Wildflowers, White Pg3

Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), family Asteraceae (everlasting tribe). This is our third and final specimen from the everlasting tribe. Note the foliage differences between this plant and the Howell's. The pearly has much thinner 'leaves' which are positioned differently on the plant stem than the Howell's. These flowers were attracting quite a gathering of wonderful butterflies at the time I came across them. Very pleasant. There are actually two different plants shown in this panel, both from Rainier. The first with the butterflies was at Naches, and the second was in the Sunrise area later in the same day. The Pearlies hands down live up to their name. We have seen these flowers still looking fairly fresh at incredibly late times in the season. An interesting factoid from WIKIPEDIA is that although the genus includes about 110 species, almost all of them are native to central and southern Asia. Margaritacea is the ONLY inhabitant of North America.
USES: The website Native American Ethnobotany has a huge number of records for this plant, amoung them: Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule Drug (Burn Dressing)Poultice of boiled leaves applied to burns. Bella Coola Drug (Tuberculosis Remedy)Plants formerly used for tuberculosis. Cherokee Drug Warm infusion taken for cold and leaves smoked or chewed for colds. Leaves and stems smoked for bronchial cough. Infusion steamed and inhaled for blindness caused by the sun. Dried leaves smoked for catarrh. Used for throat infection. Cheyenne Drug (Ceremonial Medicine) Powdered flowers chewed and rubbed on body to protect and strengthen warrior. Smoke used to purify gift made to the spirits. Plant used as a strong medicine.Plant used in various ways to make horses long-winded. Powdered flowers put on each hoof & blown between the ears for long windedness, spirit & endurance. Powdered flowers used on the sole of each horse hoof to make it enduring and untiring. There are many more records as well. Visit Native American Ethnobotany, enter the genus and species to see them.
They are very popular as dried flower ornaments too. Plant location: Hiking the Naches Loop Trail on Mt Rainier (Washington state) was the area this plant was sighted. Early September 2007. Bloom season: July through September.
Globeflower -or- White Globeflower (Trollius albiflorus), family Helleboraceae (Hellebore). This plant is commonly placed in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) but we have followed Weber's lead in classing it in Helleboraceae. He notes that T. laxus var albiflorus of New England is very rare and now considered endangered with yellow/orange flowers. Our specimens did indeed have a pale yellowish cast to the petals. Plant location: Seen on Guanella Pass in Colorado. The elevation was 10,100 feet. GPS coordinates N 39.38.121 W 105.42.556. The area was very boggy with some plants in standing water. Bloom season: May to August.
White Bog Orchid -or- Bog Candle (Limnorchis dilatata), family Orchidaceae. This plant is a perennial that dies entirely away each year. The 'bog orchids' make up a huge group. There are about 800 species within the genus that can be found in both temperate and tropical areas. Per William Weber the plant has been reclassed from two genus, Habenaria, and more recently Plantantheria. Plant location: Seen on July 27, 2007 in Twisp Washington. Who would have thought Mark would see an ORCHID on a dual sport motorcycle ride! The plant view in this frame came from a more recent sighting in the Medicine Bow National Forest area. The date was July 21, 2009. Bloom season: this plant is a midsummer blooming perennial, subalpine environment.
Meadow Death Camas (Zigadenus venenosus), family Liliaceae (Lily). POISONOUS PLANT!!!
TOXIC: Per the website Montana Plant Life is the following: All parts of this plant contain the poisonous alkaloid zygadenine, which some claim to be more potent than strychnine. One bulb, raw or cooked, can be fatal. Poisoning result from confusing these bulbs with those of edible species. The bulbs of death camas are oval and covered with blackish scales. This plant causes fatalities among livestock. The lethal dose is estimated at between 2.0-6.0% of animal body weight, and this species is considered to be more toxic than mountain death camas, Zigadenus elegans. Symptoms of poisoning are similar for all species of animals. Symptoms in sheep include excessive salivation, froth around the nose and mouth, nausea, vomiting, muscular weakness, ataxia, possible coma, and death. The heart fails before respiration. Postmortem findings reveal the heart in complete diastole. Lesions include severe pulmonary congestion, hemorrhage, and edema. Humans have been poisoned after ingesting the bulbs and flowers. In most cases, the bulbs are mistaken for onions. A 2-year-old child became ill after eating the blossoms. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, slow breathing, inconsciousness (though responsive to pain or movement), hyperactive tendons and limbs, pupil dilation, and hypotension. The alkaloids cause local irritation when ingested and affect the cardiovascular system by slowing the heart and decreasing blood pressure. Treatment includes emesis, activated charcoal, and saline cathartic. Atropine was also given. End quote.
Plant location: Our sighting was in a Boulder County Open Space on May 18, 2009. Quote: Distribution Dry meadows to grassy hillsides, sagebrush slopes, and montane forest in exposed places, in most parts of MT. Also from s. B.C. and Alberta to WA, OR, CA, CO, and e. to SD, ND and NE. Bloom season: Flowers April through July.
Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), family Rosaceae. This is a lovely flower, delicate and fragile looking. Well watch out - it will get ya! The plant is a stickler for detail, especially to those who wish to harvest it's fruit. The delectable berries that this plant produces are a statement unto themselves - YUM! This species is distinctive amoung the huge numbers of members of it's genus by it's narrow petals. It is native to North America. WIKIPEDIA has this information about the genus: 'The genus Rubus is a very complex one, containing 13 subgenera, the largest of which, subgenus Rubus, is further subdivided into 12 sections.' End quote. WOW! So if we are incorrect in our identification please sing out. Since these are plants that produce such wonderful fruit there have been hybrids developed en masse to further enjoy the bounty. This species is said to be a predecessor of another delightful fruit, the Loganberry. Plant location: Seen on July 7, 2007 hiking in the Sunrise area of Mt Rainier (Washington state). Bloom season: Late spring to early summer, a low vine perennial.
Snowball Saxifrage -or- Diamondleaf Saxifrage (Micranthes rhomboidea), family Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage). A perennial herb, this species is one of 72 in the genus. The species was formerly in the genus Saxifraga. This species is an alpine lover. Plant location: Guanella Pass on June 10, 2009. Notice the inset in the upper right corner with the immature plants shown. They were almost entirely red in the juvenile state. Only found in the following United States: AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY. Bloom season: May to August.
Western Trillium -or- Western Wake Robin (Trillium ovatum), family Trilliaceae (Trillium). The simple and elegant Trillium of the Melanthiaceae family is always a treat to look upon. The flower of this species is offset by large green bracts that give the plant a sturdy healthy look. Like some orchids, the plant is seriously challenged if the flowers are picked. It is illegal in Washington among other states to pick the flowers since the plant can die or take years to recover. There are about 40-50 species in the genus and the plants are native to both North America and Asia.
FunFacts: A most interesting thing that I didn't know about the plant world is that some plant's leaves are actually underground!! WIKIPEDIA has this to say: 'The above ground parts of Trilliums are scapes with three large, leafy bracts with the true leaves underground as a papery covering around the rhizomes.' End quote. More than one surprise revealed itself during our research on this plant. Another interesting factoid from WIKIPEDIA involves the propagation of the plant: 'Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants and mice. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they can be protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant garbage.' End quote.
See the PURPLE Trillium here. Plant location: Seen on May 19, 2007 hiking the Ingalls Creek Trail, Alpine Wilderness area of Washington State. These plants were sighted before we were taking technical photographs of wildflowers. We hope to add foliage and plant shots to this panel, as appropriate, in the 2008 season. Bloom season: February through June, the plant is a perennial. The slides of this panel show the tendancy of Trillium to turn lavender or purple as the season wears on. See the Blue/Purple pages for a deeply purple Trillium that Mark photographed at Ingalls Creek as well as these white specimens.
Wild White Iris (Iris setosa - alba), family Iridaceae (Iris). The identity of this plant is at odds with William Weber's information in Colorado Flora, Eastern Slope. Per him the only species of Iris in Colorado is missouriensis. Based on that, this would be a white varient of missouriensis. OR our specimen could be a 'traveler' from a private garden of setosa alba. That variety is available from many a nursery and online sources.
See Iris missouriensis here.
Plant location: Hwy 285 between Buena Vista and Fairplay Colorado. June 10, 2009. Bloom season: May to July.
Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax), family Melanthiaceae (a newer family branched from Liliaceae). These flowers certainly can be eye-catching. They stand tall, between 2-3 feet or taller. A very interesting fact to note from Dr. Dee Strickler's book WAYSIDE WILDFLOWERS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, is that these flowers do not bloom every year. In fact, under forest canopy they can bloom only as much as every SEVEN years. It is pointed out in the book that plants in more open sites can bloom more frequently. Bear Grass is distingushed. It is the official flower of Glacier National Park. Other names for Bear Grass are Elk Grass, Turkey Beard, Bear Lily, Pine Lily, quip-quip, and Indian Basket Grass - just so's ya know.
USES: Native Americans made use of the tough leaves of Bear Grass for the weaving of baskets, clothing, and making of utensils.
FunFacts: This interesting information comes from WIKIPEDIA: 'an important part of the fire ecology of regions where it is native. It has rhizomes which survive fire that clears dead and dying plant matter from the surface of the ground. The plant thrives with periodic burns and is often the first plant to sprout in a scorched area.' End quote
Plant location: Our photographs represent the plant in two locations. The foliage panel was from a dual sport motorcycle ride, 3 Corners area in Washington state on June 10, 2006. The other two panels were from sightings hiking Larch Mountain in Oregon state on July 1, 2007. Bloom season: June to early August. The National Audubon Society Field Guide has Bear Grass blooming starting in May.
Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca ssp. bracteata), family Rosaceae (Rose). There are 5 species in this genus with 4 subspecies in vesca. It is not uncommon to find the plants thriving but with no fruits, typical when there is too little sun. The plants can survive minor fires and re-establish themselves after fires.
USES: Native American tribes used this species for food: Apache and Cochiti, fruits eaten as a delicacy. Apache, Chiricahua & Mescalero Raw fruits occasionally eaten as food. Cowlitz and Swinomish (Beverage) Leaves used for a beverage. Berries dried and used for food. Berries eaten fresh. Haisla and Hanaksiala (Preserves) Berries used to make jam and eaten fresh. Isleta and Navajo Flavorful fruit considered a delicacy.
The flowers of this species have both male and female organs and are pollinated by insects. Plant location: Found on Cottonwood Pass near Granby Colorado on May 27, 2009. The species is located in the following United States: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY. Typical habitat is along trails and roadsides, embankments, hillsides, stone and gravel laid paths and roads, meadows, young woodlands, sparse forest, woodland edges and clearings. Bloom season: April to May, early June with fruit ripening through July. Sometimes as long as September. The foliage of this plant represents the identifying characteristic. It is sharply toothed rather than the course-toothed edging found in Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).
False Lily of the Valley -or- May Lily (Maianthemum dilatatum), family Lillaceae. The fragrant flowers closely resemble Vanilla Leaf. Don't be fooled. The smoothed edged heart shaped leaf formation is a clue about 'who' you are looking at. Note a discrepancy in family information of this genus in WIKIPEDIA and the book WILDLFOWERS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST by Turner and Gustafson. According to WIKIPEDIA, Maianthemum dilatatum, is of the family Ruscaceae. If you find yourself hiking in a area forested with Sitka Spruce, you will likely find False Lily of the Valley. Take a whiff of it's delicate aroma but don't eat the berries from this plant - not all that yummy! Medical uses include sore eyes, cuts, and sterility. These blooms are even found in Alaska. Botanically, this plant grows parts in fours rather than threes or sixes as is usual in the Lily family. Plant location: This specimen was sighted hiking Larch Mountain in Oregon on July 1, 2007 Bloom season: Late spring and in the case of our specimen, mid-summer.
Milkvetch (Astragalus), family Fabaceae (Pea). Our best guess on which Astragalus this plant is, is the Two-Grooved Milkvetch. This plant possibly contains selenium and could be toxic. Per Wikipedia Quote: Although it is toxic in large doses, selenium is an essential micronutrient for animals. In plants, it occurs as a bystander mineral, sometimes in toxic proportions in forage (some plants may accumulate selenium as a defense against being eaten by animals, but other plants such as locoweed require selenium, and their growth indicates the presence of selenium in soil. End quote. Plant location: Found on Cottonwood Pass near Granby Colorado on May 27, 2009. Bloom season: May and June (if this species is bisulcatus).
Western Pasque Flower -or- Mountain Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla occidentalis, per the National Audubon Society Field Guide), family Ranunculaceae. The foliage of this plant almost looks like stubby wild carrot, but don't eat it - bitter! It is a native to western North America. These flowers have 150 to 200 stamens!! Later in the season, the flowers turn into a very hairy proposition indeed. They are actually the fruit of the plant at this stage. Plant location: sighted hiking Esmerelda Basin outside of Cle Elum Washington - June 17, 2007. A great hike! Bloom season: May through September.
Common Townsendia Daisy (Townsendia leptotes), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This perennial herb is native to North America with about 26 species total in the genus. The cheerful little flowers are low to the ground and grow in small clusters that are almost mat-like. When done flowering they produce fluffy white seed heads similiar to dandelions. Plant location: Cherokee Refuge in Colorado on April 23, 2009. Found only in these United States: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY. Bloom season: April to June, sometimes into July.
Hooker Desert Sandwort (Eremogone hookeri), family Alsinaceae (Chickweed). Former genus Arenaria, commonly known as Sandworts. There are 3 subspecies: hookeri, pinetorum, and desertorum, according to the USDA Plant Database. (Flora of North America does not include desertorum as present in the U.S.) Plant location: Seen on the awesome Pawnee Butte Trail #840, Weld County Colorado on June 4, 2009. Found in the following United States: CO, KS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, SD, UT, WY. Bloom season: June and July.
Townsendia (species unknown), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower) This pretty Townsendia comes with a mystery. The scrunchy hairy foliage are making for a difficult identification indeed. Obviously a Townsendia, we would rather not declare an identification in this case and mislead our viewers. Sing out if you know the species! Plant location: Cherokee Refuge in Colorado on April 23, 2009. Bloom season: Unknown. Notice the extremely small and clumped aspect of the foliage of this plant? Was the plant stunted due to lack of nutrients? Was there too much of something in the location where it was growing? The flowers clearly are healthy looking, quite beautiful. Weber does not mention hybridization of Townsendias so we are at a loss. Enjoy the beauty of the bloom!