Wild Iris

If you've been hiking lately in or walking in local nature parks, you may have seen a "wild iris." This one in the photo is one of several Pacific Coast Wild Iris species; it's a Tough Leaf iris (Iris tenax), or Oregon Iris and is common in our area. We spotted this one yesterday while hiking around Bald Peak State Park. To learn about the other native iris species in OR, CA, and WA, see: http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/framewld.html (5/09/2013)

 

 

Lupine

If you have been out and about in the last month, you've probably seen some blooming Lupines. Whether in the valley or in the mountains, lupines are nearly everywhere. There are several hundred varieties of lupines, with about 8 in Oregon. These native ones growing in our back yard are called Big Leaf Lupine (Lupinis polyphyllus) and are about 36 inches high this year. (5/08/2013)

The Romans frequently ate the beans as the plant is technically a legume. In fact they are widely available in Italy of today. These beans (lupini) must be prepared correctly or they are not good. I could not find any locally, but on the Internet one can order pickled lupini beans from many sources.

Star Flowered Solomon's Seal

This is another common native plant in western Oregon, seen along trail clearings in the forest. Star Flowered Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum stellate) are in the Lily family and have a tiny flower, only 1/4 inch wide. This turns to a small fruit, seen in the photo below. The berries are edible but not tasty.

Top photo at Bald Peak State Park (5/08/2013) on a sunny day, bottom at TH Nature Park on a rainy day (5/30/2013).

Fringecup

These Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) native plants are blooming throughout western Oregon now. You've probably seen them along most trails in the area that are partially shaded. The flowers turn pink as they mature. Look closely and you may just see a fairy buzzing about. Each stem can grow up to 30 inches! (5/07/2013)

Northwest Balsamroot

This handsome plant is what I call the "pin up" of area wildflowers. You'll see photos of balsamroot (Balzamorhiza deltoidia) on almost every calendar in the west and on nearly every website designed for visitors! It's a spectacularly showy flower and in groups can be stunning. Locally, the Gorge has the most easily seen spreads, typically in late April to mid-May.

Looking east from the Labyrinth Trail near Hood River 5/03/2013.

Hiking on Dog Mountain, 5/14/2010

Hiking on Dog Mountain, 5/14/2010

 

Hyacinth Brodiaea

(Identity not confirmed) Hyacinth Brodiaea (Triteleia hyacinthium)

This native perennial is a member of the Lily family and grows 1 - 2 feet tall. Found in meadows and grasslands at low elevations. We spotted this one on the Labyrinth Trail near Hood River. Also called a Fool's Onion because the bulbs don't smell like an onion. (5/03/2013).

Common Camas

The Common Camas (Camassia quamash) is blooming now in our area. As you can see they thrive in open meadows. The Camas bulbs were a favorite food among Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest -- along with salmon, of course. We spotted these at Champoeg State Park yesterday. (5/01/2013)



These are about a foot high.

Al scopes out the Camas in the off-leash area of the park.