are lobed and each lobe is tipped with a spine. The stem,
itself, is winged – it has green tissue similar to a leaf blade, and this tissue is also lobed and has many
spines. There are very few of these weedy plants on Mount Ashland above 6200 feet, but look for them
along County Road 1151 at lower elevations. You may find them growing next to Mugwort (Artemisia
douglasiana) or Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia var. dalmatica).
Cirsium is the Greek word for thistle. Vulgare is Latin for common-place, referring to the fact
that this plant is very common, indeed too common for some people’s liking!
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Plant Descriptions
Pineapple Weed (Chamomilla suaveolens)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
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Plant Descriptions
Naked-stem Hawksbeard Crepis pleurocarpa A. Gray
The bright yellow five to eight “petals” on these “flowers” are actually the ligules of five to eight
individual little flowers that are clustered together on a head. The tip of each ligule has 5 shallow lobes.
Each ligule has a corresponding slender tube in the center of the “flower.” Inside this tube, there are five
miniscule stamens, and the slender pistil that ends with two curled lobes at the tip. The sepal-like
structures are called phyllaries, and they are elongated, narrow and linear. Naked-stem Hawksbeard has
mostly basal leaves that are dandelion-like, with downward pointing lobes. In spite of the name, this
plant may have a few stem leaves. If so, they will be short, grass-like, and entire. The stems are usually
branched, and each plant may yield 7 to 40 heads. Break open a leaf or one of the small branches to see
the white, milky sap. The stems can vary from glabrous to slightly short-hairy. This perennial grows 1545 cm on dry, open slopes. It flowers in June.
Crepis is derived from the Greek word for boot or sandal. The reason for this genus name is
unknown. Pleurocarpa is derived from two Greek words meaning ribbed fruit. If you use your hand
lens, you will find 10 prominent ribs on the achenes.
Greene’s Goldenbush Ericameria greenei (A. Gray) G. Nesom
The number of “petals” or ray flowers on these flower heads varies from 2 to 6. The number of
disk flowers varies from 7 to 20. Usually, several flowering heads are clustered at the end of a stem. The
tightly packed alternate, sticky leaves are entire and more or less linear. The stems are woody at the base,
and many grow together in large clumps. In fact, these plants are listed in botanical keys as shrubs.
These flowers bloom late in August through September, but the sticky green leaves become obvious in
early July.
Look for this perennial on the dry, open slopes between the split in the road for the summit, and
Grouse Gap Shelter. Nearby, Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum), Coyote Mint (Monardella
odoratissima), and many more flowers bloom.
The genus name, Ericameria, is constructed from two Greek words: eric, which means heath,
and meria, which means “a part.” Edward L Greene (1843-1915), an Episcopal priest turned botanist,
collected and described many western species.
Alice’s Daisy Erigeron aliceae Howell
Also called Alice Eastwood’s Fleabane. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
These prolific plants are a common sight on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. The “petals” or
ray flowers vary in color from lavender to pink to white, and the disk flowers in the center are yellow.
The “sepals” or phyllaries have long, white hairs, some of which may be glandular. The alternate leaves
are entire, often have wavy margins, are distinctly hairy, and clasp the stem at the base. These perennials
grow 20-45 cm tall, and are found blooming in any open, dry areas in late June through July. Nearby, you
may find Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia) or Siskiyou Mountains Owl’s Clover
(Orthocarpus cuspidatus).
Alice’s Daisy could be mistaken for Subalpine Fleabane (Erigeron peregrinus). The best way to
tell the difference is by looking at the leaves. If the leaves are distinctly hairy, the plant is Alice’s Daisy.
If the leaves are glabrous or only sparsely hairy, the plant is Subalpine Fleabane.
Erigeron is Greek and means either “a kind of plant” or “early old age.” It is uncertain which
meaning is applicable or why. Aliceae is a Latin derivative for the name Alice, in honor of Alice
Eastwood (1859-1953) an American botanist raised in the western United States. Eastwood authored
three books of California flora, and was the Curator at the California Academy of Sciences from 18941949. She was listed in American Men of Science in 1906.
72
Plant Descriptions
Naked-stem Hawksbeard (Crepis pleurocarpa)
Greene’s Goldenbush (Ericameria greenei)
Alice’s Daisy (Erigeron alicea)
73
Plant Descriptions
Scabland Fleabane Erigeron bloomeri A. Gray
This low-growing perennial with yellow button-like flowers looks exactly like Cut-leaf Daisy,
except for the leaves. Scabland Fleabane has only basal leaves that are linear and entire, similar to small
grass blades. However, the basal leaves of Cut-leaf Daisy are pinnately lobed or compound. For more
details, refer to the description of Cut-leaf Daisy below. Look for Scabland Fleabane on dry, open slopes.
Erigeron is Greek and could mean a kind of plant or early old age. Mr. Hiram G. Bloomer (18191874) is honored in this specific epithet. Mr. Bloomer arrived in San Francisco in 1852 from his native
state, New York. As his obituaries claim, he was regarded as the pioneer resident botanist of the Pacific
Coast. He worked as the Curator of the Academy of Natural Sciences in San Francisco for many years.
Cut-Leaf Daisy Erigeron compositus Pursh
Also called Dwarf Mountain Erigeron. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
The flowers of this little plant look like little yellow buttons. They are difficult to identify
because the structures are so tiny. Believe it or not, what appears to be one flower is a head of many
miniscule flowers. The corolla of each individual flower has 5 tiny lobes, and in the center of these lobes
are five stamens and one pistil. The sepal-like structures are phyllaries. They are green with red tips and
covered with long white hairs. Each stem produces one terminal flowering head. Stem leaves are few,
alternate, and entire, while the many basal leaves are pinnately compound. The leaves and stems also
have long white hairs. This perennial grows no taller than 12 cm. It blooms in June and early July in
rocky crevices and on open, dry, sandy soil. Look for Cut-leaf Daisy around Rabbit Ears and up to the
summit on the south slope. Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) and Cream Stonecrop (Sedum
oregonense) may be blooming nearby.
Scabland Fleabane (E. bloomeri) looks almost identical to Cut-Leaf Daisy. To tell them apart,
look at the basal leaves. If they are pinnately compound, your specimen is Cut-Leaf Daisy (E.
compositus). If the basal leaves are simple and entire, you have Scabland Fleabane (E. bloomeri).
Erigeron is Greek and could mean a kind of plant or early old age. It is uncertain which meaning
is applicable or why. Compositus is Latin meaning placed together, referring to the tiny flowers which
grow close together in a tight head.
Subalpine Fleabane Erigeron peregrinus (Pursh) E. Greene
Also called Foreign Erigeron, Wandering Daisy, Wandering Fleabane. Native. Sunflower
These abundant perennials are a common sight on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. On this
plant, as on all plants of the Sunflower Family, the structures that appear to be petals are actually small
flowers, called ray flowers. The ray flowers on this plant vary in color from lavender to pink to white,
and the small disk flowers that make up the center part of the flowering head are yellow. The “sepals” or
phyllaries have dense hairs that bear an oil gland at the tip. These are known as glandular hairs, and they
usually make the surface sticky to the touch. The alternate leaves are entire, often have wavy margins,
are glabrous to sparsely-hairy, and clasp the stem at the base. These perennials grow 20-45 cm tall, and
are found blooming in any open, dry area in late June through July. Nearby, you may find Oregon
Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) or Scouler’s Hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri).
The best way to tell the difference between Subalpine Fleabane and Alice’s Daisy (E. alicea) is
by looking at the leaves. If the leaves are distinctly hairy, the plant is Alice’s Daisy. If the leaves are
glabrous or only sparsely hairy, the plant is Subalpine Fleabane.
Erigeron is Greek and could mean a kind of plant or early old age. It is uncertain which meaning
is applicable or why. Peregrinus is derived from the Latin word meaning to wander or travel abroad,
perhaps referring to the seeds which are similar to those of Dandelion and are, therefore, wind dispersed.
74
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Scabland Fleabane (Erigeron bloomeri)
Photo by Bob Vos
Cut-leaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus)
Subalpine Fleabane (Erigeron peregrinus)
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Plant Descriptions
Oregon Sunshine Eriophyllum lanatum (Pursh) James Forbes var. grandiflorum (A. Gray) Jepson
Also called Woolly Sunflower, Common Woolly Sunflower, and Golden Yarrow. Native.
This yellow daisy-like flower is actually a head of many small flowers. What appears to be the
petals is actually a row of 8-13 ray flowers, and the center of the head consists of small disk flowers, from
20 to 300. If you look closely with your hand lens, you will notice that each of the disk flowers has a
short 5-lobed corolla. Although Oregon Sunshine tends to grow in clumps, there is only one flower head
at the end of each stem. Leaves are alternate and entire with wavy margins and have many fine, white
hairs that make the plant feel woolly.
Oregon Sunshine blooms from June through September on dry, open hillsides. Look for it in
open areas along USFS Road 20, the Pacific Crest Trail, and around Rabbit Ears. Coyote Mint
(Monardella odoratissima) or Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria congesta) may be blooming nearby.
In Greek, eriophyllum means woolly leaf, and lanatum is Latin for wool. Both words describe
the white, woolly hairs that grow on the leaves and stem.
Wright’s Cudweed Gnaphalium canescens DC. ssp. thermale (E.Nelson) Stebb. & Keil
A biennial or short-lived perennial, Cudweed is usually branched at the top bearing many heads
of flowers in a panicle-like arrangement. Each tiny head of flowers contains pistillate flowers around the
margin and staminate flowers in the center. All flowers are yellow. The phyllaries (sepal-like structures)
are graded in several series and make the head more or less bell shaped. Leaves are alternate, entire, and
linear. Stem, leaves, and phyllaries are covered with many white, woolly hairs giving the plant a velvety
feel, and a whitish-gray color. The entire plant is strongly scented. Cudweed grows usually 25-45 cm
tall, and is found roadside on Mount Ashland. Growing nearby, you may see a similar plant, Pearly
Everlasting (Anaphalis margariticea), or Siskiyou Penstemon (Penstemon anguineus).
Superficially, this plant resembles Pearly Everlasting (A. margariticea) because of the velvety,
whitish-gray stems and leaves. But Cudweed is a more delicate plant than Pearly Everlasting: the stems
are not as stout , the leaves are much smaller, and the flowering heads are much smaller.
Gnaphalium is Greek for lock of wool, referring to the many white, woolly hairs on the stem and
leaves. Canescens is Latin for becoming gray, again referring to the hairs which make the stem and
leaves appear to be grayish in color. Thermale means of warm springs, referring to the general habitat of
this subspecies.
Idaho Gum Weed Grindelia nana Nutt.
Also called Idaho Resin Weed, and Gum Plant. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
These large, bright yellow flowers appear to have many petals and a yellow center. Because this
flower is a composite, the petal-like structures are complete flowers, called ray flowers, and the yellow
center is made up of many tiny flowers called disk flowers. The many sepal-like structures, called
phyllaries, are curled back and highly resinous. Alternate leaves are coarsely toothed and the upper-most
leaves are reflexed. The stems are reddish-purple, glabrous, and usually branched. Gum Plant grows to
20-45 cm along USFS Road 20 at lower elevations. It blooms late July through mid-August. Next to it,
you may find White Clover (Trifolium repens) or Woolly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).
The plants in this genus are named after D.H. Grindel (1776-1836), a Latvian botanist. Nana is a
Greek word meaning dwarf; it is uncertain to what this refers.
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Plant Descriptions
Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum)
Wright’s Cudweed (Gnaphalium canescens ssp. thermale)
Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana)
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Plant Descriptions
Whitney’s Bristleweed Hazardia whitneyi (A. Gray) E. Greene var. discoidea (J. Howell) W. Clark
One terminal head of yellow flowers rises above the alternate, coarsely toothed leaves. The
tough, leathery leaves superficially resemble holly leaves. The phyllaries are long, narrow and pointed,
and are graduated in several series. The stem, which is often woody at the base, is green above and
brownish below, and bears white hairs. These perennials grow in dense clumps, and are fairly low to the
ground, growing only 15-20 cm.
One small population of Whitney’s Hazardia grows 300 feet south of the top of the Sonnet
chairlift on small rock outcrop, and more can be found on the Knoll at mile 8 on County Road 1151.
Looking around, you may see Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) or Oregon Grape (Berberis nervosa).
Barclay Hazard, a 19th century California botanist, is commemorated with this genus name. Mr.
Whitney is honored in the specific epithet. Discoidea is a Greek derivative for a round plate, and is a
descriptive word for the flowers, which are often called discoid.
Tall Sneezeweed Helenium bigelovii A. Gray
Also called Bigelow’s Sneezeweed. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
These large, yellow composite flowers seem to say, “Summer is here!” Many yellow ray flowers
surround and subtend even more yellow disk flowers. The ray flowers are strongly three-lobed, but if you
look closely at the disk flowers with your hand lens, you will see that these flowers have 4 or 5 lobes.
The disk flowers are held on a rounded receptacle. One large terminal head of flowers rises high on a
stem with alternate, entire leaves. The entire stem of this perennial and the mid-vein of the leaves carry
curly white hairs, and the lower portion of the stem is winged. Because Tall Sneezeweed prefers damp or
wet places, you will find it in all the wet meadows on the south slopes, along with Oregon Checkerbloom
(Sidalcea oregana) and perhaps Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis).
This plant is poisonous to livestock. If eaten by an animal, a poisonous glycoside accumulates in
the animal’s tissues and causes “spewing sickness.”
This showy yellow plant owes its genus name to Helen of Troy, while the specific epithet honors
John Milton Biglow (1804-1878). Mr. Bigelow was an American surgeon and botanist on the Whipple
Expedition.
White Hawkweed Hieracium albiflorum Hook.
Also called White Flowered Hawkweed. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
Another composite, a panicle of small heads bears ligulate flowers. The ligules (petal-like
structures) are white and have 5 small lobes at the tip. Each ligule is accompanied by a yellow pistil in
the center of the head. The phyllaries (sepal-like structures) are long, narrow and pointed with sparse,
long hairs. Each head-bearing stem has a scale-like bract. The erect, green, stem is densely hairy along
the lower portion. There may be a few alternate leaves along the lower part of the stem, but most of the
leaves are basal. The leaves are mostly entire, but some may be toothed, and all are long-hairy. This
perennial with milky sap is found in shaded areas. Look for it in July in wooded areas along the Pacific
Crest Trail. You may find Siskiyou Penstemon (Penstemon anguineus) or Leafy Lousewort (Pedicularis
racemosa) nearby.
It is possible that some Native Americans used this plant and its coagulated juice as chewing
gum.
Hieracium is a Greek derivative of the word for hawk, and comes from the ancient legend that
hawks ate the sap of these plants to sharpen their eyesight. The common name, Hawkweed, also arises
from this legend. Albiflorum means white flower in Latin.
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Plant Descriptions
Whitney’s Bristleweed (Hazardia whitneyi var. discoidea)
Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)
White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum)
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Plant Descriptions
Scouler’s Hawkweed Hieracium scouleri Hook.
Also called Scouler’s Woolly Weed, and Hound’s Tongue Hawkweed. Native. Sunflower family
(Asteraceae).
You will find the hairy basal leaves of this plant as early as June 1st, long before the gold-yellow
flowers appear in early July. The basal leaves are simple and entire, and exude a milky sap when broken.
The dandelion-type “flowers” grow on branching stalks, with 2 to 5 flowering heads per stalk. If leaves
are present on the stem, they are small, simple, and entire, and generally subtend a branch from the main
stalk. The stems are covered with minute, white hairs that are not nearly as noticeable as the long hairs on
the basal leaves and “sepals.” As this plant is in the Sunflower Family, what appear to be sepals are
actually phyllaries, and collectively referred to as the involucre. These erect perennials can grow 10-25
cm tall. You can find Scouler’s Hawkweed around Rabbit Ears in early July, growing near Scarlet Gilia
(Ipomopsis aggregata) and Rosy Pussytoes (Antennaria rosea).
Hieracium is a Greek derivative of the word for hawk, referring to the ancient legend that hawks
ate the sap of these plants to sharpen their eyesight. The common name, Hawkweed, also arises from this
legend. Scouleri honors Dr. John Scouler (1804-1871), a surgeon, geologist, zoologist, and botanist from
Glasgow, Scotland. He explored the coast flora of the Pacific Northwest for seven months in 1824-1825.
Hairy Cat’s Ear Hypochaeris radicata L.
Also called Rough Cat’s Ear. Non-native from Europe. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
These tall, spindly, dandelion-like “flowers” are heads made up of many small, yellow, ray
flowers, or ligulate flowers. Many of the outer ray flowers have a red-brown stripe on back. The sepallike structures, called phyllaries, are deep, dark green. Most of the leaves are basal, and they vary from
entire to toothed, and all have stiff hairs. The lower portion of the stem may bear one or two stem leaves
that would be entire and hairy. The upper portion of the stem may have very small, scale-like bracts that
have a pointed, brown tip. The flowering stems are 15-60 cm tall and usually branch to bear more than
one flowering head. Hairy Cat’s Ear blooms from mid-July through August along County Road 1151,
often growing near Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens var. shastensis) and Scouler’s
Hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri).
Hypochaeris is the ancient Greek name given by Theophrastus (370-285 B.C.), a disciple of
Aristotle who established the vocabulary for plant morphology. His concepts remained basically
unchanged until the advent of microscopes. Radicata is a combination of Greek and Latin words that
means downward spoke or downward ray.
Shasta Tansy Aster Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) A. Gray var. shastensis (A. Gray) B. Turner
Also called Shasta Hoary Aster. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
It appears that the yellow “flowers” of this perennial have no petals. That is because what
appears to be one flower is not a flower at all. Rather, it is a head of many tiny flowers! Using your hand
lens, you should be able to distinguish each tiny flower: a radiate corolla with 5 lobes and a long pistil
extending from the center. The head of flowers is subtended by many green bracts, which are collectively
referred to as the involucre. The involucre, which may be mistaken for sepals, has glandular hairs making
them sticky to the touch. The severral flowering heads are borne at the tips of the many branches which
are covered with dense, fine, grayish-white hairs. The alternate leaves have shallow teeth, especially
toward the base of leaf. The uppermost leaves are glandular.
Shasta Tansy Aster blooms from mid-July through mid-August along County Road 1151, and in
dry, open areas along the Pacific Crest Trail. It is usually found below 6500 feet in elevation, and often
grows next to Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) and Hairy Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata).
Derived from several Greek words, machaeranthera means sword-like anthers, obviously
referring to the shape of the anthers. Canescens is Latin for becoming gray, referring to the grayish-white
hairs on the stems. Shastensis is a Latinized version of Shasta, indicating the general range of this
subspecies.
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Plant Descriptions
Scouler’s Hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri)
Hairy Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens var. shastensis)
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Plant Descriptions
Bolander’s Madia Madia bolanderi (A. Gray) A. Gray
Also called Bolander’s Tarweed. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
8-12 showy, deep yellow ray flowers surround many yellow disk flowers that have black anthers.
This bold “flower” appears to have yellow petals and a center that is yellow and black-dotted. Below all
the flowers are many green bracts that might be mistaken for sepals. These bracts are called phyllaries,
and they are covered with glands that contain a sticky oil. The large, heavy flowering heads are borne at
the terminus of several branches. The fairly stout stems are covered with hairs that are tipped with black
glands that also contain the same sticky oil. Go ahead – touch the stem. Pretty sticky, eh? The leaves are
opposite on the lower half of the stem and alternate above, and they vary from entire to shallowly toothed.
Bolander’s Madia blooms from mid-July through mid-September on the south slopes in wet
meadows and along streams. Nearby, you will find Oregon Saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana) and a little
belly flower called Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides).
Madia is a Chilean name because many of the plants in this genus grow in southwest South
America. Bolanderi recognizes Henry Nicholas Bolander (1832-1897), a German-born American
botanist who was known in his time as the “State Botanist for California.” For many years, he collected
plants in the San Francisco area.
Mountain Tarweed Madia glomerata Hook.
Also called Stinking Tarweed. Native. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
To experience everything this little flower has to offer, first you should touch the top of the stem
around the base of the flowering head. You’ll notice that it is very sticky – the result of glands that
contain sticky oils. Now smell your fingers. Yuck! Indeed, Stinking Tarweed is an appropriate name!
The slender stem of this stinky little plant bears one to several flowering heads. The lower
portion of the stem is soft-hairy to bristly and the upper portion, as you already experienced, is glandular.
Often the stem is simple with no branches; however, on some plants the stems branch once or twice and
each branch bears a flowering head. There are usually only two to four small yellow ray flowers that
surround many tiny yellow disk flowers that have black anthers. So, the center of the flower appears to
be black-dotted. The narrow, lanceolate leaves tend to be opposite on the lower half of the stem and
alternate above. They can vary from entire to shallowly toothed.
Mountain Tarweed is found on dry, gravelly soil on the south slopes. It is abundant along USFS
Road 20 from the picnic area to Grouse Gap shelter. It blooms from early- to mid-July through midAugust, keeping company with Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus var. lyallii) and Large-flowered Collomia
(Collomia grandiflora).
Madia is a Chilean name because many of the plants in this genus grow in southwest South
America. Derived from a Latin word, glomerata means a ball, referring to the spherical flowering heads.
Slender Tarweed Madia gracilis (Smith) Keck
The slender stem of this graceful plant is highly branched bearing many flowering heads in the
leaf axils. There are usually only two to four small yellow ray flowers that surround many tiny yellow
disk flowers that have black anthers. Therefore, the center of the flower appears to be black-dotted. The
calyxes are densely hairy with black glandular tips. When the fruits mature, the papery, cream-colored
chaff scales remain attached to the receptable. The alternate, entire, narrow leaves vary in shape from
linear, to elliptic, to oblanceolate and are white hairy. The lower portion of the stems are bristly to long
soft-hairy and the upper portion is covered with hairs that have a black, glandular tip.
Slender Tarweed is found in many different habitats. Look for it along USFS Road 20 from the
picnic area to Grouse Gap shelter. It blooms in September, next to Changeable Phacelia (Phacelia
mutabilis) and Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus var. lyallii).
Many of the plants in this genus grow in the area of Chile in South America, therefore Madia is a
Chilean name. Gracilis is derived from the Latin word for slender, referring to the stems.
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Plant Descriptions
Bolander’s Madia (Madia bolanderi)
Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata)
Slender Tarweed (Madia gracilis)
83
Plant Descriptions
Alpine Lake Prairie Dandelion Nothocalais alpestris (A. Gray) Chambers
As the name suggusts, this flower superficially looks like a scrawny Dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale). Bright yellow flowering heads, made up of 13 or more ligulate flowers, sit atop leafless
stems. The phyllaries, green structures below the flowers that could be mistaken for sepals, are glabrous,
and evenly and finely purple-dotted. The many basal leaves vary in shape from linear to widely
oblanceolate (widest toward the tip), and also vary from entire to toothed to pinnately lobed.
Alpine Lake Prairie Dandelion blooms early in the subalpine season, and are short-lived. They
can be found usually from mid-June through late-June, on the dry, gravelly south slopes, perhaps
blooming next to California Indian Potato (Orogenia fusiformis) or Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa).
Nothocalais is derived from Greek and means false Calais; the derivation and meaning of Calais
is unknown. Alpestris is New Latin for mountains, referring to the habitat of this flower.
Western Coneflower Rudbeckia occidentalis Nutt. var. occidentalis
Wow! A native coneflower on Mount Ashland! The stout stem is usually simple, but may have
one or two branches near the top. Each branch bears one terminal large flowering head that appears to be
missing something. This plant has no petal-like structures, that is there are no ray flowers. Only dark
purple-brownish disk flowers are held on a cone-shaped receptacle. Beneath the disk flowers, the long,
narrow phyllaries are reflexed. Don’t be fooled – these are not sepals. This perennial has basal leaves and
alternate stem leaves that vary from entire to shallowly toothed, and also vary from glabrous to hairy.
The leaves can be up to 30 cm long, while the entire plant usually grows from 120 – 150 cm.
I found Western Coneflower only in one wet meadow along the Pacific Crest Trail. If you locate
the trailhead of the PCT on USFS Road 20, just beyond the Bull Gap trailhead, and hike south along the
trail, after a short hike through the woods, you’ll come to an open wet meadow. Western Coneflower
grows right next to the trail through this wet meadow, along with Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
and American Sawwort (Saussurea americana).
O.J. Rudbeck (1630-1702) and O.O. Rudbeck (1660-1740) were professors of botany at Upsala
Sweden. They are both honored in this genus name. Occidentalis is derived from the Latin word
meaning western, referring to the western range of this flower.
American Sawwort Saussurea americana D. Eaton
One fairly stout stem bears 3 to 12 small flowering heads with purple disk flowers. The terminal
flowering heads have no petal-like structures, or ray flowers. The phyllaries are pale green with dark tips
and have sparse woolly hairs. The stem also has sparse woolly hairs, and is very leafy, with alternate
leaves from 5-15 cm long and coarsely toothed. This perennial reaches heights of 90-150 cm.
You will find American Sawwort in the wet meadows on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. It
blooms in August in the company of Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) and California False
Hellebore (Veratrum californicum).
Theodore and Horace Saussure, 18th century Swiss naturalists, are remembered in this genus
name. Americana is derived from Latin and means of or from America.
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Plant Descriptions
Alpine Lake Prairie Dandelion (Nothocalais alpestris)
Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)
American Sawwort (Saussurea americana)
85
Plant Descriptions
Silky Raillardella Raillardella argentea (A. Gray) A. Gray
Silky Raillardella is an inconspicuous, unimpressive plant (as far as appearances go, any way).
The yellow flowering heads are made up of disk flowers only, the “flower,” which is actually a head of
many tiny flowers, appears to have no “petals.” The leafless flowering stem rises only an inch or two
above the mat of basal leaves. The leaves are entire and completely covered with long, fine, soft white
hairs.
This low-growing, mat-forming perennial grows only on the summit of Mount Ashland around
the top of the bowl between the weather station buildings. You’ll find it blooming from mid-July through
mid-August near Jayne’s Canyon Buckwheat (Eriogonum diclinum) and fluffy fruiting heads of
Drummond’s Anemone (Anemone drummondii).
When you consider the environmental implications of this flower’s habitat, the plant no longer
seems unimpressive. Rather, it is absolutely remarkable that any plant can survive under these conditions.
In the late fall and early winter, before the snows begin, this section of Mount Ashland is subject to high
velocity winds. These winds not only provide a mechanical challenge for the plants to overcome, but it
also dries out the soil. Later in the winter, the area is covered by a large amount of snow, and on top of
the snow, skiers line up for the exciting rush down “the bowl.” When the snows melt and spring begins,
this is the first area to dry out as the winds kick up again. Then the brutal sun of summer adds not only to
the evaporative effect, but showers the plants with damaging ultra-violet light. Silky Raillardella is, in
fact, quite an impressive little flower.
Riallardella is of Latin derivation and means little raillardia. The derivation and meaning of
raillardia is uncertain. Argentea is derived from the Latin word meaning silver or silvery, referring to the
leaves that are covered with long, white hairs, making the leaves look silvery.
Western Butterweed Senecio integerrimus Nutt. var. major (A. Gray) Cronq.
Also called Columbia Ragwort, Tower Butterweed, and Tall Western Senecio. Native. Sunflower
Small yellow radiate flowers consist of 8-13 ray flowers, which superficially resemble petals,
surrounding 20-50 tiny disk flowers in the center. The ray flowers vary from bright yellow to off-white,
while the disk flowers are always yellow. Phyllaries, structures that superficially resemble sepals, are
green with a minute black tip. (The black-tipped phyllaries are the best characteristic for determining
whether a composite plant is in the genus Senecio.) The erect unbranching stem yields 6-20 of these
flowering heads in a corymb. The leaves are generally lanceolate, and the margins of the alternate leaves
vary from entire to wavy to shallowly and coarsely toothed. The leaf stem is small, if it is there at all.
Stem and leaves are soft hairy. Western Butterweed is a biennial or perennial and grows 20-50 cm.
You will find Western Butterweed in dry soil usually at forest edges, but sometimes in open
meadows. It blooms through June and early July, along with Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium
nuttallianum) and Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria congesta var. congesta).
Senecio is a Latin derivative meaning old man, referring to the white pappus on each tiny flower
that can only be viewed with a hand lens or magnifying glass after plucking an individual flower from the
head. Integerrimus is based on the Latin word for whole, complete, or entire. This refers to the leaf
margins which are usually entire.
86
Plant Descriptions
Silky Raillardella (Raillardella argentea)
Western Butterweed (Senecio integerrimus var. major)
87
Plant Descriptions
Arrowhead Butterweed Senecio triangularis Hook.
Also called Arrow-leaf Ragwort, Arrowleaf Groundsel, and Spear-head Senecio. Native.
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
The yellow flowering heads of Arrowhead Butterweed look just like the flowering heads of
Western Butterweed (S. integerrimus). The leaf shape and habitat are the primary differences between
the two plants. Western Butterweed has lanceolate leaves and is found in dry soil, while Arrowhead
Butterweed has distinctly triangular-shaped leaves (hence, the name Arrowhead) and is found in wet soil.
The leaf margins of Arrowhead Butterweed are usually coarsely toothed, but on some plants the leaves
could be entire. The erect stem is glabrous, very leafy, and reaches heights of 30-85 cm.
Senecio is a Latin derivative meaning old man, referring to the white pappus on each tiny flower
that can only be viewed with a hand lens or magnifying glass after plucking an individual flower from the
head. Triangularis is derived from Latin and means three corners, obviously referring to the shape of the
leaves.
Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis L. ssp. elongata (Nutt.) Keck
Also called Graceful Goldenrod, and Meadow Goldenrod. Native. Sunflower Family
(Asteraceae).
Many small yellow flowering heads are arranged in a long, diamond shaped panicle: the panicle
is widest in the center and tapered at the top and bottom. The flowering heads are only 3-5 mm wide, and
are displayed at the top of a tall, leafy stem. Alternate leaves are irregularly toothed and prominently
three-veined. The erect stem stands 30-150 cm tall.
I saw only one or two Canada Goldenrod plants blooming in the open meadow close to the picnic
area and above USFS Road 20 from mid-July through mid-August. Seep Monkey Flower (Mimulus
guttatus) may be found in the nearby wet area, while Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytum diffusum)
may be found in the surrounding dry soil.
Goldenrods are often blamed for hay fever, but this common summer ailment is more likely the
result of pollen from the inconspicuous flowers of Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.). Old herbalists believed
Goldenrod to have curative properties. Although this has since been disproved, the Latin name remained
the same: solidus which means whole, ago which means to make, and so…to cure. Several species of
solidago are used to make excellent yellow dyes.
From Latin, solidago means to cure, referring to the healing properties of some of the plants in
this genus. Canadensis is New Latin meaning of Canada, referring either to the location of the first plant
of this species that was identified, or referring to the preferred range of this species. Elongata means
elongated and probably refers to the long inflorescence.
Yellow Salsify Tragopogon dubius Scop.
Also called Yellow Goatsbeard. Non-native from Europe. Sunflower Family (Asteraceae).
A solitary yellow, radiate flowering head is snuggled inside the narrow, green, lanceolate
phyllaries that are longer than the yellow ligules. These ligulate flowering heads are made up of only ray
flowers - there are no disk flowers – with black anthers. The alternate leaves are grasslike: long, linear,
and entire. The base of each leaf wraps half way around the unbranching stem. The stem, leaves, and
phyllaries are glabrous and glaucous, except at the stem nodes where a patch of woolly hairs marks the
spot. The erect stem widens at the top, just below the flowering head. When broken, the stem and leaves
exude a milky sap.
This biennial or perennial blooms mid-July through late-August in dry, open meadows on the
south slopes. If you look around, you may also see Large-flowered Agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) or
Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus var. lyallii).
Tragopogon comes from Greek for goat’s beard, possibly referring to the thin, tapering, tufted,
grass-like leaves. It is uncertain to what the name, dubius, refers but it is Latin for doubtful.
88
Plant Descriptions
Arrowhead Butterweed (Senecio triangularis)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius)
89
Plant Descriptions
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Wigg.
Also called Lion’s Tooth, Blowball, Priest’s Crown, Swine’s Snout, Fortuneteller, Doonhead
Clock, and Wet-a-Bed. (Asteraceae).
Dandelions are so common and familiar that they hardly need description. Suffice it to say they
are bright yellow flowers with lobed basal leaves that resemble lion’s teeth.
Dandelions are first mentioned in 1513 while Henry VIII was on the throne in England. King
Henry’s gardener maintained a perfectly manicured lawn and bowling green at Hampton Court Palace
(Ward-Harris, 1983). The gardener hand cut the greens with a scythe, and pulled out dandelions by hand.
Dandelions have been eaten and used for medicines for centuries. Dandelion is used for so many
medical treatments that many herbalists refer to this plant as “nature’s medicine cabinet.” During World
War II, dandelion roots were ground up and roasted and used as a substitute for coffee. The plant is still
cultivated in France as a salad vegetable. Dandelion leaves contain iron, phosphorus, sodium, and large
amounts of calcium and potassium. They are rich in vitamins B and C, and have more vitamin A than any
garden plant. The flowers are used to make a delicious sweet wine (I’ve tried it!) and beer. Gypsies used
the roots for a magenta dye, and Scotsmen made the same dye for their tartans using the whole plant, or
just the roots. Experiments among weavers in North America have shown that dandelions on this side of
the Atlantic yield only a yellow dye.
Taraxacum appears to stem from the Greek word, tarassein, which means to stir up, possibly
relating to the plant’s medicinal purposes. The specific name, officinale, is equivalent to early English
“medicinal” since dandelion leaves make a tea for coughs, fevers, and internal inflammations. The root is
diuretic, hence one of the French names, Pissenlit – Wet-a-Bed.
Barberry Family (Berberidaceae)
Oregon Grape Mahonia nervosa (Pursh) Nutt., or Berberis nervosa Pursh
Also called Dwarf Oregon Grape, Long-leaved Oregon Grape, Little Oregon Grape, Mahonia,
Holly Grape, Barberry, and Cascade Barberry. Native. Barberry Family (Berberidaceae).
A shrub with holly-like leaves, Oregon Grape is one of a kind on Mount Ashland. The yellow,
radial flowers have 6 petals in two whorls of three and 6 stamens. Beneath the petals are 9 green sepals in
three whorls of three. The alternate, bright green, waxy leaves are compound with 7 to 23 spine-toothed
leaflets. The bright, yellow flowers appear in late June, and the blue-purple berries ripen in August.
This erect shrub is found mostly on the north slopes at the forest edge. Nearby, look for Golden
Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophyllus) and Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula).
The berries of this plant are edible and make good jam. A medicinal tea can be made from the
root bark, and a yellow dye can be made from the entire root. The root bark tea can be mixed with a tea
made from Prince’s Pine (Chimophila umbellata) and used as a remedy for kidney problems. The roots
of some of the plants in this genus are often toxic, with spines that may inject fungal spores into the skin.
The meaning and derivation of the genus name, Mahonia, is uncertain. Nervosa is Latin for vein
or nerve. This could refer to the obvious leaf veins, or this specific epithet could imply that the toxic
substances in the roots affect the nervous system. Berberis is the Latin derivation of the ancient Arabic
name for Barberry.
90
Plant Descriptions
Dandelion (Taraxacum offinale)
Oregon Grape (Berberis nervosa)
91
Plant Descriptions
Borage Family (Boraginaceae)
Weak-stem Cryptantha Cryptantha flaccida (Lehm.) E. Greene
Native. Borage Family (Boraginaceae).
The coiled cymes are made up of many small, white flowers. Each radial flower has 5 sepals that
are strongly bristly-hairy, 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil. There is only fruit, called a nutlet, per flower.
The nutlets have smooth, shiny backs and a closed groove above the scar. The lowermost leaves are more
or less opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate. All leaves are narrow, linear or oblanceolate, and
bristly-hairy; bristles on lower surface are bulbous-based. The branches stem is also bristly-hairy, and the
bristles are mostly spreading, while some are ascending. This annual grows 5-30 cm tall.
Look for Weak-stem Cryptantha in dry, open areas from early- to mid-July, with Mountain
Tarweed (Madia glomerata) and Palmer’s Catchfly (Silene bernardina).
In Greek, cryptantha means hidden flowers. This refers to the flowers of some species in this
genus that are bud-like, un-opening, and usually self-pollinating. Flaccida is derived from the Latin word
for flabby or feeble, referring to the weak stem of this slender annual.
Pinewoods Cryptantha Cryptantha simulans E. Greene
Native. Borage Family (Boraginaceae).
Dainty, white, inconspicuous flowers adorn this annual. The inflorescence is an open cyme. The
small radial flowers have 5 sepals that are strongly bristly-hairy, 5 petals that each measure 1-2 mm wide,
5 stamens, and 1 pistil. The mature fruits of flowers in the Borage family are referred to as nutlets.
Pinewoods Cryptantha has 4 nutlets, each with a granular back and a closed groove above the scar. The
lowermost leaves are more or less opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate. They are entire, and
narrow with bristly hairs that are ascending to appressed. The stem, which is branched throughout,
usually reaches 5-40 cm, and has bristly hairs that are ascending to appressed. You will need your hand
lens to clearly see the hairs.
Pinewoods Cryptantha blooms in dry, open areas from mid- to late July. Look for it along USFS
Road 20 near the ski area parking lot, with Alice’s Daisy (Erigeron alicea) and Pineapple Weed
(Chamomilla suaveolens) growing nearby.
In Greek, cryptantha means hidden flowers. This refers to the flowers of some species in this
genus that are bud-like, un-opening, and usually self-pollinating. Simulans is derived from the Latin for a
likeness, or to imitate. It is uncertain to what this description refers.
Torrey’s Cryptantha Cryptantha torreyana (A. Gray) E. Greene
Also called Torrey’s Cat’s Eye. Native. Borage Family (Boraginaceae).
Tiny white flowers are borne in a cyme that is coiled in flower and open in fruit. The radial
flowers have 5 sepals that are bristly-hairy, 5 petals that each measure about 1 mm wide, 5 stamens, and 1
pistil. When the 4 nutlets are ripe, they each measure a little longer than 1 mm, have a shiny back, and a
raised, closed groove above the scar. The entire nutlet is brown, mottled with black. The alternate leaves
are entire. The branched stem and leaves have bristly hairs that are spreading to ascending. This annual
grows 10-40 cm.
Torrey’s Cryptantha is found in dry to moist open areas. Look for it especially around the ski
lodge, growing next to Woolly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata).
In Greek, cryptantha means hidden flowers, referring to the flowers of some species in this genus
that are bud-like, un-opening, and usually self-pollinating. John Torrey (1796-1873), an American
botanist who explored the west coast of North America and authored 5 major floras is honored in this
species name.
92
Plant Descriptions
Weak-stem Cryptantha (Cryptantha flaccida)
Photo by Donald Myrick,
Pinewoods Cryptantha (Cryptantha simulans)
Torrey’s Cryptantha (Cryptantha torreyanna)
93
Plant Descriptions
Jessica’s Stickseed Hackelia micrantha (Eastw.) J. Gentry
Also called Jessica’s Tickweed, and Jessica Stick-tight. Native. Borage Family (Boraginaceae).
These flirty little flowers have five petals that are bluish-lavender, turning pink with age. The
yellow center of this regular flower is surrounded by a white, textured ring. The inflorescence is a
terminal panicle, with axillary flowers on the upper part of the stem. The simple, entire leaves are
alternate and have no petiole. The stem is highly branched, and usually stands 25-60 cm tall, and usually
grows in the shade of trees with Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) and Showy Jacob’s Ladder
(Polemonium californicum). Look for this perennial around Rabbit Ears and the Grouse Gap Shelter mid
to late June, and in wetter areas through the end of July.
The common name for this plant, Stickseed, is a result of the barbed spines that form a ring
around the seeds. Because of these barbed spines, the seeds stick to everything! J. Hackel, a Czeck
botanist born in 1783, lends his name to this genus. Appropriately, micrantha means small flower in
Greek.
Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)
Spreading Pod Rockcress Arabis xdivaricarpa Nelson (pro sp.) [drummondii x holboellii]
Native. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
As all members of the Mustard Family, these radial flowers have four petals that are arranged in a
cross-like fashion. The petals are pale pink to lavender. The inflorescence is a raceme, which typically
matures from bottom to top. Because of this, you will often see flowers near the top of the plant and
fruits below the flowers. The fruits of this perennial are elongated siliques, and they point upward in a
spreading manner. The leaves are alternate and toothed to entire. The lower leaves are often sagittate and
clasping the stem. The erect stem and leaves are sparsely hairy with branched hairs. This plant usually
grows to 30-45 cm. Look for this one in dry, open areas around Rabbit Ears and upward to the summit,
and on the upper portion of the ski slopes. This one blooms in June and early July and fruits can be seen
through mid-August.
Because the flower petals of most members in this family are arranged similar to a Maltese cross,
the old name for this family was Cruciferae. Arabis is Latin, meaning of Arabia. Divaricarpa is a
combination of Latin and Greek roots that mean “spreading fruits,” because the mature fruits are only
slightly erect, spreading from the stem. The “x” in front of divericarpa indicates that this plant is a hybrid
between two other species – Arabis drummondii and Arabis holboellii.
Tower Rockcress Arabis glabra (L.) Benth. var. glabra
Also called Smooth Rockcress. Native. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
These radial flowers have 4 green sepals, 4 petals arranged similarly to a Maltese cross, 6 stamens
(4 long and 2 short) and 1 pistil. The petals vary in color from cream to lavender. The alternate stem
leaves are sessile and clasp the stem, and vary from lobed (sagittate) to entire to toothed. The stout stem
is usually simple, rarely branched, and stands erect 40-120 cm tall.
This biennial grows in open meadows. Look for it along the Pacific Crest Trail on the south side
of Grouse Gap Shelter. Look for other Rockcresses (Arabis sp.) growing nearby, along with Spreading
Ground Smoke (Gayophytum diffusum).
Arabis is derived from the Latin word for “of Arabia.” Glabra is derived from the Latin word for
smooth, referring to the absence of hairs.
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Plant Descriptions
Jessica’s Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha)
Photo by Lee Dittman
Spreading Pod Rockcress (Arabis xdivaricarpa)
Tower Rockcress (Arabis glabra var. glabra)
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Plant Descriptions
Holboell’s Rockcress Arabis holboellii Hornem. var. retrofracta (Graham) Rydb.
Also called Second Rockcress. Native. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
The pale pink, lavender or white flowers of Holboell’s Rockcress are radial with four petals. If
you look in the center of the flowers, you will find six stamens – four long and two short. This is a
characteristic of the Mustard Family. The fruits of this perennial are strongly reflexed (pointing
downward). The alternate sessile leaves are entire to shallowly toothed with minute multi-branched hairs
hairs. The erect stem, also with multi-branched hairs, grows to 20-45 cm. Holboell’s Rockcress can be
found in dry, open areas along the Pacific Crest Trail, and from Rabbit Ears to the summit. It blooms in
June and the long, thin fruits, called siliques, are obvious through mid-August.
Arabis is Latin, meaning of Arabia. Holboell's Rockcress was first described for science in 1828
by Jens Wilken Hornemann (1770-1841), professor of botany at Copenhagen. He dedicated the specific
epithet to the eminent Danish ornithologist Carl Peter Holboell (1795-1856). Retrofracta is Latin for
broken backwards, referring to the mature fruits which point down to the ground.
Lyall’s Rockcress Arabis lyallii S. Watson var. lyallii
Lyall’s Rockcress has radial flowers arranged in a raceme. The flowers have four spoon-shaped
petals that vary in color from rose to lavender. When the fruits mature, they are straight and glabrous, and
are held erect to spreading. These fruits are wider than most Rockcresses, and the seeds inside have a
narrowly winged margin. The branched stems of this perennial are glabrous, while the alternate, sessile
leaves have tiny multibranched hairs. These hairs can usually only be seen with a hand lens. Leaf
margins are entire. This generally erect plant is low-growing, measuring less than 15 cm.
Lyall’s Rockcress generally is found in rocky areas, and the best place to find it on Mount
Ashland is in the bowl area on the north slopes, blooming in June. In and around the bowl, you might
also find Drummond’s Anemone (Anemone drummondii) and Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon
davidsonii).
Arabis is Latin, meaning of Arabia. David Lyall (1817-1895) is remembered in this specific
epithet. Lyall was a British surgeon and botanist who collected many valuable plant specimens from
Antarctica, New Zealand, and western North America.
Pioneer Rockcress Arabis platysperma A. Gray var. platysperma
Also called Flat-pod Rockcress. Native. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
These four-petaled flowers vary in color from pink to white. The few (if any) stem leaves are
sessile and entire. The upper leaves are glabrous. The many basal leaves are entire and oblanceolate
(widest just below the tip). The erect seedpods are broad (up to 5 mm wide), and are more like a legume
than a typical silique. The base of these plants is woody. This one will be found only on the very dry,
rocky slopes of the summit and in some places along the County Road 1151 between mile 8 and the ski
lodge parking lot. Pioneer Rockcress blooms in June but the seedpods will be obvious through midAugust.
Arabis is Latin, meaning of Arabia. Platysperma is Greek for broad, flat seeds. Indeed, this plant
is most noticeable when the fruits are mature, and the wide, flat seed pods are obvious.
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Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Holboell’s Rockcress (Arabis holboellii var. retrofracta)
Lyall’s Rockcress (Arabis lyallii)
Pioneer Rockcress (Arabis platysperma)
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Plant Descriptions
Shepherd’s Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus
Non-native from Europe. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
A flower of disturbed sites, you will only find this annual in the gravel around the ski lodge. The
small white to lavender flowers are radial with four petals. The inflorescence is a raceme. The alternate
leaves are entire with bases that clasp the stem. Basal leaves are shallowly to deeply lobed with short
hairs. The fruits of this plant are very distinctive – they are more or less heart shaped and roughly
resemble the purse of a shepherd.
In Europe, this plant has been widely used for its edible leaves and peppery-tasting seeds.
Capsella is Latin for little box; bursa is Latin for purse, and pastoris is Latin for shepherd, all referring to
the shape of the fruits.
Nuttall’s Toothwort Cardamine nuttallii E. Greene var. gemmata (E. Greene) Rollins
Also called Bittercress. Native. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae).
Toothwort has four petals arranged radially. Their color varies from pale pink to lavender, and
rarely white. The stem leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with five to seven narrow leaflets.
The basal leaves are quite different from the stem leaves. They are compound with three leaflets. Each
leaflet is shallowly lobed, and the lower surface is purplish, while the upper surface is green. Basal leaves
are not always obviously attached to the plant because they are attached to the underground rhizome.
Fruits are slender, elongated siliques, and often appear with the flowers – flowers at the top of the raceme,
fruits at the bottom. Look for Toothwort in moist, wooded areas on the Knoll.
Cardamine is Greek for a species of cress. Nuttallii is derived Thomas Nuttall’s name. Nuttall
(1786-1859) explored the largest portion of the U.S. than any other botanist in the 1800s. Originally from
England, Nuttall came to the U.S. in 1807 and described many new plant species for North America.
Gemmata is Latin for a bud. The common name, Toothwort, comes from the old Latin name for the
genus, dentaria, which means tooth and refers to the tooth-like underground corms. Wort is an old
English word for plant.
Mountain Tansy Mustard Descurainia incisa (A. Gray) Britton ssp. incisa
Many small, yellow flowers grow in tight racemes that elongate as the fruits mature. Each radial
flower has four petals that surround six stamens – four long and two short. The long, slender fruits are
called siliques. Because the flowers mature from the bottom of the raceme toward the top, you will often
find mature fruits below the bright flowers. The green leaves are pinnately lobed or compound and grow
alternately along a reddish-brown stem. The stem can be simple or branched. Tansy Mustard is most
often seen in shaded areas and along the borders of wet areas on the south slopes. Growing nearby, you
may find Orange Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) or Siskiyou Penstemon (Penstemon anguineus).
This genus is named after the French botanist, F. Descourain (1658 – 1740). Incisa is derived
from Latin and means cut into, probably referring to the pinnately lobed or compound leaves.
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Plant Descriptions
Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Nuttall’s Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii var. gemmata)
Mountain Tansy Mustard (Descurainia incisa var. incisa)
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Plant Descriptions
Western Wallflower Erysimum capitatum (Douglas) E. Greene ssp. capitatum
Also called Wallflower, Rough Wallflower, Sanddune Wallflower, and Douglas’s Wallflower.
Native. Brassicaceae (Mustard family).
These bright orange-gold-yellow flowers are radial with four petals and six stamens – four long
and two short. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme. Most likely, you will find flowers along the upper
portion of the raceme and ripening fruits along the lower portion of the raceme. The fruits are referred to
as siliques, and are characteristic of the Mustard Family. The stem leaves are simple, alternate and very
shallowly toothed, with the upper leaves sometimes appearing entire. The erect stem is round with minute
bristly hairs, so that the plant feels rough when you rub fingers down the stem. This biennial grows to
about 25-45 cm tall. Look for this flower around Rabbit Ears through June and July.
In Greek, erysimum means to help, referring to the many medicinal species in this genus.
Capitatum is Latin for head.
Virginia Pepperweed Lepidium virginicum L. var. virginicum
Also called Peppergrass. Subspecies probably not native to Oregon. Mustard Family
(Brassicaceae).
Small white flowers with four petals grow in a tight raceme that elongates as the fruits mature.
The fruits are deep magenta to purple, circular, but flat in cross section. The basal leaves are fairly large
and pinnately lobed to dissected. The alternate stem leaves are small and entire. The highly branched
stems grow to 60 cm. I have found this annual growing only near the wooden fence along the parking lot
at the ski area. Virginia Pepperweed blooms in early July. Growing nearby, look for another plant that is
only found near the ski area parking lot, Bushy Blazing Star (Mentzelia dispersa), and the tiny belly
flower, Red Sand Spurry (Spergularia rubra).
Lepidium is Greek for little scale, referring to the shape of the fruit. Virginicum is of Greek
derivation and means of Virginia. Probably, this flower was first identified in or near the state of
Virginia.
Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae)
California Harebell Campanula prenanthoides Durand
Also called California Bluebell. Native. Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae).
Blue flowers are hard to find on Mount Ashland, but here is one that brightens the woods. Bright
blue bell-shaped flowers have five reflexed petals that are backed by five green spreading sepals. The
radial flower has five stamens and one long, blue pistil that is greatly exserted. California Harebell shows
off its flowers in a loose, sometimes drooping raceme. Below the inflorescence, the linear, toothed leaves
have a very short petiole (less than 5 mm), or none at all. The leaves are usually 1-6 cm long. The
reclining to erect stem grows to 20-60 cm, and the leaves and stem can be glabrous or short-hairy.
This perennial is found in dry, semi-open woods. Look for it on north slopes along the Bull Gap
Trail in August. Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) or White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola
picta) may be blooming nearby.
Campanula is Latin for little bell, and is indicative of the shape of the flower. Prenanthoides is
Greek for drooping flower, describing how the flower grows on the stem.
100
Plant Descriptions
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum)
Photo by Bob Vos
Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum var. virginicum)
California Harebell (Campanula prenanthoides)
101
Plant Descriptions
Pale Bellflower Campanula scouleri A. DC
Also called Scouler’s Bluebell. Native. Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae).
Pale Bellflower has pale blue, to whitish bell-shaped flowers with 5 reflexed petals. Behind the
petals are five green spreading sepals. The center of the flower bears five stamens and one strongly
exserted pistil. One to five flowers are displayed on a one-sided raceme. The alternate leaves are sharply
and coarsely toothed. The lower leaves are broadly oval or egg-shaped with long stalks, while the upper
leaves become increasingly narrower and less stalked. The slender stem is either reclining or erect and
usually 20-30 cm long.
This perennial is generally found in dry woods. On Mount Ashland, look for it in the forest of the
north slopes, perhaps along the Bull Gap Trail. It usually blooms around August, and may be found near
its close relative, California Harebell (C. prenanthoides), or perhaps Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata).
Pale Bellflower is similar to California Harebell (C. prenanthoides), but there are some
characteristics that make it easy to distinguish the two. The flowers of Pale Bellflower are a lighter blue
than those of California Harebell. The leaves of Pale Bellflower are broad and have a long stalk, while
those of California Harebell are narrow and more or less sessile.
Campanula is Latin for little bell, and is indicative of the shape of the flower. Scouleri venerates
Dr. John Scouler (1804-1871), a surgeon and naturalist from Glasgow, Scotland. He came to the Pacific
Northwest in 1824 as the ship surgeon on a Hudson Bay Company ship. He collected plants in the
Oregon and Washington area with David Douglas from 1824-1825.
Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae)
Twinflower Linnaea borealis L. var. longiflora Torrey
Also called American Twinflower. Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
Twinflower shyly displays two nodding flowers at the forked tip of a slender stem. The bellshaped, radial flowers have five lobes that can vary in color from white to pale pink to red. Small,
opposite, evergreen leaves that are slightly shiny and sticky looking are at the base of the flowering stem.
The margins of the oval leaves are primarily entire, but some may have a few shallow teeth. The
flowering stems stand 5-20 cm and arise from a slender trailing runner. When the fruits mature, they
form sticky burrs that are easily dispersed by animals and humans. Look for Twinflower in the moist,
coniferous woods on the north slopes at lower elevations.
One source claims that Native Americans made a decoction of the leaves to treat colds, but I can’t
imagine anyone bold enough to deface this beauty by stealing its leaves.
Gronovius, one of Carl Linnaeus’s teachers, honored Linnaeus (Carl von Linne, 1707-1778) by
naming this flower after him because he knew this was Linnaeus’s favorite flower. Linnaeus is
responsible for developing our current taxonomic scheme for naming plants. Borealis comes from Greek
meaning north or northern, referring to the circumboreal range this plant. Twinflower can be found in
Sweden, Russia, China, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest.
102
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Pale Bellflower (Campanula scouleri)
Twinflower (Linnaea borealis)
103
Plant Descriptions
Orange Honeysuckle Lonicera ciliosa (Pursh) Poiret
Also called Trumpet Honeysuckle, Western Trumpet Honeysuckle, and Northwest Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
Branch ends bear whorls of orange-yellow narrowly trumpet shaped flowers. Five lobes flare at
the end revealing 5 stamens and 1 pistil that are slightly exserted from the petals. If you look inside the
flower tube, you will discover a dense mess of tiny hairs. The opposite leaves have entire margins that
are also covered with very fine hairs, and the end pair of leaves on each twig are united to form one round
leaf that completely encircles the stem. The woody branches of this shrub are trailing or high climbing. In
its effort to reach the light, Orange Honeysuckle often climbs into the tree tops, leaving behind scars of its
stranglehold on the trees to which it clings. You will probably find Orange Honeysuckle at lower
elevations in the forest.
As expected, hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies are attracted by the orange color, and are
able to reach the nectar with their long tongues and proboscis.
Adam Lonitzer, a 16th century German botanist, is honored by the generic name. Ciliosa means
hairy or ciliate, referring to the hairs inside the flower and on the leaf margins.
Wedded Honeysuckle Lonicera conjugialis Kellogg
Also called Purple-flower Honeysuckle. Native. Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
Wedded Honeysuckle is an erect shrub with small, paired, dark red flowers. The axillary flowers
are bilateral with 4 lobes on the top lip and one down-turned lobe on the bottom lip. The style and anthers
are exserted. Because the ovaries are fused, the two bright red fruits are also fused; hence, the name
Wedded Honeysuckle. The opposite leaves are elliptic to round, and entire with hairs that are only visible
through magnification. This shrub can be found along USFS Road 20 between the picnic area and Rabbit
Ears. It flowers in May, and is often accompanied by Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) and Wax
Currant (Ribes cereum).
Although none of the Oregon species of Lonicera have been reported as poisonous, they should
be regarded with suspicion as berries of other species have caused fatalities.
Adam Lonitzer, a 16th century German botanist, is honored by the generic name. Conjugialis is
derived from the Latin word conjug, which means joined together, referring to the ovaries and fruits that
are fused together.
Blue Elderberry Sambucus mexicana C. Presl
Native. Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
At first glance, this deciduous shrub could be confused with Cascade Mountain Ash (Sorbus
scopulina). The inflorescence of Blue Elderberry is a flatted-topped panicle, similar to that of Cascade
Mountain Ash, but the flowers and leaves are slightly different. The flowers of Blue Elderberry are
radial, white or cream with five petals, and protruding from the center are only five stamens (Cascade
Mountain Ash has 15-20 stamens). The ripe fruits of Blue Elderberry are a glaucous blue, while the fruits
of Cascade Mountain Ash are reddish-orange. The leaves are opposite and pinnately compound with 3-9
fairly large leaflets, while the leaves of Cascade Mountain Ash are alternate with 9-11 small leaflets. The
margins of the leaflets of Blue Elderberry are irregularly toothed.
Look for Blue Elderberry above 6500 feet along the road to Grouse Gap. It is usually in the
middle of dry, open meadows. It blooms June through August, and the fruits ripen from August through
September.
Raw fruits are toxic if eaten in great quantities, but the fruits are non-toxic and quite tasty if
cooked.
The genus name, Sambucus, is Greek and is the name of a musical instrument made from the
wood of this genus. Mexicana is New Latin for of Mexico, probably referring to the preferred southern
range of this species.
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Plant Descriptions
Orange Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa)
Wedded Honeysuckle (Lonicera conjugialis)
Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)
105
Plant Descriptions
Red Elderberry Sambucus racemosa L. var. microbotrys (Rydb.) Kearney & Peebles
Native. Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
White radial flowers with five petals are found in a dome-shaped raceme at the branch tips of this
tall shrub. The fruits ripen into small round shiny red berries that many birds find attractive. The large
pinnately compound leaves are opposite, and the 5-7 leaflets, which are also opposite, are finely toothed.
Red Elderberry grows in wet meadows and moist places along the Pacific Crest Trail at 6400 feet and
lower. It flowers in June and the fruits ripen in August. It will be surrounded by Big-leaf Lupine
(Lupinus polyphyllus) and Swamp White Heads (Sphensciatum capitellatum).
Be careful not to confuse this with Blue Elderberry. The two shrubs are similar in many ways,
but the two major distinctions are the inflorescence shape and the color of the fruit. The inflorescence of
Red Elderberry is dome-shaped, while Blue Elderberry is flat-topped. The fruits of Red Elderberry are
bright red, while the fruits of Blue Elderberry are bluish.
Elderberry fruits make permanent inks, and a not-so-permanent violet dye. The ripe fruits are
edible when cooked, but cause nausea when raw. The bark, stems, leaves, and roots are poisonous
because they contain alkaloids and cyanide-producing glycosides.
The genus name, Sambucus, is Greek and is the name of a musical instrument made from the
wood of this genus. Racemosa is Latin for a cluster, referring to the inflorescence.
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake var. laevigatus (Fern.) S.F. Blake
Also called Common Snowberry, Upright Snowberry, and Waxberry. Native. Honeysuckle
Family (Caprifoliaceae).
This shrub is best appreciated in the fall and winter after the leaves fall off and clusters of white
berries are exposed. White is an unusual color in the woods, so these fruits become quite obvious.
In the spring, the opposite leaves appear before the tiny flowers. The leaf margins vary from
entire to lobed. The tiny nodding, bell-shaped flowers have five lobes, and tend to grow in clusters of 416 flowers. These little pink blossoms are usually mature in July, and the waxy, white berries ripen
around September, shortly before the deciduous leaves fall. On Mount Ashland, this erect shrub
commonly grows 90-120 cm tall. Look for Snowberry in the forest understory below 6700 feet.
In Oregon, it was reported that a child was poisoned after eating the berries of Snowberry. The
child experienced nausea, delirium, and was in a semi-comatose state for awhile.
Derived from several Greek words, symphoricarpos means to bear fruit together, referring to the
clusters of berries. Albus is Latin for white, obviously referring to the color of the berries.
Creeping Snowberry Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt.
Also called Trip Vine. Native. Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).
A trailing shrub, Creeping Snowberry has reddish new stems that bear opposite leaves whose
margins vary from entire to lobed. There are many soft hairs on the margins of the leaves. The small,
nodding, urn-shaped flowers have five lobes. Two to eight pink-reddish urns bloom together in the leaf
axils. If you use your hand lens to pear inside the flower, you’ll find that it is hairy inside. The flowers
usually mature in July or August, while the fruits ripen in August and September. The deciduous leaves
fall in September or October, revealing the white fruits. The creeping stems are usually about 60-90 cm
long. Look for Creeping Snowberry in the forest understory on the south slopes along the Pacific Crest
Trail. Nearby, you will probably see another shrub, Bush Chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens) or
White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum).
This plant looks like Common Snowberry whose habit is erect rather than trailing.
Native Americans used the berries and roots for medicinal purposes. The leaves contain saponin,
which is poisonous. There is some disagreement over whether the berries are poisonous; it seems to
depend on the individual’s sensitivity.
Symphoricarpos is Greek and means to bear fruit together, referring to the clusters of berries.
Mollis is Latin for soft, perhaps referring to the soft hairs inside the flowers and on the leaf margins.
106
Plant Descriptions
Photos by Charles Webber,
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis)
107
Plant Descriptions
Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)
Ballhead Sandwort Arenaria congesta Nutt. var. congesta
Also called Dense-flowered Sandwort. Native. Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae).
At first glance, you may confuse this flower with Ball-Head Gilia, but if you look closely, you’ll
easily see the differences. The radial flowers of Ballhead Sandwort have five petals, five sepals, 10
stamens and 3 styles. The stamens and styles are all greatly exserted. The flowers are arranged in a
terminal, head-like cyme. The opposite leaves are simple and entire, resembling short blades of grass.
The stem is glabrous and the nodes are slightly swollen. This erect perennial can grow 3-16 inches tall.
Look for Ballhead Sandwort around Rabbit Ears and in other dry, open areas from late June to early July.
The common name, Sandwort, refers to the fact that these plants are often found in loose, dry,
sandy soils. “Wort” is old English for plant. Arenaria is Latin for sand, in reference to the soil types
preferred by the members of this genus. Congesta is Latin for carried together, probably referring to the
tight cluster of flowers.
Large-leaf Sandwort Moehringia macrophylla (Hook.) Fenzl
Also called Big-leaf Sandwort. Native. Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae).
This low-growing perennial has one to two flowers at the top of each flowering stem. The small,
radial flowers are white with five entire petals. Usually, flowers in this family have petals that are
notched at the tip, but this flower is an exception to that rule. The petals open fully to reveal 10 stamens
and 3 styles. The flowering stems are very leafy with narrow, opposite leaves that have entire margins.
Flowering stems arise from an above-ground runner, which is why this plant grows in distinct patches.
Large-leaf Sandwort is a short little flower, growing no more than 10 cm high in the moist, shady
undergrowth of the forest. It is often found at the bases of trees. I found my first patch of this little
flower on the Knoll at mile 8 along County Road 1151. It was on the north side of the peak of the knoll,
growing with Davis’s Knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) and Showy Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium
californicum). It also grows along the Pacific Crest Trail in shaded areas.
P.H.G. Moehring (1710-1791) was a naturalist from Danzig, Germany whose name is credited in
this genus. Macrophylla is Greek for large leaf or long leaf, obviously referring to the leaves, which are
larger in this species than in other species of this genus.
Palmer’s Catchfly Silene bernardina S. Watson
Native. Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae).
Your lasting impression of this plant should be “sticky,” so get down there and touch it! The
stem, leaves, and calyxes are covered with glandular hairs that hold sticky oils. The erect stem is usually
branched, and bears opposite leaves and axillary flowers. The leaf margins are entire, while the five
white to pinkish flower petals are so deeply lobed that one petals appears to be four very narrow petals. If
you look closely (with a hand lens) at the center of the flower, you will see the throat is packed with 10
stamens and 3 or 4 styles. Palmer’s Catchfly usually grows 15-40 cm.
This plant prefers open, dry meadows on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. Look for it in earlyto mid-July on the ridgeline behind Rabbit Ears and in the draw between Rabbit Ears and Grouse Gap
Shelter. Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja pruinosa) and Worm-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum)
may be growing nearby.
One of the previous scientific names for this plant was Silene pamleri, after a gentleman whose
last name was Palmer. This is where the common name comes from. One source suggests that the genus
name, Silene, is from Silenus, the drunken foster-father of Bacchus in Greek mythology. The story goes
that Silenus was covered with foam from the sticky secretions of many plants. Bernardina honors
someone whose name is Bernard.
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Plant Descriptions
Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria congesta var. congesta)
Large-leaf Sandwort (Moehringia macrophylla)
Palmer’s Catchfly (Silene bernardina)
109
Plant Descriptions
Red Sand Spurry Spergularia rubra (L.) J.S. Presl & C. Presl
Also called Ruby Sand Spurry, and simply Sand Spurry. Non-native from Europe. Pink Family
(Caryophyllaceae).
Ah! You’ve found another belly flower! Lay down on your belly, take out your hand lens, and
prepare yourself for a little delight. The tiny flowers have five lavender/pink petals that are surrounded
by five green sepals. The petals and the sepals are the same size and shape, but the outer surface of the
sepals is glandular. They open wide to reveal 6-10 stamens and 3 styles. The terminal flowers top the
stem that has many tiny, linear leaves in dense whorls. At the base of the entire leaves, there are shiny
white stipules. The sprawling stems of Red Sand Spurry may measure 2-3 cm, but the flowers are no
more than 1 cm from the ground.
These delicate flowers grow only in open, dry, gravelly areas, blooming in early- to mid-July.
Look for it in the ski area on the wide path just inside the wooden fence. A little closer to the fence, you
will find two mustard plants: Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum var. virginicum) and Mountain
Tansy Mustard (Descurainia incisa var. incisa).
Derived from Latin, spergularia means to scatter, referring to the practice in Europe of sowing
the seeds of Spergula, another genus in this family, for early forage. Rubra is Latin for red and refers to
the seeds which are reddish to dark brown at maturity.
Curled Starwort Stellaria crispa Cham. & Schldl.
Also called Crisped Starwort, and Crisp Sandwort. Native. Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae).
This prostrate to trailing perennial has small, radial flowers, but there are no petals on these
flowers! The five sepals are light green with whitish, papery margins. Inside the sepals, 10 stamens and
three styles are protected. The flowers grow in the axils of opposite leaves. The evenly spaced leaves
have margins that are entire but wavy, shiny and glabrous. There are occasional hairs on the stem
between the leaves. The stems are often 10-30 cm long, but because they are prostrate, the flowers are
never more than 6-8 cm from the ground. Curled Starwort grows in damp, shady areas.
Stellaria is from the Latin for star, and refers to the shape of the flowers. Crispa is from the Latin
for curled, and probably refers to the wavy leaf margins. The common name is based on the scientific
name: curled refers to the leaf margins, star refers to the flower shape, and wort is old English for plant.
Common Chickweed Stellaria media (L.) Villars
Non-native from southwest Europe. Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae).
Small, radial flowers have five white petals that are so deeply notched there appear to be 10
petals. The bushy center of the flower displays 10 stamens and 3 styles. The flowers are both terminal
and axillary. The opposite leaves are flat and shiny and have entire margins. The weak, slender stems
usually grow 7-40 cm, and they tend to use surrounding vegetation for support.
You will find this little gem in the wet meadows on the south slopes of Mount Ashland. It
blooms late-June through mid-July, and is often tangled with American Brooklime (Veronica americana)
and Goosegrass (Galium aparine).
I know from experience that Common Chickweed, which often is a weed in people’s gardens, is
edible and makes a delicious addition to an early spring salad. Just pick, wash, and eat.
Stellaria is from the Latin for star, and refers to the shape of the flowers. Media is Latin for in
the middle or between; it is uncertain to what this refers.
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Plant Descriptions
Red Sand Spurry (Spergularia rubra)
Photo by Jeff Abbas
Curled Starwort (Stellaria crispa)
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)
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Plant Descriptions
Staff-Tree Family (Celastraceae)
Oregon Boxwood Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf.
Also called Oregon Boxleaf. Native. Staff-Tree Family (Celastraceae).
This prostrate to ascending shrub is not abundant on Mount Ashland, so if you’ve found it,
consider yourself lucky. The woody stems are very stiff and highly branched. The small, shiny, dark
green, leathery leaves are opposite and finely toothed. They are usually about 1 cm long. In the leaf
axils, tiny flowers with four petals are a delightful deep rosy color. Each petal is only 1-2 mm long. Four
stamens and one short, stout pistil are at the flower center. The entire shrub grows to 30-60 cm.
You will find Oregon Boxwood in the understory of the coniferous forest along the Pacific Crest
Trail at lower elevations. It blooms from mid- to late June. Nearby, you may see Greenleaf Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos patula) or Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata).
Paxistima is derived from Greek and means thick stigma, referring to the stigma on these flowers.
Myrsinites comes from the Greek word for myrtle.
Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae)
Cascade Stonecrop Sedum divergens S. Watson
Also called Pacific Stonecrop, and Spreading Stonecrop. Native. Stonecrop Family
(Crassulaceae).
A matted and glabrous perennial, Cascade Stonecrop bears 3-17 yellow flowers. Each flower has
5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens with yellow anthers, and 5 pistils. The extremely succulent leaves are
opposite, sessile, nearly spheric, and have rounded tips. This sun-loving plant grows 5-12 cm tall in open,
dry areas with gravelly soil.
The succulent leaves of Cascade Stonecrop were eaten by several Native American groups in the
Pacific Northwest. Other native groups used this plant as a medicine.
Sedum is from the Latin word meaning to assuage. This refers to the healing properties of a plant
called Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum), to which Sedum was applied by some authors. Houseleek is
found in the northeastern U.S., and is also in the family, Crassulaceae. Divergens is Lating for diverging;
it is uncertain to what this refers.
Spear-leaf Stonecrop Sedum lanceolatum Torrey
Also called Lance-leaf Sedum. Native. Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae).
A striking plant, Spear-leaf Stonecrop sets deep yellow flowers atop a stem full of, and
surrounded by, deep red leaves. Each yellow flower has 5 green sepals, 5 yellow petals that usually have
a red mid-veins, 10 stamens with yellow anthers and 5 pistils. Each plant yields 3-24 flowers. The basal
and stem leaves are very succulent, but the alternate, sessile stem leaves tend to fall when the plant is in
flower. Often, you’ll find clumps of the red basal leaves before you see the flowers. The erect flowering
stems usually reach 3-15 cm.
This perennial grows in dry, gravelly soil from Rabbit Ears upward to the summit on the south
slopes. It blooms from mid-June to early July with Rosy Pussytoes (Antennaria rosea) and Ball-head
Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis congesta var. congesta).
found in the northeastern U.S., and is also in the family, Crassulaceae. Lanceolatum is derived from the
Latin word for lance, referring to the shape of the flower petals.
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Plant Descriptions
Oregon Boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites)
Cascade Stonecrop (Sedum divergens)
Spear-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum)
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Plant Descriptions
Cream Stonecrop Sedum oregonense (S. Watson) M. Peck
Also called Creamy Stonecrop. Native. Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae).
The large substantial leaves make this Stonecrop fairly easy to identify. The thick, succulent
basal and stem leaves are rounded or barely notched at the tip. The stem leaves are alternate and sessile,
and the new leaves are glaucous. The leaves are primarily green, but some may be pink/red mottled.
Each flowering stem bears 12-20 flowers, and each flower has 5 sepals, 5 pale yellow petals, 10 stamens
with yellow to red-brown anthers, and 5 pistils. This perennial usually grows 4-20 cm tall.
You will have the most luck finding this flower in and around the rocky outcrops on the south
slopes from Rabbit Ears to the summit. It blooms from mid-June to early-July, next to Scabland Fleabane
(Erigeron bloomeri) and Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii).
The leaves of all known Stonecrop species are edible. However, some species have emetic and
cathartic properties and can cause headaches. Before eating any plant, please consult a botanist to
confirm its correct identification. It is also important to research the plant thoroughly to determine which
part of the plant is edible and whether it requires specific preparation.
found in the northeastern U.S., and is also in the family, Crassulaceae. Oregonense is New Latin,
meaning of Oregon, referring to the general range of this species.
Worm-leaf Stonecrop Sedum stenopetalum Pursh
Also called Narrow-Petaled Sedum. Native. Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae).
One small, pale yellow flower tops a non-branching flowering stem. The flower has 5 sepals, 5
narrow petals, 10 stamens with yellow or light brown anthers, and 5 pistils. The sessile, alternate leaves
are narrow and long tapered, with papery bases. The leaves not very succulent, and the well-spaced,
upper leaves appear withered. There are many leaves tightly packed on the lower portion of the stem.
This glabrous perennial grows 5-16 cm tall in well-drained soils.
Look for Worm-leaf Stonecrop on the south slopes in the dry soil behind Rabbit Ears and above
USFS Road 20. It blooms in mid-July with Staining Collomia (Collomia tinctoria) and Palmer’s Catchfly
(Silene Bernardina).
found in the northeastern U.S., and is also in the family, Crassulaceae. Stenopetalum is derived from
Greek and means narrow leaf, referring to the narrow petals and/or the narrow leaves.
Heath Family (Ericaceae)
Pinemat Manzanita Arctostaphylos nevadensis A. Gray
Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
The white to pale pink urn-shaped flowers of Pinemat Manzanita have five lobes, indicating that
these flowers are made of five fused petals. The flowers and the inflorescence are nodding. This lowlying shrub has shiny, alternate, entire leaves, and the twigs often have fine, woolly hairs. Plants on the
south slopes bloom fairly early – around mid-May – while plants on the north slopes and in the shade will
bloom as late as early June. The bright red fruits usually ripen around late August. This plant is abundant
on the ski slopes and along the ridge that runs northwest from Rabbit Ears.
Some sources claim that Pinemat Manzanita was used by Native Americans for herbal teas and
smoking mixtures similar to tobacco.
Arctostaphylos is Greek for bear berries, perhaps referring to the fact that bears eat the berries of
some of the species in this genus. Nevadensis is a Latin derivation of the state name Nevada. It is likely
that the first of this species was found in or near Nevada.
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Plant Descriptions
Cream Stonecrop (Sedum oregonense)
Worm-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum)
Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis)
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Plant Descriptions
Greenleaf Manzanita Arctostaphylos patula E. Greene
This erect shrub has bright green, shiny, leathery leaves with entire margins. The flowers can
vary from bright pink to pale pink to white, and the five petals are fused together to form an urn-shape.
The flowers are clustered together toward the ends of the limbs. The bark is usually reddish-brown. The
flowers appear in May while the dark brown fruits ripen around September. This shrub can be found
around the stones of Rabbit Ears, and next to USFS Road 20 between the picnic area and Rabbit Ears.
Although these berries are edible, they are not very tasty.
Arctostaphylos is Greek for bear berries, perhaps referring to the fact that bears eat the berries of
some of the species in this genus. Patula is Latin for open, spreading. This is probably in reference to the
inflorescence which is open and spreading compared to the inflorescences of other species in this genus.
Little Prince’s Pine Chimaphila menziesii (D. Don) Sprengel
Each slender reddish-green stem produces one flower with white, reflexed petals. The tips of the
petals may be tinged with pink. Because the petals are reflexed, it is easy to see the 10 stamens and one
large pistil in the center. The opposite or whorled leaves are coarsely toothed and have white borders
along the main veins. The flowers often grow in small clumps, and can give the impression of being a
very low-growing shrub, usually shorter than 15 cm. You will find Little Prince’s Pine growing in the
quiet of the coniferous forest. Look for it in late July along the Pacific Crest Trail along with Pipsissewa
(C. umbellata) or White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta).
Little Prince’s Pine is very similar to Pipsissewa (C. umbellata), but Pipsissewa is larger, and has
a completely green stem, and the leaves have no stems (petioles). Usually the flower of Pipsissewa is
pink, and one plant produces several flowers.
In the past, Native Americans have used Little Prince’s Pine to make a tea that relieved kidney
problems. They believed this plant was good for all the vital organs.
Chimaphila is Greek for winter-loving, referring to the fact that many plants in this genus have
evergreen leaves. Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) was one of the first botanists from Scotland to reach
the Pacific Coast of North America in 1792. He was the first to collect plants along the shore of what is
now Washington, and the second to collect along the shore of California.
Pipsissewa Chimaphila umbellata (L.) Bartram
Also called Prince’s Pine, Wintergreen, Wax Flower, Ground Holly, Western Prince’s Pine, and
Common Prince’s Pine. Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
Pink, nodding flowers with spreading petals make Pipsissewa unique. The radial flowers have 5
petals that are mostly pink, but have white along the margins. Their spreading nature allows us easily to
see the 10 stamens and one large green pistil in the center. The inflorescence, which is a raceme, rises
above several sets of whorled evergreen leaves that are coarsely toothed. The stem is completely green,
but the individual flower branches are reddish. Pipsissewa grows in the cool, moist, shaded woods. It
blooms in late July, often next to its close relative, Little Prince’s Pine (C. menziesii), and perhaps with
Baneberry (Acteae rubra).
Pipsissewa once had a considerable medicinal reputation among whites and Native Americans.
The leaves contain ericolin and tannin, and were used in infusions for bladder stones. The plant is still
used in parts of Europe as a home remedy for wounds. The Cree Indians used the leaves as a tea
substitute for healing internal organs. Once upon a time, it was also used to make Root Beer.
A small percentage of people have reported cases of dermatitis after handling this plant. This
won’t be a concern if you remember not to pick the flowers on Mount Ashland.
Chimaphila is Greek for winter-loving, referring to the fact that many plants in this genus have
evergreen leaves. Umbellata is derived from the Latin word for umbrella, in reference to the spreading
petals that look like an umbrella.
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Plant Descriptions
Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula)
Little Prince’s Pine (Chimaphila menziesii)
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellatum)
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Plant Descriptions
Bog Laurel Kalmia polifolia Wangenh.
Also called Pale Laurel, Western Bog Laurel, and Swamp Laurel. Native. Heath Family
(Ericaceae).
Bog Laurel has unmistakable pink to rose-purple flowers. Five sepals are fused toward the base
and rose-colored near the top with white margins. The five petals are fused half way, forming an open
cup-shape. Ten stamens have white, recurved filaments and the dark purple anthers are tucked into
pockets in the corolla until the pollen is released, at which point the stamens stand erect. The stamens,
thus, act as tripwires for insects. When an insect lands on the flower and trips the filaments, the anthers
pop up to dust the insect with pollen. The style is white at the base, red at the top, and the stigma is
white. Four to five flowers grow on one stem in the upper leaf axils. The leathery leaves can be opposite,
alternate or whorled and are entire, with parts of the margins rolled under. The lower surfaces of the
leaves have many white hairs. This shrub flowers for a very short period in May. I have seen this plant
only in the wet meadow on the south slope below Rabbit Ears and above USFS Road 20.
Bog Laurel contains a poisonous glycoside called andromedotoxin which, when ingested, lowers
blood pressure and can cause breathing problems, dizziness, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and progressive
paralysis.
P. Kalm (1716-1779) is commemorated in this genus name. Kalm was a student of Linnaeus who
traveled extensively in eastern North America. In Latin, polifolia means gray leaf, referring to the lower
surfaces of the leaves that are covered with white hairs.
Pinesap Monotropa hypopitys L.
A fleshy saprophyte, Pinesap, is not a green plant because there is no chlorophyll in the cells.
This perennial obtains its nutrients from the decaying organic matter in the forest soil. The unbranching
flowering stems produce many bell-shaped flowers in a nodding, raceme-like inflorescence. The entire
plant – the stem, leave, sepals, petals, etc. – are all the same color: yellowish to pink or red. After the
plant goes to seed, it dries black. Each flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens and 1 pistil. Each petal is
slightly cup-shaped, bulging at the base. The narrow sepals and wider petals have very short hairs. The
scale-like leaves are alternate and entire. Pinesap is usually 5-25 cm tall.
On Mount Ashland, it will be found in moist, forested areas at elevations below 6000 feet. You
may also find Woodland Pine Drops (Pterospora andromedea) or Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera
oblongifolia) growing in the same type of habitat.
Monotropa is Greek meaning one direction, referring to the one-sided inflorescence. Hypopitys
also comes from Greek and means beneath the tree, referring to the forest habitat of this species.
One-sided Wintergreen Orthilia secunda (L.) House
Also called Sidebells Wintergreen, and One-sided Pyrola. Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
Nodding flowers in a one-sided arcing raceme give this flower the first half of its name. Five
small, green sepals are found at the base of the five greenish to cream-white petals that never fully open.
The petals closed, protecting the 10 stamens and 1 pistil. Some anthers and the stigma usually poke out
of the enclosed petals. Although the inflorescence arcs in flower, it straightens in fruit. The evergreen
leaves give this perennial the second half of its name. Technically, the leaves are attached to the stem but
they are so close to the base that they appear to be basal leaves. They are egg-shaped or widely oval,
entire, and shiny green. The erect stem grows to 12-20 cm.
One-sided Wintergreen generally grows in dry, shady forests. On Mount Ashland, I found it on
the north slopes, west of the ski slopes on a rocky outcrop. Also on the rocks was a lot of Woodland
Penstemon (Nothochelone nemorosus). You will find both blooming in late July to early August.
In Greek, orthilia means straight spiral, referring to the one-sided raceme. In Latin, secunda
means the second, in a row, or on one side, referring to the habit of the flowers to grow on one side of the
stem only.
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Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Bog Laurel (Kalmia polifolia)
Photo by Bob Vos
Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys)
One-sided Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda)
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Plant Descriptions
Woodland Pine Drops Pterospora andromedea Nutt.
Also called simply Pine Drops. Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
This robust perennial is another saprophyte, and therefore, has no green structures. A saprophyte
is a plant that obtains its nutrients from decaying organic material in the soil. There is no need for the
chlorophyll that makes most plants green. The erect stem is reddish and has alternate, reddish, scale-like
leaves. The long raceme bears many nodding flowers that each have 5 reddish sepals, 5 cream colored or
yellowish petals that are almost completely fused and have reflexed lobes. Ten stamens are hidden inside
the urn-shaped flowers. The stem and calyx are very sticky.
Woodland Pine Drops can grow up to 120 cm in the moist shade of coniferous forests. Look for
it at elevations below 6000 feet. In the same habitat, you may find California Harebell (Campanula
prenanthoides) or Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys).
Greek for winged seed, pterospora describes the seeds, which have a wing-like margin on one
side. Andromedea is Greek, and refers to the flowers, which closely resemble the flowers of another
genus in this family, Andromeda. Andromeda of Greek mythology, was the daughter of Cassiopeia. The
tales say that Andromeda was chained to a rock in the middle of the ocean. Similarly, plants in the genus
Andromeda grow in the middle of swampy areas.
White-veined Wintergreen Pyrola picta Smith
Also called Whitevein Pyrola, and Whiteleaf Pyrola. Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
Nodding white flowers on a naked stem are bilateral but may appear radial. Five short sepals are
reddish-brown to greenish; the 5 petals are greenish, cream white or pink. The style is greatly exserted
and curved, looking like an elephant’s trunk, while the 10 stamens are hidden inside the petals. The
terminal raceme tops the reddish-brown, glabrous stem that usually reaches 10-30 cm tall. The leathery
basal leaves are just as striking as the beautiful flowers. These egg-shaped leaves are deep green with
prominent white markings around the veins, while the lower surface is often purple. They are entire to
irregularly toothed.
White-veined Wintergreen grows in moist wooded areas on the ski slopes and along the Pacific
Crest Trail. Look for it blooming in late-July to early August. In nearby shaded areas, you may find
White Hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) or Little Prince’s Pine (Chimaphila menziesii).
At first glance, this plant resembles Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) because of the
similarity in size, habitat, and mottling of leaves. But look closely at the leaves and flowers. The leaves
of Whiteleaf Pyrola are more rounded and have a thin petiole, and the flowers are more or less radial with
5 petals. The leaves of Rattlesnake Plantain are elongated and sessile, and the flower is orchid-shaped.
Pyrola is from the Latin word, pyrus, which means pear. Sometimes the leaves are pear shaped.
Picta is also from Latin, and means painted, referring to the white veins on the leaves.
Thinleaf Huckleberry Vaccinium membranaceum Hook.
Also called Black Huckleberry. Native. Heath Family (Ericaceae).
This erect, glabrous shrub usually grows 1-2 meters. The deciduous leaves are very thin and
membranous, rounded to elliptic, 2-5 cm long, and finely toothed. Each tooth is topped with a glandtipped hair. The lower surface of the alternate leaves has prominent veins. The little, pink, urn-shaped
flowers grow in the axils of the lowest leaves of the youngest shoots. The flowers usually have no sepals,
and five petals that are fused 2/3 of their length. Ten stamens and 1 pistil are hidden inside the urn. The
fruits are black or dark red berries.
Thinleaf Huckleberry is found at elevations below 6200 feet in the forest understory on the north
slopes. You may find it surrounded by Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii).
The berries are reportedly the most delicious of Vaccinium species.
Vaccinium is derived from the Latin word for cow; it is uncertain to what this refers.
Membranaceum is Latin for membrane, referring to the very thin leaves.
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Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Woodland Pine Drops (Pterospora andromedea)
White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta)
Thinleaf Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)
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Plant Descriptions
Western Blueberry Vaccinium uliginosum L. ssp. occidentalis (A. Gray) Hulten
Also called Bog Blueberry, Western Huckleberry, and Bog Bilberry. Native. Heath Family
(Ericaceae).
This erect, glabrous shrub is much shorter than its close relative, Thinleaf Huckleberry (V.
membranaceum). This shrub only reaches 60-90 cm tall. The alternate, deciduous leaves are rather thick,
elliptic to rounded, and entire. The flowers are usually borne in racemes, with 1-4 flowers. Each little
urn-shaped flower has 4-5 sepals, 5 white petals that are fused 2/3 of their length, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil.
The berries are blue and glaucous.
Western Blueberry grows in the wet meadows on the south slopes. Look for it in wet areas along
the Pacific Crest Trail. It blooms in June, and the fruits ripen in August. Around it, you may see Fringed
Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum ssp. glandulosum), or Musk Monkey Flower (Mimulus moschatus).
The blue berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or frozen.
Vaccinium is derived from the Latin word for cow; it is uncertain to what this refers. In Latin,
uliginosum means moisture, and refers to the moist habitat of this species. Occidentalis is Latin for
western, referring to its range. Vaccinium species tend to be called blueberries if the fruit is blue, and
huckleberry if the fruit is any other color.
Legume Family (Fabaceae)
Leafy Pea Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt.
Also called Oregon Pea, and Leafy Peavine. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
Six to twelve bilateral flowers are displayed on one-sided axillary racemes. The flowers vary in
color from pink to purple, to red-purple, to blue. The alternate leaves are pinnately compound with
obvious alternate leaflets. Ten to sixteen leaflets are egg-shaped and entire. At the tip of the central leaf
axis is a tendril that is either branched, coiled, or reduced to a bristle. At the base of the leaf stem, very
large oval stipules can be mistaken for opposite leaves. This robust perennial has a glabrous stem that is
angled or flanged, but not winged. You will find Leafy Pea in the forest and at the forest edge below
6200 feet.
There are 21 species of Lathyrus in Oregon, all of which are toxic to humans and livestock. The
seeds contain the toxin that in large quantities can cause serious convulsions and paralysis (lathyrism).
Lathyrus is an ancient Greek name for a kind of vetch. Polyphyllus is derived from Greek and
means many leaves, referring to the many leaflets that compose one leaf.
Bird’s Foot Trefoil Lotus purshianus (Benth.) Clements & E.G.Clements var. purshianus
Also called Pursh’s Lotus. Native. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
A dainty, low-growing plant, this annual produces small, pale pink, bilateral flowers in the leaf
axils. The light green sepals are long and narrow with fine, white hairs. The sepals remain when the
flower matures to fruit. As the fruit matures, the base of the calyx turns deep pink. Because this plant is a
legume, the fruits look like miniature green beans, only the color is different – these fruits are a rich
brown. Alternate leaves are compound with three entire leaflets. The stems and leaves are covered with
short, fine hairs. The stems are prostrate to erect and can be simple or branched. The overall height of
the plant is usually no more than 15 cm. I have seen this plant only in the gravel along County Road 1151
between the marker for mile 8 and the ski area parking lot. Growing nearby, you may see Tall Annual
Willow-Herb (Epilobium brachycarpum) or Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens var.
shastensis).
The Greek derivation and meaning of lotus is unclear, but a similar Latin word means washing.
Purshianus is derived from Frederick Pursh’s name. Pursh (1774-1829), a German botanist, was the first
to publish information regarding the specimens collected by Lewis and Clark during their famous
expedition. Pursh published Flora Americae Septentrionalis in 1814.
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Plant Descriptions
Western Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)
Leafy Pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus)
Bird’s Foot Trefoil (Lotus purshianus var. purshianus)
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Plant Descriptions
Sickle-keel Lupine Lupinus albicaulis Hook.
Also called Pine Lupine. Native. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
Terminal racemes bear whorls of bilateral flowers. The pea-like flowers vary in color from
purple to white. Ten stamens, five long and five short, and 1 pistil are hidden inside keel. The keel tip
shows between the wings. The rusty banner is reflexed. The alternate stem leaves are palmately
compound with 5-10 entire leaflets. Narrow stipules, 5-18 mm long, are at the base of each leaf stem.
The erect stem varies in color from very pale green (almost white) to reddish-brown. The stem, leaves,
stipules and calyx have fine hairs that may only be seen with a hand lens.
There seems to be two genetic variations of this plant on Mount Ashland. The plants with purple
flowers have the reddish-brown stems, while the plants with white flowers have the whitish stems. I only
observed three plants with white flowers, and they were all along USFS Road 20, very close to the
confluence of Road 40S30 that leads to Grouse Gap Shelter. Because these white Lupines are so rare on
Mount Ashland, PLEASE DO NOT PICK THESE PLANTS.
Sickle-keel Lupine is found in dry, open areas. Look for it around Rabbit Ears, along the ridge
behind Rabbit Ears, and along USFS Road 20. Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) and Siskiyou
Mountains Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus var. cuspidatus) may be growing nearby.
All plants require nitrogen, but no plant can absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere. Most members
of the Legume Family have a very special relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus. This fungus grows on
the fine root hairs and does the important job of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants
can absorb. Thus, this fungus makes nitrogen available not only to the plant on which it grows, but for
the surrounding plants, as well. In subalpine habitats with dry, porous soils, this extra bit of nitrogen is
extremely important.
The seeds, fruits, and young shoots of this plant have toxic alkaloids. These toxins are especially
dangerous to livestock.
Lupinus is Latin for wolf, from the mistaken idea that the plants in this genus robbed the soil of
nutrients. Albicaulis is derived from Latin, and means white stem, referring to the stem color on some of
these plants.
Mt. Ashland Lupine Lupinus aridus ssp. ashlandensis
Native. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
If you’ve discovered this flower, you’ve stumbled upon a real jewel: this flower is found only on
Mt. Ashland and in small populations on Red Mountain. These small, irregular, lavender to bluish
flowers grow in a spike-like raceme. The erect stem has long white hairs, and no leaves. The stems can
grow from 6-12 inches tall. Each stem is surrounded by many palmately compound basal leaves. Each
leaf contains 5 to 7 leaflets that are keeled, so that each leaflet appears to fold upward. The leaves and
leaf petioles are covered with long, fine, white hairs often appearing gray or silvery. Run your fingers
over these leaves for a wonderful tactile treat! Mt. Ashland Lupine grows profusely around Stonehenge
in early July, but you may see only the basal leaves much earlier than this.
From 1980 to 1996, Mt. Ashland Lupine was a Category 2 candidate for listing under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. This category included species for which sufficient data was not available to
confirm vulnerability. In 1996, this category of species was discontinued, and Mt. Ashland Lupine was
dropped. In September 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a formal petition from the
Rogue Group of the Sierra Club of Ashland to list Mt. Ashland Lupine as endangered or threatened. In
June 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would conduct a comprehensive review
of Mt. Ashland Lupine to determine if it should be protected under the ESA. Since 1995, the U.S. Forest
Service has considered this plant a sensitive species.
Lupines generally can withstand dry, poor soil. The name Lupinus comes from the Latin word
for wolf, lupus, because the plant was thought to “devour” the soil. Ironically, lupines, like many others
in the pea family, actually enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen. The name aridus comes from the Latin word
for dry, and refers to the general habitat for this species. Ashlandensis is New Latin and means of
Ashland, referring to the location of this subspecies.
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Plant Descriptions
Sickle-keel Lupine (Lupinus albicaulis)
Mt. Ashland Lupine (Lupinus aridus var. ashlandensis)
125
Plant Descriptions
Brewer’s Lupine Lupinus breweri A. Gray var. breweri A. Gray
This low, mat-forming plant has irregular lavender-bluish flowers with palmately lobed leaves
that appear silvery as a result of fine, soft, white hairs. The five to seven leaflets usually appear to be
folded longitudinally down the center. There are alternate leaves on the stem and masses of basal leaves.
Most of the above-ground stem is woody. These perennials or subshrubs are generally about 5-8 cm high.
You’ll find Brewer’s Lupine in open areas around Rabbit Ears, up toward the summit, around
Grouse Gap Shelter, on the ski slopes, and on the Knoll, blooming throughout June. Look for Cobwebby
Paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea) and Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa) growing nearby.
Lupinus is Latin for wolf, from the mistaken idea that the plants in this genus robbed the soil of
nutrients. Breweri honors William Henry Brewer (1828-1910), a geologist and botanist. Brewer was the
botanist for the California State Geological Survey from 1860-1864.
Big-leaf Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus Lindley var. pallidipes (A.A. Heller) C.P. Smith
Also called Large-leaf Lupine, and Blue-Pod Lupine. Native. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
This large, showy plant will be growing in wet meadows in late June, early July. The stout stems
can grow to heights of 120 cm. The lavender, irregular flowers grow in whorls on a long spike. The
typical palmately lobed lupine leaves are alternate, with 10-17 entire leaflets. There are obvious stipules
at the base of each leaf. Unlike the Brewer’s Lupine and Mt. Ashland Lupine, this perennial is glabrous –
no hairs.
Big-leaf Lupine grows in moist soil in the wet meadows on the south slopes of Mount Ashland,
tangled in with Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) and Giant Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja
miniata ssp. miniata).
Lupinus is Latin for wolf, from the mistaken belief that these plants robbed the soil of nutrients.
Polyphyllus is Greek for many leaves, and refers to the very leafy stems. Pallidipes means pale; it is
uncertain to what this refers.
Long-stalk Clover Trifolium longipes Nutt.
Clovers are not at all abundant on Mount Ashland. This low-growing perennial has many small,
irregular flowers packed tightly into several terminal, head-like inflorescences. The flowers vary in color
from dull white, to pale lavender. Five calyx lobes are long and very narrow with a few hairs along the
margins. Ten tiny stamens and one small pistil are all hidden inside the keel. The palmately compound
leaves have three narrow, finely-toothed leaflets. There are some alternate stem leaves and many basal
leaves. The prostrate stems may be 2-8 cm long, but the flowers are never more than 4 cm from the
ground.
Long-stalk Clover grows in moist areas, next to running water. You will find it on Mount
Ashland along USFS Road 20 between Road 300 and Road 40S30 that leads to Grouse Gap Shelter. It
blooms in June, along with Small White Violet (Viola macloskeyi) and Alpine Shooting Star
(Dodecatheon alpinum).
In Latin, trifolium means three leaves, and refers to the number of leaflets on each leaf. Longipes
means long-stalked, referring to the stems which are longer than usual for this genus.
126
Plant Descriptions
Brewer’s Lupine (Lupinus breweri)
Big-leaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus var. pallidipes)
Long-stalk Clover (Trifolium longipes)
127
Plant Descriptions
White Clover Trifolium repens L.
Non-native from Eurasia. Legume Family (Fabaceae).
This is the clover with which we are all so familiar! Small white or greenish flowers grow in
many head-like inflorescences. The flowers become reflexed with age. The typical clover leaves are
palmately compound with three leaflets. They grow at the bottom of the flowering stem, so they appear
to be basal leaves. White, papery stipules are at base of the leaf stems. The flowering stems may be 5-8
cm long, but because of the decumbent nature of this plant, the flowers are usually only 4-5 cm from the
ground.
White Clover is usually found in disturbed areas, and on Mount Ashland, you will find it along
County Road 1151 at 6200 feet and lower. It blooms in late July and early August with Idaho Gum Weed
(Grindelia nana) and Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia var. dalmatica).
In Latin, trifolium means three leaves, and refers to the number of leaflets on each leaf. Repens
is Latin for creeping and refers to the creeping nature of the above-ground stems.
Oak Family (Fagaceae)
Golden Chinquapin Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Hook.) Hjelmq. var. minor (Benth.) Munz
Native. Oak Family (Fagaceae).
This evergreen shrub has leathery leaves that are green on the upper surface and yellow or golden
on the lower surface. The entire, alternate leaves are pointed at the tip, and appear to be folded along the
main vein with the margins turned upwards lengthwise. The flowers are fairly plain and inconspicuous,
and grow in short, spike-like clusters. The tiny flowers do not have petals, but they have six sepals.
Some of the flowers have only stamens and some have only pistils. The fruits, however, are interesting
and obvious. One nut is surrounded by spiny, bur-like bracts. Usually, several fruits mature together in
one, large, spiny clump. Golden Chinquapin grows at the forest edge and around rocky outcrops. Look
for it at Rabbit Ears, and along USFS Road 20. This shrub flowers sometime in July, and the fruits begin
to appear in early August.
In Greek, chrysolepis means golden scale, referring to the lower surface of the leaves.
Chrysophylla is Greek for golden leaf, again referring to the lower surface of the leaves.
Bush Chinquapin Chrysolepis sempervirens (Kellogg) Hjelmq.
Native. Oak Family (Fagaceae).
Leathery, evergreen leaves grow alternately on this shrub. The upper surface of the leaves are
green, but the lower surface is a muted gold color. The leaves are entire and rounded at the tip, and the
leaf blade is flat. The flowers are rather inconspicuous, growing on a short stiff spike. The flowers do
not have petals, but have six small sepals. Some of the flowers have only stamens, and some have only
pistils. The fruits make Bush Chinquapin easy to identify. One to three nuts closely surrounded by spiny,
bur-like bracts. Several fruits usually mature together in a tight, spiny cluster. Look for Bush Chinquapin
in the understory of the forest along the Pacific Crest Trail. The fruits begin to mature in August.
Bush Chinquapin is very similar to Golden Chinquapin, but on Mount Ashland, you will find
Bush Chinquapin growing in the understory of the forest along the Pacific Crest Trail, while Golden
Chinquapin is often in the full sun along rocky outcrops. The leaves are also different. The leaves of
Bush Chinquapin are rounded at the tip, and the entire leaf is flat. The leaves of Golden Chinquapin are
pointed at the tip, and the leaf appears to be loosely folded along the main vein.
In Greek, chrysolepis means golden scale, referring to the lower surface of the leaves.
Sempervirens is Latin for always green, referring to the evergreen leaves.
128
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Br. Alfred Brousseau,
St. Mary’s College
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophyllus var. minor)
Bush Chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens)
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Plant Descriptions
Geranium Family (Geraniaceae)
Richardson’s Geranium Geranium richardsonii Fischer & Trautv.
Native. Geranium Family (Geraniaceae).
Five white petals with magenta lines surround the 10 stamens with pink anthers and the 5-lobed
pistil. The alternate leaves are palmately lobed with usually 5 primary segments that are lobed again. At
the base of the leaves and any place where the stem branches, there are red stipules. The branching stems
reach to heights of 20-45 cm. The fruits are erect, elongated capsules with a beak at the tip. Richardson’s
Geranium is found in wet, shady areas, surrounded by Arrowhead Butterweed (Senecio triangularis) and
Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis).
Geranium is Greek for crane, referring to the beak-like fruits. Richardsonii commemorates Dr.
John Richardson who collected plants in the Pacific Northwest with Scouler, Nuttall, Drummond, and
others. He was a naturalist and a surgeon.
Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae)
Wax Currant Ribes cereum Douglas var. cereum
Also called Squaw Currant. Native. Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae).
Wax Currant is an abundant shrub on Mount Ashland. The flowers vary in color from white to
pink, but the colored part of the flower is actually the five sepals that are fused into a bell-shape. The
petals are very tiny and white, and are attached in the sinuses of the calyx lobes. What, at first glance,
appears to be green sepals are actually bracts at the base of the inflorescence. The leaves are alternate
with three lobes, and the margins are irregularly toothed. The bark is usually gray, and there are no spines
on this plant.
Look for Wax Currant on the dry hillsides around Rabbit Ears and on the ski slopes. This
deciduous shrub flowers in May and the red fruits mature around late August to early September.
Growing nearby, you will probably find Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula) and Tobacco Brush
(Ceanothus velutinus).
Ribes is an old Arabic name for the plants of this genus. Cereum comes from the Latin word for
wax, and refers to the glossy upper surface of the leaves.
Swamp Currant Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poiret
Also called Prickly Currant, Swamp Gooseberry, Black Gooseberry, and Black Swamp
Gooseberry. Native. Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae).
Ouch! The stems are prickly! This prostrate to ascending shrub has 3-9 spines at every node, and
lots of prickly bristles between the nodes. The small flowers have five sepals that vary in color from
green to purple. The sepals, which are 1.5 mm long, are larger than the tiny purple petals that are only 1
mm long. The sepals and petals open to reveal 5 stamens and one pistil with two styles. The flowers
hang in racemes of 5-15 flowers. When mature, the shiny black berries have glandular hairs all over
them. The alternate, deciduous leaves are somewhat maple-leaf shaped. They are deeply 3-7 lobed,
toothed, and have just a few, sparse hairs, if any at all. The upper leaf surface is dark green, while the
lower surface is lighter green. The older stems are covered with a beautiful cinnamon colored bark. On
Mount Ashland, this shrub usually less than 1 meter tall but could be as tall as 2 meters.
Swamp Currant grows along creeks and seeps. Look for it on the north slopes, just below the ski
runs, along little streams. It may be surrounded by Mountain Alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia) and
Columbia Wind Flower (Anemone deltoidea).
The prickles of Swamp Currant have been known to cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Because of its prickly nature, some groups thought this shrub had special powers in warding off evil
influences.
Ribes is an old Arabic name for the plants of this genus. Lacustre is New Latin meaning of a
lake, and refers to this species’ preference to grow near water.
130
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Elizabeth Wasserman
Richardson’s Geranium (Geranium richardsonii)
Wax Currant (Ribes cereum var. cereum)
Swamp Currant (Ribes lacustre)
131
Plant Descriptions
Gummy Gooseberry Ribes lobbii A. Gray
Also called Pioneer Gooseberry. Native. Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae).
These scarlet pendant flowers will surely catch your eye during the month of May, but this thorny
shrub might keep you from getting too close! The scarlet part of the flower is actually the five sepals that
are reflexed when the flower is mature. The five petals are white and curled into tubes, and the five red
anthers are strongly exserted. Flowers grow either singly or in small clusters of two or three. The leaves
have three lobes that have shallow, rounded teeth. The bottom surface of the leaves is sticky from
glandular hairs. There are usually three thorns at each node on the stems. The fruits are oblong, red
berries with glandular bristles that ripen around late August to early September.
Look for this shrub in the understory of the forest, especially along Road 40S30 beyond Grouse
Gap Shelter. It is often found in the same areas as Sticky Currant (R. viscosissimum).
Ribes is an old Arabic name for the plants of this genus. Lobbii commemorates William Lobb
(1809-1863). From Cornwall, England, Lobb collected plants in the California and Oregon area from
1849-1856 for a company in Exeter, England.
Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum Pursh
Also called Red-flower Currant, and Red Currant. Native. Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae).
Because of the variability of this shrub, Red Flowering Currant can be difficult to identify. The
flowering racemes can be erect or drooping, and usually hold 10-20 flowers. Five sepals are 4-5 mm long
and can be white, pink, or red. The five smaller petals are about 2-3 mm long, and can be white, pink, or
red. Five stamens and one pistil are protected by the sepals and petals. The glaucous berries are blueblack, and have glandular hairs. Alternate, deciduous leaves are more or less 5 lobed, with each lobe
irregularly toothed. The upper surface has minute hairs that can only be seen with a hand lens, and the
lower surface can be sparsely hairy or white from many woolly hairs. This shrub is usually only one
meter tall at higher elevations, but at lower elevations can grow to nearly four meters tall.
Ribes is an old Arabic name for the plants of this genus. Sanguineum is from the Latin word for
blood, referring to the usual color of the flowers.
Sticky Currant Ribes viscosissimum Pursh
Native. Gooseberry Family (Grossulariaceae).
Sticky is the best word to describe this deciduous shrub. The leaves, stems and pedicels have
glandular hairs that produce a sticky oil. The flowers have five creamy white sepals that recurve as the
flowers mature, and five creamy white petals that remain erect protecting the styles and stamens within.
Between 4 and 15 flowers grow in loose axillary racemes, often nodding. The inflorescence is subtended
by several green, spreading bracts. The simple, alternate leaves have three to five lobes, and each lobe is
crenate. The leaves are also highly fragrant. The bark is gray to brown, and the new growth often
appears to be pealing. There are no spines on this shrub.
This shrub flowers in May or early June and the black fruits ripen around late August to early
September. Look for Sticky Currant in the understory along the Pacific Crest Trail and along Road
40S30 beyond Grouse Gap Shelter. You may find Gummy Gooseberry (Ribes lobbii) growing nearby, or
Large-leaf Sandwort (Moehringia macrophylla).
Ribes is an old Arabic name for the plants of this genus. Derived from Latin, viscosissimum
means the stickiest. Indeed, it is!
132
Plant Descriptions
Gummy Gooseberry (Ribes lobbii)
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Sticky Currant (Ribes viscosissimum)
133
Plant Descriptions
Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae)
White Waterleaf Hydrophyllum fendleri (A. Gray) var. albifrons (A.A. Heller) J.F. Macbr.
Also called Fendler’s Waterleaf. Native. Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae).
The color of these flowers varies from white to lavender, or white with lavender marks. The
nodding cluster of several regular flowers sometimes towers over the leaves, and sometimes is hidden
beneath them. The bell-shaped flowers have 5 petals, 1 pistil, and 5 stamens that are strongly exserted.
The pinnately compound leaves are alternate and have 7-13 leaflets that are coarsely toothed. The lower
pairs are often smaller, and distinctly separate from the other pairs. The stem and leaves are short-hairy.
White Waterleaf can grow up to 45 cm tall, but is usually a bit smaller than that. You will find this
abundant plant blooming in mid to late June in shaded areas and moist areas on the south slopes. Look
for it near the picnic area along the Pacific Crest Trail. Nearby, you may find Starry False Solomon’s
Seal (Smilacina stellata) or Showy Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium californicum).
The genus name, Hydrophyllum, is Greek for waterleaf, and refers to the large number of plants
in this genus that grow near water. Augustus Fendler (1813-1883), a German botanist who collected
many plants that were later identified by Dr. Asa Gray, lends his name for this specific epithet.
Small-flower Nemophila Nemophila parviflora Benth.
Native. Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae).
This slender, little annual bears 3-7 tiny bell-shaped, axillary flowers. The flowers have 5 green
sepals with short, stiff hairs, 5 white or pale blue petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil. The basal and opposite
stem leaves have 5 lobes with pointed tips. The lobes are sometimes dissimilar. The two lower-most
basal leaves are entire to crenate. This diminutive early bloomer grows only 3-8 cm tall.
Small-flower Nemophila blooms mid-May through early June in wet meadows, beneath the large,
pleated leaves of California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum var. californicum), and tangled with
another tiny annual, Low Mountain Bedstraw (Galium bifolium).
Nemophila, from the Greek words nemos (grove) and philos (lover), means grove-loving or
woodland-loving, and refers to its preferred habitat. In Latin, parviflora means small flower, and refers to
the tiny flowers of this little annual.
Silverleaf Phacelia Phacelia hastata Lehm. ssp. hastata
This perennial has an erect stem with many stiff hairs. It stands about 10-14 inches tall. The
alternate leaves are highly variable. They are generally entire, but could be hastate with two to four lobes,
or compound with 3 to 5 leaflets. The regular flowers have 5 white to purple petals with 5 greatly
exserted stamens. The inflorescence is a one-sided, coiled cyme.
You’ll find this one growing around Rabbit Ears, the ski area, and other gravelly slopes from
mid-June through July. You may find Dusty Maidens (Chaenactis douglasii) or Siskiyou Penstemon
(Penstemon anguineus) blooming nearby.
Phacelia is Greek for bundle or cluster, referring to the dense inflorescence of most plants in this
genus. Hastata is from the Latin for a spear, or spear-shaped, and refers to the arrowhead shape of some
of the leaves.
134
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Br. Alfred Brousseau,
St. Mary’s College
White Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum fendleri var. albifrons)
Small-flower Nemophila (Nemophila parviflora)
Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata ssp. hastata)
135
Plant Descriptions
Vari-leaf Phacelia Phacelia heterophylla Pursh
Also called Variable Phacelia. Native. Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae).
The lower leaves of this biennial are hastate with 3 lobes, while the upper leaves are entire. All
alternate leaves have stiff hairs. The stem is erect with stiff hairs, growing 20-60 cm tall. The regular
flowers have 5 creamy white to purple petals with 5 greatly exserted stamens. The inflorescence is a onesided, coiled cyme. Vari-leaf Phacelia may be found around Rabbit Ears, the ski area, along the road, and
in dry, open areas along the Pacific Crest Trail through July.
genus. Heterophylla is also derived from Greek and means different leaves, referring to the two different
kinds of leaves found on the same plant: entire, and hastate.
Changeable Phacelia Phacelia mutabilis E. Greene
You will find this stiff-hairy biennial or short lived perennial by listening for the buzzzzz…
Changeable Phacelia has lots of bumblebee visitors, as it is one of the few fresh flowers late in the season
on Mount Ashland. Some plants are erect and tall, while others may be leaning toward the ground. The
plant bears many one-sided, coiled cymes made up of white or cream radial, bell-shaped flowers. Five
sepals and five petals cannot hide the five hairy stamens that are greatly exserted. The pistil, with its twolobed style, is usually not as tall as the stamens. Most of the alternate leaves are entire, but some of the
lower leaves may be compound with 3 leaflets. This late-season plant is usually 10-30 cm tall.
Changeable Phacelia prefers the dry soil of roadsides, and ridges. It blooms in September, along
USFS Road 20 between Road 300 and Road 40S30 to Grouse Gap Shelter. Growing nearby, you should
see Slender Tarweed (Madia gracilis), and further down the road, closer to road 40S30 you will find
white specimens of Sickle-keel Lupine (Lupinus albicaulis).
genus. In Latin, mutabilis means changeable generally in reference to color, but it is uncertain exactly to
what this refers.
Tall Phacelia Phacelia procera A. Gray
Also called Mountain Phacelia. Native. Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae).
The radial flowers are usually white, cream colored, or brownish white. The bottlebrush-like
cluster bears many of these flowers, which have five sepals, five petals, five stamens that are greatly
exserted, and one pistil with a two-lobed style. Alternate leaves are lobed, and the lobes vary from entire
to irregularly toothed. The erect stem, which grows 10-90 cm tall, is covered with hairs.
This perennial blooms in late June through early July at the margins of wet areas, often tangled in
with Big-leaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) and Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides).
genus. Procera is derived from the Latin word for tall, or high, referring to the usual height of this plant.
136
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Vari-leaf Phacelia (Phacelia heterophylla)
Changeable Phacelia (Phacelia mutabilis)
Tall Phacelia (Phacelia procera)
137
Plant Descriptions
St. John’s Wort Family (Hypericaceae)
Tinker’s Penny Hypericum anagalloides Cham. & Schldl.
Also called Bog St. Johns Wort. Native. St. John’s Wort Family (Hypericaceae).
To thoroughly appreciate this minute little flower, you will need a hand lens, and you will have to
lie down on your belly. Tiny flowers like this are generically referred to as “belly flowers” because you
have to lay on your belly to savor them. Five bright, yellow petals surround many stamens and a threelobed pistil. One radial flower blooms atop each short, prostrate stem. The tightly packed opposite leaves
are entire and surprisingly fleshy for such a small plant. The bases of the leaves more or less clasp the
stem. Many of these little gems usually grow together because as a result of many matted stolons – thin
stems that runs along the ground sprouting roots and flowering stems as it grows.
Tinker’s Pennies are found only on moist soil. While you are on your belly, you should also look
for Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides) and Small-flower Nemophila (Nemophila
parviflora), two other great belly flowers that grow in wet areas.
The scientific name of this plant is a mystery. Hypericum is derived from Greek, but its meaning
is unclear. Anagalloides is also derived from Greek and means Anagallis-like. Anagallis is the Greek
word for pimpernel, and is a genus in the Primrose Family (Primulaceae).
Klamath Weed Hypericum perforatum L.
Also called Common St. John’s Wort, God’s Wonder Plant, Devil’s Scourge, Goat Weed, Grace
of God, Rosin Rose, Amber Touch and Heal, Terrestrial Sun, and Hundred Holes. Non-native from
Europe. St. John’s Wort Family (Hypericaceae).
Many stamens and one three-lobed pistil make the center of this yellow flower appear bushy.
The radial flower has five petals, the margins of which are often fringed. The petals and the anthers are
dotted with black glands. Clusters of flowers grow in the axils of the opposite, entire leaves. The
margins of the leaves are often rolled under. The stems are erect and usually green, mottled with red.
One stem can produce 25-100 flowers. Klamath Weed grows 45-75 cm tall.
On Mount Ashland, you will find it blooming in late June through early July along USFS Road
20 below the ski lodge. Growing nearby, you may find Hairy Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) or Sheep
Sorrel (Rumex acetosella).
Klamath Weed has become very popular as a homeopathic treatment for mild depression. Recent
research has also revealed that the toxin, hypericin, may inhibit human immunodeficiency virus. In spite
of these benevolent characteristics, the plant is considered a noxious weed in the western United States
because it is toxic to livestock. In order to control its spread, the flea beetle, Chrysolina quadrigemina,
has been introduced to affected areas. The beetles eat the plant, preventing its growth and the
development of more seed.
In England, one of its native countries, Klamath Weed was hanged over doorways to bring
prosperity.
The genus name, hypericum, is derived from Greek, but its meaning is unclear. Perforatum is
Latin and means to bore through, perhaps referring to the black dots on the leaves which might look
similar to many small holes.
138
Plant Descriptions
Tinker’s Penny (Hypericum anagalloides)
Klamath Weed (Hypericum perforatum)
139
Plant Descriptions
Iris Family (Iridaceae)
Yellow-flowered Iris Iris chrysophylla Howell
Also called Yellow-leaf Iris, and Slender-tubed Iris. Native. Iris Family (Iridaceae).
I found only one small clump of these jewels on the second ski run. Although common in
southwest Oregon, Yellow-flowered Iris is a rarity on Mount Ashland. These flowers have three long,
white, narrow sepals that may be mistaken for petals. The three petals are whitish, perhaps with a yellow
or bluish tinge, with dark purple veins. In the center of the flower, there are three style branches that are
petal-like: long, white, and narrow. Each style branch arches over a stamen. There are many grass-like
basal leaves that do not appear to be attached to any particular flowering stem. There are also a few stem
leaves that fold protectively around the stem. Leaves typical of Irises have an interesting habit that
Linnaeus termed equitant. The older leaves fold lengthwise around younger leaves, “like one astride a
horse’s back.”
As a general rule of thumb, irises are poisonous to humans, but the ancient Greeks valued them
for their medicinal properties. Irises cured spleens, coughs, bruises, fits, dropsy, snakebites, and anger.
Orrisrott, used in perfumes, comes from the roots of several Iris species.
Iris, the winged messenger of the gods, was symbolized by the rainbow, and for her colorful
cloak, the iris flowers were named. Thomas Howell, an Oregon botanist, named this plant in 1901 in A
Flora of Northwest America. Although he chose the specific epithet chrysophylla, which means golden
leaf, the leaves have very little yellow coloration.
Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bellum S. Watson
Also called Western Blue-eyed Grass. Native. Iris Family (Iridaceae).
These delightful flowers seem to float in a sea of grass, but upon closer inspection, you will
discover that this “grass” is actually the leaves of this plant. Each plant bears one or two deep blue-purple
or blue-violet flowers, with 3 sepals that are identical to the 3 petals, 3 stamens and 1 pistil. The petal tips
are sometimes notched. Two leaf-like bracts subtend the radial flowers. Grass-like leaves appear to be
nearly opposite, and are folded along the mid-rib. The glabrous, erect stem is usually 10-20 cm tall, and
generally flat.
These delicate perennials prefer open, moist, grassy areas. Look for them in the wet meadows
along the Pacific Crest Trail as you get close to Grouse Gap. I found them blooming in late June to early
July between two clumps of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides). Nearby, Tinker’s Pennies
(Hypericum anagalloides) were also in bloom.
Theophrastus called Irises by the name of Sisyrinchium. Theophrastus, who died in 287 BC, was
a Greek philosopher and botanist. He was the favorite student of and immediate successor of Aristotle.
Bellum is derived from the Latin word for beautiful. Ah!
Mint Family (Lamiaceae)
Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop Agastache urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze
Also called Horsemint, and Nettle-leaf Horsemint. Native. Mint Family (Lamiaceae).
This is one of only three mints found on Mt. Ashland above 6,200 feet. The creamy-white
flowers are irregular, and have two stamens greatly exserted, and two stamens just barely exserted. From
a distance, the flower heads may appear pinkish to purplish because of the colored sepals and bracts. The
leaves are opposite, coarsely toothed, and slightly cordate at the base. The erect, square stem reaches
heights of 45-60 cm.
Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop is common around the rock wall by the ski area restaurant, at the picnic
area, along USFS Road 20, and along the Pacific Crest Trail in sunny areas. You’ll find this perennial
from June through August, often growing near Coyote Mint (Monardella odoratissima) and Oregon
Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum).
Agastache is Greek for many spikes; urticifolia is Latin for nettle-leaf, referring to the shape of
the leaf, which must have reminded someone of the nettle leaves.
140
Plant Descriptions
Yellow-leaf Iris (Iris chrysophylla)
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia)
141
Plant Descriptions
Coyote Mint Monardella odoratissima Benth.
Also called Western Balm, Mountain Monardella, and Mountain Balm. Native. Mint Family
(Lamiaceae).
Try rubbing the leaves between your fingers and then smell your fingers...very aromatic. The
flowers appear to have 5 petals, but actually the flowers are irregular bilabial: the upper lip has 2 lobes,
and the lower lip has 3 lobes. The soft lavender petals are complemented by 4 dark purple stamens. Each
flower is surrounded by a fuzzy calyx consisting of 5 fused lobes. The dense head of flowers is subtended
by several purplish bracts that reflex with maturity. The leaves are opposite and entire. The erect stem is
square and glabrous to hairy. This plant stands 25-35 cm tall.
You’ll find this perennial blooming around Rabbit Ears in late June, along the road close to the
ski area in early July, and in the picnic area through July. Milk Kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides) or
Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata) may be growing nearby.
In the days of outhouses, many flowers in the mint family were used as “strewing herbs” –
herbaceous flowers that were scattered on the floors of outhouses so that when they were crushed by
people’s feet, their aroma would enhance the outhouse experience.
Monardella is Latin for small monarda. Monarda is another Mint genus, named for Nicolas
Monardes (1493-1588), a Spanish physician and botanist. Derived from Latin, odoratissima means the
smelliest – in a fragrant way, of course.
Rough Hedge Nettle Stachys ajugoides Benth. var. rigida Jepson & Hoover
Also called Rigid Hedge Nettle, and Hedge Nettle. Mint Family (Lamiaceae).
A long, terminal spike bears whorls of sessile, bilateral flowers. Leaf-like bracts subtend each
whorl, and the entire spike may have 6-16 flowers. The pink, magenta to purplish flowers have two lips:
the upper lip is shorter than the tongue-like lower lip. The lower lip has magenta dots around its margin.
Four stamens are tucked beneath the upper lip, and the pistil is hidden in the throat of the flower. The
opposite leaves have coarsely toothed or scalloped margins, and the leaf bases are rounded to cordate.
The leaves and the simple, erect stem are soft-hairy. Rough Hedge Nettle is usually 10-25 cm tall.
This perennial grows in moist to dry places, usually along the margins of wet areas. It blooms
from early- to mid-July through early August. You may find Large-flowered Boykinia (Boykinia major)
or Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii) growing nearby.
Stachys is Greek for spike or ear of corn, referring to the inflorescence. Ajugoides means “Ajugalike.” Ajuga is another genus in the Mint family. Rigida is Latin for stiff, and refers to the erect stem.
Lily Family (Liliaceae)
Pacific Onion Allium validum S. Watson
Also called Tall Swamp Onion. Native. Lily family (Liliaceae).
Like many lilies, these radial flowers have six tepals that can vary in color from light lavender to
pale pink to white. Six stamens are exserted from each corolla. Many flowers are arranged in densely
clustered umbel. The number of basal leaves can vary from three to six; they are narrow and grass-like
(linear), and sheathe the stem at the base. The glabrous stem rises 40-80 cm.
Pacific Onion is a perennial that can be found in moist areas at the base of the ski slopes, and
along the Pacific Crest Trail between USFS Road 20 and Grouse Gap. On the south slope, it grows near
White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys). At the base of the ski slopes, look around for
Columbia Windflower (Anemone deltoidea).
Allium is Latin for garlic or onion; validum is Latin for strong, in reference to the strong onion
smell of this plant.
142
Plant Descriptions
Coyote Mint (Monardella odoratissima)
Rough Hedge Nettle (Stachys ajugoides var. rigida)
Pacific Onion (Allium validum)
143
Plant Descriptions
Pussy Ears Calochortus tolmiei Hook. & Arn.
Also called Tolmie’s Pussy Ears, and Tolmie’s Star Tulip. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
These low-lying but erect flowers might be missed at first glance. They often grow in the middle
of other vegetation, so it’s difficult to distinguish which leaves belong to this little plant. The unique,
regular flowers have 3 wide petals and 3 narrow sepals that are all similarly colored. The outer margins
of the petals are white and hairy. The center of the flower has no hairs and is purplish. There are usually
one to three flowers per plant. There is only one basal leaf that is entire, simple, and grass-like, and
sometimes there will be one stem leaf. The flower is only about 4-5 cm from the ground, but the basal leaf
usually extends over the flower by 15 cm.
Look for Pussy Ears around Rabbit Ears and on other dry, grassy slopes from June through July.
You may also find Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) or Torrey’s Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi
var. latifolia).
In Greek, calochortus means “beautiful grass” because the beautiful flowers have slender, grasslike leaves. Tolmiei honors William Fraser Tolmie (1812-1886) from Scotland. Tolmie collected plants
primarily in Washington and Oregon from 1833-1859.
Bride’s Bonnet Clintonia uniflora (Schultes) Kunth
Also called Queen’s Cup, Queen Cup, Blue Bead, Queen’s Cup Beadlily, and Bead Lily. Native.
Lily Family (Liliaceae).
The solitary waxy white flower sits atop a leafless, glabrous stem that rises 7-15 cm. The regular
flower has six tepals, six stamens with yellow anthers that rise like a crown from the center of the flower.
One pistil has a three-lobed stigma. Tulip-like basal leaves are entire and shiny with hairy margins. The
fruit is a single blue berry, hence Blue Bead, one of the common names. Bride’s Bonnet is found in
coniferous forests.
The Bella Coola Indians in British Colombia, Canada toasted the berries and the leaves and made
a poultice that was used to ease eye soreness and to aid in the healing of cuts. However, they considered
the berry poisonous to humans if eaten, hence their name for this flower, Wolf’s Berry.
The generic name, Clintonia, commemorates DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828), governor of New
York and botanist. The specific epithet, uniflora, is Latin for one flower. This indicates that each
flowering stem will only produce one flower.
Hooker’s Fairybells Disporum hookeri (Torrey) Nicholson
Also called Drops of Gold. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
These nodding, narrowly bell-shaped flowers grace shady forested areas. The greenish, radial
flowers have 6 tepals, 6 stamens that are as long as or longer than the petals, and 1 pistil with a 3-lobed
stigma. The alternate leaves are sessile, entire and glabrous, but may be densely hairy on the veins on the
underside of the leave. The stem, which is usually hairy above, grows 20-60 cm.
Many of the northwest coastal tribes considered the berries of this plant poisonous, and associated
it with snakes or ghosts.
Disporum is Greek for double seed, perhaps meaning that each ovary chamber bears two
ovules/seeds. Hookeri is named after Dr. William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) who wrote Flora BorealiAmericana which was published in England in 1825.
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Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Pussy Ears (Calochortus tolmiei)
Photo by Bob Vos
Bride’s Bonnet (Clintonia uniflora)
Hooker’s Fairybells (Disporum hookeri)
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Plant Descriptions
Glacier Lily Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh
Also called Yellow Avalanche Lily, Snow Lily, Adder’s Tongue, Yellow Adder’s Tongue,
Lamb’s Tongue, Dog -Toothed Violet, Fawn Lily, Western Fawn Lily and Yellow Fawn Lily. Native.
This bright yellow flower has 6 tepals, a term referring to the petal-like structures when the sepals
and petals are identical in appearance. The tepals are usually recurved displaying a long, white pistil with
a three-lobed stigma and six yellow stamens. The flowers are either solitary at the end of a leafless stem,
or two flowers can grow together on one stem. This plant has only two lanceolate basal leaves with entire
but wavy margins. The leaves are solid green with no mottling. The entire plant is glabrous and can be
as small as 10 cm tall and as large as 25 cm tall. Look for Glacier Lily in wet areas in May.
The bulbs of this beautiful flower were prized by the Salish Indians in British Columbia. They
might harvest up to 200 lbs per year, which they cooked and ate immediately or threaded and hung up to
dry for winter use. Small rodents store them, and black and grizzly bears dig and eat them fresh. Because
digging up the bulbs means the death of a lily, wholesale harvesting by humans is no longer practiced.
The common names, Avalanche Lily and Glacier Lily, refer to this plant’s tendency to bloom at
the edge of melting snow banks. Erythros is Greek for red. In this genus, the anthers are often red, but
this particular species has anthers that can vary from yellow to creamy white. Grandiflorum means large
flowered in Latin.
Chocolate Lily Fritillaria atropurpurea Nutt.
Also called Spotted Fritillary, Mission Bells, and Spotted Mountain Bells. Native. Lily Family
(Liliaceae).
This is the only flower on Mount Ashland that has brown and green/yellow mottled tepals. The
six petal-like structures are called tepals because the sepals are identical to petals in appearance. The
leaves are alternate and linear (grass-like). The stem is somewhat succulent and can grow from six to 18
inches tall. The entire plant is glabrous. There are six stamens and one pistil with a three-lobed stigma.
Look for this one in May and early June in dry areas – near Rabbit Ears and just outside the wet meadows
on the south slope.
In Latin, fritillaria means dice box and refers to the shape of the fruit. Atropurpurea is Latin for
blackish-purple, referring to the color of the tepals.
Wiggin’s Lily Lilium pardalinum Kellogg ssp. wigginsii (Beane & Vollmer) M. Skinner
Also called Leopard Lily. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
These nodding, striking yellow-orange flowers are a feast for the eyes. Six long tepals recurve
displaying an array of reddish-purple dots toward the center of the flower. If you look closely, you will
see the tip of each petal has short, fuzzy hairs. Six large orange-yellow anthers protrude from the center,
surrounding the single stout, green pistil. The entire leaves grow in whorls on a tall, glabrous stem. Each
stem produces one to several flowers. Wiggin’s Lily can grow as tall as one meter, but is usually about
60 cm.
This perenial is found in wet areas, often next to running water. It may be surrounded by Oregon
Checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana) and Columbian Monskhood (Aconitum columbianum).
Because of the spots on these flowers, there is a superstition in the northwest: anyone who smells
Wiggin’s Lily or Leopard Lily will get freckles!
Lilium is the Greek word for lily, and pardalinum is a derivative of Greek meaning spotted net or
leopard cloth, obviously referring to the spots on the orange-yellow petals.
146
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum)
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria atropurpurea)
Wiggin’s Lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. wigginsii)
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Plant Descriptions
Washington Lily Lilium washingtonianum Kellogg
Also called Shasta Lily, Cascade Lily, and Mountain Lily. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
Large, waxy, white flowers have reddish-purple spots and mottling, and the petals turn
completely purple with age. The nodding flowers have 6 tepals that are usually 8-12 cm long. The tepals
recurve about 1/3 their length, displaying the single dirty yellow pistil and six stamens with large pale
yellow anthers. The entire leaves grow in whorls around the tall stem that reaches 1-2 m high.
Washington Lily is usually found in open woods and thickets in loose, dry soil at moderate altitudes.
Although the bulbs are edible and were widely used by Native Americans, please leave these
gorgeous flowers for nature.
Lilium is the Greek word for lily, and washingtonianum means of Washington, referring to the
general range of this species.
False Solomon’s Seal Smilacina racemosa (L.) Link or Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum
Also called Western False Solomon’s Seal, Branched Solomon’s Seal, and ZigZag Solomon’s
Seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-Valley, and Scurvy Berries. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae)
Many small regular flowers create a dense terminal panicle that causes the top of the plant to nod
or lean sideways. Upon close examination, you will find that the flowers have six whitish-yellow tepals.
The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire with wavy margins. The parallel venation in the leaves
indicates that this plant is a monocotyledon. The stem and leaves are glabrous, and on Mount Ashland
most of the stems are no taller than 30 cm, although the plant never stands that tall as it is always bent in a
graceful arc. In late summer, the bright red berries become obvious.
Look for this one in shaded areas along the Pacific Crest Trail, at the picnic area and around
Stonehenge – in the understory or beneath shrubs. It is often found along with Starry False Solomon’s
Seal (Smilacine stellata) or Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum).
The berries of False Solomon’s Seal are edible, and the name Scurvy Berries suggests that they
contain an ample amount of vitamin C. Centuries ago, in New England, this plant was known as treacle
berries because the berries taste similar to an English treat called treacle, a type of molasses. False
Solomon’s Seal has been relied on for centuries as a food source and as a valuable medicinal plant.
This plant is called False Solomon’s Seal because of its resemblance to Solomon’s Seal
(Polygonatum biflorum). The underground portion of both of these plants is called a rhizome. At the
end of the season, the above ground stem breaks off and leaves a scar on the rhizome. This round stem
scar resembles the stamped-wax envelope seals of old. Stories claim that these seals were made by
Solomon, a man who “knew the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots,” as a testimony of its value
as a medicine.
Smilacina is Greek for little smilax. Smilax is another genus in the Lily family; the Greek
meaning of this word is unknown. Racemosa is derived from the Latin word for cluster and refers to this
flower’s inflorescence, which is a panicle – a compound raceme.
148
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Washington Lily (Lilium washingtonianum)
False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina racemosa)
149
Plant Descriptions
Starry False Solomon’s Seal Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. or Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link
Also called Star Solomon’s Seal, Few-flowered False Solomon’s Seal, and Starry False Lily-ofthe-Valley. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
A short raceme of 5-15 starry flowers sit atop a straight or zig-zapped stem. The white, radial
flowers have 6 tepals, 6 stamens, and 1 pistil with 3-lobed stigma. Alternate leaves are sessile, entire, and
minutely hairy below (you will need a hand lens to see the hairs). This perennial often is 15-35 cm tall.
Starry False Solomon’s Seal blooms in mid- to late-June next to Brewer’s Mitrewort (Mitella
breweri) and Baneberry (Acteae rubra) in moist, shaded areas. Look for these flowers along forested
portions of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Rhizomes were cooked and eaten by Native Americans. Tea from roots helped colds and
increased appetites. Boiled leaf tea was used to prevent conception by drinking ½ cup daily for two
weeks. Raw berries were eaten as a laxative.
Smilacina is Greek for little smilax. Smilax is another genus in the Lily family; the Greek
meaning of this word is unknown. Stellata is derived from the Latin word for star, and refers to the shape
of the flowers.
Western Tofieldia Tofieldia occidentalis S. Watson ssp. occidentalis
Also called Sticky False Asphodel. Native. Lily family (Liliaceae).
Small, white flowers are borne in a dense, terminal raceme. Each little flower has 6 tepals, 6
stamens with yellow anthers, and 1 pistil with 3 styles. Dense hairs at the top of the erect stem are tipped
with black glands that contain sticky oils. The linear, grass-like leaves are mostly basal, but there may be
2 or 3 leaves at the bottom of the stem. This perennial is 20-45 cm tall.
Western Tofieldia grows in wet meadows on the south slopes. Be careful not to mistake it for
Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides). The easiest way to tell the difference is to feel the stem. If the
stem is sticky, it is Western Tofieldia. If the stem is not sticky, it is Western Bistort. It blooms in early to
mid-July with Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) and Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii).
Thomas Tofield (1730-1779), a British botanist, is commemorated in this genus name.
Occidentalis is Latin for western, referring to the range of this species.
Western Trillium Trillium ovatum Pursh
Also called Pacific Trillium, Western Wake Robin, Wood Trillium, and White Trillium. Native.
All parts of the trillium come in threes or multiples of three: three styles (and therefore three
berries in fruit), three petals, three sepals, three leaves, six stamens. The common name, Wake Robin,
comes from the fact that it is one of the earliest spring bloomers, coming with the early bird. Color
changes from white to pink or rose with maturity. This is a signal to insects that the flower has been
pollinated and the insects shouldn’t bother with it.
Native women used trillium root to stop bleeding after childbirth, or to stop hemorrhaging.
Recent studies of this plant indicate that one Western Trillium plant can live from 30-50 years.
Western Trillium has an interesting relationship with ants. The seeds have oil-rich appendages
that the ants love to eat. So, the ants drag the seeds to their nests where they eat the appendages, and then
discard the seed outside of the nest. As a result of this mutualistic relationship, the ants receive food
while the seeds of Western Trillium are carefully dispersed.
This handsome plant was first recorded in 1806 by Capt. Meriweather Lewis (of the Lewis and
Clark expedition), who found it near rapids on the Columbia River. It was officially named in 1814 by
Frederick Pursh, a Polish botanist, who depended on Lewis’s description of the plant.
Derived from Latin, trillium means three, and refers to the number of petals, sepals, and leaves.
Ovatum is also Latin and means egg-shaped, probably referring to the leaf shape.
150
Plant Descriptions
Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina stellata)
Photo by Bob Vos
Western Tofieldia (Tofieldia occidentalis)
Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum)
151
Plant Descriptions
California False Hellebore Veratrum californicum Durand var. californicum
Also referred to as Corn Lily, and California Corn Lily. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
A stout plant of wet meadows with very distinct leaves, California False Hellebore is hard to
miss. The huge, plaited leaves are obvious as early as late May, but the large, triangular panicle does not
appear until July. Many white to greenish-white flowers have 6 tepals, 6 stamens, and 1 pistil with a 3lobed stigma. Using your hand lens to look at the ovary, you will find that it is glabrous. At the base of
each petal is a dark green gland in the shape of a Y or V. Those alternate leaves are entire and glabrous
above but tomentose beneath.
California False Hellebore grows 1-2 m high in wet meadows, next to Oregon Checkerbloom
(Sidalcea oregana) and Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum).
All False Hellebores contain toxic alkaloids. Ingestion of any part of the plant could result in
extreme salivation, prostration, depressed heart action, difficult breathing, burning sensations in the
mouth and throat, hallucinations, and headaches. Most poisonings result from misuse of the medicinal
properties of the plant.
Veratrum is derived from Latin and means dark root, referring to the black rhizome. Calfornicum
is New Latin and means of California, referring to the general range of this species.
Siskiyou False Hellebore Veratrum insolitum Jepson
Also called Siskiyou Corn Lily. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
Siskiyou False Hellebore looks almost exactly like California False Hellebore (V. californicum),
except for the ovary. Siskiyou False Hellebore has a woolly ovary that is easily seen with a hand lens,
while California False Hellebore has a glabrous ovary. Also, the petals of Siskiyou False Hellebore are
often irregularly toothed, almost appearing fringed. Siskiyou False Hellebore grows interspersed among
California False Hellebore.
Veratrum is derived from Latin and means dark root, referring to the black rhizome. Insolitum
means unfamiliar or strange, referring to the lack of abundance of this species. There are very few of
them on Mount Ashland.
Green False Hellebore Veratrum viride Aiton
Also referred to as Green Corn Lily, White Hellebore, Indian Poke, Devil’s Bite, and Indian
Hellebore. Native. Lily Family (Liliaceae).
This is a coarse, perennial with a leafy stem and greenish-yellow flowers in a large, loosely
branched panicle, with the lower branches of the panicle drooping. The regular flowers have six tepals
with a dark green V at it base. The large, alternate, entire leaves are vertically ribbed and clasp the
hollow stem. This highly conspicuous plant grows 1-2 m high.
Although not as common as California False Hellebore (V. californicum), you will see the leaves
of this large plant as early as June 1st, long before the flowers appear in mid to late July. Look for it in
wet seeps and wet meadows.
Green False Hellebore contains toxic alkaloids that make this one of the most poisonous plants in
the Pacific Northwest. To eat just a small portion of this plant would result in loss of consciousness and
death. It is so powerful that people who have drank the water in which Green False Hellebore grows have
reported stomach cramps, frothing at the mouth, blurred vision, lockjaw, vomiting, and diarrhea. Because
of the alkaloids, this plant can also be used medicinally, and it was an important and respected medicine
of the PNW coastal tribes. However, most poisonings result from misuse of the medicine.
True hellebores are species of Helleborus in the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceaea), and do not
bear much resemblance to Veratrum species.
Veratrum is derived from Latin and means dark root, referring to the blackish rhizome. Viride is
Latin for green, and refers to the flower color.
152
Plant Descriptions
California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum var. californicum)
Photo by Bob Vos
Siskiyou False Hellebore (Veratrum insolitum)
Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride)
153
Plant Descriptions
Flax Family (Linaceae)
Common Blue Flax Linum lewisii Pursh
Also called Wild Blue Flax, Western Blue Flax, and Prairie Flax. Native. Flax Family
(Linaceae).
These delightful flowers are regular with 5 sky blue petals that are veined in a deeper shade of
cobalt blue, and are yellow in the center. Five stamens and five pistils protrude from the center of the
flower. Each flower persists for only one day. They open in the morning, and the petals fall to the
ground the following day. The inflorescence is a very loose, terminal cyme. The small leaves are simple,
entire, and alternate. This perennial has a glabrous stem that grows to about 45 cm. It flowers in late
June through early July, and can be found on the slopes around Rabbit Ears growing next to Siskiyou
Mountains Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus) and Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytum
diffusum).
The cultivated flax, L. usitatissimum, is not found on Mount Ashland. It is cultivated for
flaxseed, or linseed, oil obtained from the seeds. For centuries, Egyptian “cotton” made from this plant
clothed the Pharaohs, the priests, and the common man. Flaxseed capsules were found in a tomb dating
back to 3100 BC.
The genus name, linum, could be derived from the Greek word linon, and the Celtic word, lin,
which mean thread, and refer to the fibers of the plant that are used to make linen. Or could come from
the Latin word, lineus, which means flax blue. Lewisii honors Meriweather Lewis, of the famous Lewis
and Clark expedition.
Loasa Family (Loasaceae)
Bushy Blazing Star Mentzelia dispersa S. Watson
Native. Loasa Family (Loasaceae)
For a plant with such a striking name, the radial flowers are unexpectedly small. A long slender
calyx tube covered with barbed hairs is topped with 5 tiny lobes, about 1-2 mm long. Five small, yellow
petals, about 2-3 mm, open fully to reveal many stamens and one pistil. In the cyme, a small, green, leaflike bract subtends each flower. The alternate stem leaves are sessile and entire, although a few may be
shallowly toothed. Basal leaves are entire to lobed. This erect annual usually stands 7-35 cm tall, and the
branching stem is a white/cream color with pink mottling. Stiff, barbed hairs that cover the stem, leaves,
and calyxes make this plant very clingy – like velcro.
In general, Bushy Blazing Star prefers sandy or rocky soils. On Mount Ashland, I have only seen
this plant growing near the ski area parking lot, just inside the wooden fence next to a large rock. It
blooms late July to early August with Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata) and Virginia Pepperweed
(Lepidium virginicum var. virginicum).
The derivation and meaning of the genus name, Mentzelia, is uncertain. Dispersa is derived from
Latin and means to scatter, perhaps referring to the plant’s seed dispersal mechanism.
154
Plant Descriptions
Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)
Bushy Blazing Star (Mentzelia dispersa)
155
Plant Descriptions
Mallow Family (Malvaceae)
Oregon Checkerbloom Sidalcea oregana (Torrey & A. Gray) A. Gray
Also called Oregon Sidalcea, and Spiked Sidalcea. Native. Mallow Family (Malvaceae).
Lovely pink, radial flowers are a delightful surprise in the wet meadows on Mount Ashland.
Protected by five sepals, the five rose-pink to purple petals are notched at the tip. Many stamens and one
pistil make the flower center appear slightly bushy. The terminal spike-like raceme can be dense or open.
The hairy, alternate leaves vary in shape along the stem. The lowest leaves are usually crenate, while the
upper-most leaves are more or less palmately compound. The segments of the upper leaves are either
entire or deeply lobed. The erect stem is also hairy and usually grows 30-150 cm tall.
There are two subspecies of this perennial on Mount Ashland. Those with an open inflorescence
are ssp. oregana, while those with a dense inflorescence are ssp. spicata (Regel) C. Hitchc.
Oregon Checkerbloom brightens the wet meadows on the south slopes in July and August. You
will find them entangled with Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) and Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium
bigelovii).
The derivation and meaning of the genus name, Sidalcea, is uncertain. Oregana is New Latin for
of Oregon, referring to the general range of this species and subspecies. Spicata is Latin for spike,
referring to the dense inflorescence of this subspecies.
Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae)
Fireweed Epilobium angustifolium L. ssp. circumvagum Mosq.
Also called Willow Herb, Blooming Sally, and Red Fireweed. Native. Evening Primrose Family
(Onagraceae).
Many people think Fireweed grows only in recently burned areas. Although it is true that this
hardy pioneer species can grow in recently burned areas, it also flourishes in any open place, particularly
along roadsides and on gravel bars. On Mount Ashland, you’ll find these familiar plants in various places
along USFS Road 20.
The bright magenta flowers have four wide, spoon-shaped petals and four narrow, linear reddish
sepals. The 8 stamens mature before the long, stout pistil, which has a 4-lobed stigma. The flowers grow
in a long raceme, with nodding buds at the top and the large, open flowers below. The alternate, entire
leaves are long, narrow and lanceolate. The stout stem is primarily green with reddish-purple mottling,
and grows from 60-120 cm. Fireweed spreads by seeds and by buds on the underground stem.
Native Americans used the tough fibers in the stem as rope or twine for fishnets. They also ate
the young leaves and new shoots as salad greens. This plant is also prized for its nectar. Many
beekeepers seek out populations of Fireweed for the production of premium honey.
The common name alludes to this plant’s amazing capacity to quickly colonize in a newly burned
area. Epilobium is derived from two Greek words, epi – upon, and lobos – pod, and refers to the inferior
ovary. Angustifolium is taken from two Latin words, angustus – narrow, and folium – leaf, and describes
the shape of the leaves. Circumvagum is Latin for wandering around, and possibly refers to the tendency
of this plant to appear in various open places.
156
Plant Descriptions
ssp. oregana
ssp. spicata
Oregon Checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana)
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium var. circumvagum)
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Plant Descriptions
Tall Annual Willow-herb Epilobium brachycarpum C. Presl
Also called Parched Fireweed. Native. Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
Four white, deeply notched petals distinguish these radial flowers. In the center of the petals,
there are 8 stamens with yellowish anthers and one pistil. The flowers bloom in a very open raceme,
usually mature fruits are obvious below the flowers. The fruits are slender, and elongated with four
obvious angles. Alternate leaves are long and narrow and generally folded along the mid-vein. Tall
Annual Willow-herb prefers dry, open hillsides on the south slopes. Growing nearby, look for its close
relatives, Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytym diffusum) and Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium var.
circumvagum).
Epilobium is a Greek derivative meaning upon the pod, and refers to the petals which sit upon the
inferior ovary. Brachycarpum is Greek for short fruit, indicating that the fruits of this species are shorter
than the fruits of many of the other species in this genus.
Fringed Willow-herb Epilobium ciliatum Raf. ssp. glandulosum (Lehm.) P. Hoch & Raven
Also called Common Willow-herb. Native. Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
A slender plant of wet meadows, Fringed Willow-herb has several small, pink to rose-purple
flowers borne in a raceme. Each radial flower has 4 sepals, 4 petals that are generally notched at the tip, 8
stamens that are shorter than or equal to the one pistil, which is club-shaped. The leaves are generally
opposite below, entire, and have conspicuous veins. The erect stem grows 15-90 cm, and is usually hairy.
This perennial blooms in wet meadows from late June through early August, with Candy Flower
(Claytonia sibirica) and American Brooklime (Veronica americana).
inferior ovary. Ciliatum is derived from the Latin word for small hair and refers to the hairs on the stem,
inflorescence, and fruit. Also derived from Latin, glandulosum means full of glands and refers to the
hairs in the inflorescence which often bear glands filled with sticky oil.
Hornemann’s Willow-herb Epilobium hornemannii Reichb. ssp. hornemannii
Native. Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
These pink-purple flowers have four petals that are notched about half way to the base. Each half
of the petal has dark purple lines. When the flower starts to wither, the color turns to deep purple. The
center of the flower holds 8 stamens and one long club-shaped pistil. Four sepals vary from green to
reddish-purple, depending on the maturity of the plant, and are shorter than the petals. The flowers bloom
in an open raceme, and usually there are mature fruits below the delicate flowers. The fruits are elongated
and square in cross-section. The leaves are opposite below the inflorescence, and alternate through the
inflorescence. They are shallowly toothed and on more mature plants, the leaf margins are often red.
Look for this perennial in June in wet meadows, growing close to the water. You may find Candy Flower
(Claytonia sibirica) or Three-leaf Wood Sorrel (Oxalis trilliifolia) growing nearby.
inferior ovary. Hornemannii honors Jens Wilken Hornemann (1770-1841) professor of botany and
amateur ornithologist at Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Plant Descriptions
Tall Annual Willow-herb (Epilobium brachycarpum)
Fringed Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum)
Hornemann’s Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii)
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Plant Descriptions
Milkflower Willow-herb Epilobium lactiflorum Hausskn.
Also called Milkflower Willow-weed, and White-Flowered Willow Herb. Native. Evening
Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
Milkflower Willow-herb has several small to moderate sized white or pink flowers arranged in a
nodding or erect raceme. The inflorescence is glandular. Each radial flower has 4 sepals, 4 petals that are
generally notched at the tip, 8 stamens, and 1 pistil. The leaves are generally opposite below, entire, and
petioles are more or less winged. The erect stem grows 15-50 cm, and is usually minutely hairy. This
perennial blooms in wet meadows.
Epilobium is a Greek derivative meaning upon the pod, and refers to the petals, which sit upon
the inferior ovary. Derived from Latin, lactiflorum means milk-white flower and refers to the usual white
color of the flower.
Oregon Willow-herb Epilobium oregonense Hausskn.
Native. Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
A solitary, terminal white blossom is held on a red, thread-like, short stem. The flower has 4 redpink sepals that are erect in flower, 4 white petals that are notched at the tip, 8 stamens, and 1 club-shaped
pistil. Tiny leaves are opposite and entire. They are tightly packed at the base of the stem, and sparse
above. The nodes along the stem are slightly swollen. The stem and leaves are glabrous, but the inferior
ovary and the sepals have short, fine hairs that can only be seen with a hand lens. This slender, erect plant
only grows 4-6 cm tall.
This little waif of a perennial blooms in late July in saturated soils next to Tinker’s Penny
(Hypericum anagalloides) and Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides ssp. primuloides).
Epilobium is a Greek derivative meaning upon the pod, and refers to the petals, which grow
above the inferior ovary. Oregonense is New Latin and means of Oregon, referring to the range of this
species.
Spreading Ground Smoke Gayophytum diffusum Torrey & A. Gray
Also called Spreading Gayophytum. Native. Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae).
I love this common name! Tiny white flowers with 4 petals grow in the leaf axils of these highly
branched plants. Eight stamens are exserted from the corolla. The small leaves are alternate and entire,
and may appear to be opposite near the base of the stem. The slender, thread-like stems are glabrous, and
can stretch as high as 60 cm.
These delicate, whimsical flowers are abundant in the dry soils of the open meadows on the south
slopes. You will find them tucked between larger, more obvious plants such as Common Blue Flax
(Linum lewisii) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Gayophytum is a Latin derivative meaning Gay’s plant. C. Gay (1800-1873) was the French
author of the Flora of Chile. Diffusum is Latin for spreading, and refers to the branching nature of the
plant.
160
Plant Descriptions
Milkflower Willow-herb (Epilobium lactiflorum)
Oregon Willow-herb (Epilobium oregonense)
Spreading Ground Smoke (Gayophytum diffusum)
161
Plant Descriptions
Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)
Calypso Orchid Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes
Also called Venus’ Slipper, Lady’s Slipper, False Lady’s Slipper, Deer-head Orchid, Cytherea,
Hider-of-the-North, Pink Slipper Orchid, and Fairy Slipper. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
As you are walking through the woods, you may see one small, bilateral pink flower atop a
leafless stalk. The erect, glabrous stem is fairly slender and only grows up to 15 cm tall, with most of
these plants only growing 8-10 cm tall. Sometimes, the color changes from pink, to yellow to white with
maturity, making some people think it is a different species. The stem is pink or mauve with several pink
bracts. This gorgeous plant has only one spherical basal leaf that becomes ridged and tinged with purple
as it matures. Look for this one in wooded areas along the Pacific Crest Trail at lower elevations.
This exquisite flower is disappearing at an accelerated rate as a result of urban encroachment and
picking. Adding to its decline is the little-known fact that it was prized by Chinese herbalists. When it
was plentiful, Chinese immigrants dug up the bulb and sent it to their homeland. This practice ceased
long ago, but left its mark on the populations.
Calypso was a sea nymph, a goddess, and queen of the island of Ogygia. To readers of Homer’s
Odyssey, it was she who waylaid Ulysses for seven years. Like the goddess for whom it is named, the
Calypso Orchid finds secluded places to its liking. In Latin, bulbosa means bulb, referring to the root,
which is bulb-like.
Phantom Orchid Cephalanthera austinae (A. Gray) A.A. Heller
Also called Snow Orchid. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
This entirely white plant often becomes yellowish or brown with age. A terminal raceme bears
bilateral, white flowers that are each subtended by one bract. The alternate leaves are scale-like, entire,
and the leaf bases sheathe the stem. The glabrous stem grows 20-55 cm in decomposed litter of rich soil
in coniferous forests. Look for Phantom Orchid in the forested areas at lower elevations.
The only true saprophytic orchid, Phantom Orchid is dependent upon its relationship with a
subterranean mycorrhizal fungus for nutrients. Cephalanthera is Greek for head-like anther, referring to
the shape of the anthers. Austinae is from someone’s name, perhaps Stafford Wallace Austin (18601931), who collected and studied plants in the California area.
Spotted Coralroot Corallorhiza maculata Raf.
Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
The clown-like, rounded lower petal of these irregular flowers characterize this plant. The lower
petal is white with many small, purple dots. The upper two petals are yellowish with a few purple dots on
them. The three sepals are yellowish with a reddish-purple margin. The flowers grow in a raceme along
the upper half of the reddish-brown stem. The stem has no leaves, but there are some scale-like, reddishbrown sheaths that may be mistaken for leaves. On Mount Ashland, Spotted Coral-root usually grows
between 12 and 25 cm tall. This perennial prefers the cool, moist shade of wooded areas where there is
lots of organic material in the soil. Growing nearby, you may find a close relative, Striped Coralroot
(Corallorhiza striata), or perhaps Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata).
All coralroots lack green stems and leaves and, therefore, do not photosynthesize. These plants
are called saprophytes, which means that they obtain nutrients from decaying organic matter in the soil.
Corallorhiza comes from the Greek words for coral and root, in reference to the branched root
system which resembles coral. Maculata is Latin for spotted, and refers to the purple spots on the white
flower petals.
162
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa)
Phantom Orchid (Cephalanthera austiniae)
Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata)
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Plant Descriptions
Western Coralroot Corallorhiza mertensiana Bong.
Also called Pacific Coralroot, Merten’s Coralroot, and Purple Coralroot. Native. Orchid Family
(Orchidaceae).
Most botanical references report that Western Coralroot’s rounded lower petal is white with two
purple dots. But the plants that I have seen on Mount Ashland have an elongated lower petal with purple
markings that look smeared. The two upper petals are yellowish with purple markings on the margins,
and the three sepals are yellowish with red margins on the inner surface and reddish on the outer surface.
The reddish-purple stem has no leaves; instead, there are brown, papery, sheaths. Western Coralroot
grows to about 12 to 20 cm in shaded forests. Look for it along the Pacific Crest Trail and on the north
slopes in the trees between the ski runs. Close by, there may also be Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera
oblongifolia) or White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta).
Coralroots tend to grow in clumps. At times you will see flowers blooming next to the dried
stalks of last years plants. Other times, last years stalks will not be accompanied by fresh plants of the
current year. That is because these flowers sometimes “take a rest” for one year. But the roots below the
dried stalks of last year will be alive and healthy.
system which resembles coral. Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831), a German botanist, is honored in the
species name.
Striped Coralroot Corallorhiza striata Lindley
Also called Madder Stripes. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Think candy-striper. The three sepals and two upper petals are creamy white with narrow pink
longitudinal lines. The lower petal is mostly purplish-pink with some white markings. The lower petal
often looks toothed or fringed around the margin. The leafless stem is pinkish-purple and grows between
15 and 50 cm. As a saprophyte, Striped Coralroot is found in the cool, moist forest where there is lots of
organic litter on the ground.
system which resembles coral. Striata is derived from the Latin word for streaked, referring to the purple
lines on the sepals of most of these plants. The alternative common name, Madder Stripes, referring to
the purple color, which is sometimes called madder-purple.
164
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Western Coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana)
Striped Coralroot (Corallorhiza striata)
165
Plant Descriptions
Rattlesnake Plantain Goodyera oblongifolia Raf.
Also called Western Rattlesnake Plantain, Large Rattlesnake Orchid, Rattlesnake Orchid, and
Lattice Leaf. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Instead of a flamboyant flower surrounded by modest leaves, here we have a spike of fairly
inconspicuous orchid flowers surrounded by ornate basal leaves – deep green with white veins. The
venation on the leaves may be highly variable. The veins are white because they do not contain
chlorophyll. The creamy white flowers are borne on a fairly tall, green stem that has small, bract-like
alternate leaves. Look for this one in the shade of the conifers on the ski slopes and along the Pacific
Crest Trail on the north slopes.
At first glance, the leaves may resemble White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta). However,
Rattlesnake Plantain leaves are longer, pointed, and have flat petioles. White-veined Wintergreen flowers
are radial, not orchid-like.
The Doctrine of Signs was an old theory subscribed to by many early herbalists. Because the
markings on the leaves of this plant reminded early settlers of rattlesnakes, they believed that this plant
would successfully treat rattlesnake bites. This species is not a true plantain, and it is not effective against
snakebites, but it does have some medicinal value. A leaf rubbed between the fingers will separate into
two halves. The inner moist surface soothes mosquito bites, burns, cuts, or scratches.
John Goodyer was a 17th century English botanist who is remembered in this genus name.
Oblongifolia is derived from the Latin, oblongus, which refers to the oblong basal leaves.
Broad-leaved Twayblade Listera convallarioides (Sw.) Nutt.
Also called Broad-lipped Twayblade. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Small bilateral flowers are displayed in an open raceme at the top of an erect stem that bears only
two stem leaves. The sepals and petals are brownish-maroon-greenish, and the lower petal is notched at
the tip. The two stem leaves are more or less opposite, rounded, entire, and sessile. Broad-leaved
Twayblade grows 10-25 cm tall in the moist shade of coniferous forests. Look for it on Mount Ashland
below 6200 feet.
This genus owes its name to Martin Lister (1638-1711), an English naturalist. Convallariodes is
derived from the Latin word for valley, referring to the preferred habitat of this species.
Green-flowered Bog Orchid Platanthera hyperborea (L.) Lindley
Also called Northern Green Orchid. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Because the flowers are small and green, this plant is often difficult to see in a wet meadow. But
after you find the first one, you will see lots of them. The green bilateral flowers have a tongue-like lower
lip. This lip is descending to slightly upcurved and measures 4-7 mm long. This lip is spurred from the
back, and the spur is slightly shorter than the lip, slightly curved, and has a blunt tip. Many of these
flowers grow in a dense spike-like inflorescence that is usually 5-15 cm tall. Alternate leaves are linear to
elliptic, entire, and grow smaller toward the top of the stem. The overall plant height is 15-75 cm
Green-flowered Bog Orchid generally prefers wet coniferous forests. On Mount Ashland, look
for it in the wet meadows along the Pacific Crest Trail below 6400 feet from mid- to late-June. It may be
surrounded by White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys) and American Brooklime
(Veronica americana).
Green-flowered Bog Orchid is very similar to Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera
sparsiflora), which also grows in wet meadows. To distinguish the two, look at the inflorescence, the lip,
and the spur. Green-flowered Bog Orchid has a dense inflorescence that is 5-15 cm tall, a lip that is 4-7
mm long, and a spur with a blunt tip. Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid has an inflorescence that is 15-40 cm
long with fewer well-spaced flowers, a lip that is 6-10 mm long, and a spur with an acute tip.
In Greek, platanthera means wide anther, referring to the morphology of the anthers in this
genus. Also in Greek, hyperborea means of the extreme north, referring to the preferred range of this
species.
166
Plant Descriptions
Photo by John Gane
Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia)
Broad-leaved Twayblade (Listera convallarioides)
Green-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera hyperborea)
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Plant Descriptions
White-flowered Bog Orchid Platanthera leucostachys Lindley
Also called Sierra Crane Orchid, Sierra Bog Orchid, Cascade Crane Orchid, Tall White Bog
Orchid, Rein Orchid, White Rein Orchid, Scent Candle, and Fragrant White Orchid. Native. Orchid
Family (Orchidaceae).
All orchids are gorgeous, exotic flowers, and this one is no exception. The white irregular
flowers are quite unusual. There are three sepals that are the same color as the three petals. The upper
sepal and two lateral petals form a “hood” over the stamen and style that are fused into a column. The
two lower sepals and one lower petal, or lip are free and spreading, and the petal has a long spur on its
underside. The flowers grow in a spike. The glabrous stem has alternate, entire leaves that are linear, or
grass-like. This perennial can be found in wet meadows on the south slopes from late-June through July.
Nearby, you may find Oregon Saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana) or Arrowhead Butterweed (Senecio
triangularis).
As some of the alternative common names suggest, this species is very fragrant – often smelled
before it is seen. One person described its heady scent as a combination of cloves, vanilla, and mock
orange. Mmmm.
I’ll add a reminder here that none of the flowers on Mount Ashland should be picked. Orchids
are especially fragile and will not withstand the rigors of being transplanted. Orchids are fairly rare in the
wild because their seeds require very specific conditions for germination: the seeds must be penetrated by
microscopic threads of a specific species of fungus. Until this occurs, the seeds will not germinate.
Although one plant may contain millions of seeds, only a small percentage will reach maturity. Please do
not pick or dig these beauties. Instead, try a camera or sketch pad.
In Greek, plantanthera means wide anther, referring to the morphology of the anthers in this
genus. Also in Greek, leucostachys means white spike, referring to the inflorescence.
Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid Platanthera sparsiflora (S. Watson) Schltr.
Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid is very similar to Green-flowered Bog Orchid (P. hyperborea),
which grows in the same habitat. To distinguish the two, look at the inflorescence, the lip, and the spur.
Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid has an inflorescence that is 15-40 cm long with fewer well-spaced flowers, a
lip that is 6-10 mm long, and a spur with an acute tip. Green-flowered Bog Orchid has a dense
inflorescence that is 5-15 cm tall, a lip that is 4-7 mm long, and a spur with a blunt tip.
In Greek, plantanthera means wide anther, referring to the morphology of the anthers in this
genus. Sparsiflora is Latin for scattered flowers, referring to the open, few-flowered inflorescence.
Hooded Ladies’ Tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
Also called Twisted Orchid. Native. Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).
Oh, what a gem! These unusual, bilateral flowers are slightly modified from other orchid
flowers. The upper sepal is fused to the lateral petals forming a hood that encloses the column. The
margins of the petals and sepals are wavy, and the violin-shaped lower lip is deeply grooved below the
middle with a glabrous tip on the upper surface. The white or cream flowers rise in spirals along the
dense spike. A green, leafy bract subtends each flower. The basal and stem leaves are linear to oblong,
but the stem leaves are generally shorter than the basal leaves. These erect perennials grow 17-30 cm tall.
You will find Hooded Ladies’ Tresses in wet meadows.
In Greek, spiranthes means coiled flowers, referring to the inflorescence. Nikolei Rumliantzev,
or Count Romanzoff (1754-1826), is honored by this specific epithet. A Russian, Rumliantzev was an
avid supported of the sciences, and he sent Kotzebue to explore Alaska.
168
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys)
Photo by Bob Vos
Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera sparsiflora)
Hooded Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana)
169
Plant Descriptions
Broom-rape Family (Orobanchaceae).
California Ground Cone Boschniaka strobilacea A. Gray
Native. Broom-rape Family (Orobanchaceae).
The casual observer might mistake this plant for a fallen pine cone. But upon closer observation,
the observer would probably notice two things: first, that there are no pine trees nearby, and second, that
there are small, bilateral flowers between the numerous brown bracts. The flowers are usually purplish,
but fade to a cream color with maturity. This plant has no leaves, and no stem. In fact, you will notice
that there are no green structures on it at all. This indicates that the plant does not photosynthesize, and
therefore, it does not make its own food. How does it obtain nutrients? It grows as a parasite on the roots
of chaparral plants, especially on Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula).
This genus is very small with a total of only four species, 3 of which are native to North America.
The fourth species is native to the Himalayan Mountains. This species was first officially described by
the American botanist, Asa Gray in the Pacific Railroad Reports published in 1856.
The genus name is from a fairly obscure Russian botanist named Boschniak. The specific epithet
is Greek for pine cone. Broom-rape, the common family name, describes the tendency for species in this
family to parasitize Scotchbroom plants.
Clustered Broomrape Orobanche fasciculata Nutt.
Native. Broom-Rape Family (Orobanchaceae).
Clustered Broomrape is usually pale yellow but may have a pink or purple tinge. Many bilateral
flowers grow in a cluster. The unusual aspect of this plant is that there are no green structures – there are
no leaves, and the stem is either bright yellow (when the flowers first appear) or brownish. The bases of
the yellow or brown sepals are fused into a tube with 5 pointed lobes at the mouth of the tube. The lobes
are shorter than the tube. Look for Clustered Broomrape in the draw between where the road splits to go
to the summit and Grouse Gap. It is found only on dry, bare soil.
The absence of green structures indicates that this plant does not photosynthesize. Instead, it
obtains its nutrients from the roots of the nearby Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum). Clustered
Broomrape is a parasite.
The genus name, orobanche, is Greek for vetch strangler and refers to this plant’s parasitic
nature. The specific epithet, fasciculata, is derived from Latin and means little bundle, referring to the
tendency of these flowers to grow in clusters. Broom-rape, the common family name, describes the
tendency for species in this family to parasitize Scotchbroom plants.
170
Plant Descriptions
California Ground Cone (Boschniaka strobilacea)
Clustered Broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata)
171
Plant Descriptions
Naked Broomrape Orobanche uniflora L.
Also called One-Flowered Cancer Root, One-flowered Broomrape, and simply Broomrape.
Native. Broom-Rape Family (Orobanchaceae).
The single pinkish, purplish, or bluish flowers have 5 lobes. The flower may appear to be radial
but it is truly bilateral with an upper lip that has two lobes and a lower lip that has 3 lobes. The base of
the sepals are fused into a tube with 5 pointed lobes at the mouth of the tube. The lobes are longer than
the tube. The delicate stem is whitish, bluish or brownish, and there are no leaves. You have to search for
these flowers as they only grow from ½ to 2 inches tall. Look for them in the wet meadows along the
Pacific Crest Trail in late June and July.
This interesting flower has a unique life cycle compared to most of the other flowers that
surround it. You’ll notice that there are no leaves on this plant. In fact, there are no green structures at all
on this plant, because it does not photosynthesize. Instead, this flower obtains its nutrients from the roots
of surrounding flowers. That is, this flower is a parasite that feeds, perhaps, on the roots of the Oregon
Saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana) or the Alpine Shooting Star (Dodecatheon alpinum) that are also found in
the wet meadows where this little flower appears.
This flower has been known in Europe since 1578, when it was called Rapum genistae. It was
known then that this flower was a parasite on the roots of broom plants (genus Genista), and other
legumes. Hence the name, broomrape. The Greek, orobos, means vetch, or clinging plant, and ancho,
means to strangle; this refers to the parasitic nature of this plant. Uniflora means one flower, referring to
the habit of this plant to have only one or two flowers.
Oxalis Family (Oxalidaceae).
Three-leaf Wood Sorrel Oxalis trilliifolia Hook.
Also called Trillium-leaf Sorrel, and Great Oxalis. Native. Oxalis Family (Oxalidaceae).
You’ll probably notice the familiar basal leaves of this plant before you see the flower. These
typical, heart-shaped sorrel leaves have three entire leaflets that fold down the center. If you push some
of the leaves aside, you will find the coy little flowers. Three to nine nodding flowers grow in umbels.
The radial flowers have 5 white to cream colored petals with greenish-lines guiding the pollinators to the
center of the flower. The flowering stem does not have leaves.
Three-leaf Wood Sorrel prefers moist, shaded areas. I’ve only seen it in the wet meadow below
the ski area on the south side right along the Pacific Crest Trail. It grows at the foot of Candy Flower
(Claytonia sibirica) and Big-leaf Lupines (Lupinus polyphyllus var. pallidipes).
Oxalis is Greek for sour, referring to the oxalic acid, which gives the leaves a pleasantly sour
taste. Trilliifolia is Latin for three leaves, referring to the three leaflets.
Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)
Steer’s Head Dicentra uniflora Kellogg
Also called Longhorn Steer’s Head. Native. Poppy Family (Papaveraceae).
These unusual, precious flowers are not at all abundant on Mount Ashland. Solitary, nodding
flowers are considered biradial, meaning they can be divided into mirror-image halves in two ways, as
opposed to only one way for bilateral flowers. The two ephemeral sepals are shed just after the flower
appears. Four white to pink to lavender petals are divided into two pairs: the outer pair is free and have
recurved tips, while the inner pair is fused at the tip, hiding the 6 stamens and 1 pistil. There are usually
1-3 basal leaves that are 2 or 3 times ternately dissected. The leafless flowering stem is glabrous,
sometimes glaucous, and grows 3-7 cm tall. Steer’s Head blooms in June in dry, gravelly soil. So far, it
has only been spotted near the picnic area, below USFS Road 20.
Species of Dicentra contain poisonous alkaloids such as protopine. If any part of the plant is
ingested, labored breathing and convulsions may occur.
Dicentra is Greek for twice spurred, referring to the outer petals that are recurved. Uniflora is
Latin for one flower, and refers to the solitary flower on each plant.
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Plant Descriptions
Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora)
Photo by Bob Vos
Three-leaf Wood Sorrel (Oxalis trilliifolia)
Steer’s Head (Dicentra uniflora)
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Plant Descriptions
Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)
English Plantain Plantago lanceolata L.
Also called Narrow-Leaf Plantain, Ribwort, and Buckhorn. Non-native from Europe. Plantain
Family (Plantaginaceae).
Long stamens with white anthers make this plant conspicuous. The tall, leafless flowering stem
bears one terminal, dense spike of tiny, radial flowers. You’ll need your hand lens to clearly see the 4lobed calyx, and the papery, colorless, 4-lobed corolla. The 4 stamens and 1 pistil are obvious. The erect
stem is grooved or angled and has messy, short-hairs. The basal leaves are lanceolate, and taper gradually
to the petiole. Leaf margins are entire, and conspicuous veins run lengthwise. This weedy perennial
grows 15-45 cm tall.
Look for English Plantain along County Road 1151 and other roadsides or disturbed areas below
6300 feet in late July through early August. It may be blooming next to Hairy Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris
radicata) or Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius).
In Europe, English Plantain was a highly prized medicinal herb of old.
Plantago is Latin for sole of foot, referring to how easily this plant spreads to new areas “from
the shoes of white man.” Lanceolata is Latin for spear and refers to the shape of the leaves.
Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae)
Large-flowered Collomia Collomia grandiflora Lindley
Also called Grand Collomia. Native. Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae).
This fairly common flower is a treat because of the subtle salmon colored flowers. Each regular
flower has five petals, and the flowers grow in a tight terminal cluster. The alternate leaves are simple
and entire. The stem is glabrous toward the base, and fuzzy toward the top, growing to heights of 10-20
cm.
Look for this annual in dry soils, especially in open areas along the Pacific Crest Trail and along
USFS Road 20 between Road 300 (leads to the summit) and Grouse Gap Shelter during July. You may
also see Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata) or Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii).
Collomia is derived from the Greek word for glue, and refers to the wet seed surface.
Grandiflora is Latin for large flower, and indicates that these flowers are large compared to the flowers of
other species in this genus.
Tiny Trumpet Collomia linearis Nutt.
Native. Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae).
Small pink and white radial flowers grow in a tight terminal cluster above many long, alternate
leaves. The flower is shaped like a tiny trumpet. The five petals are mostly pink with some white at the
base. Inside the yellow tube that makes up the center of the flower are five stamens and one pistil. The
alternate leaves are entire and vary in shape from lanceolate (widest at the base and tapering to the tip) to
linear (nearly parallel sides). The lower surface of the leaves is covered with many short hairs. These
annuals usually grow to about 9-20 cm.
Tiny Trumpets bloom in July in and at the edges of wet areas. Growing nearby, you may find the
large leaves of California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum var. californicum), or Rough Hedge
Nettle (Stachys ajugoides var. rigida) in bloom.
Collomia is derived from the Greek word for glue, and refers to the wet seed surface. Linearis is
derived from the Latin work for line, and refers to the leaves which are long and grass-like, otherwise
called linear.
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Plant Descriptions
English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Large-flowered Collomia (Collomia grandiflora)
Tiny Trumpet (Collomia linearis)
175
Plant Descriptions
Staining Collomia Collomia tincturia Kellogg
These diminutive annuals have pale pink, radial flowers with 5 petals. The petals often turn white
with maturity. In the center of the flower are five delightful blue anthers exserted at different levels from
the flower. The leaves are entire, opposite, and linear to lanceolate. The stems and the margins of the
leaves are often reddish-brown. The stems and leaves have glandular hairs and, therefore, are sticky.
Because these plants only grow to 4-7 cm, you must look closely to find them. They are most often found
on open, dry, gravelly soil. Growing nearby, you may find Torrey’s Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi)
or Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum).
Collomia is derived from the Greek word for glue, and refers to the wet seed surface. The Latin
derivative, tinctoria, means that the plant produces a dye or a stain.
Scarlet Gilia Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) V. Grant
Also known as Skyrocket, Desert Trumpet, Fire Pink, Foxfire, Polecat Plant, and Skunk Flower.
These showy red-orange, trumpet-like, regular flowers consist of five petals that are fused
together to form a tube. Some flowers grow in the axils along the stem and some are terminal, but all
flowers grow along one side of the sticky stem. The simple, deeply lobed leaves are alternate, at times
appearing opposite. This beautiful plant stands 20-40 cm tall, and can be found growing profusely on the
south slopes of Mount Ashland from early June through August. Look for it along USFS Road 20,
around Rabbit Ears, and in other open areas, blooming with Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache
urticifolia) or Scouler’s Hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri).
This plant is a biennial or perennial that dies after flowering only once. Hummingbirds pollinate
these gorgeous flowers. Pink and yellow forms are also known, and at least one yellow plant grows on
Mount Ashland – along Road 20 between the picnic area and the fork in the road where spur 300 goes to
the summit. In the Rocky Mountains, plants that bloom later in the season are known to be white. No
one is quite sure why this is so.
One source claims that the Okanagan Indians prized the leaves of this plant for their tonic
properties. Steeped until hot water turns bright green, the leaves were then removed and the medicine
taken in small doses. Many other sources report that this plant is poisonous. Although it is true that
many poisonous plants yield valuable medication if they are correctly prepared and administered, we
should leave this plant alone.
Scarlet Gilia (I. aggregata) was originally described by Frederick Pursh, a Polish botanist, in
1814. This confusing species has had up to twenty different scientific names since then. The common
name, Gilia, honors eighteenth-century Spanish botanist, Felipe Luis Gil. Those who adhere to the
Spanish pronounce the “g” softly – “hilia.” In Greek, ipomopsis means striking appearance, an
appropriate designator for this flower and many of the others in this genus. Aggregata in Latin means to
bring together, referring to the many flowers that bloom on one plant.
176
Plant Descriptions
Staining Collomia (Collomia tinctoria)
Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)
177
Plant Descriptions
Ball-head Ipomopsis Ipomopsis congesta (Hook.) V. Grant ssp. congesta
Also called Ball-head Gilia. Native. Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae).
These little flowers grow in dense, terminal clusters that look like little cotton balls.
Occasionally, there are small axillary flowers just beneath the terminal cluster. The regular flowers have
five white petals, and five stamens with delightful blue anthers. The stems are reddish with soft, white
fuzz. The green leaves are alternate and simple, but deeply lobed, with three leaflets. There are white
hairs on the leaves, as well. Usually, many flower stems grow together in a clump. The stems can be
prostrate or erect, reaching 12-20 cm.
Look for these perennial flowers at Rabbit Ears and on the summit in late June through early July.
They will probably be blooming next to Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria congesta var. congesta) or Rosy
Pussytoes (Antennaria rosea).
In Greek, ipomopsis means striking appearance, an appropriate designator for many of the
flowers in this genus. Congesta is Latin for carried together, referring to the flowers that grow in tight
clusters.
Spreading Phlox Phlox diffusa Benth.
These low-lying, mat-forming showy, regular flowers with five petals vary in color from white, to
magenta, to lavender. The simple, entire, needle-like leaves are tightly packed, so it’s difficult to tell
whether they are opposite or alternate, but in fact, they are opposite. These perennial flowers have a
woody stem beneath all the foliage. The flowers grow only 3-6 cm from the ground.
Look for Spreading Phlox around Rabbit Ears, the Ski area, and other dry, open areas in early to
mid June. Growing nearby, you may find Brewer’s Lupine (Lupinus breweri) or Pussy Paws
(Calyptridium umbellatum).
Phlox is a Greek word meaning flame, referring to the bright colors of the flowers. Diffusa is
derived from Latin and means to spread out or apart, referring to the sprawling nature of this plant.
Slender Phlox Phlox gracilis (Hook.) E. Greene
A low-growing annual, Slender Phlox bears small bright pink to white radial flowers with 5
sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, and 1 pistil. The stamens are all attached at different levels inside the corolla
tube. The entire leaves are opposite below and alternate above. All upper parts of this little plant (leaves,
flowers, tip of stem) are glandular. The growth habit of Slender Phlox is highly variable. It can be
decumbent or erect, and highly branched or simple, but it usually only reaches 4-12 cm.
This one grows in dry to moist areas, and blooms in early to mid-June. You may find Torrey’s
Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi var. latifolia), or Staining Collomia (Collomia tinctoria) growing
nearby.
Slender Phlox can be easily confused with Staining Collomia (C. tinctoria). The best way to tell
the difference is to pluck one flower from each plant and use your hand lens to look inside the corolla
throat. If the stamens are all attached at different levels, the plant is Slender Phlox. If the stamens are
attached at the same level, the plant is Staining Collomia. Another way to distinguish the two is to pluck
a leaf and crush it. If it leaves a pink or purple color on your fingers, it is Staining Collomia.
Phlox is a Greek word meaning flame, referring to the bright colors of the flowers. Gracilis is
Latin for slender, referring to the delicate appearance of this plant.
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Plant Descriptions
Ball-head Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis congesta var. congesta)
Photo by Willaim R. Hewlett,
Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa)
Slender Phlox (Phlox gracilis)
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Plant Descriptions
Showy Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium californicum Eastw.
Also called Moving Polemonium. Native. Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae).
These flowers are usually found in the shade of conifers where the microhabitat is a little cooler
and more moist than surrounding areas. The five petals of this regular flower are a soft blue, with a
yellow center. The five white stamens are obvious. The five green sepals are fuzzy with soft, white hairs.
The inflorescence is an open panicle. The usually erect stem is also fuzzy with dense, white hairs. The
alternate leaves are pinnately compound with 11-25 leaflets; leaflets are entire, and also have soft, white
hairs. These flowers stand about 15-25 cm tall, and often grow in dense clumps.
These perennials are often found alongside Jessica’s Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha) and
Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum). Look for this flower in any shady area with dry soil from
mid to late June.
Polemonium is Greek and could be named after Polemon, an Athenian philosopher, or it could be
a derivative of the word, polemos, meaning war or strife. Californicum means of California and refers to
the general range of this species.
Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae)
Jayne’s Canyon Buckwheat Eriogonum diclinum Rev.
Also called Buckwheat-Knotweed. Native. Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae).
These flowers superficially look like miniature versions of Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum
umbellatum). They are bright yellow, with six petals and grow in a very compact umbel of umbels. The
reddish-green flowering stalk rises above a mat of small basal leaves. The leaves are more or less spoonshaped and are covered with many short, white hairs, making them greenish-gray in appearance. The
flowering stem is also covered with short, white hairs. The entire plant hugs the ground; the leaves are
only 2-3 cm above the ground, while the flowering stem may be 7-10 cm long. Janyne’s Canyon
Buckwheat grows only in the open, dry, gravelly soil on the summit of Mount Ashland. It blooms
through July and early August. Nearby, you will probably see Silky Raillardella (Raillardella argentea)
or Cobwebby Paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea).
True buckwheat (Fagopyrum) that was cultivated in Europe for animal fodder has similar flowers
to the species in the genus Eriogonum.
Eriogonum is Greek meaning woolly knees, referring to the hairy nodes of some of the species in
this genus. Diclinum is Greek for two beds, indicating that the flowers of this plant are usually imperfect
- the stamens and pistils are in separate flowers.
Naked Buckwheat Eriogonum nudum Benth.
Also called Naked Eriogonum, and Barestem Buckwheat. Native. Buckwheat Family
(Polygonaceae).
This is a taller, spindly version of the ubiquitous Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum). The
tiny flowers have six bright yellow petals, with six yellow stamens exserted. The flowers are borne in
cymes atop tall, slender, naked stems. The leaves are mostly basal, but there may be a few leaves at the
base of the stems. Basal leaves have long stems and an egg-shaped blade with wavy margins. The lower
surface of the leaves has many woolly, white hairs. The stems are highly branched and glabrous, and
there is a reddish-brown ring at every node. Naked Buckwheat prefers dry, open areas. Look for it along
County Road 1151 at 6200 feet and lower. Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana) or Douglas’s Knotweed
(Polygonum douglasii var. douglasii) may be growing nearby.
this genus. Nudum is Latin for naked, referring to the leafless stems.
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Plant Descriptions
Showy Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium californicum)
Jayne’s Canyon Buckwheat (Eriogonum diclinum)
Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum)
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Plant Descriptions
Sulfur Flower Eriogonum umbellatum Torrey
Also called Sulfur Eriogonum, Sulfur Flower Buckwheat, and Sulfur Buckwheat. Native.
Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae).
These small bright yellow flowers are regular with 6 petals with 6 exserted stamens. The
inflorescence is a terminal umbel, more or less flat across the top. The stem is very fuzzy with no leaves,
however there is a whorl of bracts directly below the flowers. The bracts are simple, entire to very
shallowly toothed. The fuzzy basal leaves are simple, entire, darker green on top, almost whitish/grayish
below. This perennial sometimes forms dense mats with many basal leaves and erect flower stems. This
plant grows to about 15-20 cm tall in dry, gravelly soils.
Look for this flower along roadsides, at the ski area, and at Rabbit Ears from June through
September. Early in the season, you may find Common Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) growing nearby. Later
in the season, look for Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana).
There are many different varieties of this species on Mount Ashland, so don’t be confused if
some of the plants are slightly different from each other.
this genus. Umbellatum Latin for umbrella, and refers to the inflorescence, an umbel, which is
reminiscent of an upturned umbrella.
Western Bistort Polygonum bistortoides Pursh
Also called Mountain Meadow Knotweed, and American Bistort. Native. Buckwheat Family
(Polygonaceae).
These tiny radial flowers have 5 white or pink petals with 3-8 stamens that are barely exserted.
The inflorescence is a dense, round to oblong panicle. The unbranched stem is glabrous, and grows to
about 20-60 cm. The stem leaves are alternate, entire, and linear with no petiole. Basal leaves are
petioled and narrowly lanceolate. Look carefully and you’ll find a brownish, papery sheathing stipule at
the base of each leaf.
This perennial is very common in wet meadows. It flowers in July with Gray’s Lovage
(Ligusticum grayi) and Seep Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus).
Polygonum is derived from the Greek words for many knees, referring to the swollen nodes of
some species in this genus. Bistortoides means bistortus-like, referring to the species Polygonum
bistortus.
Davis’ Knotweed Polygonum davisiae A. Gray
Native. Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae).
The radial flowers of this plant are small, creamy-white with five petals, and 2-5 flowers grow
together in the leaf axils. The alternate leaves are lanceolate to linear with entire margins and short, fine
hairs. They have very short petioles, if any at all. If you look closely at the base of the leaves, you will
see a papery, sheathing stipule that is characteristic of this family. The lower half of the stem is usually
red, while the upper half varies from red, to pink, to light green. The glabrous stem is often zig-zagged at
the nodes. This plant usually grows erect, but at times appears decumbent.
This perennial grows in gravelly soil, in open, sunny areas. It blooms in early to mid-June with
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) and Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa).
some species in this genus. The specific epithet, davisiae, honors John Jefferson Davis (1852-1937), an
American physician and mycologist.
182
Plant Descriptions
Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum)
Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides)
Davis’ Knotweed (Polygonum davisiae)
183
Plant Descriptions
Douglas’ Knotweed Polygonum douglasii E. Greene
These very inconspicuous annuals need dry soil. The pink or white radial flowers are very small,
and often the 5 petals do not open. The petal margins are usually red or green. Eight stamens and 1
pistil with 3 styles remain hidden inside. The alternate, entire leaves are sessile, and grow shorter toward
the top of the stem. The leaves have one prominent vein. The stem is erect and more or less angled. It
can be simple or branching.
There are two subspecies of this plant on Mount Ashland. If the plant is branching and the
inflorescence is open, you are looking at subspecies douglasii. If the stem is not branching and the
flowers grow in the leaf axils, you have subspecies johnstonii (Munz) J. Hickman, commonly called
Johnston’s Knotweed.
Subspecies johnstonii blooms in June in the open forest, next to Staining Collomia (Collomia
tinctoria) and Torrey’s Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi var. latifolia), while subspecies douglasii
blooms along County Road 1151 in August next to Bird’s Foot Trefoil (Lotus purshianus var.
purshianus) and Shasta Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera canescens var. shastensis).
some species in this genus. Douglasii commemorates the Scottish botanist, David Douglas (1798-1834).
Douglas explored and collected plants in what is now Oregon, Washington, and Idaho from 1825-1827.
Johnstonii honors someone whose last name was Johnston.
Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella L.
Also called Common Sorrel, Common Sheep Sorrel, Sour Grass, Sour Weed, Red Sorrel, Cow
Sorrel, Mountain Sorrel, Field Sorrel, or Horse Sorrel. Non-native from Europe. Buckwheat Family
(Polygonaceae).
It’s easy to miss this inconspicuous perennial amidst all the showy flowers. The tiny, regular
flowers have six red tepals (it’s difficult to determine which is a petal and which is a sepal because they
are all the same color). The branching plants can have many panicles of these red flowers. This plant has
basal leaves and stem leaves. The lower stem leaves and basal leaves are similar in shape and size. They
have a very distinct shape, referred to as hastate or sagittate. The smaller, upper leaves often appear
entire. All stem leaves are alternate, and each leaf has a papery, sheathing stipule at its base. These
plants can grow 10-25 cm tall. Look for them in July along the parking lot at the ski area, and roadside
between the ski area and Grouse Gap Shelter.
This plant is eaten by wildlife – birds eat the seeds, rabbits and deer eat the leaves, mice and
squirrel eat seeds and leaves. Humans can also throw some seeds in a salad or soup. This plant is an
indicator of acidic soil. Its flavor is distinctly acid, hence its specific name, acetosella, from the Latin
acetum, acid. Pliny applied the name rumex for sorrel, which means sour. Although the leaves contain
vitamin C, they also contain oxalic acid, which, in high quantities, is dangerous. The oxalic acid produces
oxalate salts that prevent the body from absorbing calcium.
184
Plant Descriptions
Douglas’ Knotweed (Polygonum douglasii var. douglasii)
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
185
Plant Descriptions
Willow Dock Rumex salicifolius J.A. Weinm.
Willow Dock is a rare plant on Mount Ashland. Typical of all docks, the flowers are small and
not at all showy. Six petal-like structures are arranged in two whorls: the outer three structures are small,
about 1 mm, and green, while the three inner lobes are larger, about 4mm, and green-pink. Six stamens
and 1 pistil with 3 fringed stigmas are at the flower center. Many flowers are packed tight in the erect,
narrow panicle. Below the inflorescence, the stem is unbranched, ridges, and swollen at the nodes. There
are only a few alternate stem leaves and several large basal leaves. The stem leaves have stipules that are
fused, sheathing the stem above the nodes. All leaves are somewhat leathery with very wavy margins that
are entire to crenate. This stout perennial grows 50-150 cm in wet meadows.
I have only seen Willow Dock in one area on Mount Ashland. If you park at the confluence of
USFS Road 20 and Road 40S30 and hike in the opposite direction of the road, you will walk over a
saddle and downhill into a hidden wet meadow in the Ashland watershed. I found Willow Dock
blooming in mid- to late-July next to California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum).
Rumex is Latin for sorrel, which means sour and refers to the oxalic acid in these plants, which
give them a sour taste. Salicifolius is derived from the Latin words for willow and leaf, referring to the
shape of the leaves.
Purslane Family (Portulacaceae)
Pussy Paws Calyptridium umbellatum (Torrey) E. Greene
Also called Mount Hood Pussy Paws. Native. Purslane Family (Portulacaceae).
If you see a gravelly hillside that doesn’t appear to have vegetation on it, look again. Often you
will find this perennial growing in prostrate clumps on rocky soils. The regular flowers are difficult to
discern, but they have four petals that are usually a creamy white color, turning to a deep rose color with
age. The petals are surrounded by two conspicuous tissuey sepals that are the same color as the flowers.
The inflorescence is a tight, terminal umbel. The stems are red and glabrous with no leaves. The green,
basal rosette of leaves are simple, entire, and somewhat fleshy. Look for this flower anywhere there is
loose, gravelly soil from May through August. It is usually found along with Brewer’s Lupine (Lupinus
breweri), and some small annual flowers like Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora).
Calyptridium is Greek for small veil, referring to the petals, which form a veil, or covering over
the fruit. Umbellatum is Latin for umbrella. The inflorescence of this plant is an umbel, which looks like
an umbrella that has been pushed inside-out by the wind.
Heart-leaf Spring Beauty Claytonia cordifolia S. Watson
Also called Broad-leaf Montia. Native. Purslane Family (Portulacaceae).
Delicate, white flowers have five pink-striped petals that are notched at the tip. The base of each
petal has a yellow dot. In the center of the radial flower, 5 stamens with pink anthers surround a threelobed stigma. The raceme of flowers grows above one pair of opposite leaves that are wide, nearly heartshaped, and sessile. Several long-stemmed basal leaves are also present. The leaves are entire, and the
leaves and stem are glabrous. These plants grow 10-40 cm in cool, shaded areas, and in moist areas.
This genus is named after John Clayton (1685-1773), a colonial American botanist, who studied
the plants in the eastern U.S., and contributed to Gronovius’s Flora Virginica. Cordifolia means heartshaped leaf in Latin.
186
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Elizabeth Wasserman
Willow Dock (Rumex salicifolius)
Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia cordifolia)
187
Plant Descriptions
Miner’s Lettuce Claytonia perfoliata Willd. ssp. perfoliata
Also called Gray Miner’s Lettuce. Native. Purslane Family (Portulacaceae).
These small, delicate, solid white flowers have five petals that are notched at the tips. The center
of the flower holds 5 stamens and one pistil with a three-lobed stigma. Several flowers rise above two
opposite leaves that are fused together to form one complete leaf that is pierced through the middle by the
stem. Basal leaves are long-stemmed and elliptic. All leaves and stems are glabrous. Look for these in
the shade of trees along the Pacific Crest Trail. Growing nearby, you may find Wild Ginger (Asarum
caudatum) or Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia cordifolia).
Local lore claims that the miners ate these plants as salad greens, hence the name, Miner’s
Lettuce.
the plants in the eastern U.S., and contributed to Gronovius’s Flora Virginica. Perfoliata is Latin
meaning through the leaf, in reference to the stem, which appears to pierce through the middle of the
leaves. Actually, two opposite leaves are fused together, completely surrounding the stem.
Red-stem Spring Beauty Claytonia rubra (Howell) Tidestrom
Native. Purslane Family (Portulacaceae).
These low-growing, prostrate plants bear small white flowers with 5 notched petals. In the center
of the flower, the three-lobed stigma is obvious. The 5 stamens are short, and not very noticeable. One to
several flowers bloom above one pair of opposite leaves, and many basal leaves surround the flowering
stem. The stems are brownish-red and the leaves vary from green to brownish-red. The upper surfaces of
the leaves have short, white, woolly hairs. Look for this small annual in rich, moist soils of shady areas.
I found it on the Knoll in early June. Growing nearby was Nuttall’s Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii var.
gemmatta) and Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum).
the plants in the eastern U.S., and contributed to Gronovius’s Flora Virginica. Rubra is Latin for red,
probably referring to the stems, which are often reddish-brown.
Candy Flower Claytonia sibirica L.
Also called Western Spring Beauty, Siberian Spring Beauty, and Siberian Miner’s Lettuce.
Native. Purslane Family (Portulacaceae).
The medium-sized white flowers of Candy Flower are obvious in shaded, wet meadows. The five
petals are plain white with a yellow base. The tips of the petals vary from entire to notched. Five
stamens with fairly large, pink anthers are obvious in the center of the flower, surrounding the three-lobed
stigma. The terminal raceme rises above several pairs of large, opposite leaves. The leaves are entire and
glabrous. The glabrous stem usually grows to 30-45 cm tall. Candy Flower blooms in June. Growing
nearby, you may find Hornemann’s Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii) and Western
Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides).
Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest used the leaves of this annual to treat syphilis,
constipation, headaches, and female ailments. Before using any plant as a medicinal treatment, please
consult an ethnobotanist, and research the plant and its uses as thoroughly as possible.
the plants in the eastern U.S., and contributed to Gronovius’s Flora Virginica. The derivation and
meaning of sibirica is uncertain.
188
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata var. perfoliata)
Red-stem Spring Beauty (Claytonia rubra)
Candy Flower (Claytonia sibirica)
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Plant Descriptions
Primrose Family (Primulacaceae)
Alpine Shooting Star Dodecatheon alpinum (A. Gray) E. Greene
Native. Primrose Family (Primulacaceae).
This glabrous plant has one to three nodding flowers that bloom at the end of a leafless stalk.
Each flower has four magenta to lavender petals with an arc of white and yellow at the center. The petals
are strongly recurved. The style is completely surrounded by four large, erect purplish-black anthers that
appear wrinkled at the base. The erect stem is reddish-brown and grows to about 30 cm tall. The basal
leaves are linear and grass-like, narrowed gradually at the base. Alpine Shooting Star flowers in May and
early June in wet areas. Look for it in any wet meadow on Mount Ashland.
Mr. Edward Greene saw in these blooms a convention of gods seated around Olympus; hence the
genus name, Dodecatheon, from the Greek dodeka, twelve, and theoi, gods. Alpinum is Latin for
mountains, referring to the habitat of this species.
Western Starflower Trientalis latifolia Hook.
Also called Pacific Starflower, Broad-leaved Starflower, and Indian Potato. Native. Primrose
Family (Primulaceae).
White, to pink, to rose colored flowers are radial with a variable number of parts: 5-7 sepals,
petals, and stamens. If there are 5 sepals, there will be 5 petals and 5 stamens, but if there are 7 sepals,
there will be 7 petals, and 7 stamens. There is always only one pistil. One flower rises on a very slender
pedicel (flowering stalk) from a whorl of 4-8 leaves. These leaves are egg-shaped to elliptic, and entire.
Other leaves lower on the stem are scale-like. The erect simple stem rises 5-15 cm from the forest floor.
Look for this below 6200 feet in forest openings, or along the semi-shaded forest edge.
The enlarged tubers of Western Starflower are edible, hence the alternate common name, Indian
Potato. But let me add another reminder not to pick any part of the plants on Mount Ashland.
Derived from Latin, trientalis means 1/3 of a foot, referring to the typical height of this plant.
Also derived from Latin, latifolia means broad leaf and refers to the wide leaves.
Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)
Columbian Monkshood Aconitum columbianum Nutt.
Also called Western Monkshood, Blue Monkshood, Western Aconite. Native. Buttercup Family
(Ranunculaceae).
The alternate leaves of this tall perennial have three to five deep palmate lobes, and the lobes are
toothed. The inflorescence is a long, terminal raceme with many bluish-purple bilateral flowers. What
appears at first glance to be petals are actually 5 petal-like sepals. The uppermost sepal is larger than all
the others and forms a hood that protects the 2 blue to whitish petals. In the center are many stamens and
3 pistils. The plant grows to 150 cm, and is found in wet meadows.
Look for this plant in July in the wet meadows on the south slopes. It will be surrounded by Bigleaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus var. pallidipes) or Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum).
This highly toxic plant is poisonous for both livestock and humans. The tubers contain an
alkaloid, aconitine, that is paralytic, as well as a temperature and blood pressure depressant. It has also
been known to cause respiratory failure.
Aconitum is Latin for the monk’s hood, in reference to the shape of the upper petal which forms a
hood-like structure over the top of the flower. Columbianum is derived from the Latin word for leadcolored with a sheen, possibly referring to the color of this plant.
190
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Alpine Shooting Star (Dodecatheon alpinum)
Western Starflower (Trientalis latifolia)
Columbian Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum)
191
Plant Descriptions
Baneberry Actaea rubra (Aiton) Willd.
Also called Western Baneberry, and Red Baneberry. Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae).
This bushy-looking perennial has one stem that produces one very large, ternately compound leaf.
The pinnately branched leaflets are coarsely-toothed. Because there is only one leaf, this is classified as
alternate. Don’t let the leaflets, which are opposite, confuse you. The flowering stalk rises from a node
below the large compound leaf. The terminal raceme, which is subtended by a small compound leaf with
three toothed leaflets, is a tight cluster of many white radial flowers. The flowers appear to be very
“bushy” because of the many stamens. The small petals are difficult to find beneath the stamens. The
number of petals can vary from four to ten, but all are small and spoon-shaped. This plant can grow up to
60 cm tall.
Look for this one in the understory of forested areas along the Pacific Crest Trail below the ski
area. It may be neighbored by Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia cordifolia) or Wild Ginger (Asarum
caudatum).
This plant is probably most striking when in fruit – the berries are bright, shiny red. But beware:
they are highly toxic to humans. In fact, the entire plant is toxic.
Actaea is an ancient Greek name that means wet habitat, referring to the moist forests where these
species grow; rubra is Latin for red, referring to the shiny, bright red berries.
Columbia Windflower Anemone deltoidea Hook.
Also called Three-leaf Anemone, Windflower, and Western White Anemone. Native. Buttercup
Family (Ranunculaceae).
This lovely flower is like a breath of fresh air. The five startling white “petals” are actually
sepals. This flower has no true petals! The center of the flower is bushy with many pistils and stamens, a
characteristic of the Buttercup Family. There is a whorl of three leaves several centimeters below the
flower. These leaves are toothed and sometimes shallowly lobed. One compound basal leaf, with three
toothed leaflets, will be found next to the flower.
To find this perennial, you will have to search under shrubs near wet areas in early July. It grows
in the same areas as Mountain Alder (Alnus incana), and Pacific Onion (Allium validum) may be nearby.
A tea was made of this plant to treat tuberculosis. Some garden species of Anemone are toxic
due to high levels of protoanemonin, an irritant. It is not yet know whether this is true of wild anemone
species.
Anemone is Greek for flower shaken by wind. This could refer to several different characteristics
of this flower. It could refer to the fruits, which rely on the wind for dispersal, or it could refer to the
petals which easily fall off as a result of a strong gust of wind. It is also possible that this word refers to
the fact some of the flowers in this genus are found on exposed, wind-swept ridgelines. Deltoidea is
Greek for triangular, perhaps because the three leaves form the overall shape of a triangle.
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Plant Descriptions
Baneberry (Actaea rubra)
Columbia Windflower (Anemone deltoidea)
193
Plant Descriptions
Drummond’s Anemone Anemone drummondii S. Watson
Also called Alpine Anemone. Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)
There are no petals on this flower! Those lovely white structures are sepals that mimic petals.
This perennial has between 5 and 8 white sepals that are sometimes tinged with blue, and have a softhairy lower surface. The flowers are radial and open completely, forming a flat surface. The center of the
flower appears “bushy” because of the many yellow pistils and stamens. The flowering stem usually
yields only one flower, but sometimes there will be two. There is a whorl of compound leaves around the
middle of the stem. The leaflets are long and narrow. There are also several to many basal leaves that are
similar to the stem leaves, but the stems are longer and they are covered with soft hairs. These plants
reach 10 to 25 cm. Drummond’s Anemone grows on the north aspect of the summit of Mount Ashland,
around the mouth of what many people call the bowl. The bowl area is open, dry, steep, and gravelly.
Growing nearby will be Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) and Ballhead Sandwort (Arenaria
congesta).
There are nine species of anemone in Oregon. Some of them are capable of producing dangerous
amounts of protoanemonin, a toxic irritant.
of this flower. It could refer to the fruits which rely on the wind for dispersal, or it could refer to the
petals which easily fall off as a result of a strong gust of wind. It is also possible that this word refers to
the fact some of the flowers in this genus are found on exposed, wind-swept ridgelines. Drummondii
honors Dr. Thomas Drummond (ca 1790-1835), a Scottish naturalist. Drummond visited North America
twice to make plant collections: the first trip to western Canada, and the second visit to Texas where he
collected approximately 750 plant species and 150 bird species.
White Pasque Flower Anemone occidentalis S. Watson
Also called Western Pasque Flower, Western Anemone, Tow-headed Baby, and Moptop. Native.
Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae).
If this is the first anemone you have seen, then you probably are not aware that those beautiful
white structures are not petals! They are sepals that look like petals. Each flower can have between 5 and
8 sepals that are usually white, but sometimes tinged with purple. These radial flowers do not open
completely, so the sepals form a bowl-like shape. The center of the flower is “bushy” as a result of many
yellow pistils and stamens. The flowering stem generally produces only one flower. There is a whorl of
three compound leaves at the center of the stem; the leaves are highly dissected and the leaflets are short
and narrow. Several basal leaves look similar to the stem leaves but have soft hairs. White Pasque
Flower is a perennial that reaches 20-75 cm and grows on open, rocky slopes. Look for this one on an
open ridge along USFS Road 20, just beyond Grouse Gap.
of this flower. It could refer to the fruits, which rely on the wind for dispersal, or it could refer to the
petals, which easily fall off as a result of a strong gust of wind. It is also possible that this word refers to
the fact some of the flowers in this genus are found on exposed, wind-swept ridgelines. However, Pliny
claimed that anemones are called windflowers because the flowers do not open when it is windy.
Occidentalis is Latin for western, because this plant either grows only in the western United States, or
was first discovered in the western United States.
194
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Drummond’s Anemone (Anemone drummondii)
Photo by Bob Vos
fruits
White Pasque Flower (Anemone occidentalis)
195
Plant Descriptions
Little Mountain Thimbleweed Anemone lyallii
Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae).
These tiny flowers have no petals! Those white structures that look like petals are showy sepals.
There are usually 5-6 sepals, but sometimes as many as 9. They can vary in color from white, to pale blue
or pale pink. There are many stamens and pistils in the center of the flower, giving it a bushy appearance.
One to few basal leaves and the whorl of 3 stem leaves are dissected into many narrow segments. These
perennials grow at lower elevations on Mount Ashland.
Anemone is derived from Greek and means flower shaken by wind. This could refer to several
different characteristics of this flower. The fruits rely on the wind for dispersal, and the petals easily fall
off as a result of a strong gust of wind. It is also possible that this refers to the fact some of the flowers in
this genus are found on exposed, wind-swept ridgelines. However, Pliny claimed that anemones are
called windflowers because the flowers do not open when it is windy. David Lyall (1817-1895), a British
surgeon and botanist is honored in this species name. Lyall collected many valuable plant specimens
from Antarctica, New Zealand, and western North America.
Western Columbine Aquilegia formosa Fischer
Also called Crimson Columbine, or simply Columbine. Native. Buttercup Family
(Ranunculaceae).
This beauty is not likely to be confused with any other plant on Mount Ashland. The distinctive
regular red flower of this perennial has 5 petals, each with a spur that protrudes upward from the nodding
flower. The inflorescence is a raceme of just a few flowers. The plant has basal and stem leaves that are
lobed; each lobe has shallow teeth. This erect plant grows to 20-75 cm tall, and is usually found in moist
areas. Look for it in late July in the wet meadow near Grouse Gap.
The nectaries are in the back of the long spur, therefore, only long-tongued insects and
hummingbirds can partake and act as pollinators. There are many species of Columbine throughout the
U.S. At one time, there was a movement afoot to make the Columbine the national flower, but it never
came to pass. Some Columbine species are also native to England. In medieval times, these columbines
were thought to be a remedy against the plague.
Derivation of the word aquilegia is uncertain. It could be Latin for eagle, the spurs being likened
to talons, or it could be Latin for water-drawer in reference to the wet habitats where these flowers are
most often found. Formosa is Latin for graceful or beautiful. The common name, Columbine, comes
from columba, which means dove. The person who conferred this name on the plant must have seen a
congregation of five doves in a circle.
White Marsh Marigold Caltha leptosepala DC. var. biflora (DC.) G. Lawson
Also called White-flowered Marigold, Alpine White Marsh Marigold, Twin-flowered Marigold,
Broad-leaved Marigold, Broad-leaved Caltha. Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)
This plant is a trickster that might fool you! Starting with the common name – this plant does not
have gold or yellow flowers. These beautiful flowers are white with many yellow stamens and pistils.
And those showy white things that look like petals aren’t petals at all. This flower has no petals; those are
actually sepals. The number of sepals can vary from 5 to 12. This plant has only basal leaves that are
simple and entire with wavy margins. The shape of the leaves is called reniform, which means “kidney
shaped.” You have to be on the mountain in May to see these plants in bloom, but you can find the fruits
(follicles) towering over the leaves through the summer.
Look for White Marsh Marigold along streams; they are often found next to its relative, Plantainleaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius).
The family name, Ranunculaceae, is a derivative of the Latin word, rana, which means frog.
Several species in this family, like Marsh Marigold, are found in areas frequented by small frogs. Caltha
is Latin for marigold; leptosepala is Greek for fine sepals, referring to the showy, petal-like sepals.
196
Photo by Bob Vos
Plant Descriptions
Little Mountain Thimbleweed (Anemone lyallii)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala var. biflora)
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Plant Descriptions
Anderson’s Delphinium Delphinium andersonii A. Gray
Also called Anderson’s Larkspur. Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae).
10-25 bilateral flowers bloom in an open raceme. Each flower has 5 petal-like sepals that are
dark blue. The uppermost sepal has a long spur on the back. The 4 petals are much smaller than sepals
but similar in color to the sepals. The petals are obviously hairy. Many stamens and 3 pistils give the
center of the flower a bushy appearance. Alternate leaves grow more or less on the lower half of the
stem. They are glabrous and palmately lobed with 7-30 lobes. The erect stem grows 30-60 cm tall.
Anderson’s Delphinium prefers dry soils.
Delphinium comes form the Greek, delphin, or Latin, delphinus, which means dolphin, and could
refer to the supposed resemblance of the long spur to the dolphin, or to the shape of the flower bud. Dr.
Charles Lewis Anderson (1827-1910), physician and naturalist of western Nevada and California, is
remembered in this specific epithet. Born in Virginia, he moved west and was one of the first to collect
extensively in Nevada. He sent his collected specimens to Asa Gray of Harvard for identification, and
many proved new to science. He compiled the first flora of Nevada.
Yellowtinge Larkspur Delphinium decorum Fischer & C. Meyer
Also called Coast Delphinium, Coastal Larkspur, and Low Larkspur. Native. Buttercup Family
(Ranunculaceae).
2-20 bilateral flowers bloom in an open raceme. Each flower has 5 petal-like sepals that are dark
blue-purple. The uppermost sepal has a long spur on the back. The 4 petals, which are the same color as
the sepals, are much smaller than sepals. The petals are obviously hairy. Many stamens and 3 pistils give
the center of the flower a bushy appearance. Leaves are mostly basal and are palmately lobed with 5
lobes. They are glabrous on the upper surface and minutely hairy on the lower surface. The erect stem
grows 30-60 cm tall, and is hairy toward the base. Yellowtinge Larkspur grows in dry soils.
refer to the supposed resemblance of the long spur to the dolphin, or to the shape of the flower bud.
derived from the Latin word for dolphin, and refers to the shape of the of the flower bud. Decorum is
Latin for elegant. Need I say more?
Mountain Larkspur Delphinium glaucum S. Watson
Also called Tower Delphinium, Pale Larkspur, and Sierra Larkspur. Native. Buttercup Family
(Ranunculaceae).
A tall, towering plant that grows in wet soil, Mountain Larkspur has many gorgeous purple-blue
bilateral flowers. What appear to be five deep-purple petals are actually sepals that create a long spur at
the back of the flower. The outer surface of the calyx is covered with many white, very short hairs. The
four petals are much smaller than the sepals. The two upper petals are usually white with some purple at
the tips, and the two lower petals are mostly purple with some white at the base. The lower petals cover
the many stamens. The tall stems are sometimes branched toward the top, bearing the flowers in one to
several racemes. The lower portion of the stem is glabrous and glaucous. Below the inflorescence, the
deeply lobed leaves are coarsely toothed and grow alternately along the stem. The upper-most leaves are
either lobed or entire. Mountain Larkspur prefers wet meadows, where it can grow to 150-180 cm.
Growing nearby, you may find Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), or Columbian Monkshood
(Aconitum columbianum).
There are about two dozen species of Delphinium in Oregon. The young foliage and seeds are
poisonous, as they contain various alkaloids. The toxicity varies with each species.
refer to the supposed resemblance of the long spur to the dolphin, or to the shape of the flower bud.
Glaucum is derived from the Latin word for gray, referring to the bloom (pronounced blome) on the lower
half of the stem, making it glaucous.
198
Photo by Jeff Abbas
Plant Descriptions
Yellowtinge Larkspur (Delphinium decorum)
Photo by Bob Vos
Anderson’s Delphinium (Delphinium andersonii)
Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum)
199
Plant Descriptions
Meadow Larkspur Delphinium nuttallianum Walp.
Also called Bilobed Delphinium, Dwarf Larkspur, Two-lobed Larkspur, Slim Larkspur, and
Sonne’s Larkspur. Native. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae).
This tall, showy flower is hard to miss in dry, shady areas. The five deep purple-blue petal-like
structures are actually sepals. These can have a slightly fringed appearance, and they form a distinct spur
at the back of this bilateral flower. The four petals are much smaller than the sepals, and are usually
white with purple-blue veins. The upper two petals are notched at the tip, and the lower two petals are
long-hairy and also notched. The lower two petals form a cover for the many stamens with yellow and
purple anthers. The inflorescence is an open raceme, with a leaf-like bract subtending every flower. The
alternate, glabrous leaves are simple, but so deeply palmately lobed that they may appear to be
compound. The larger basal leaves are also deeply palmately lobed. These erect perennials have reddishbrown stems that grow 20-60 cm. Look for this flower in June dry butshady areas around Rabbit Ears
and along the Pacific Crest Trail.
All parts of this beautiful plant are poisonous. It contains a number of alkaloids, delphinine being
among the worst. When cattle eat the fresh green plants in the spring, they grow weak, suffer from
nausea, and at times, die. But, interestingly, other sources says that this plant does not harm sheep.
Larkspur has been used as an insecticide, and soldiers once applied it externally to kill body lice.
The common name, Larkspur, probably refers to the long hind toe of larks. Because these birds
are ground walkers, they require a long toe (the spur) for balance. Delphinium comes form the Greek,
delphin, or Latin, delphinus, which means dolphin, and could refer to the supposed resemblance of the
long spur to the dolphin, or to the shape of the flower bud. Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), a British-born,
Philadelphia-raised botanist, is commemorated in this specific epithet. Nuttall traveled west three times
to collect plants, from 1811-1812, 1818-1820, 1834-1836. He was lecturer and curator of the Botanic
Garden at Harvard University from 1825-1834.
Plantain-leaf Buttercup Ranunculus alismifolius Benth. var. alismellus A. Gray
Also called Gray Plantain-leaved Buttercup, and Water Plantain Buttercup. Native. Buttercup
Family (Ranunculaceae).
One of the earliest flowers to bloom on Mount Ashland, this is also one of the brightest.
These radial flowers have 5-7 bright, shiny yellow petals that hide 5 reflexed sepals. Many yellow
stamens and many pistils mark the center of the flower. There are alternate stem leaves on the lower
portion of the stem and many basal leaves. Stem leaves tend to be linear and entire, while basal leaves
tend to be spoon-shaped or lanceolate and entire, with a long petiole. Stems are either decumbent to
erect, and these flowers tend to grow in large clumps.
This perennial blooms in May along streambanks next to White Marsh Marigold (Caltha
leptosepala var. biflora).
Ranunculus is Latin for little frog, referring to the wet habitats of most species in this genus.
Alismifolius is Greek for Plantain leaf, referring to the shape of the leaves.
Popular Buttercup Ranunculus populago E. Greene
Popular Buttercup is a radial flower with 5 green sepals, 5 shiny yellow petals, many stamens,
and many pistils. There are basal leaves and alternate stem leaves that vary in shape from heart-shaped to
egg-shaped. They are entire to barely toothed. The erect stem of this perennial is few-branched and
glabrous, and grows 8-30 cm tall. This one grows in wet meadows and along streambanks.
The sap of most flowers in the Buttercup family contains irritants that blister the skin with
prolonged contact.
Ranunculus is Latin for little frog, referring to the wet habitats of most species in this genus.
Populago is derived from the Latin word for the poplar, referring to the leaves which are shaped like
poplar leaves.
200
Plant Descriptions
Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum)
Plantain-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus)
Popular Buttercup (Ranunculus populago)
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Plant Descriptions
Fendler’s Meadow Rue Thalictrum fendleri A. Gray var. fendleri
This is a very special plant on Mount Ashland because it is dioecious. That is, each plant has
only staminate (male) flowers or only pistillate (female) flowers. Dioecious is derived from Greek and
means two houses, referring to the separate plants for staminate flowers and pistillate flowers. If you find
a male plant, the radial flowers will have 4 or 5 greenish-white to purplish sepals, no petals, and 15-28
stamens. The female plants have radial flowers with 4 or 5 greenish-white to purplish sepals, no petals,
and 7-20 pistils. In every other way, the plants are the same. The inflorescence is a panicle that is leafy
or bracted above. Basal leaves and alternate stem leaves are pinnately compound with lobed leaflets.
These erect perennials grow 60-200 cm tall.
You will find Fendler’s Meadow Rue in wet meadows, blooming in mid- to late-June, and going
to fruit in late-June to early-July. Look for Mountain Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana) and
Bigleaf Avens (Geum macrophyllum) blooming nearby.
Thalictrum is a name given by Dioscorides, a Greek physician-botanist. Fendleri remembers
Augustus Fendler (1813-1883), a German botanist who collected many plants that were later identified by
Dr. Asa Gray.
Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)
Mahala Mat Ceanothus prostratus Benth.
Also called Squaw Carpet. Native. Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae ).
This prostrate shrub is rather unique with its holly-like leaves. The opposite, evergreen leaves are
coarsely toothed. The upper surface is green and glabrous, while the lower surface is paler green with
hairy veins. The opposite twigs are round and red-brown becoming gray-brown. The radial flowers can
be light blue, deep blue, lavender or purple. Five sepals and five petals are all colored the same. In the
center are 5 stamens and 1 pistil with 3 styles. Look for Mahala Mat in forested areas at lower elevations.
The seeds of this shrub were eaten by Native Americans, and the leaves were smoked or made
into tea. Tonics and astringents were made from the bark and roots.
Ceanothus is Greek for thorny plant, or a kind of thistle, because some members of this genus
have thorns. The Ceanothus species on Mount Ashland do not have thorns. In Latin, prostratus means
to lay flat, indicating that the branches of this shrub lay on or close to the ground.
Tobacco Brush Ceanothus velutinus Dougl. var. velutinus
Also called Mountain Balm, Sticky Laurel, and Snowbrush Ceanothus. Native. Buckthorn
Family (Rhamnaceae ).
An erect shrub, Tobacco Brush has sprays of many small, white, radial flowers with 5 petals. The
leaves are alternate, evergreen, and aromatic when crushed. Perhaps the easiest way to identify this shrub
is by looking at the shallowly toothed leaves – they have three prominent veins that are hard to miss.
Look for Tobacco Brush in open areas on the south slopes. Growing nearby, you should see Greenleaf
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), and perhaps Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata).
These shrubs are important in the poor, granitic soil on Mount Ashland because the roots have a
mycorhizal fungi on them that makes nitrogen available to plants. This shrub is not shade tolerant, and so
will only grow in open, sunny areas.
Ceanothus is Greek for thorny plant, or a kind of thistle, because some members of this genus
have thorns. The Ceanothus species on Mount Ashland do not have thorns. Velutinus is New Latin for
velvety, probably referring to the twigs which have microscopic hairs that make the plant feel velvety.
202
Photo by Steven Thorsted
Plant Descriptions
Fendler’s Meadow Rue (Thalictrum fendleri var. fendleri)
Mahala Mat (Ceanothus prostratus)
Tobacco Brush (Ceanothus velutinus var. velutinus)
203
Plant Descriptions
Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt.
Also called Western Service Berry, and Saskatoon. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
This medium-sized deciduous shrub has grayish bark and showy white, radial flowers with five
petals. The center of the flowers appears “bushy” because of the many stamens and styles. The leaves
are alternate and are coarsely toothed along the upper 2/3 of the margins. There are two varieties of this
flower on Mount Ashland. To distinguish between the two, you need to look at the top of the ovary with
a hand lens. If the ovary top is glabrous, you are looking at Dwarf Serviceberry, variety pumila (Nutt.)
Nelson. If the ovary top is covered with densely interwoven, matted hairs, you are looking at Saskatoon
Serviceberry, variety semiintegrifolia (Hook.) C. Hitchc. Serviceberry blooms fairly early on Mount
Ashland, in late May and early June. It is obvious along the side of USFS Road 20 between the picnic
area and the Rabbit Ears, growing next to Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) and Greenleaf Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos patula).
Some Native Americans dried the berries and used them in pemmican. Some groups used the
wood to make arrows, digging sticks, and drying racks. This shrub is an important winter browse for the
deer on Mount Ashland, and many birds rely on the berries in August.
Stories say that early colonists named this shrub or small tree Serviceberry. When the flowers of
this tree bloomed, they knew the soil was soft enough to bury those who had died in the winter. So, they
held a service for their burial. Amelanchier is a Latin modification of the old French common name;
alnifolia is Latin for alder leaf. The leaves must have reminded someone of alder trees.
Pale Serviceberry Amelanchier pallida E. Greene
Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Glabrous red-brown to gray twigs bear alternate, simple leaves that are entire to toothed. The
white, radial flowers have 5 sepals, 5 petals, about 15 stamens, and 3-4 styles. The fruits are purplishblack pomes. Look for Pale Service Berry on dry, gravelly slopes.
This deciduous shrub looks very similar to Serviceberry. Look closely at the leaves. If the
underside is paler than the upper surface, it is Pale Serviceberry. Also look at the number of styles. If
there are 5, it is Serviceberry (A. alnifolia).
Amelanchier is a Latin modification of the old French common name; pallida is Latin for pale,
possibly referring to the pale lower surface of the leaves, or referring to the white flowers.
Wood Strawberry Fragaria vesca L.
Also called Woodland Strawberry. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
These radial flowers have 5 green sepals, 5 white petals, 20-35 yellow stamens, and many yellow
pistils. The flowers are usually taller than the compound basal leaves. Each leaf is made up of 3 toothed
leaflets. The bright red fruit looks like a miniature store-bought strawberry. This perennial will be found
in forested areas at lower elevations.
There are two subspecies of Wood Strawberry on Mount Ashland: ssp. bracteata and ssp.
californica (California Strawberry). Subspecies bracteata has a bract along the flowering stem that looks
like one leaflet. Subspecies californica does not have this bract.
The berries are prized by berry pickers today. Native Americans ate the berries fresh or mashed
with other berries and dried. The runners were used as cordage (rope), and the leaves were dried and
powdered as a disinfectant for open sores.
Fragaria is Latin for fragrant. Vesca means little, slender or feeble, referring to the slender
flowering stem. Bracteata is Latin for a thin, metal plate and refers to the bract on the flowering stem of
this subspecies. Californica means of California and refers to the general range of this subspecies.
204
Plant Descriptions
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolnia)
Photo by Beatrice F. Howitt,
Pale Serviceberry (Amelanchier pallida)
Wood Strawberry (Fragaria vesca var. bracteata)
205
Plant Descriptions
Bigleaf Avens Geum macrophyllum Willd.
Also called Large-leaf Avens. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Bigleaf Avens has yellow flowers with five petals surrounding many stamens with yellow
anthers, and many pistils that are light green when immature and turning greenish-yellow when mature.
The five small, green sepals are reflexed. When the fruits are mature, the flower looks like a spiny, red
ball. The basal leaves have long stems and are compound with a large, kidney-shaped to heart-shaped
terminal segment. The other leaflets are much smaller than the terminal leaflet. The alternate stem leaves
are deeply lobed, and the three lobes are coarsely toothed. Lower surfaces of the leaves are often mottled
reddish. At the base of the leaves, there are large, leaf-like stipules. The reddish-brown stems are hairy,
and usually reach up to 60-90 cm. Bigleaf Avens blooms around mid-June in wet areas. Nearby, you
may find Tall Phacelia (Phacelia procera) or Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum).
Geum is an ancient Latin name. In Greek, macrophyllum means large leaf, referring to the large
terminal leaflet on the basal leaves.
Henderson’s Horkelia Horkelia hendersonii Howell
This low-lying, mat-forming plant has small, regular flowers with 5 whitish pink petals and 5
whitish pink sepals. It is a perennial that grows approximately 4-6 inches high. The alternate, pinnately
compound leaves are silky with white hairs; each leaf has 11-19 leaflets. It occurs at elevations from
6,400 – 7,500 feet. Look for this rare plant around Rabbit Ears from early June through mid-July.
This inconspicuous flower is a gem on Mt. Ashland. It is globally rare, but locally abundant,
found only on the dry, granitic soils of four peaks in southern Oregon (Mount Ashland, McDonald Peak,
Dutchman Peak, and Observation Peak) and in one small area in California (Dry Lake Lookout).
From 1980 to 1996, Henderson’s Horkelia was a Category 2 candidate for listing under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. This category included species for which sufficient data was not available to
confirm vulnerability. In 1996, this category of species was discontinued, and Henderson’s Horkelia was
dropped. In September 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a formal petition from the
Rogue Group of the Sierra Club of Ashland to list Henderson’s Horkelia as endangered or threatened. In
June 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it will conduct a comprehensive review of
Henderson’s Horkelia to determine if it should be protected under the ESA.
Since 1995, the U.S. Forest Service has considered this plant a sensitive species, and the Oregon
Natural Heritage Program considers it “Threatened Throughout Range.”
The scientific name of this plant honors two individuals who have contributed to the study of
botany. J. Horkel (1769-1846) was a German plant physiologist; Louis Henderson (1854-1942) was an
American botanist who lived and botanized in the western United States.
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Plant Descriptions
Bigleaf Avens (Geum macrophyllum)
Henderson’s Horkelia (Horkelia hendersonii)
207
Plant Descriptions
Ocean Spray Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim.
Also called Creambush Ocean Spray, Ironwood, Arrow Wood. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Triangular sprays of white flowers make this shrub obvious when it blooms in July and early
August. The small radial flowers have 5 petals and a bushy center with many pistils and stamens that are
strongly exserted. The dry, withered flowers usually persist well into the following year. The simple,
wedge-shaped leaves are alternate and toothed, and are borne on reddish-brown twigs that turn to gray
with maturity. The twigs are short-hairy. Ocean Spray is found mostly around rocky outcrops and on
rocky slopes, and is often surrounded by Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula) and Cream
Stonecrop (Sedum oregonense).
A similar species, Rock Spiraea, Holodiscus microphyllus Rydb. var. microphyllus, is found in
the rocks only at the summit of Mount Ashland. This species looks almost identical to Ocean Spray, but
is characterized by very small, hairy leaves.
The foliage is a food source for deer. Also called Ironwood by many tribesThe stems were used
by Native Americans for making arrow shafts, bows, digging sticks, campfire tongs, spears, drum hoops,
and canoe paddles. The bark and leaves were used to treat burns and sores. Infusions of seeds were used
for prevention of contagious diseases.
Holodiscus is Greek for whole disk. Discolor is derived from the Greek words for two colors,
possible referring to the bark which changes from reddish-brown to gray.
Sticky Cinquefoil Potentilla glandulosa Lindley
Although the stem of Sticky Cinquefoil is always hairy, they are not always sticky. (Someone
told me once that Mother Nature didn’t read the book.) The radial flowers vary from pale yellow to deep
yellow and have 5 sepals, 5 petals, 20 stamens, and many pistils. The open cymes usually bear 2-8
flowers. The flowering stems are erect, but the compound basal leaves are spreading to erect. The basal
leaves are pinnately compound with 7-11 toothed leaflets. The few stem leaves are also compound but
look different from the basal leaves and have fewer leaflets.
Three different subspecies have been recorded on Mount Ashland. I found ssp. glandulosa
around the summit. The stem of this one is densely glandular-hairy, therefore, it is very sticky. This
subspecies prefers open slopes. I recorded ssp. globosa Keck along County Road 1151 near the ski area
parking lot. The stem is densely hairy, but completely non-glandular, and therefore, not sticky. The
flowers of this subspecies do not fully open. Finally, ssp. ashlandica (E. Greene) Keck is usually found
in moist places. The stem of this one is hairy, but not glandular.
The common name, cinquefoil, means five leaves and refers to five leaflets that many of the
plants in this genus possess. In Latin, potentilla means small but powerful, referring to the reputed
medicinal value of some plants in this genus. Also from Latin, glandulosa means full of glands.
Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta L.
Non-native from Eurasia. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
These very pale yellow radial flowers have 5 green sepals, 5 petals, 20 stamens, and many pistils.
The palmately compound leaves have 6-7 leaflets that are toothed ½ way to the mid-vein. There are basal
leaves and stem leaves, and the basal leaves are generally fallen or withered when the flowers bloom.
The erect flowering stem is usually 10-30 cm tall.
Sulphur Cinquefoil tends to grow in disturbed areas, so look for it along County Road 1151 at
elevations below 6300 feet. It blooms in early to mid-August with Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana)
and Woolly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).
The common name, cinquefoil, means five leaves and refers to five leaflets that many of the
plants in this genus possess. In Latin, potentilla means small but powerful, referring to the reputed
medicinal value of some plants in this genus. Recta is Latin for straight or upright, possibly referring to
the habit of this plant to grow erect.
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Plant Descriptions
Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor)
Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa)
Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)
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Plant Descriptions
Bitter Cherry Prunus emarginata (Hook.) Walp.
Also called Wild Cherry. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
This deciduous shrub has fairly small but showy flowers. Many stamens with white filaments
and bright yellow anthers protrude from the center of the five pure white petals. The flowers are clustered
along the stem in groups of 3 to 12. The elliptic leaves have many shallow teeth that can be either sharp
or rounded. The bark is often reddish-brown with obvious horizontal rows of yellow lenticels. The oval
to spherical fruits vary in color from red to purple, and are called drupe. The botanical definition of a
drupe is a fleshy or pulpy fruit that superficially resembles a berry but has only one seed encased in a
hardened stone.
This shrub usually flowers in May and the fruits mature around August. It is abundant along
USFS Road 20 between the picnic area and Rabbit Ears.
The leaves, twigs, and pits of this plant contain amygdalin, a cyanogenetic glycoside. When
cracked, the pits are extremely dangerous, but if intact, they are apparently harmless.
The common name comes from the drupe, which is too bitter to eat. Prunus is derived from the
Latin word pruninus which means plum blue, referring to the color of some of the fruits in this genus.
Emarginata is derived from the Latin word for border or edge, referring to the finely toothed leaf
margins.
Wood Rose Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt.
Also called Dwarf Rose, and Baldhip Rose. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Wild roses are such a delight in the dark woods. The delicate, radial flowers have 5 green sepals
with long, tapered tips, 5 pale pink to rosy pink petals that are white toward the center, and many pale
yellow pistils and stamens. One to three flowers grow in clusters toward the ends of the upper branches.
Very short, glandular hairs are on the pedicels and the outer surfaces of the sepals. The thin branches are
covered with many slender, straight thorns. The alternate leaves are odd-pinnate with 3 to 9 leaflets with
double-toothed, glandular margins. The stipules at the base of each petiole are also gland-margined. This
deciduous shrub usually grows 30-90 cm tall.
Wood Rose is found in wooded areas along the Pacific Crest Trail at elevations below 6400 feet.
It blooms in early to mid-July with Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata) and Sweet-scented
Bedstraw (Gallium trillifolium).
Although rose hips are considered edible and are a great source of vitamin C, the seeds of this
species contain hairs that are irritating to the digestive tract, especially the very end of the digestive tract!
Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest used Wood Rose as a medicine to cure several ailments, and as a
ceremonial herb.
One of the common names, Baldhip Rose, is descriptive of the fruit. The calyx drops from the
fruit early, leaving the end of the hip exposed, or bald. Rosa is an ancient Latin name. Gymno is Greek
for naked or bare, and carpa is Greek for fruit, again referring to the naked or bare fruit (hip) as a result of
the calyx falling away.
Rough Fruit Berry Rubus lasiococcus A. Gray
Also called Dwarf Bramble. Native. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
A prostrate, ground covering shrub, Rough Fruit Berry is a bramble with no prickles. One to two
flowers grow in the leaf axils. Each radial flower has 5 green reflexed sepals, 5 white petals, many green
pistils, and many stamens. The alternate leaves are palmately lobed, more or less compound, with 3
toothed leaflets. At the base of each petiole are two ovate stipules. The red raspberry-like fruits are
covered with many minute hairs. Rough Fruit Berry is most often found in open forested areas.
Rubus is an ancient Latin word for bramble. Lasiococcus is derived from the Greek words for
hairy berry, referring to the dense tiny hairs on the fruits.
210
Plant Descriptions
Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata)
Wood Rose (Rosa gymnocarpa)
Rough Fruit Berry (Rubus lasiococcus)
211
Plant Descriptions
Black-cap Raspberry Rubus leucodermis Torrey & A. Gray
Also called White-bark Raspberry, Black Raspberry, Western Raspberry, and Blackcap. Native.
Rose Family (Rosaceae).
An arched to erect shrub, Black-cap Raspberry has many prickles that are either straight or
recurved. Few-flowered clusters are borne at the end of the upper branches. Each radial flower has 5
green sepals, 5 white petals, many pistils, and many stamens. The alternate compound leaves usually
have 3 leaflets but can have as many as 7 leaflets. The leaflets are shallowly lobed, irregularly toothed,
and white on the lower surface. Linear stipules are at the base of each petiole. The branches are round in
cross section, and the fruits are red-purple to black with many tiny hairs. Look for this bramble in moist,
rocky areas below 6200 feet.
These berries can be used to make a purple stain, especially when combined with berries of other
shrubs. Many Pacific Northwest native groups ate the berries.
Rubus is an ancient Latin word for bramble. Leucodermis is derived from Greek and means
white skin, referring to the white lower surface of the leaflets.
Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus Nutt.
Thimbleberry is a tall, erect shrub at lower elevations, but on Mount Ashland, it is a low-growing,
spreading shrub that reaches only 30-60 cm tall. The round branches have no prickles.
Three to four white or pink flowers grow at the branch tips. Each flower has 5 green sepals, 5 white or
pink petals, many pistils, and many stamens. The pedicels are densely glandular. Alternate, simple
leaves are 5 lobed, finely toothed, and similar in shape to maple leaves. At the base of each leaf are two
lanceolate stipules. The red fruits are raspberry-like and covered with hairs that can only be seen with a
hand lens.
Thimbleberry blooms in early to mid-July in wet, shaded areas along the Pacific Crest Trail at
6400 feet and lower. Look for Wiggin’s Lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. wigginsii) and Douglas’s
Knotweed (Polygonum douglasii) blooming nearby.
Almost all coastal tribes in the Pacific Northwest ate the berries.
Rubus is an ancient Latin word for bramble. In Latin, parviflorus means small flowered. As this
shrub has some of the largest flowers in the Rubus genus, it is uncertain why this species was named
parviflorus.
Pennsylvania Blackberry Rubus pensilvanicus Poiret
Non-native from eastern North America. Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Several racemes bear 5-10 radial flowers. Each white flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, many
stamens, and many pistils. The compound leaves have 3-5 sharply toothed leaflets, and linear stipules at
the base of the petiole. The 5-angled stems have many curved prickles with wide bases. The arched to
erect bramble doesn’t grow very tall on Mount Ashland, only about 30-60 cm. The glabrous fruits are
blackberry-like.
Generally growing in disturbed areas, Pennsylvania Blackberry is found on Mount Ashland
growing under the wooden fence along the ski area parking lot. Other non-natives grow nearby, including
Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum var. virginicum) and Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursapastoris).
Rubus is an ancient Latin word for bramble. Pensilvanicus is New Latin meaning of
Pennsylvania and refers to the native range of this species.
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Plant Descriptions
Black-cap Raspberry (Rubus leucodermis)
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Pennsylvania Blackberry (Rubus pensylvanicus)
213
Plant Descriptions
Western Burnet Sanguisorba occidentalis Nutt.
An innocuous plant with inconspicuous flowers, one has to look closely to find the beauty and
mystery of Western Burnet. The erect, highly branched stems bear many terminal spikes with 10-50 tiny
flowers per spike. Using your hand lens, you will discover that there are no petals on these greenish
flowers, but there are 4 green sepals, 2 stamens, and 0-3 pistils. The alternate stem leaves, which I find
sublimely beautiful, are pinnately compound with leaflets that are again pinnately lobed. The basal leaves
are often withered by the time the flowers bloom. This annual or biennial grows 10-70 cm in disturbed
areas.
Look for Western Burnet along County Road 1151 up to the ski area parking lot. It blooms in
mid- to late-July with Bird’s Foot Trefoil (Lotus purshianus var. purshianus) and Pearly Everlasting
(Anaphalis margariticea).
Latin for blood-absorbing, sanguisorba is so named for its tendency to halt bleeding by
contracting the surrounding tissues or blood vessels. Occidentalis is Latin for western, referring to the
range of this species.
Cascade Mountain Ash Sorbus scopulina E. Greene var. cascadensis (G. Jones) C. Hitchc.
A shrub with many flat-topped panicles of white flowers could be either Cascade Mountain Ash
or Blue Elderberry. The flowers of Cascade Mountain Ash have five light green sepals and five white
petals. Protruding from the center of the flower are many (15-20) stamens with reddish-brown anthers.
The pinnately compound leaves are opposite with 9-11 leaflets that are toothed along the upper ½ to 2/3
of the margin. There are generally two green stipules at the base of each leaf. The bark is reddish-brown
and ridged.
I have seen this plant only on the south slope of the knoll at mile 8 along County Road 1151. It is
growing along a rocky outcrop with Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). It flowers in late May or early
June.
The genus name, Sorbus, is an ancient Latin name. Scopulina Latin for rock or crag, referring to
the rocky habitats where this species is found. Cascadensis is New Latin for of the Cascades, referring to
the general range of this subspecies.
Madder Family (Rubiaceae)
Goosegrass Galium aparine L.
Also called Bedstraw, Catchweed Bedstraw, Cleavers, Stickywilly, and Cheese Rennet Herb.
Native. Madder Family (Rubiaceae).
Children refer to this as nature’s velcro. The entire plant has small, hooked prickles that cause it
to stick to clothing and animal fur. The flowers are so small and inconspicuous that you may not even
notice them. If you look with your hand lens, however, you will see the whitish flowers in the axils. The
flowers have four petals. The linear leaves are in whorls of 6-8; the lower leaves have petioles while the
upper leaves are sessile. The stem is square. The fruits are nutlets and are also covered with many tiny
hooks. This annual grows in grassy, shaded areas along the Pacific Crest trail and near wet meadows.
As one of the common names suggests, this plant was used as a rennet to curdle milk for cheesemaking. It is said to impart a sweet flavor to cheese. True coffee is a member of this family, so it is not
surprising that some sources claim that the seeds of this plant can be roasted and ground as a coffee
substitute.
Galium is Greek for Bedstraw. It originates from a word that means milk, referring to the use of
some of the species in this genus in curdling milk. Aparine is the old, generic name for this species.
214
Plant Descriptions
Western Burnet (Sanguisorba occidentalis)
Cascade Mountain Ash (Sorbus scopulina var. cascadensis)
Goosegrass (Galium aparine)
215
Plant Descriptions
Low Mountain Bedstraw Galium bifolium S. Watson
Also called Twinleaf Bedstraw. Native. Madder Family (Rubiaceae).
This tiny plant grows at the base of California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum) in wet
meadows. You’ll probably have to get down on your belly to appreciate them. The tiny white flowers
have three petals and bloom at the end of nodding, axillary pedicels. The linear leaves grow in whorls of
4 around the square stem. The plant is glabrous, but the fruits – nutlets – have short, hooked hairs that
will adhere to clothing and animal fur.
This delicate annual blooms in May and can be found in almost any wet meadow on Mount
Ashland. It is often found growing next to Small-flower Nemophila (Nemophila parviflora) beneath the
pleated leaves of California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum var. californicum).
some of the species in this genus in curdling milk. In Latin, bifolium means two leaves, referring to two
sets of two leaves that grow from each node.
Sweet-scented Bedstraw Galium triflorum Michaux
Also called Fragrant Bedstraw. Native. Madder Family (Rubiaceae).
The creamy white flowers of this perennial have four petals and are borne in clusters of 2-3 at the
end of axillary stalks. The ovate to obovate leaves grow in whorls of 6 and are generally horizontal
regardless of the stem’s orientation. The plant is mostly glabrous but may have some short hairs that can
only be seen with a hand lens. The square stem can be either erect or decumbent, and grows to about 12
inches tall.
Sweet-scented Bedstraw grows in the damp, shady forests along the Pacific Crest Trail. It
blooms in July with Brewer’s Mitrewort (Mitella breweri) and Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza
maculata).
some of the species in this genus in curdling milk. Triflorum is Latin for three flowers, referring to this
plant’s tendency to have a cluster of three flowers growing in the leaf axils.
Milk Kelloggia Kelloggia galioides Torrey
Native. Madder Family (Rubiaceae).
The trumpet shaped corolla is made up of 4 or 5 petals that are mostly white and often tinged with
pink. The flower buds are deep magenta. The flower seems to sit atop a short-bristly, ball-like calyx.
The four stamens are exserted from the center of the flower. The opposite, entire leaves have tiny white
stipules at the base. The slender stem is more or less four-angled, and grows erect, up to 20 cm tall.
Milk Kelloggia prefers cool, partly shaded areas, along with White Hawkweed (Hieracium
albiflorum) and Siskiyou Penstemon (Penstemon anguineus). Look for it in late June through July along
wooded portions of the Pacific Crest Trail.
There are only two species in this genus that honors Dr. Albert Kellogg (1813-1887), a pioneer
California botanist. Galioides probably means galium-like, referring to the flowers which are similar to
flowers in the genus, Galium.
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Plant Descriptions
Low Mountain Bedstraw (Galium bifolium)
Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum)
Milk Kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides)
217
Plant Descriptions
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Sierra Willow (Salix eastwoodiae) A.A. Heller
These familiar deciduous shrubs grow 2-7 feet tall on in the wet meadows on Mount Ashland.
Like several other plants on the mountain, willows are dioecious, which means there are two kinds of
flowers growing on the same shrub: flowers with only stamens, and flowers with only pistils. The dense,
velvety catkins are packed with the tiny flowers, none of which have sepals or petals. The simple,
alternate leaves vary in shape from linear to lanceolate to obovate. They can be entire or toothed, and are
generally hairy. The flexible, glabrous twigs with smooth bark can be yellow, reddish, or brown. There
is probably more than one species of willow on Mount Ashland.
Willows have been vital to the lifestyle of many Native American groups. Willows have been
used across the U.S. for utilitarian and medicinal purposes. The flexible twigs are perfect for constructing
strong baskets, and their bitter bark contains salicylates, or salicin, which is used to make the
acetylsalicylic acid found in aspirin. It is an ancient remedy for pain and inflammation. Willows are
important on Mount Ashland for the animals. It is a choice browse food for grouse, deer and others.
Salix is the ancient Latin name for these plants. Eastwoodiae honors Alice Eastwood (18591953) an American botanist raised in the western United States. Eastwood, who was listed in American
Men of Science in 1906, authored three books on California flora, and one book on the flora of Denver,
Colorado.
Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae)
Large-flowered Boykinia Boykinia major A. Gray
Also called Mountain Boykinia, and Large Boykinia. Native. Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae).
White, radial flowers with five petals help to distinguish this plant. Many flowers grow together
in a flat-topped inflorescence at the top of the stem. The large basal leaves are maple-like with several
lobes that have coarse teeth. Stem leaves are smaller than the basal leaves, but shaped similarly. Largeflowered Boykinia can grow up to 60 cm in moist areas.
Look for this in the wet meadow above the road near the picnic area. It will be found growing
near Tall Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii) and California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum var.
californicum).
This genus was named after Dr. S. Boykin (1786-1848), a naturalist from Georgia. Major is
Latin for larger, referring to the flowers which are large compared to other flowers in this genus.
Small-flower Woodland Star Lithophragma parviflorum (Hook.) Torrey & A. Gray
Native. Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae).
There aren’t many of these flowers on Mount Ashland, so if you’ve found one, you must be very
lucky, or a keen observer. One to six non-fragrant, radial flowers grow in a tight raceme. Each flower
has 5 green sepals, 5 white petals with 3 lobes at the tip, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. Alternate stem leaves
and basal leaves are deeply 3 lobed to palmately compound. Each lobe or leaflet is lobed again. There
are very few stem leaves. The erect stem of this perennial is usually 15-45 cm tall.
Preferring open areas, Small-flower Woodland Star grows in open meadows. It blooms in midto late- June close to Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) and Alice’s Daisy (Erigeron aliceae).
Greek for rock hedge, lithophragma refers to the rocky habitats of many species in this genus. In
Latin, parviflorum means small flowered.
218
Plant Descriptions
Sierra Willow (Salix eastwoodiae)
Photo by Bob Vos
Large-flowered Boykinia (Boykinia major)
Small-flower Woodland Star (Lithophragma parviflorum)
219
Plant Descriptions
Brewer’s Mitrewort Mitella breweri A. Gray
Wow! Look at those amazing flowers! Use your hand lens, and get up close with this one. The
5 greenish-yellow petals are pinnately divided into thread-like lobes. The feather-like petals recurve
away from the central disk to which 5 short, green sepals are attached. The 5 stamens are attached to the
central disk and are visible between each petal. One pistil lies at the center. The tiny radial flowers are
borne in a raceme atop a leafless stem. Brewer’s Mitrewort has only basal leaves that have 7-11 shallow
lobes with rounded teeth. This perennial stands about 10-45 cm tall.
Brewer’s Mitrewort is found on moist shady slopes along the Pacific Crest Trail below 6300 feet.
Nearby, you may find Baneberry (Acteae rubra) or Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina stellata).
Mitella is Latin and means a head-band or small cap. This refers to the fruit, which breaks open
along a transverse line so that the top comes off like a lid. William Henry Brewer (1828-1910), an
American botanist, was a pioneer botanical explorer in California, and California's first State Botanist.
Five-Point Bishops Cap Mitella pentandra Hook.
Also called Five-point Mitrewort, and Five-stamen Mitrewort. Native. Saxifrage Family
(Saxifragaceae).
Will ya look at that! You must use your hand lens to get a good look at these incredible flowers.
The 5 green petals are pinnately dissected into 5-10 opposite, threadlike lobes. Unbelievable! The crazy
petals recurve away from a central reddish-brown disk to which 5 short, green sepals are attached. Each
small, radial flower has 5 stamens, one opposite each petal, and 1 pistil in the center. The terminal
raceme rises above the basal leaves, which have 5-9 lobes with sharp teeth. The erect stem has many fine,
white hairs. This perennial usually stands 15-30 cm tall.
I found Five-point Bishops Cap on the north slopes, in a wooded area between the Windsor Chair
Lift and Winter ski run. A small stream runs through the woods. Along the streambank, you should find
Five-point Bishops Cap with Brook Saxifrage (Saxifraga odontoloma) and Hornemann’s Willow-herb
(Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii). They all bloom in early to mid-July.
The fruit and seeds of this little flower are interesting. The fruit breaks open along a transverse
line so that the top comes off like a lid. Inside, there are many tiny, round, shiny black seeds. The seeds
are then dispersed when animals or humans bump into the cups, spilling the seeds. Some sources call this
type of seed dispersal a “splash cup dispersal” because rain drops that directly hit the seed cups eject the
tiny, smooth seeds.
Mitella is the Latin word for head-band or small cap. This refers to the manner in which the fruit
breaks open, like someone lifting a cap from his head. Pentandra is Greek and literally means five men,
referring to the five stamens.
Oregon Saxifrage Saxifraga oregana J. Howell
A tall, sparsely woolly, leafless stem bears an elongated panicle of many small, white flowers.
The radial flowers have 5 small green sepals, 5 small white petals, 10 stamens with yellow anthers that
turn rusty-brown with maturity, and 1 pistil with 2 styles and a swollen, shiny green ovary. The basal
leaves are somewhat fleshy, and vary from entire to toothed. The erect stem of this perennial usually
stands 15-60 cm tall.
You will find Oregon Saxifrage in wet meadows and boggy areas on the south slopes. It blooms
in mid- to late-June and towers over the belly flowers, Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides)
and Tinker’s Penny (Hypericum anagalloides). It also grows next to the large basal leaves and ripening
fruits of White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala var. biflora).
Saxifraga is Latin for rock-breaking, referring to the tendency of many flowers in this genus to
grow on or near rocks, their roots eventually breaking the rocks apart. Oregana is New Latin for of
Oregon, referring to the general range of this species.
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Plant Descriptions
Brewer’s Mitrewort (Mitella breweri)
Five-Point Bishops Cap (Mitella pentandra)
Oregon Saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana)
221
Plant Descriptions
Brook Saxifrage Saxifraga odontoloma Piper
Also called Stream Saxifrage. Native. Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae).
Oh! Here’s another interesting flower growing right next to Five-point Bishops Cap (Mitella
pentandra). Five white petals hide the five green, reflexed sepals. Each round or oval petal has two
green spots toward the base. Ten stamens have club shaped filaments and anthers that look like small red
balls, turning yellow with maturity. When the flower first opens, all the stamens lie flat atop the petals.
Then 5 by 5, they stand erect. The erect purplish-red stem bears the panicle of flowers and is surrounded
with basal leaves. The leaves are more or less round with coarse, sharp teeth and a kidney shaped base.
This perennial usually grows 10-45 cm tall.
I have seen Brook Saxifrage growing in two different areas, both off the beaten path. In some
trees next to a stream between Windsor Chair Lift and Winter ski run, you will find it growing surrounded
by Five-point Bishops Cap. The second area is found by parking your car at the confluence of USFS
Road 20 and Road 40S30 and hiking in the opposite direction of the road. You will walk over a saddle
and downhill into a hidden wet meadow in the Ashland watershed. Along the stream in the meadow, you
will find it growing next to Hornemann’s Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii).
Saxifraga is Latin for rock-breaking, referring to the tendency of many flowers in this genus to
grow on or near rocks, their roots eventually breaking the rocks apart. Derived from Greek, odontoloma
means toothed fringe, and refers to the leaf margins.
Lace Flower Tiarella trifoliata L. var. unifoliata (Hook.) Kurtz
Also called One-leaf Foam Flower, False Mitrewort, Western Coolwort, and Single Sugar Scoop.
Tiny, delicate, white, radial flowers nod from an elongated raceme-like inflorescence. The 5
white sepals are much wider than the 5 white thread-like petals. Ten long, whisker-like stamens with
yellow anthers are exserted beyond petals, and 1 pistil centers the flower. The inflorescence is covered
with many white glandular hairs. The alternate leaves are mostly at the base of the stem. They are
maple-like with 3-5 lobes; the lobes are toothed. This hairy perennial usually stands 20-40 cm. Moist,
shady banks are perfect habitats for Lace Flower.
The common name, Foam Flower, refers to the small flowers, which look like flecks of foam.
Another common name, Single Sugar Scoop, refers to the seed capsules, which some people believe to
resemble sugar scoops. Tiarella is Greek for small tiara, and refers to the beautiful little flowers.
Trifoliata is Latin for three leaves, and refers to the compound leaf with three leaflets of the primary
species. However, this subspecies has a simple maple-like leaf, hence, unifoliata which is Latin for one
leaf.
Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)
Coast Indian Paintbrush Castilleja affinis Hook. & Arn.
Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
All Paintbrushes are very difficult to identify. The most colorful parts of these plants are the
bracts, which are bright red to yellow in this species. Inside each bract, you will find a slender bilateral
flower that has reddish or yellowish margins. This erect perennial grows 15-60 cm tall, and the stems
below the flowers have alternate linear leaves. The stem is generally few-branched and yellow becoming
purplish with age. Some of the leaves may have 2-5 lobes at the tip. Look for this one in dry places.
The genus name comes from the 18th century Spanish botanist, Domingo Castillejo. Affinis is
Latin for allied or related. It is uncertain to what this refers.
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Plant Descriptions
Brook Saxifrage (Saxifraga odontoloma)
Lace Flower (Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata)
Coast Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja affinis)
223
Plant Descriptions
Cobwebby Paintbrush Castilleja arachnoidea Greenman
Also called Cotton Indian Paintbrush, and Yellow Paintbrush. Native. Figwort Family
(Scrophulariaceae).
These flowers are difficult to discern. What catches your attention first are the yellowish-green
bracts that protect the flowers hidden beneath. The lower bracts usually turn pinkish to rusty red. If you
can pull back the bracts, you will find long, bilateral flowers that are pale green to pale yellow. The entire
inflorescence is wooly with white hairs. These erect perennials grow 10-15 cm tall, and the stems below
the flowers have alternate leaves that are so deeply lobed that they may appear to be compound. There
are 3 narrow leaflets on each leaf.
Look for this flower around Rabbit Ears in late June and early July. It will be blooming with
Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) and Henderson’s Horkelia (Horkelia hendersonii).
The genus name comes from the 18th century Spanish botanist, Domingo Castillejo. In Greek,
arachnoidea means spider web, which refers to the many white, cob-webby hairs on this plant.
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush Castilleja miniata Hook. ssp. miniata
This name is appropriate for the paintbrush that has the largest inflorescence on Mount Ashland.
The flowers and bracts are bright red. Bracts may be entire, or can have three to five lobes. The
elongated, bilateral flower is straight. The inflorescence is hairy, but the rest of the plant is glabrous. The
stem is slightly ridged and can be simple or branched. Leaves are entire, and glabrous, except for the
upper-most leaves just beneath the inflorescence, which are hairy. Giant Red Indian Paintbrush grows
20-45 cm.
Look for this perennial in wet areas on the south slopes, growing next to Swamp White-heads
(Sphenosciatum capitellatum) and Big-leaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus var. pallidipes). They bloom
through July and August.
The genus name comes from the 18th century Spanish botanist, Domingo Castillejo. Miniata is
Latin for red lead, perhaps referring to the red color of the bracts and flowers.
Frosted Indian Paintbrush Castilleja pruinosa Fern.
At first glance, you may confuse this plant with Giant Red Indian Paintbrush. The easiest way to
tell these two apart is by looking at the stem. If the entire stem has short, white hairs, you are looking at
Frosted Indian Paintbrush. If the stem (below the inflorescence) is glabrous, you probably have Giant
Red Indian Paintbrush. Frosted Indian Paintbrush has red bracts and flowers, but the flowers are slightly
smaller than those of Giant Red Indian Paintbrush. Bracts can vary from entire to lobed (three to five
lobes). The alternate leaves can either be entire to lobed, with 2 or 3 lobes. Frosted Indian Paintbrush
usually grows 20-30 cm.
Look for this perennial in dry areas on the south slopes from June through August. Nearby, you
may see Meadow Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) and Torrey’s Blue-Eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi
var. latifolia).
The genus name comes from the 18th century Spanish botanist, Domingo Castillejo. Pruinosa, in
Latin, means full of hoar frost, indicating the frosted appearance of this plant that is the result of many
white hairs.
224
Plant Descriptions
Cobwebby Paintbrush (Castilleja arachnoidea)
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata var. miniata)
Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja pruinosa)
225
Plant Descriptions
Blue-eyed Mary Collinsia parviflora Lindley
Also called Bluelips, Small Flowered Blue-eyed Mary, or Maiden Blue-Eyed Mary. Native.
Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
These cheerful, bilateral flowers seem to laugh, perhaps because they could not decide whether
they wanted to be white or purple. The upper lip is white and the lower lip is deep purple or blue. Most
of the flowers grow in whorls above the leaves, but some of the flowers are in the upper leaf axils. The
entire leaves are opposite. This plant usually grows from 15-20 cm tall.
This annual blooms in late May and sets seed a few weeks later. The seeds lie dormant through
the winter and germinate as soon as the snow melts the following spring. Look for Blue-Eyed Mary in
shady places, including rocky outcrops that are shaded during the heat of the day.
The genus name, Collinsia, honors the American botanist, Zacheus Collins (1764 – 1831).
Parviflora means small flowered.
Torrey’s Blue-Eyed Mary Collinsia torreyi A. Gray var. latifolia V. Newsom
Also called Torrey’s Collinsia. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
This little annual is easily identified because of the bialteral, bicolored flowers: the upper lobes
are white, and the lower lobes are bluish/lavender. The lower flowers are axillary and paired, while the
upper flowers grow in open whorls, with about 3-5 flowers per whorl. The inflorescence is very sticky.
The simple leaves are opposite, and shallowly/sparsely toothed. Some leaves may appear to be more or
less entire. This is a diminutive plant, growing about 7-10 cm tall in sandy, granitic soil.
It blooms from mid-June through mid-July. Look for Torrey’s Blue-Eyed Mary around Rabbit
Ears, and along the road between Rabbit Ears and Grouse Gap shelter. This annual will be found growing
along with Staining Collomia (Collomia tincturia) on loose, gravelly soils.
Thomas Nuttall named this genus after the American botanist, Zacheus Collins (1764 – 1831).
The specific epithet acknowledges Dr. John Torrey (1796-1879), a botanist of western North America.
He reviewed and described the collections of many other noted botanists, including William Baldwin, and
David Douglas.
Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria genistifolia (L.) Miller ssp. dalmatica (L.) Maire & Petitm.
Non-native from the Mediterranean. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
Large, showy, bilateral flowers are tri-colored. The upper lip is pale yellow, the lower lip is a
rich gold-yellow, and in the middle are orange hairs. The base of the lower lip forms a long spur. The 5
obvious sepals are glabrous, glaucous, long and pointed at the tip, with wavy margins. The alternate
leaves are somewhat fleshy. They are entire with wavy margins, and the bases clasp the glabrous stem.
The tall, branched stem is glabrous and glaucous.
Dalmatian Toadflax is found at lower elevations along County Road 1151, blooming next to Bull
Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum). This perennial blooms from late
July through mid-August.
Dalmatian Toadflax is considered a noxious weed in the western United States.
The Greek word linon, and the Celtic word, lin, mean thread, and refer to the flax-like leaves of
some of the plants in this genus. Genistifolia is Latin for leaves of broom plant. The reference for this is
uncertain, but perhaps the leaves of Dalmation Toadflax are similar to the leaves of a broom plant.
Dalmatica is the Latinized version of the city name of Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. The original name of this
species was Linaria dalmatica, perhaps because it was first identified in Dalmatia, Yugoslavia.
226
Plant Descriptions
Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora)
Torrey’s Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia torreyi var. latifolia)
Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica)
227
Plant Descriptions
Seep Monkey Flower Mimulus guttatus DC.
Also called Common Monkey Flower, Yellow Monkey Flower, and Seep-Spring Monkey
Flower. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
Wet meadows brag of these wonderful yellow flowers. The bilateral flowers that grow in the
axils of upper leaves have two lips. The upper lip has two lobes and the larger lower lip has three shallow
lobes. On the lower lip, in the throat of the flower are red or maroon dots. The 5 sepals are fused into a
ridged tube with hairs and red markings. Opposite simple leaves are sessile, and vary from toothed to
entire. The pedicels and upper most leaves have fine, white hairs, but the remainder of the plant is
glabrous. This species can be an annual or a perennial; it usually grows about 2-40 cm tall.
As the name implies, you should look for Seep Monkey Flower next to running water in the wet
meadows on the south slopes. It blooms from mid-June through mid-August with Musk Monkey Flower
(Mimulus moschatus) and American Brooklime (Veronica americana).
Mimulus is derived from Latin and means little mime or comic actor. This refers to the face-like
corolla of some of the species in this genus. Guttatus is Latin for spotted, referring to the red dots on the
petals.
Musk Monkey Flower Mimulus moschatus Lindley
Also called Musk Flower. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
Often growing right next to Seep Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus), you will find this close
relative: another bright yellow bilateral flower with 5 petals. The flower appears almost radial, and there
is one large red or purple splotch on the lower petal at the throat. The yellow petals rise out of the 5
sepals that are fused into a green tube. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this species is the
opposite, fuzzy leaves. Many white, fairly long hairs cover the calyx and the entire to shallowly toothed
leaves. This perennial is often musk scented, and stands 5-30 cm tall. The stems are sometimes prostrate,
sometimes ascending.
Streambanks are the preferred habitat of Musk Monkey Flower. It blooms from early- to lateJuly next to White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys) and Arrowhead Butterweed (Senecio
triangularis).
corolla of some of the species in this genus. Moschatus is Greek for musk, referring to the scent of this
species.
Dwarf Purple Monkey Flower Mimulus nanus Hook. & Arn.
Also called Dwarf Monkey Flower. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
Gorgeous bilateral flowers have 5 green sepals that are fused at the base to form a tube. Five
petals protrude from the calyx tube; the petals are also fused at the base forming a tube. Four stamens are
hidden inside the corolla tube, and 1 pistil shows off an exserted stigma. The deep magenta/purple
flowers have 2 gold stripes along the throat floor. The stripes are surrounded by and often dotted deeper
magenta. The opposite, entire leaves are hairy, but you’ll probably need a hand lens to see the hairs. The
lower surfaces of the leaves are purple, and on the upper surface, the margins are often colored purplered. This annual only grows 1-10 cm tall. Look for Dwarf Purple Monkey Flower in bare openings
around shrubs or in sandy runoff areas above small streams.
corolla of some of the species in this genus. Nanus is Greek for dwarf, referring to the diminutive stature
of this species.
228
Plant Descriptions
Seep Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus)
Photo by Bob Vos
Musk Monkey Flower (Mimulus moschatus)
Dwarf Purple Monkey Flower (Mimulus nanus)
229
Plant Descriptions
Primrose Monkey Flower Mimulus primuloides Benth. ssp. primuloides
This is one of my favorite flowers on Mount Ashland. It is unbelievable that something so tiny
can be so perfect. One tiny little flower is borne at the end of a slender, thread-like, brownish-red stem.
The bright yellow flower is bilateral, but looks almost radial. It blossoms from the fused, ridged calyx
tube with brown-red markings on the ridges. Five yellow petals are notched at the tips, and two of the
petals have one red dot each. The throat is open revealing 4 stamens and 1 pistil, and a few more very
small red dots at the base of the petals. The entire basal leaves form a rosette around the flowering stem.
The fuzzy leaves hold water droplets, making them appear shimmery silver. This little perennial grows
no more than 4 cm tall.
Primrose Monkey Flower is found in wet meadows and boggy areas. Look for spongy mats of
moss; here you will find the little belly flower blooming in mid-July. Nearby, you will find Tinker’s
Penny (Hypericum anagalloides) and Bolander’s Madia (Madia bolanderi).
corolla of some of the species in this genus. Primuloides is derives from the Latin word, primulinus,
which means primrose-yellow, and the Greek suffix, -iod, which means like. This word refers to the
yellow color of these flowers, which is similar to primroses.
Woodland Penstemon Nothochelone nemorosus (Lindley) Straw
Also called Woodland Beard-tongue. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
The common name, Woodland Penstemon, is a misnomer. Although in almost every way, this
perennial looks like a Penstemon, it is not a Penstemon. The large (at least 1 inch long) flowers vary in
color from white, to pink, to maroon, often two of these colors are mottled on one flower. The open,
glandular panicle displays the bilateral flowers. Each flower has 5 sepals and 5 petals, both of which are
fused at the base. Four stamens with obvious woolly anthers, 1 pistil, and 1 staminode are nestled inside
the corolla throat. The large, opposite leaves are coarsely toothed. Erect stems stand 30-60 cm tall.
Look for this unique flower on the north slopes, beyond the ski runs in rocky, open places in the
forest. Woodland Penstemon blooms in early August. I found lots of it among Greenleaf Manzanita
(Artcostaphylos patula), and on a rocky outcrop with One-sided Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda).
Nothochelone is derived from Greek and means false turtle. This refers to the corolla, which is
similar to that of Chelone, which means turtlehead. Chelone is another genus in the Figwort family.
Derived from the Latin word for woodland, nemorus describes the general habitat of this species.
Siskiyou Mountains Owl’s Clover Orthocarpus cuspidatus E. Greene ssp. cuspidatus
Also called Broad-scaled Orthocarpus, and Siskiyou Mountains Orthocarpus. Native. Figwort
Family (Scrophulariaceae).
These beautiful plants have many bilateral flowers with a large, lower white balloon-like structure
and a bright pink beak that protrudes above the white balloon. The flowers are protected by greenish-pink
bracts. The branching stems can grow from 1-3 terminal spikes of flowers. The alternate leaves at first
appear entire and grass-like, but upon closer examination you’ll see that these leaves are simple but
deeply lobed with three pointed lobes. The erect reddish stems are sparsely hairy, and grow to heights of
10-20 cm.
Look for these lovely annual flowers in dry soils around Rabbit Ears and along the Pacific Crest
Trail from late June through July. It will be surrounded by Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) and
Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia).
Derived from Greek, orthocarpus means straight fruit, referring to the fruit morphology.
Cuspidatus is derived from a Latin word meaning a stiff point. This refers to the stiff leaves.
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Plant Descriptions
Primrose Monkey Flower (Mimulus primuloides ssp. primuloides)
Woodland Penstemon (Nothochelone nemorosus)
Siskiyou Mountains Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus var. cuspidatus)
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Plant Descriptions
Mountain Owl’s Clover Orthocarpus imbricatus S. Watson
Mountain Owl’s Clover is very similar to Siskiyou Mountains Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus
cuspidatus var. cuspidatus). The coloration and general characteristics of the two plants are the same.
The difference is that the flowers of Mountain Owl’s Clover are much smaller, mostly hidden by the
bracts, and do not have a large, white, balloon-like structure. Mountain Owl’s Clover prefers dry to moist
soil. These flowers bloom from mid-July through August.
Derived from Greek, orthocarpus means straight fruit, referring to the fruit morphology. Derived
from Latin, imbricatus means a roof tile or a shingle, referring to the calyx lobes which are laterally
imbricate when the fruits are ripe.
Leafy Lousewort Pedicularis racemosa Hook.
Also called Parrot’s Beak, Sickletop Lousewort, and Leafy Pedicularis. Native. Figwort Family
(Scrophulariaceae).
The bilateral flowers can be either white or pink and have an upper beak-like portion that looks a
bit like a parrot’s beak or perhaps like an elephant trunk. The prominent lower petal is 3 lobed. The
double-serrated leaves are alternate along the stems. Stems are often clustered, and if you look closely at
the base of the stems, you will discover that they are slightly woody.
Leafy Lousewort is usually 30-45 cm tall and grows in partly shaded, dry areas along the Pacific
Crest Trail. It flowers in the first half of July. Growing nearby, you may find Silverleaf Phacelia
(Phacelia hastata) or Milk Kelloggia (Kelloggia galioides).
Pedicularis comes from the Latin word for lice. This name comes from an old belief that
ingestion by stock promoted lice infestation. Racemosa is Latin for cluster, referring to the inflorescence.
Siskiyou Penstemon Penstemon anguineus Eastw.
Also called Siskiyou Beard-tongue. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
The tubular blue-purple flowers of Siskiyou Penstemon are made up of five petals that are fused
at the base and free around the mouth. There are two lobes (or petals) on top and three lobes (or petals)
on the bottom. The lower portion of the flower had three deep grooves that are highlighted in white.
There are some hairs around the mouth of the flowers. The flowers occur in pairs or whorls along the
upper portion of the stem with leaf-like bracts below each whorl or pair of flowers. The inflorescence
(including the upper portion of the stem, the calyx and outer corolla) is sticky with many short hairs,
while the lower portion of the stem is glabrous. The opposite leaves are more or less toothed, and the
upper leaves sometimes clasp the stem, but are not fused around the stem. The green stem turns redbrown with maturity, and grows to heights of 30-60 cm. The stems are usually ascending to decumbent.
Look for this one in shaded to partly shaded areas along the Pacific Crest Trail. Western
Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) and Leafy Lousewort (Pedicularis racemosa) may be growing nearby.
In both Latin and Greek, penstemon means almost thread, or almost stamen, referring to the
staminode, which is a sterile, stamen-like structure. Anguineus is derived from the Latin word for snake.
It is uncertain to what this refers.
232
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Mountain Owl’s Clover (Orthocarpus imbricatus)
Leafy Lousewort (Pedicularis racemosa)
Sisikiyou Penstemon (Penstemon anguineus)
233
Plant Descriptions
Davidson’s Penstemon Penstemon davidsonii E. Greene var. davidsonii
One to several large flowers (at least 1 inch long) bloom in a glandular raceme at the top of short,
leafy stems. The pinkish-purple to deep blue, bilateral flowers have 5 fused sepals that are red-brown
with short sticky hairs, 5 fused petals, 4 stamens with woolly anthers, 1 staminode, and 1 pistil. The
corolla floor is white, and shaggy-hairy. The leaves are opposite, and entire to shallowly and irregularly
toothed. The upper portion of the stem is red-brown, and lower portion of the stem is woody. This plant
has a mat-like habit, growing no more than 10 cm tall.
Davidson’s Penstemon can be found on the summit and on rocky outcrops around Rabbit Ears. It
blooms in June with Cut-leaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus) and Cream Stonecrop (Sedum oregonense).
staminode, which is a sterile, stamen-like structure. This species is named after Dr. George Davidson
(1825-1911), a geographer and astronomer who collected plants in Yosemite and throughout California.
Azure Penstemon Penstemon parvulus (A. Gray) Krautter
This erect to decumbent perennial has fairly large flowers that are bright, deep purple and blue.
The tube (fused portion of the petals) is usually purple-pink, while the lobes are usually sky blue. The
long, open raceme bears 4 – 24 flowers in pairs or whorls. Five sepals are fused at the base, 5 petals are
also fused at the base, and 4 stamens, 1 staminode and 1 pistil are tucked inside the corolla throat. The
stamen filaments are usually curved along the sides of the corolla throat so the anthers hug the top. The
staminode lies on the corolla floor. The opposite, glabrous leaves have entire margins that are often wavy
margins. The leaf base clasps the stem, which is glabrous, glaucous, and brownish-red. These plants
usually grow in clumps, and are 15-20 cm tall.
Azure Penstemon grows in dry, rocky soils along USFS Road 20. It blooms from late June
through late July with Frosted Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja pruinosa), Palmer’s Catchfly (Silene
bernardina), or Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata).
staminode, which is a sterile, stamen-like structure. Parvulus is derived from Latin and means very small
or insignificant; it is uncertain to what this refers.
Woolly Mullein Verbascum thapsus L.
Also called Common Mullein. Non-native from Eurasia. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
For a tactile delight, rub these woolly hairy leaves against your cheek. They’re just wonderful!
No wonder there are stories of cowboys using these leaves for toilet paper. These are better than
Charmin!
The dense, spike-like raceme bears many bright yellow flowers that are more or less radial. Five
sepals are hidden by the 5 petals, but the 5 stamens and 1 pistil are visible in the center. The basal leaves
and alternate stem leaves are entire and densely woolly. The stout, simple stem grows 30-200 cm tall.
Woolly Mullein, like many non-natives, grows in disturbed areas. Look for it along County Road
1151 at lower elevations, and around the ski lodge. This biennial blooms from late July through August,
with Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata) or Idaho Gum Weed (Grindelia nana).
Verbascum is a Latin word that means Mullein. It comes from a Latin root word that means
bearded, referring to the woolly leaves. Thapsus used to be the name of a peninsula on the island of
Sicily that is now called Magnisi, probably where this species was first found.
234
Plant Descriptions
Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii var. davidsonii)
Azure Penstemon (Penstemon parvulus)
Woolly Mullein (Verbascum thapsis)
235
Plant Descriptions
American Brooklime Veronica americana (Raf.) Benth.
Also called Brooklime, and American Speedwell. Native. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
These clear blue flowers are very delicate, and the entire corolla drops at the slightest touch.
Technically bilateral, but appearing radial, these flowers have 4 free sepals that are hidden by 4 petals.
The petals are violet-blue with magenta or deep blue lines and bright magenta spots near the center of the
flower. Two stamens and 1 pistil are exserted and, therefore, obvious in the center. One plant bears
many flowers in several axillary racemes; each raceme has 10-25 flowers. The opposite leaves are entire
to shallowly toothed. This perennial usually stands 10-25 cm.
You will find American Brooklime in almost every wet meadow on the south slopes of Mount
Ashland. It blooms from late June through mid-July amidst Common Chickweed (Stellaria media),
Goosegrass (Galium aparine), or White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys).
“God speed you well,” is the old English meaning of the common name Speedwell. The name,
Brooklime, comes from “brook” because this flower is found in wet areas, and the verb “to lime,” a
practice of trapping birds with a sticky substance. This was often done near water, so the little blue
flower became associated with wet places and trapped birds. The genus name, Veronica, is from Saint
Veronica, and through her, this flower is credited with miraculous healing powers, even the dread
scrofula, or King’s Evil. Such powers are attributed to other species in this family, hence the family
name, Scrophulariaceae. Americana means of America, referring to the range of this species.
Common Speedwell Veronica arvensis L.
Also called Corn Speedwell. Non-native from Eurasia. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae).
This very small annual, no more than 5-10 cm tall, is usually hidden among other plants. If you
find it, you will see a terminal raceme of small flowers, each flower growing in the upper leaf axils. Four
petals that are fused at the base hide 4 free sepals. The petals are white to blue to violet with dark blue or
violet lines. Two stamens and 1 pistil are obvious in the center. The opposite leaves are crenate to
serrate.
Common Speedwell generally grows in meadows, gardens, and lawns. I found this one blooming
along USFS Road 20 in early June, hidden among some rushes.
“God speed you well,” is the old English meaning of the common name. It is also called Corn
Speedwell because it often grows in gardens. It is believed that the genus name comes from Saint
Veronica. Arvensis is derived from the Latin word for field, referring to the meadow habitats of this
species.
Thyme-leaf Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia L.
A narrow inflorescence bears small flowers in the upper leaf axils. These flowers have 4 sepals,
4 petals, 2 exserted stamens, and 1 pistil. The upper petal is bright blue with cobalt blue lines, the two
side petals are pale blue with cobalt blue lines, and the lower petal is white. The center of the corolla is
yellow. The opposite leaves are entire to crenate. This perennial usually stands 5-15 cm tall.
Look for Thyme-leaf Speedwell along the Pacific Crest Trail near wet meadows. It blooms in
late June and early July with Hornemann’s Willow-herb (Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii) and
Tiny Trumpet (Collomia linearis).
“God speed you well,” is the old English meaning of the common name. The genus name,
Veronica, probably comes from Saint Veronica. Serpyllifolia is Latin for thyme-shaped leaf. The leaves
must have reminded someone of Thyme (Thymus serpyllum).
236
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
American Brooklime (Veronica americana)
Photo by William R. Hewlett,
Common Speedwell (Veronica arvensis)
Thyme-leaf Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)
237
Plant Descriptions
Nettle Family (Urticaceae)
Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica L. ssp. holosericea (Nutt.) Thorne
Also called Hoary Nettle. Native. Nettle Family (Urticaceae)
Tiny greenish, unisexual flowers grow in drooping panicles in the leaf axils of this erect
perennial. The staminate flowers have 4 sepals, 0 petals, and 4 stamens, while the pistillate flowers have
4 stamens, 0 petals, and 1 pistil. Both male and female flowers are borne on the same plant, making
Stinging Nettle a monoecious plant. The inconspicuous flowers indicate that this plant is wind pollinated.
The opposite leaves are narrowly lanceolate, and coarsely toothed. On Mount Ashland, Stinging Nettle
grows 15- 90 cm tall. Look for this one in moist waste places and streambanks on the north slopes in the
Ashland Watershed. It will be tangled in with Giant Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata var.
miniata) and willows (Salix sp.).
Most people notice this plant only after brushing against it. Feel that burning sensation? Many of
the hairs on this plant contain an acid that causes intense itching after contact. In spite of our aversion to
Stinging Nettle, it is a very important medicinal plant with many uses, from curing tuberculosis, to
beating dandruff. It is also a valuable food plant, and I can attest to the fact that nettle leaf soup is quite
tasty. The acid in the hairs is destroyed when the leaves are boiled. The leaves are high in vitamins A
and C, and protein. This plant was also an important source of fiber for making strong, fine rope.
Urtica comes from the Latin word to burn, referring to the stinging hairs. Dioica is Greek for two
houses, referring to one of the subspecies that is dioecious – staminate flowers on one plant and pistillate
flowers on a separate plant. Holosericea means entirely silky to the touch, perhaps referring to the fact
that not all the hairs on this plant contain the stinging acid.
Valerian Family (Valerianaceae)
California Valerian Valeriana californica A.A. Heller
Native. Valerian Family (Valerianaceae).
Cream white, funnel-shaped flowers are borne in terminal and axillary cymes. Each flower has 515 calyx lobes that are coiled inward, and become beautifully plumose in fruit. Five petals, 3 stamens, 1
stigma form a more or less radial flower. There are only a few stem leaves on California Valerian. They
are opposite, sessile and lobed; the 3-9 lobes have margins that are entire or toothed. The basal leaves can
vary from simple, to deeply 3 lobed to compound. The stems and leaves can be glabrous to short-hairy.
This erect perennial grows 25-50 cm tall in moist places and coniferous forests. Look for it
around the wet meadows on the north and south slopes. It blooms from mid-June through early July, and
may grow right next to it’s very close relative, Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis), or California False
Hellebore (Veratrum californicum).
It is uncertain where this genus name comes from. In Latin, it means strength possibly referring
to its use in folk medicine. Or it could be named after Valerian, a Roman emperor. Californica means of
California, referring to the general range of this species.
238
Plant Descriptions
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea)
California Valerian (Valeriana californica)
239
Plant Descriptions
Sitka Valerian Valeriana sitchensis Bong.
Also called Mountain Valerian, and Northern Valerian. Native. Valerian Family
(Valerianaceae).
White to pink, flowers are made up of 5 petals, 5-15 sepals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil that are all
strongly exserted. The flowers appear to be more or less radial, but they are actually bilateral. The sepals
aren’t very noticeable until the plant is in fruit. At that time, you can easily see that they are coiled
inward and they become beautifully feathery. The stem leaves are opposite and compound with 3-5
leaflets that are irregularly crenate to toothed. However, the uppermost leaves are often simple and entire.
The swollen nodes have short, white hairs. The stem and leaves are generally glabrous. Sitka Valerian
often stands 20-60 cm tall.
This perennial blooms from mid-June through early July in wet meadows and shaded areas.
Nearby, you may find Tall Phacelia (Phacelia procera) or Heart-leaf Spring Beauty (Claytonia
cordifolia).
It is uncertain where the genus name, Valerian, comes from. In Latin, it means strength possibly
referring to its use in folk medicine. Or it could be named after Valerian, a Roman emperor. The
derivation and meaning of the word sitchensis is unclear.
Violet Family (Violaceae)
Stream Violet Viola glabella Nutt.
Also called Pioneer Violet, Smooth Violet, Yellow Violet, Smooth Yellow Violet, and Johnny
Jump-Up. Native. Violet Family (Violaceae).
Early in the subalpine season, these yellow bilateral flowers brighten the wet meadows on Mount
Ashland. Five yellow petals with purple lines cover the 5 green sepals. Five stamens and 1 pistil are
hidden in the throat of the flower. Basal and stem leaves are simple, heart-shaped, and crenate to toothed.
Two alternate stem leaves only grow near the tip of the stem, just beneath the flower. The tallest violet on
Mount Ashland, Stream Violet is usually 6-18 cm tall. The stem and leaves are mostly glabrous.
The violet has purple nectar guides on the petals direct pollinators to the nectary of the flower.
While probing for nectar, the bees bump the pollen-laden anthers. Hairs on the side petals and style comb
the pollen on the bees’ bodies from the previous flower. The seeds that result from this grand pollination
scheme are often dispersed by ants that feed on the seed appendages.
Stream Violet blooms in May and early June with White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala
var. biflora) and Plantain-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius)
Violet flowers can be eaten raw, and the leaves can be cooked and eaten.
Viola is the ancient Latin name for these flowers. Glabella means smooth, referring to the
hairless leaves of this species.
Small White Violet Viola macloskeyi F. Lloyd
Also called Macloskey’s Violet. Native. Violet Family (Violaceae).
This small, low-lying violet has a white, bilateral flower. The five petals are white, and the lower
petal has several purple veins leading to the center of the flower. The two lateral petals can be glabrous
or hairy (bearded). The white stigma and four golden-yellow anthers peep from the center of the flower.
The basal leaves vary from being ovate with a heart-shaped base or round and reniform (kidney-shaped).
They are glabrous and can be entire to shallowly crenate. There are usually no stem leaves, but if present,
they will be very small and on the lower half of the stem. Small White Violet grows no higher than 5-6
cm tall.
Look for this small violet close to streams and wet places in May and early June. It will often
grow near Alpine Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon alpinum).
Viola is the ancient Latin name for these flowers. Someone by the name of Macloskey is honored
by this specific epithet.
240
Plant Descriptions
Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis)
Stream Violet (Viola glabella)
Small White Violet (Viola macloskeyi)
241
Plant Descriptions
Mountain Violet Viola purpurea Kellogg var. purpurea
Also called Goosefoot Violet. Native. Violet Family (Violaceae).
Bilateral, deep golden-yellow flowers have purple lines on all petals. Five green sepals, 5 petals,
5 stamens, and 1 pistil make up these early bloomers. The basal leaves and alternate stem leaves are
simple, and nearly triangular – shaped somewhat like a goose’s foot. The shiny green leaves are often
tinted with purple, and glabrous above while hairy below. The margins vary from entire to toothed.
Mountain Violet grows in small clumps, no more than 5-6 cm tall.
Look for this perennial in dry forested areas through May. You might find Shelton’s Violet
(Viola sheltonii) and Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula) blooming nearby.
Although many uses of violets can be found in the literature, I think the most interesting use was
noted by Pliny, the Roman of long ago, who recommended a garland of violets as a cure for a hangover
headache. The leaves of violets are high in Vitamin C, which might be why they have been used to treat a
variety of illnesses since medieval times.
Viola is the ancient Latin name for these flowers. Purpurea is derived from the Latin word for
purple, referring to the purple tint on the leaves.
Shelton’s Violet Viola sheltonii Torrey
Native. Violet Family (Violaceae).
This violet is unique because it has two types of flowers: those that open and are pollinated by
insects, and those that never open and are self-pollinated. These tiny, self-pollinating flowers that never
open are called cleistogamous. The flowers that open have 5 bright yellow petals with purple veins. The
petals cover the 5 small, green sepals. Five stamens and 1 pistil remain hidden in the corolla throat. The
basal leaves and alternate stem leaves are highly dissected with linear segments. These flowers grow in
clumps, and stand 5-10 cm tall.
Shelton’s Violet can be found in gravelly soil in open forested areas at 6200 feet and lower. Look
for them bloming in the middle of and along the sides of the old logging roads. You may also see
Mountain Violet (Viola purpurea var. purpurea) and Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula)
blooming nearby.
Viola is the ancient Latin name for these flowers. The specific epithet possibly honors
Christopher A. Shelton, an American botanist who is noted for introducing the honeybee in California in
1837.
242
Plant Descriptions
Photo by Bob Vos
Mountain Violet (Viola purpurea var. purpurea)
Shelton’s Violet (Viola sheltonii)
243
Plant Descriptions
244
Appendix A - Glossary
APPENDIX A
GLOSSARY
Accessory
a fleshy fruit consisting of many achenes on the external surface of a swollen
receptacle; Wood Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) has this type of fruit
Achene
a dry fruit containing 1 seed; common in the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Aggregate
a fleshy fruit consisting of many small drupes; Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
has this type of fruit
Alternate
arranged singly along the stem
Annual
a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season, usually one year
Anther
pollen-baring portion of the stamen; atop the filament; often described as "canoeshaped"
Appressed
pressed tightly upward; often pressed against the stem or leaf surface
Ascending
curving or angling upward
Axil
the angle or area between the main stem and the leaf stem
Basal
found at the base of the stem; usually in reference to leaves
Beak
an elongated structure on a flower or fruit; as in Siskiyou Mountains Owl's
Clover (Orthocarpus cuspidatus var. cuspidatus)
Berry
a fleshy fruit with several to many seeds scattered throughout; Western
Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) has this type of fruit
Biennial
a plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons, usually two years
Bilabial
a bilateral flower with an upper and a lower lip
Bilateral
divisible into two halves that are mirror images of each other; asymmetrical;
irregular; usually in reference to flowers
Binomial
the two word scientific name for a species, consisting of the genus name
and specific epithet
Blade
the flat, extended part of the leaf
245
Bloom
(pronounced bio me) a white powdery substance on the surface of the plant that
easily rubs off
Bract
a small, leaf-like structure, usually growing at the base of a flower or flower
cluster
Calyx
collective term for all of the sepals; the outer-most circle of flower parts
Capsule
a dry fruit that encloses many small seeds; breaks open to release the seeds; many
orchids have this type of fruit
Cathartic
purging; usually referring to a medicinal plant that stimulates the bowels
Cauline
found on the stem
Chaff
dry, papery bracts on the receptacle in the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Chlorophyll
green pigment in plant cells; essential to photosynthesis
Clasping
the base partially surrounds the stem; usually in reference to leaves
Compound
composed of two or more parts; usually in reference to leaves; compound leaves
consist of several to many leaflets
Composite
a flowering head that is composed of many small, individual flowers; in reference
to flowering heads in the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Coniferous
cone-bearing; generally referring to evergreen, gymnospermous trees, including
pine, fir, cedar, etc.
Cordate
heart-shaped; usually in reference to leaves
Corolla
collective term for all of the petals; whorl of flower parts immediately inside or
above calyx
Corymb
a flat-topped inflorescence in which the outer flower stalks are long and the center
flower stalks are short; similar in appearance to a candelabra; Yarrow (Achillea
millefolium) has a corymb of heads
Cyme
a more or less flat-topped inflorescence in which flowers are oppositely branched
Deciduous
shedding leaves annually; Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum) is a deciduous shrub
Decumbent
lying flat on the ground with tips curving upward
Disk Flower in the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), a radial flower with a 4 or 5 lobed corolla
246
Drupe
a fleshy fruit containing one seed that has a very hard seed cover; Bitter Cherry
(Prunus emarginata) has this type of fruit
Elliptic
a leaf or leaflet that has the general outline of an ellipse
Emetic
causing vomiting
Endemic
native to a particular country, nation, or region
Entire
with the margin unbroken by teeth or lobes; in reference to leaves or leaflets
Erect
standing straight without support
Evergreen
having leaves that are green all year
Exserted
protruding; thrusting out; usually in reference to stamens or pistil
Filament
the stalk of the stamen that bears the anther at the top; usually thread-like
Follicle
a dry fruit that splits along one suture; species in the Stonecrop Family
(Crassulaceae) have this type of fruit
Glabrous
without hairs
Glandular
having glands that exude a sticky substance; as in Bolander's Madia (Madia
bolanderi)
Glaucous
covered with a white or blue powdery film that is easily rubbed off
Head
dense inflorescence of sessile flowers; refers to clovers and all members of the
Sunflower family (Asteraceae)
Herbaceous
lacking wood
Hip
a false fruit; a fleshy container holding many achenes; species in the Rose Family
(Rosaceae) have this type of "fruit"
Imperfect
a unisexual flower
Inflorescence the flowering part of the plant; the cluster of flowers
Irregular
divisible into two halves that are mirror images of each other; asymmetrical;
bilateral; usually in reference to flowers
247
Lanceolate
broad at the base and tapering to a point at the tip; usually in reference to leaf
shape
Leaflet
one of the separate leaf-like parts of a compound leaf
Legume
a dry fruit that splits along two sutures to release the seeds; a true pod; species in
the Legume Family (Fabaceae) have this type of fruit
Ligulate
in Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), a bilateral flower with a 5-lobed strap-shaped
structure that is often mistaken for one petal
Ligule
in Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), the strap-shaped structure on a ligulate flower
Linear
long and narrow with nearly parallel sides; usually in reference to leaf shape
Lobed
an expansion or rounded bulge of a leaf margin
Node
the point on a stem from which a leaf grows
Nutlet
a small, dry, nut-like fruit; species in the Borage Family (Boraginaceae) have this
type of fruit
Oblanceolate narrow at the base, broad and rounded at the tip; usually in reference to leaf shape
Opposite
arranged in pairs on the stem; generally in reference to leaves
Organic
derived from living organisms; often referring to the upper layer of soil that is
made up of decaying plant matter
Ovary
the base of the pistil that contains ovules/seeds; this becomes the fruit as seeds
mature
Ovule
the structure containing the egg; will become the seed after fertilization
Palmate
radiating from a common point; usually in reference to compound leaves
Panicle
a branched inflorescence in which the lower or outer flowers bloom before the
upper or inner flowers; a compound raceme
Pedicel
stem of an individual flower or fruit
Perennial
a plant that completes its life cycle in three or more growing seasons, usually
three or more years
248
Perfoliate
leaf tissue completely surrounds the stem; stem appears to pierce the leaf
Petal
a segment of the corolla; often brightly colored
Perfect
a flower that has pistil(s) and stamen(s); containing male and female reproductive
organs
Perianth
the calyx and corolla collectively
Petiole
stem of an individual leaf
Pinnate
having two rows of structures on opposite sides of an axis; feather-like; usually in
reference to compound leaves
Pistil
the female productive organ of the flower; consists of ovary, stigma and style
Pistillate
a flower that lacks stamens
Phyllaries
In Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), bracts that subtend the flowering head; often
mistaken for sepals
Pollen
the fine, dust-like grains produced by the anther and containing the male sexual
cells
Pome
a fleshy fruit containing seeds in united compartments; apples and pears have this
type of fruit
Prostrate
lying completely flat on the ground
Raceme
un-branched inflorescence of stalked flowers along the central stem; flowers
usually bloom from bottom to top
Radial
branching out in all directions from a central point; divisible into many parts all of
which look similar; regular; usually in reference to the flower
Radiate
in Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), a flowering head made up of central disk
flowers surrounded by ray flowers; often mistaken for one radial flower
Ray Flowers in Sunflower Family (Asteraceae), similar to ligulate flowers, but the ligule has
only 3 lobes instead of 5
Receptacle
the structure to which flower parts are attached; the "base" or "foundation" of a
flower
Recurved
gradually curved outward
249
Reflexed
abruptly bent outward or downward
Regular
branching out in all directions from a central point; divisible into many parts all of
which look similar; radial; usually in reference to the flower
Reniform
kidney-shaped; usually in reference to leaf shape
Rhizome
underground, horizontal stem; often mistaken for a root
Sagittate
arrow-shaped with two lobes at the base; usually in reference to leaf shape
Saprophyte
an organism that obtains its nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter
Scale
a small, membranous structure; often similar to reduced leaves
Schizocarp
a dry fruit that splits into two or more one-seeded containers; Richardson's
Geranium (Geranium richardsonii) has this type of fruit
Sclerophyllous
stiff and usually waxy; generally in reference to leaves
Sepal
a segment of the calyx; usually green
Sessile
without a stalk, pedicel, petiole or peduncle; directly attached to the stem or
flower receptacle
Sheathing
surrounding or partially surrounding a structure; usually in reference to a leaf base
surrounding or partly surrounding the stem
Shrub
a woody plant much branched from the base; usually no taller than 5 feet
Silicle
a short, broad silique; Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) has this type of
fruit
Silique
a dry fruit; a long, narrow seed container made up of two valves that are
divided by a thin membrane; species in the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) have
this type of fruit
Simple leaf
an undivided leaf composed of one single part
Specific epithet
Spike
250
the second half of the scientific name of a species
an elongated inflorescence of sessile flowers along the main stem; flowers usually
bloom from bottom to top
Spine
a plant structure, often a stipule or leaf, that is modified into a sharp-pointed
projection
Spur
a hollow, tubular or conic project of a petal or sepal; as in Mountain Larkspur
{Delphinium glaucum)
Stamen
the male reproductive organ of a flower; consists of filament and anther
Staminate
a flower with no pistils
Stigma
the tip of the pistil that receives the pollen; usually sticky
Stipule
a usually green, usually leaf-like structure at the base of the leaf stem; usually
paired
Style
the tube that directs the pollen from the stigma to the ovary
Subtend
to grow beneath
Taproot
a main, tapered root that grows straight down into the soil
Tendril
a slender, coiling extension of a stem used for support or climbing; a modified
stem
Tepal
a structure that could be a petal or a sepal; usually found in the Lily family on
flowers in which both petals and sepals look identical or nearly the same
Terminal
at the end
Ternate
made up of three parts; usually in reference to a compound leaf
Toothed
having several to many sharp indentations along the margin of a leaf
Tuber
short, fleshy underground stem that stores nutrients for the plant
Umbel
an inflorescence in which all flower stalks radiate from the same point; similar to
an upturned umbrella
Vein
transport tissue within a leaf; one of a network of tiny channels that transport
nutrients and sugars within the leaf
Vine
a trailing or climbing plant; often using tendrils for support
Whorl
group of three or more leaves arranged in a circle around the stem
251
Appendix B - Illustrated Glossary
APPENDIX B
ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY
Pistil
Stamen
Basic Flower Parts
/
Bilateral Flowers
Radial Flowers
Umbel
Raceme
Paired in the axils
Corymb
Head
Panicle
Inflorescences
252
Beak
Special Flower Parts
Blade
Axil
Petiole
Stem
Stipule
Basic Leaf Parts
Basal
Opposite
Alternate
Whorled
Leaf Arrangements
Entire
Toothed
Lobed
Wavy
Leaf Margins
253
Palmately compound leaf
with entire leaflets
Pinnately compound leaf
with toothed leaflets
Compound Leaves
Sagittate
Leaf Shapes
254
Appendix C - Bibliography
APPENDIX C
BIBLIOGRAPHY
These sources were quoted directly or indirectly in this field guide:
Bernstein, Art. 1986. Trees of Southern Oregon. Grants Pass, Oregon: New Leaf Books.
Billings, W.D. 1974. Arctic and Alpine Vegetation: Plant Adaptations to cold summer climates.
Arctic and Alpine Enviroments, ed. London: Ives, J.D. and Barry, R.G. William Clowes and
Sons Limited.
Billings, W.D. 1988. Alpine Vegetation. North American Terrestrial Vegetation, Second
Edition. Barbour, M.G. and W.D. Billings, ed. New York: Cambridge University Press,
pp. 537-570.
Blunt, W. 1971. The Complete Naturalist: A life of Linnaeus.
Borror, Donald J. 1988. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mountain View,
California: Mayfield Publishing Company.
Chipman, A. 1970. Wildflower Trails of the Pacific Northwest. Medford, Oregon: Pine Cone
Publishers.
Coon, Nelson. 1974. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: A Rodale Press.
Dennis, La Rea J. 1959. A Taxonomic Study of the Vascular Flora on Ashland Peak, Jackson
County, Oregon. Thesis submitted to Oregon State College.
Dennis, La Rea J. 1972. Name Your Poison: A Guide to Cultivated and Native Oregon Plants
Toxic to Humans. Published by the author.
EisleyL. 1957. The Immense Journey. New York: Vintage Books. 210 p.
Elliott, Douglas B. 1976. Roots: An Underground Botany and Forager's Guide. Old
Greenwich, Connecticut: The Chatham Press.
G, Chuck. 1996. Dictionary of Botanical Epithets.
http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html
Hickman, J.C. (ed.) 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Horn, Elixabeth L. 1994. Coastal Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest: Wildflowers and
255
Flowering Shrubs from British Columbia to Northern California. Missoula, Montana: Mountain
Press Publishing Company.
Houk, R. 1987. Wildflowers of the American West. San Francisco: Chronicle Books,
pp. 47,57,62,63,71,75,93
Lang, Frank. 1991. Nature Notes, 1989-1991, Volume I. Ashland, Oregon: Southern Oregon
State College Library.
Lang, Frank. 1993. Nature Notes, 1991-1993, Volume II. Ashland, Oregon: Southern Oregon
State College Library.
Lang, Frank. 2000. A Nature Notes Sampler. Ashland, Oregon: Jefferson Public Radio, p. 4344.
Mason, F. (editor). 1935. The Great Design: Order and Intelligence in Nature. New York:
MacMillan Company, pp. 161-188.
McKelvey, Susan Delano. 1956. Botanical Exploration of the Trans-Mississippi West, 17901850. Corvalis, Oregon: Oregon State University Press.
Munz, P. A. 1959. A California Flora. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Papanicolaou K. and Kokkini S. 1982. Adaptive Plant Evolution in the Alpine Environment of
the Greek Mountains. Being Alive on Land: Proceedings of the International Symposium
on Adaptations to the Terrestrial Environment Held in Halkidiki, Greece, 1982.
Margaris, N.S., M. Arianoustou-Faraggitaki, and W.C. Oechel ed. Boston: Dr. W. Junk
Publishers, pp. 21-31
Peck, M.E. 1961. A Manual of the Higher Plants of Oregon. Portland, Oregon: Binfords and
Mort.
Petrides, G.A. and O. Petrides. 1992. Peterson Field Guides: Western Trees. New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 43.
Radford, Albert E„ William C. Dickison, Jimmy R. Massey, and C. Ritchie Bell. 1974.
Vascular Plant Systematics. New York: Harper and Row Publishers.
Robinson, P. 1977. Profiles of Northwest Plants: Food Uses, Medicinal Uses, Legends.
Portland, Oregon: Green World Press, pp. 48, 114
Robinson, A.F., Jr. 2000. Federal Register Document for Horkelia hendersonii and Lupinus
aridus ashlandensis. Federal Register. 65 (114): 37108-37111.
Ross, Michael Elsohn. 1997. Flower Watching with Alice Eastwood. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda
Books, Inc.
256
Seda, A. 1989. Key Species for Plant Associations on the Rogue River, Siskiyou and
Umpqua National Forests. USDA Forest Service.
Schaffer, Jeffrey P. and Andy Selters. 1990. The Pacific Crest Trail Volume 2: Oregon and
Washington. Berkeley, California: Wilderness Press.
Ski Ashland. 2000. http://www.mtashland.com.
Stearn, William T. 1966. Botanical Latin: History, Grammar, Syntax, Terminology and
Vocabulary. Great Britain: David and Charles. 566 p.
Sweetser, A.R. and M.E. Kent. 1908. Key and Flora: Some of the Common Flowers of
Oregon. Chicago, Illinois: Ginn and Company.
USFS, Ashland Ranger District. 2001. Final Environmental Impact Statement: Ashland
Watershed Protection Project, pp. 1-6, III-1 to III-9.
USFS Rogue River National Forest. 1991 .Final Environmental Impact Statement: Mount
Ashland Ski Area. Jackson County, Oregon: USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region.
243 p.
Wiley, Leonard. 1968. Rare Wild Flowers of North America. Portland, Oregon: Published by
the author.
Ulrich, Larry. 1999. Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest. Santa Barbara, California:
Companion Press.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS). PLANTS Database. 2001. http://plants.usda.gov.
University of California, Berkeley. Digital Library Project: CalPhotos.
http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/photos/
[WRCC] Western Regional Climate Center. 1997. website: www.wrcc.dri.edu.
Line drawings are from...
Abrams L. 1940. An Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States: Washington, Oregon
and California. Volume 1, Ophioglossaceae to Aristolochiaceae. Stanford University,
California: Stanford University Press. 538 p.
and California. Volume 2, Polygonaceae to Krameriaceae. Stanford University, California:
Stanford University Press. 635 p.
257
and California. Volume 3, Geraniaceae to Scrophulariaceae. Stanford University, California:
Stanford University Press. 866 p.
Abrams L, Ferris RS. 1960. An Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States: Washington, Oregon and
California. Volume 4, Bignoniaceae to Compositae. Stanford University, California: Stanford
University Press. 732 p.
Hickman JC editor. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Berkeley:
University of California Press. 1400 p.
Hitchcock CL, Cronquist A, Ownbey M, Thompson JW. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific
Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Part 1, Vascular Cryptogams,
Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons; 914 p.
Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Part 2, Salicaceae to Saxifragaceae; 597 p.
Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Part 3, Saxifragaceae to Ericaceae; 614 p.
Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Part 4, Ericaceae to Campanulaceae; 510
PHitchcock CL, Cronquist A, Ownbey M, Thompson JW. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific
Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press. Part 5, Compositae; 343 p.
Munz PA. 1961. California Spring Wildflowers. Berkeley: University of California Press. 122 p.
Quotes were found in the following references:
Kramer, Jack. 1996. Women of Flowers: A Tribute to Victorian Women Illustrators. New
York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang.
Terrill, Steve. 1995. Wildflowers of Oregon. Englewood, Colorado: Westcliffe Publishers, Inc.
If you would like to study the wildflowers of southern Oregon in greater depth, try one of the
following technical identification manuals.
258
Hickman, J.C. (ed.) 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson. 1973. Vascular Plants of the
Pacific Northwest. 5 Parts. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Munz, P. A. 1959. A California Flora. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Peck, M.E. 1961. A Manual of the Higher Plants of Oregon. Portland, Oregon: Binfords and
Mort Publishers.
To learn more about botanical Latin, try these:
Borror, Donald J. 1988. Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mountain View,
California: Mayfield Publishing Company.
Stearn, William T. 1966. Botanical Latin: History, Grammar, Syntax, Terminology and
Vocabulary. Great Britain: David and Charles. 566 p.
http ://www. calflora. net/botanicalnames
259
Index - Common Dames
Agoseris
Large-flowered, 64
Orange, 62
Pale, 66
Tall, 62
Anemone
Drummond's, 194
Lyall's, 196
Angelica,52
Arnica, Heartleaf, 66
Aster
Leafy, 68
Shasta Tansy, 80
Avens, Bigleaf, 206
Baneberry, 192
Barberry Family, 42, 90, 91
Bedstraw
Low Mountain, 216
Sweet Scented, 216
Bell flower
Family, 43, 100-103
Pale, 102
Birthwort Family, 41, 60, 61
Bistort, Western, 182
Blackberry, Pennsylvania, 212
Blazing Star, Bushy, 154
Blueberry, Western, 122
Blue-eyed Grass, 140
Blue-Eyed Mary, 226
Blue-Eyed Mary, Torrey's, 226
Borage Family, 42, 92-95
Boxwood, Oregon, 112
Boykinia, Large-flowered, 218
Bride's Bonnet, 144
Bristleweed, Whitney's, 78
Brooklime, American, 236
Broomrape
Clustered, 170
Family, 47, 170-173
Naked, 172
Buckthorn Family, 49,202-203
Buckwheat
Family, 48, 180-187
Jayne's Canyon, 180
Naked, 180*
Burnet, Western, 214
Buttercup
Family, 49, 190-203
Plantain-leaf, 200
Popular, 200
Butterweed,
Arrowhead 88
Western, 86
Candy Flower, 188
Carrot Family, 41, 52-59
Cat's Ear, Hairy, 80
Cacthfly, Palmer's, 108
Checkerbloom, Oregon, 156
Cherry, Bitter, 210
Chickweed, Common, 110
Chicory, 70
Chinquapin
260
Bush, 128
Golden, 128
Clover
Long-Stalk, 126
White 128
Collomia
Large-flowered, 174
Staining, 176
Columbine, Western, 196
Coneflower, Western, 84
Coral root
Spotted, 162
Striped, 164
Western, 164
Cinquefoil
Sticky, 208
Sulphur 208
Cryptantha
Pinewoods, 92
Torrey's, 92
Weak-stem, 92
Cudweed, Wright's, 76
Currant
Red Flowering, 132
Sticky, 132
Swamp, 130
Wax, 130
Daisy
Alice's, 72
Cut-leaf; 74
Dandelion, 90
Dandelion, Alpine Lake Prairie, 84
Delphinium, Anderson's, 198
Desert Parsley, Piper's, 54
Dock, Willow, 186
Dusty Maidens, 68
Elderberry
Blue, 104
Red, 106
Evening Primrose Fam, 47,156-161
Faiiybells, Hooker's, 144
False Hellebore
California, 152
Green, 152
Siskiyou, 152
Figwort Family, 50, 222-237
Fireweed, 156
Five-point Bishop's Cap, 220
Flax
Common Blue, 154
Family, 46, 154-155
Fleabane
Scabland, 74
Subalpine, 74
Fruit Berry, Rough, 210
Geranium
Family, 45, 130-131
Richardson's, 130
Gilia, Scarlet. 176
Ginger, Wild, 60
Goldenbush, Greene's, 72
Goldenrod, Canada, 88
Gooseberry
Family, 45, 130-133
Gummy, 132
Goosegrass, 214
Grape, Oregon, 90
Ground Cone, California, 170
Gum Weed, Idaho, 76
Harebell, California, 100
Hawksbeard, Naked-stem, 72
Hawkweed
Scouler's, 80
White 78
Heath Family, 44, 114-123
Hedge Nettle, Rough, 142
Honeysuckle
Family, 43, 102-107
Orange, 104
Wedded, 104
Huckleberry, Thinleaf, 120
Hyssop, Nettle-leaf Giant, 140
Indian Potato, California, 56
Ipomopsis, Ballhead, 178
Iris
Family, 45, 140-141
Yellow-flowered, 140
Jacob's Ladder, Showy, 180
Kelloggia, Milk, 216
Klamath Weed, 138
Knotweed
Davis's, 182
Douglas's, 184
Lace Flower, 222
Ladies' Tresses, Hooded, 168
Larkspur
Meadow, 200
Mountain, 198
Yellowtinge 198
Laurel, Bog, 118
Legume Family, 44, 122-129
Lily
Chocolate, 146
Family, 46, 142-153
Glacier, 146
Washington, 148
Wiggin's, 146
Loasa Family, 46, 154-155
Lomatium, California, 54
Louse wort, Leafy, 232
Lovage, Gray's, 54
Lupine
Big-leaf, 126
Brewer's, 124
Mount Ashland, 124
Sickle-keel Lupine, 124
Madder Family, 49, 214-217
Madia, Bolander's, 82
Mahal a Mat, 202
Mallow Family, 46, 156-157
Manzanita
Greenleaf, 116
Pinemat, 114
Maple
Index - Common flames
Family, 41,52, 53
Mountain, 52
Marigold, White Marsh, 196
Meadow Rue, Fendler's, 202
Miner's Lettuce, 188
Mint
Coyote, 142
Family, 46, 140-143
Mitrewort, Brewer's, 220
Monkey Flower
Dwarf Purple, 228
Musk, 228
Primrose, 230
Seep, 228
Monkshood, Columbian, 190
Mountain Ash, Cascade, 214
Mugwort, 66
Mullein, Woolly, 234
Mustard Family, 43, 94-101
Nemophila, Small-flower, 134
Nettle Family, 50, 238-239
Oak Family, 44, 128-129
Ocean Spray, 208
Onion, Pacific, 142
Orchid
Calypso, 162
Family, 47, 162-169
Green-flowered Bog, 166
Phantom, 162
Sparse-flowered Bog, 168
White-flowered Bog, 168
Oregon Sunshine, 76
Owl's Clover
Mountain, 232
Siskiyou Mtns, 230
Oxalis Family, 47, 172-173
Paintbrush
Coast Indian, 222
Cobwebby, 224
Frosted Indian, 224
Giant Red Indian, 224
Parsley Family, 41, 52-59
Parsnip, Cow, 52
Pasque Flower, White 194
Pea
Family. 44, 122-129
Leafy, 122
Pearly Everlasting, 64
Penstemon
Azure, 234
Davidson's, 234
Siskiyou. 232
Woodland 230
Pepperweed, Virginia, 100
Phacelia
Changeable, 136
Silverleaf. 134
Tall, 136
Vari-Leaf. 136
Phlox
Family, 48, 174-181
Slender. 78
Spreading, 178
Pineapple Weed, 70
Pinedrops, Woodland, 120
Pinesap, 118
Pink Family, 43, 108-111
Pipsissewa, 116
Plantain
English, 174
Family, 48, 174-175
Rattlesnake, 166
Poppy Family, 47, 172-173
Primrose Family, 48, 190-191
Prince's Pine, Little, 116
Purslane Family, 48, 186-189
Pussy Ears, 144
Pussy Paws, 186
Pussytoes, Rosy. 64
Raillardella, Silky, 86
Raspberry, Black-cap, 212
Rockcress
Holboell's. 96
Lyall's, 96
Pioneer, 96
Spreading Pod, 94
Tower, 94
Rose
Family, 49, 204-215
Wood, 210
Sagebrush, Mountain, 68
Salsify, Yellow, 88
Sand Spurry, Red, 110
Sandwort,
Ballhead 108
Large-leaf, 108
Sanicle, Northern, 58
Sawwort. American, 84
Saxifrage
Brook, 222
Family, 50, 218-223
Oregon. 220
Serviceberry, 204
Shepherd's Purse, 98
Shooting Star, Alpine, 190
Sneezeweed, Tall, 78
Snowberry, 106
Snowberry, Creeping, 106
Solomon's Seal
False, 148
Starry False, 150
Sorrel, Sheep, 184
Speedwell
Common, 236
Thyme-leaf, 236
Spreading Ground Smoke, 160
Spring Beauty
Heart-leaf, 186
Red-stem, 188
St. John's Wort Family, 45, 138-139
Staff-Tree Family, 43, 112-113
Starflower, Western, 190
Starwort, Curled, 110
Steer's Head, 172
Stickseed, Jessica's, 94
Stinging Nettle, 238
Stonecrop
Cream, 114
Family, 44, 112-115
Spear-leaf, 112
Worm-leaf, 114
Strawberry, Wood, 204
Sulfur Flower, 182
Sunflower Family, 42, 60-91
Swamp White Heads, 58
Sweet Cicely, Western, 56
Sweet Root, Western, 56
Tansy Mustard, Mountain, 98
Tarweed
Mountain, 82
Slender, 82
Thimbleberry, 212
Thistle, Bull 70
Tinker's Penny, 138
Tiny Trumpet, 174
Toadflax, Dalmatian, 226
Tobacco Brush, 202
Tofieldia, Western, 150
Toothwort, Nuttall's, 98
Trail Plant, 62
Trefoil, Bird's Foot, 122
Trillium, Western, 150
Twayblade, Broad-leaved 166
Twinflower, 102
Valerian
California, 238
Family, 50, 238-241
Sitka, 240
Violet
Family, 50, 240-243
Macloskey's, 240
Mountain, 242
Shelton's, 242
Stream, 240
Wallflower, Western, 100
Waterleaf
Family, 45, 134-137
White, 134
Willow, 218
Willow Family, 49, 218-219
Willow-herb
Fringed, 158
Hornemann's, 158
Milkflower, 160
Oregon, 160
Tall Annual, 158
Windflower, Columbia, 192
Wintergreen
Family, 44, 114-123
One-sided, 118
White-veined, 120
Wood Sorrel, Three-leafed, 172
Woodland Star, Small-flower, 218
Yampah, 58
Yarrow, 60
261
Index - Scientific flames
Acer glabrum, 52
Aceraceae, 41,52-53
Achillea millefolium, 60
Aconitum columbianum, 190
Acteae rubra, 192
Adenocaulon bicolor, 62
Agastache urticifolia, 140
Agoseris
aurantiaca, 62
elata, 62
glauca, 66
grandiflora, 64
Allium validum, 142
Amelanchier alnifolia, 204
Anaphalis margariticea, 64
Anemone
delto idea, 192
drummondii, 194
lyallii, 196
occidentalis, 194
Angelica arguta, 52
Antennaria rosea, 64
Apiaceae, 41, 51-59
Aquilegia formosa, 196
Arabis
xdivaricarpa, 94
glabra, 94
holboellii, 96
lyallii, 96
platysperma, 96
Arctostaphylos
nevadensis, 114
patula, 116
Arenaria congesta, 108
Aristolochiaceae, 41, 60-61
Arnica cordifolia, 66
Artemisia
douglasiana, 66
tridentata, 68
Asarum caudatum, 60
Aster foliaceus, 68
Asteraceae, 42, 60-91
Berberidaceae, 42, 90-91
Berberis nervosa, 90
Boraginaceae, 42, 92-95
Boschniaka strobilacea, 170
Boykinia major, 218
Brassicaceae, 43, 94-101
Calochortus tolmiei, 144
Caltha leptosepala var. biflora, 196
Calypso bulbosa, 162
Calyptridium umbellatum, 186
Campanula
prenanthoides, 100
scouleri, 102
Campanulaceae, 43, 100-103
Caprifoliaceae, 43, 102-107
Capsella bursa-pastoris, 98
Cardamine nuttallii, 98
Caryophyllaceae, 43, 108-111
Castilleja
affinis, 222
262
arachnoidea, 224
miniata, 224
pruinosa, 224
Ceanothus
prostratus, 202
velutinus, 202
Celastraceae, 43, 112-113
Cephalanthera austinae, 162
Chaenactis douglasii, 68
Chamomilla suaveolens, 70
Chimaphila
menziesii, 116
umbellata, 116
Chrysolepis
chrysophyllus, 128
sempervirens, 128
Cichorium intybus, 70
Cirsium vulgare, 70
Claytonia
cordifolia, 186
perfoliata, 188
rubra, 188
sibirica, 188
Clintonia uniflora, 144
Collinsia
parviflora, 226
torreyi, 226
Collomia
grandiflora, 174
linearis, 174
tinctoria, 176
Corallorhiza
maculata. 162
mertensiana, 164
striata, 164
Crassulaceae, 44, 112-115
Crepis pleurocarpa, 72
Cryptantha
flaccida, 92
simulans, 92
torreyana, 92
Delphinium
andersonii, 198
decorum, 198
glaucum, 198
nuttalianum, 200
Descurainea incisa, 98
Dicentra uniflora, 172
Disporum hookeri, 144
Dodecatheon alpinum, 190
Epilobium
angustifolium, 156
brachycarpum, 158
ciliatum, 158
hornemannii, 158
lactiflorum, 160
oregonense, 160
Ericaceae, 44, 114-123
Ericameria greenei, 72
Erigeron
alicea, 72
bloomeri, 74
compositus, 74
peregrinus, 74
Eriogonum
diclinum, 180
nudum, 180
umbellatum, 182
Eriophyllum lanatum, 76
Erysimum capitatum, 100
Erythronium grandiflorum, 146
Fabaceae, 44, 122-129
Fagaceae, 44, 128-129
Fragaria vesca, 204
Fritillaria atropurpurea, 146
Galium
aparine, 214
bifolium, 216
triflorum, 216
Gayophytum diffusum, 160
Geraniaceae, 45, 103-131
Geranium richardsonii, 130
Geum macrophyllum, 206
Gnaphalium canescens, 76
Goodyera oblongifolia, 166
Grindelia nana, 76
Grossulariaceae, 45, 130-133
Hackelia micrantha, 94
Hazardia whitneyi, 78
Helenium bigelovii, 78
Heracleum lanatum, 52
Hieracium
albiflorum, 78
scouleri, 80
Holodiscus discolor, 208
Hydrophyllaceae, 45, 134-137
Hydrophyllum fendleri, 134
Hypericaceae, 45, 138-139
Hypericum
anagalloides, 138
perforatum, 138
Hypochaeris radicata, 80
Ipomopsis
aggregata, 176
congesta, 178
Iridaceae, 45, 140-141
Iris chrysophylla, 140
Kalmia polifolia, 118
Kelloggia galioides, 216
Lamiaceae, 46, 140-143
Lathyrus polyphyllus, 122
Lepidium virginicum, 100
Ligusticum grayi, 54
Liliaceae, 46, 142-153
Lilium
pardalinum, 146
washingtonianum, 148
Linaceae, 46, 154-155
Linaria genistifolia, 226
Linnaea borealis, 102
Linum lewisii, 154
Listera convallarioides, 166
Lithophragma parviflorum, 218
Loasaceae, 46, 154-155
Index - Scientific names
Lomatium
califomicum, 54
piperi, 54
Lonicera
ciliosa, 104
conjugialis, 104
Lotus purshianus, 122
Lupinus
albicaulis, 124
aridus var. ashlandensis, 124
breweri, 124
polyphyllus, 126
Machaeranthera canescens, 80
Madia
bolanderi, 82
glomerata, 82
gracilis, 82
Mahonia nervosa, 90
Maianthemum
racemosum, 148
stellatum, 150
Malvaceae, 46, 156-157
Mentzelia dispersa, 154
Mimulus
guttatus, 228
moschatus, 228
nanus, 228
primuloides, 230
Mitella
breweri, 220
pentandra, 220
Moehringia macrophylla, 108
Monardella odoratissima, 142
Monotropa hypopytis, 118
Nemophila parviflora, 134
Nothocalais alpestris, 84
Nothochelone nemorosus, 230
Onagraceae, 47, 156-161
Orchidaceae, 47, 162-169
Orobanchaceae, 47, 170-173
Orobanche
fasciculata, 170
uniflora, 172
Orogenia fusiformis, 56
Orthilia secunda, 118
Orthocarpus
cuspidatus, 230
imbricatus, 232
Osmorhiza
chilensis, 56
occidentalis, 56
Oxalidaceae, 47, 172-173
Oxalis trilliifolia, 172
Papaveraceae, 47. 172-173
Paxistima myrsiniles, 112
Pedicularis racemosa, 232
Penstemon
anguineus, 232
davidsonii, 234
parvulus, 234
Perideridia oregana, 58
Phacelia
hastata, 134
heterophylla, 136
mutabilis, 136
procera, 136
Phlox
diffusa, 178
gracilis, 178
Plantaginaceae, 48, 174-175
Plantago lanceolata, 174
Platanthera
hyperborea, 166
leucostachys, 168
sparsiflora, 168
Polemoniaceae, 48, 174-181
Polemonium califomicum, 180
Polygonaceae, 48, 180-187
Polygonum
bistortoides, 182
davisiae, 182
douglasii, 184
Portulacaceae, 48, 186-189
Potentilla
glandulosa, 208
recta, 208
Primulaceae, 48. 190-191
Prunus emarginata, 210
Pterospora andromedea, 120
Pyrola picta. 120
Raillardella argentea, 86
Ranunculaceae, 49, 190-203
Ranunculus
alismifolius, 200
populago, 200
Rhamnaceae, 49, 202-203
Ribes
cereum, 130
lacustre, 130
lobbii, 132
sanguineum, 132
viscosissimum, 132
Rosa gymnocarpa, 210
Rosaceae, 49, 204-215
Rubiaceae, 49, 214-217
Rubus
lasiococcus, 210
leucodermis, 212
parviflorus, 212
pensilvanicus, 212
Rudbeckia occidentalis, 84
Rumex
acetosella, 184
salicifolius, 186
Salicaceae, 49, 218-219
Salix eastwoodiae, 218
Sambucus
mexicana, 104
racemosa, 106
Sanguisorba occidentalis, 214
Sanicula graveolens, 58
Saussurea Americana, 84
Saxifraga
odontoloma, 222
oregana. 220
Saxifragaceae, 50, 218-223
Scrophulariaceae, 50, 222-237
Sedum
lanceolatum. 112
oregonense, 114
stenopetalum, 114
Senecio
integerrimus, 86
triangularis, 88
Sidalcea oregana, 156
Silene bernardina, 108
Sisyrinchium bellum, 140
Smilacina
racemosa, 148
stellata, 150
Solidago canadensis, 88
Sorbus scopulina, 214
Spergularia rubra, 110
Sphenosciadium capitellatum, 58
Spiranthes romanzoffiana, 168
Stachys ajugoides var. rigida, 142
Stellaria
crispa, 110
media, 110
Symphoricarpos
albus, 106
mollis, 106
Taraxacum officinale, 90
Thalictrum fendleri, 202
Tiarella trifoliata v. unifoliata, 222
Tofieldia occidentalis, 150
Tragopogon dubius, 88
Trientalis latifolia, 190
Trifolium
longipes, 126
repens, 128
Trillium ovatum, 150
Urtica dioica, 238
LJrticaceae, 50, 238-239
Vaccinium
membranaceum, 120
uliginosum, 122
Valeriana
californica, 238
sitchensis, 240
Valerianaceae, 50, 238-241
Veratrum
califomicum, 152
insolitum, 152
viride, 152
Verbascum thapsus, 234
Veronica
americana, 236
arvensis, 236
serpyllifolia, 236
Viola
glabella, 240
macloskey, 240
purpurea, 242
sheltonii, 242
Violaceae, 50, 240-243
263

Wildflowers of Mount Ashland - Southern Oregon Digital Archives

Transcription

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