Watson's Willow Herb

There are two interesting things about Watson's Willow Herb (Epilobium watsonii): it's a perennial that spreads by its rhizomes, but also can grow annually from its own seeds. Because of this, it can spread quickly and I can attest to this as these plants are growing along our regular dog walking route.

The second interesting thing is that these weedy plants are natives of North America and have spread to Europe where it is profuse now -- kind of the opposite from normal weed migration!

Watson's Willow Herb is a member of the Evening Primrose family. The flower petals occur in multiples of four and are slightly pink. The largest blossoms are about the size of a penny. It some ways it is similar to our local Fireweed, both in the same genus. There are a many similar species of willow herbs growing in the Northwest, so you may see them just about anywhere.

Finally, I could not find a reference to the namesake, Watson. These are blooming on Laurelview Road (8/26/2012).

Fully opened flower.

Partially opened flower.

Leaves

Note the long seed pods.

Smartweeds

You are probably wondering, "how can a weed be smart?" In researching this, I found little more than circular references from old English. Perhaps there is a phonetic history having nothing to do with being "smart" as we say. In any event, I was smart enough to find two of the Polygonum genus growing in local parks recently! In the Northwest, there are over 30 species of plants called "smartweeds," so identification can be confusing.


The scientific names make more sense. Polygonum means "many knees," which is how these plants are structured with their swollen jointed stems.


Other members of this genus include Curlydock and Sheep Sorrel, both considered invasive in Oregon.


We found both of these growing at Jackson Bottom Wetlands (8/14/2013)

Water Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium)

Water Smartweed Leaves

Dockleaf Smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium)

Dockleaf Smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium) flower detail

Marsh Madness!

As my wildflower journal grows with the passing months, I have realized the value of grouping some of the plants in terms of where they are living. A few of the wildflower books available do this as well although I do find them harder to use for identification.

This post will group several more plants tied to local damp areas. Not knowing much about "wetlands" per se, I turned my attention to reading up on the subject. In a two paragraph nutshell, here's what I learned...

There a several definitions of a wetland, but the basic idea is it is an area that is saturated and/or covered with water most of the time and as such supports a unique ecosystem of aquatic plants and animals. It's also a transitional area between terrestrial land and aquatic land, near a river, lake, or sea. Wetlands typically have very rich soil, due to the flow of water dropping nutrients and organic matter. A marsh is a type of wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species. Jackson Bottom is a seasonal wetland with several marsh ecosystems. This seems to be why it has the "mother-lode" of wildflowers and plants as compared to other ecosystems.


I also learned that the State of Oregon has a fairly favorable view of wetland preservation and restoration. Recent state laws passed in 2010 have made it easier for private and public landowners to work with local agencies to understand requirements.
Well I won't get "bogged" down (get it?) with a science lesson here, so let's jump right to the main attractions:

Cat-Tail (Typha latifolia)

If you had to pick one universal wetland plant for a quiz show answer, it would probably be Cat-Tail. Its appearance is so unique, even young school children can readily name it. It blooms from late June through August and can form large colonies. These provide shelter and nesting for marsh wrens and those vocal red-winged blackbirds. Geese and muskrats eat the underground rhizomes as did early Native Americans. There are 11 species of Typha, most growing in the Northern Hemisphere. These are growing at Jackson Bottom.

Yellow Water-Flag (Iris pseudacorus)

This native of Europe was introduced for ornamental purposes. Prior to flowering, it can be confused with cat-tails because the leaves are nearly identical. When it forms a colony, it can choke out native species. The State of Oregon considers it a noxious plant (http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/weeds/Pages/profile_yflagiris.aspx).

We found these growing around a pond at Dawson Creek Park, blooming in early May.

Navarretia intertexta or N. squarrosa - a.k.a. Skunkweed

These grow in areas that are flooded in winter and spring, but dry out in summer. It blooms from July to September and has tiny blue flowers sticking out of a spiked ball like head, the size of a small marble. The N. squarrosa has a strong odor that many find pungent.

Nodding Beggarticks (Bidens cernua)

Another oddly named wetland plant! The name makes some sense because the achenes are tick-like in that they easily stick to passing animals. And the name Bidens means "two teeth," referring to the pair of hooked bristles on the achenes. The nodding part on the name comes from the way the flower will bend down from its weight. This native annual forb blooms from July to mid-September. These are at Jackson Bottom.

Waterpepper (Polygonum hydropoperoides)

These native plants were thriving near any type of pond or former pond at Jackson Bottom. Waterpepper is the most common species of the Polygonum (smartweed/knotweed) but very similar to Water Smartweed, posted earlier.

Note the dried up pond in distance!

Yellow Pond Lily (Nuphar lutea) and White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata)

Of course we need to include the water lilies. In this neck of the woods, there are just a few plants that actually grow and float in the water. The Yellow Pond Lily is native, but is not common in Oregon. Yellow pond-lily provides food and shelter for many fish and underwater insects.

The White Water Lily is non-native and we found a huge colony growing at Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro. They are blooming now 8-18-2013). The genus Nymphaea has about 70 species of water lilies, with 35 able to grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The flowers and floating leaves are captivating and are depicted in artwork throughout world history. For much more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeaceae.

White Water Lily at Rood Bridge Park, August 2013

Yellow Water Lily at Trillium Lake, August 2005

Green False Hellebore

There are few wildflowers in our area that are green when blooming. One of those, noted earlier in my post about Lookout Mountain, is Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride). As you can see from the pictures below, the plant gets quite tall and the flowers bloom in clusters that bend down with their weight. They almost look artificial to me. The large leaves resemble lily plants and at one time the plant was classified as a lily.

The ones we saw at Lookout Mountain were growing in a large colony, in a meadow that was damp earlier in the season. These were new to me, so I was fascinated by their odd looking appearance. They are in the Melanthiaceae family, which includes our native Western Trillium.

In reading up about Green False Hellebore, I quickly learned that this plant is highly toxic. In fact, at one time an insecticide was made from its powdered roots! In spite of this, some Native Americans used it externally and in the past it was used in small quantities to treat high blood pressure and rapid heart beat. 

And finally, this zinger: the plant was used by some tribes to elect a new leader. All the candidates would eat the root, and the last to start vomiting would become the new leader! Yow!

Wapato

You may have read about our Northwest indigenous residents relying on native Wapato plants as a staple. The edible tubers of Wapato (Sagatteria latifolia) are potato-like and are grown today in China and Japan in large quantities. This plant requires several inches of standing water in a wetland environment to thrive. It blooms in August and has a distinctive large "arrowhead" leaf, making it easy to identify. It is also called broad-leaf arrowhead, duck potato, and Indian potato. The tubers are said to taste like other potatoes, but with a slight bitterness.

Locally, natural wetlands have been reduced for development and agriculture, drastically limiting the native species. One source stated that the largest remaining Oregon colony of Wapato is near Bonneville Dam in the Gorge. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and geese readily eat the Wapato tubers.

I could not find a local source for the edible tubers. If you are able to purchase some Wapato tubers for consumption, here's and interesting article: http://honest-food.net/2012/01/17/a-teasing-taste-wapato-pasta/

More Wapato information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria_latifolia

Interesting (but lengthy) college paper written about restoring Wapato to Yakima area, and as it relates to health and diet. http://nativecases.evergreen.edu/docs/washinescasestudy.pdf

These blossoms are about 1 inch across.

Arrow shaped leaf is about a foot long.

Due to our extremely dry summer, the water is gone! 

Cudweeds

Sure, every wildflower will attract some sort of insect to pollinate the reproductive parts. But let's face it, some bland, unremarkable wildflowers are barely worth a picture. This blog does not discriminate on the basis of botanical beauty, so today's post covers the lowly Cudweeds (genus Gnaphalium).

Gnaphalium is a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. This genus contains about 120 species. They are mostly found in temperate regions, although some are found on tropical mountains or in the subtropical regions of the world. The origin of the common name is hazy at best. The most I could find on it, loosely points to cows with cud problems grazing on it...

On the bright side, the American Painted Lady caterpillar seems to prefer chowing down on these Cudweeds. So they do have a purpose after all!

The Purple Cudweed (Gnaphalium purpureum) grows on the Oregon coast and is said to be the most interesting version of the plant.

We spotted two different cudweeds recently, as noted below.

Cotton-batting Cudweed (G. chilense) on Laurelview Road.

Close up of flowers.

Marsh cudweed (G. uliginosum) at Jackson Bottom Wetlands (8/14/2013)

American Painter Lady at Jackson Bottom Wetlands (8/14/2013)

Spreading Dogbane

The odd thing about this plant is that I have only seen it growing in ditches along country roads. I noticed some last year, and remember thinking, "this plant seems out of place here..." So recently, I spotted two more clusters of it, both along roads south of Hillsboro. It must be incredibly hardy and adaptable because these spots are dry, rocky, and trash ridden! (08-07-2013)

In any event, Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemfolium) is found throughout the U.S. in dry areas, blooming in summer (in the Northwest). I believe it's the first member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family in my journal thus far! Many species in this family are tall trees found in tropical rain forests, but some grow in tropical dry (xeric) environments. They are also perennial herbs from temperate zones, such as our native Spreading Dogbane. 

The flowers are an attractive pink, fairy bell shaped, almost ornamental blossom. When broken, the stems secrete a milky latex liquid that is poisonous, so don't be pickin' these for your sweetie! The stems are also very fibrous and Native Americans pulled out the threads to make twine or cord. Another common name for this plant is Indian Hemp. There was one other reference to the plant being used to treat venereal disease, although specifics were not given!

Red-Osier Dogwood

If you've been in the Northwest during the Spring, you have most likely seen at least one blooming dogwood tree.  It's one of the favorite native trees to plant in yards and with its large and numerous paper white blooms, is quite spectacular. This is the Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) tree that grows to about 30 feet, usually under the shade of larger conifers or hardwoods. There are other dogwood trees in the east, but the Pacific Dogwood is unique to the west coast, living as far south as San Francisco.

This post is to call attention to a close relative, the Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus ciricea). It's not a tree, but a large shrub that grows along moist, wooded areas, especially along creeks or rivers. The flowers are white but much smaller and bloom in large clusters. Another unique feature of the plant is its red branches, hence the common name. We spotted these growing along the Banks-Vernonia bike trail recently (8/03/2013).

Even as a child, I wondered where the "dogwood" name originated. Well, it's from the Scandanavian word "dags," meaning skewers. The skewers were made from the branches of Cornus and used to roast game in the old days! At first it was called "dagwood" but later changed to dogwood. When David Douglas found the Pacific Dogwood he thought it was the same as the eastern species; but in 1835 Thomas Nuttall found some differences, hence the scientific name. The hard wood of the eastern species is used to make textile shuttles, golf clubs, and piano keys.

The "osier" part of the common names comes from the middle English word for the tough but pliable willow branches used in basketry. That word originated from a French word meaning "river-bed." So finally we have a common name that makes sense!

Spotted Knapweed

I remember seeing the Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)  when I was a youngster, either here or in California, and it was one of my favorites then and still is now. Of course, with a name that includes "weed" in it, my admiration is now filtered somewhat! But after reading up on it, I have a new appreciation for its place in the world! Its name comes from the spots that are seen on the bracts in the center.

The Spotted Knapweed is a European native and is considered invasive in much of North America. One source indicated that it arrived to the Northwest in a ship's ballast. The Oregon Department of Agriculture calls it noxious and claims it has caused $50 million or more in lost revenue. Dang, it's hard to admire a flower like that!

What I found fascinating about this knapweed, is that it is classified as a "Pioneer Species." I had not heard this term before, but means the plant can spread rapidly and dominate disturbed areas by its ability to gather moisture quickly, by its prolific seed production, and some believe it produces a natural herbicide (catechin) that limits growth of other plants. Unfortunately, most native plants are unable to compete with this trifecta.

In Montana and Northern Idaho, the Spotted Knapweed covers acres of land, making for beautiful views and photo ops. Because it quickly forces out native plants, biological steps have been taken to control it in those areas.

We found these knapweeds growing near Farmington View School on Highway 219. (8/07/2013)

Spotted Knapweed with Queen Anne's Lace

Note the "spots" in center.

They love roadside disturbed areas.

All in the Family

No, we are not talking Archie Bunker and "Meat-head" here! This post is my tip-of-the-hat to those really smart scientists who came up with the scientific naming scheme for plants and wildflowers. As many of you probably know already, this is called Plant Taxonomy.

I'll be the first to say that I have no formal training in plant taxonomy, but since starting this journal I have been fascinated with both the common and scientific naming of wildflowers. Plant taxonomy existed even in ancient Greek times, but our current system really started with a Swede named Linneaus in 1737. He came up with the organization and structure of the system still in use today. Many others helped refine it over the years. With modern DNA testing and other advanced techniques, the system continues to evolve even today. I won't dwell on taxonomy here, but if you want more, see: http://www.vtasg.biz/WildflowerNames.asp

For individual wildflower plants, the common names usually reflect some local and historical aspect of the plant. Some of these names go way back and were translated from indigenous people's naming. Others seem to have been haphazardly given, as if by a drunken miner! Fortunately, with scientific names, we have more precision and a way to record and compare similar species. For more information on naming, see: http://www.vtasg.biz/BotanicalNames.asp

To close up this post, I would like to present four seemingly very different plants that are actually all in the Asteraceae family. This family is commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, and sunflower family. 

Western Aster (Aster occidentalis)

These native to the western U.S. plants look like they should be in your own flower garden! And in fact they have been hybridized extensively for that purpose. These have blue to pink flowers and grow to 3 ft. tall. The flower is about an inch across. We found these at Jackson Bottom Wetlands.

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Another western native that is just starting to bloom now (8/04/2013). It's large, colorful flower heads attract legions of bees. It can be eaten by livestock, but is quick to colonize in open sunny areas. Some countries have declared it invasive as it edges out native plants. Goldenrod has been used as an anti-inflammatory, urinary tract antiseptic, and a treatment for upper respiratory inflammation and congestion. I spotted this clump growing next to a field on the Banks-Vernonia bike trail.

These were about 5 feet tall!

Black bumblebees covered these extensive blooms.

Mountain Tarweed (Madia glomerata)

If you don't recognize this plant's name or flower, you may remember its strong odor! The stems, leaves, and buds are coated with a sticky sap that smells somewhat like camphor to me; I don't find it disagreeable, but most books say it's bad! There are thousands of these growing at Jackson Bottom Wetlands. The tiny flowers are easy to miss, but as I mentioned before, you won't miss the smell! It is also native to the western U.S. and grows in just about any disturbed area, along gravel roads, or near wetlands.

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

As one of the most disliked invasive "weeds," Canada Thistle has one of my favorite alternate common names: "Lettuce from Hell Thistle!" Some other local names for this Eurasian native:  California Thistle, Corn Thistle, Cursed Thistle, Field Thistle, Green Thistle, Hard Thistle, Perennial Thistle, Prickly Thistle, Small-flowered Thistle and Way Thistle. These renegades are unisex, meaning it takes two plants (Male and Female) to tango, er, make seeds. But they also reproduce through an extensive root system, making them difficult to get rid of, as you may have experienced first hand!

On the bright side, the seeds are very popular with goldfinches, and the foliage is favored by numerous butterfly caterpillars. We found these growing on Laurelview Road near home in late June.

Male Canada Thistle Plant

Lookout Mountain

Summit at left, about 1/4 mile to go. Looking east.

Summit and site of former fire lookout structure. Looking west.
Mt. Hood in the background. Yarrow in the foreground.

As we begin August, our hot, dry summer continues and the quest for wildflowers grows more challenging! On this outing, we made our way to Lookout Mountain near Mt. Hood and the Badger Creek Wilderness. It's a former fire lookout site at 6,525 feet and has beautiful views in all directions. The weather was sunny, warm and very dry. The hike is a 2.5 mile loop through mountain meadows, some forest, and a few rocky areas. Many of the flowers had already bloomed, but we did find a few new ones, shown in this post.

Alpine Aster (Aster alpigenus var. haydenii)  Native.

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) Native.

Sulfur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) Native.

Parry's Catchfly (Silene parryi) Native.

Lyall's Goldenweed (Tonestus lyallii) Native.

Skyrocket (Ipomopsis aggreagata) Native.
Noted by Lewis and Clark

Matchbrush/Snakeweed (Gutierraezia sarothrae). Native
Noted by Lewis and Clark

We found one small patch of Lupine still blooming.

TBD. Probable Asteraceae.

Probable: Rydberg's Penstemon (Penstemon rydbergii) Native.

Green False Hellebore (Veratum viride) Native. Look at the
size of these bog plants!

Detail of Green False Hellebore flowers. They
really are green!

Gairdner's Yampah (Perideridia gairdneri) Native.

Stalked-Pod Crazyweed (Oxytropis podocarpa). Flowers are
a bit spent; hope to replace this photo next year!