Download Wildflower Talk - Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District

Wildflower Talk
These are a series of short articles written by Kristen Currin of Humble Roots Native Plant
Nursery in Mosier, Oregon, featuring plants from around the Columbia Gorge. Each of these
articles appeared in an issue of the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District’s
newsletter, GROUNDWORK. I hope you enjoy them. All photos are courtesy of Kristen Currin.
Please ask permission before using. www.humblerootsnursery.com
Nothing in this document is to be construed as medical advice. A licensed herbalist should be consulted for
proper identification and preparation before eating those plants designated as edible. Humble Roots Nursery
nor the Conservation District are liable for improper consumption of plants listed in this document.
INDEX
Glacier Lily
Goldenrod
Grass Widow
Indian Hemp
Juniper
Larkspur, Upland
Kinnickinick
Mariposa Lily
Milkweed, Showy
Miner’s Lettuce
Mugwort, Western
Native Shrubs
Nettle, Stinging
Oceanspray
Oregon Grape
Pearly Everlasting
Phantom Orchid
Phlox, Cushion
Pineapple Weed
Prairie Stars
Rabbitbrush (sp)
Rabbitbrush, Gray
Rose, Wild
Saxifrage
Serviceberry
Shooting Star, Poet’s
Sumac, Smooth
Wapato
Washington Lily
Western Bunchberry
Yellow Bee Plant
Yellow Bells
Yellow Star Thistle
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Arnica, Heart-Leaf
Bachelor Buttons
Balsamroot
Bitterroot
Buckwheat, Arrowleaf
Buckwheat, Snow
California Poppy
Cattail
Ceanothus
Chocolate Lily
Columbia Coreopsis
Currant, Golden
Dutchman’s Breeches
Desert Parsley, Columbia
Desert Parsley, Gray’s
Elderberry, Blue
Gairdners Yampah
Heart-leaf Arnica
Arnica cordifolia
Look for arnica's yellow flowers in spring. Arnica is an
important native medicinal plant used topically to soothe
sore muscles and sprains. A woodland plant and a good
choice for the shady xeric garden.
Bachelor Buttons, Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Many may think this beautiful blue flower is a native
plant due to the fact that it dominates many of our
meadows and is commonly sold in wildflower seed mixes.
However this pretty annual is listed as a noxious weed in
Oregon and has been introduced to North America from
Europe. Studies show that some wildflower seed mixes
may contain as many as 13 species of noxious weeds, so
take care when planting seed to be sure your
'wildflowers' are truly meant to be growing wild in your
area.
Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sp.
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Most people in the Gorge are well acquainted
with Balsamroot which carpets the hills in
spring with yellow, sunflower-like blooms.
The entire plant is edible and the seeds can
be substituted for sunflower seeds.
Medicinally important, the root can provide
an excellent cough syrup. Balsamroot takes
many years to mature and may live to be
100 years old!! Look for swallowtail
butterflies enjoying the nectar.
Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva
Growing in rocky slopes and dry,
exposed sites you will find this
important and beautiful PNW native
wildflower. Bitterroot has small,
succulent foliage and large showy
flowers from late spring to midsummer which vary in color from deep
pink to white. The stout taproots have
been an important and ceremonial
food source for thousands of years.
Snow Buckwheat
Eriogonum niveum
A very late blooming and showy native
shrublet, Snow Buckwheat has light
grey foliage and bright white to pink
flowers in late summer through fall.
Growing in sunny, dry areas, this
plant is very important for native
pollinators and wildlife. There are
many species of Eriogonums native to
Wasco County, and all of them are
highly beneficial to pollinators.
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
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A familiar plant in the Gorge, and self-seeding
perennial, California Poppy is a beautiful and brightly
colored native wildflower. A variety of different cultivars
have been bred for gardens from the approximately ten
species of this genus which are all native to Western
North America. The orange flowers of California Poppy
are edible and attractive in salads, while its roots are
medicinal.
Common Cattail
Typha latifolia
A native wetland plant, Cattail may be one of the most
useful plants in our local herbaria. Edible parts include
the starchy roots and young shoots, green shoot tips,
immature flower spikes and even its pollen.
Cattail have medicinal uses and were traditionally used
for thatching and bedding. These plants have the ability
to filter toxins from water and create important wildlife
habitat.
Columbia Coreopsis
Coreopsis tinctoria var. atkinsoniana
Lewis and Clark documented this beautiful wildflower of
the Columbia River shores. Multiple yellow flowers,
often with red near the centers, bloom continuously from
summer to fall. This plant is sun loving and, since it is a
denizen of sandy river shores, prefers well-drained soil
and 'wet-feet'. Visit the Oregon Plant Atlas
(www.oregonflora.org/atlas.php) to see that this is a
beautiful native wildflower.
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
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A deciduous, native shrub found mainly east of the
Cascades, but also able to grow on the wetter west side.
One of the earliest plants to flower and thus important
for native pollinators. Bright yellow flowers hang in
clusters and turn orange once pollinated or with age.
Flowers give way to purple-red fruits which are by far the
most delicious of currants-even tastier than common
garden currants. High in pectin, fruits can be used in
jams and jellies. Cold hardy, drought tolerant. Sun to
light shade. Attracts birds and hummingbirds.
Columbia Desert Parsley
Lomatium columbianum
A stunning, endemic, Gorge wonder of a wildflower. One
of the few purple flowering desert parsleys. The
umbrella-like blooms emerge early, often before the
blue-green coral-like foliage. This plant prefers sun and
requires a dry summer dormancy. Great for butterflies,
but, unlike most other desert parsleys, has no record of
edible or medicinal use.
Gray's Desert-Parsley
Lomatium grayi
There is a wonderful, spicy scent in the air when Gray's
Desert-Parsley blooms. The bright yellow, umbelled flowers
of this fragrant member of the carrot family are a familiar
sight in spring. This native perennial grows from a long
taproot in dry, rocky areas and is attractive to butterflies
and pollinators. Although edible, proper identification is
important to avoid poisonous plants that may look similar.
Dutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
Dutchman's Breeches, a relative of the
common Bleeding Heart, is an
uncommon native of the Columbia
Gorge. Named for its unusual white
flowers, the fern-like foliage makes this a
very delicate and graceful wildflower.
Blooming as early as March, D. cucullaria
will also go completely dormant by
summer, not to be found again until the
next spring.
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Blue Elderberry
Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea
Beautiful, medicinal, edible, great for wildlife,
pollinators and the xeric landscape. Although the
leaves and stems are toxic, the berries & flowers are
edible. Blue elder berries have a powdery, natural
yeast, coating, are antiviral and used to make delicious
jams, wine and cough syrup. Flowers are a natural
wrinkle remedy, can be used in teas or fried as fritters.
The seeds of blue elderberry are toxic in large
quantities if not cooked. Do not confuse with Red
Elderberry which is not edible.
Gairdner's Yampah
Perideridia gairdneri
Nearly invisible until flowering, look for the delicate, white
umbelled flowers of Gairdner's Yampah amongst dry
grasses in meadows and forest clearings in late summer.
Yampah is an important historical food source. It has been
so highly prized as a food plant that it has been over
harvested in some areas. The small roots, seeds and leaves
can all be eaten or used in cooking. Yampah is a member of
the parsley family, a family which contains numerous toxic
species, so proper identification is important with this
plant.
Glacier Lily
Erythronium grandiflorum
Sometimes called dogtooth violets, these large, graceful,
yellow flowers bloom in meadows and woodlands in early
spring.
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These plants grow from bulb-like corms which are edible.
Cooking improves digestibility and flavor, but like many
edible PNW lilies, they should be considered only a
survival food and are best left to flower beautifully in the
forest.
Goldenrod
Solidago sp.
Often snubbed due to the mistaken belief that goldenrod
causes hayfever, this plant is one of the most overlooked
of natives. Edible, medicinal and very important for bees
and beneficial insects, goldenrod adds color and greenery
to the garden as it blooms late in the season, often into
the fall. Many species of goldenrod are native to the
Pacific Northwest and can be found in our area.
Grass Widow
Olsynium douglasii (was Sisyrinchium douglasii)
One of the earliest blooms in the Gorge and a
small member of the iris family. Usually found in
sunny places that are wet in spring and dry in
summer. Magenta to pink flowers and grass-like
leaves. Look for the occasional
'albino', white bloom in February. A true
harbinger of spring!
Indian Hemp
Apocynum cannabinum
Growing along the edges of wetlands, this native
perennial plant starts blooming in early summer.
Known for its fibrous stems which are used for netting
and basketry, Indian Hemp is wonderfully fragrant.
Bees who visit its clusters of small, pale flowers may
make a superior, colorless honey. Indian Hemp
provides wonderful fall color, spreads vigorously by
rhizomes, is toxic to livestock and may have potential
as a biofuel.
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Kinnickinick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnickinnick is a low-growing, evergreen
shrub with pink, bell-shaped flowers and
red berries. Kinnickinnick has edible and
medicinal properties and is an important
plant to First Nations people. Its other
name, Bearberry, comes from its berries
being a favored food of bears as well as
other wildlife. This native shrub and its
cultivars are popular for use in landscaping.
Upland Larkspur
Delphinium nuttallianum
Ranging from the Cascade to Rocky Mountains and
hybridizing with other larkspurs along the way, this
variable species of Delphinium is one of our more
attractive native wildflowers.
There are a number of species of Delphinium found in
our area and varieties of Delphinium have been popular
with gardeners for years. Despite being so beautiful,
Larkspurs are toxic to humans and livestock.
Mariposa Lily
Calochortus sp.
About 20 species, some of which are listed as rare, of
Calochortus are native to the Pacific Northwest. These
beautiful lilies often have petals which appear hairy,
thus earning a common name, Cat's Ear. Ranging in
color from purple to white and yellow, Calochortus sp.
have a reputation for being difficult to propagate. In
Wasco County the colorful blooms are easy to spot
amongst dry meadow grasses in summer.
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Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
One of the most fragrant wildflowers in our area, showy
milkweed is a beautiful native perennial and vital host for
Monarch butterflies.
Growing mainly east of the Cascades, decline in milkweed
populations is contributing to the decline in monarchs. The
Xerces Society has developed a web-based survey to gather
information on the distribution of milkweed in Western
States. Go to: www.xerces.org/milkweedsurvey, for more
information and to report where you have seen milkweed
growing.
In 2015, the monarch butterfly will be considered for listing
as an endangered species. Many of the monarchs that go
from Canada to California migrate along the east side of the
Cascades.
This is now a rare sight since populations of native plant
species that support monarchs, such as milkweed &
rabbitbrush, are decreasing.
Planting native milkweeds can help. However, recent research has revealed that
planting non-native milkweed may be harmful to monarch populations so plant
selection is important. Go online to learn more about how you can help and call 1800-60-MONARCH to report sightings!
Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata
A delicious early green, miner's lettuce is
well known by many who savor it in spring
salads. Rich in vitamin C, it gets its name
from miner's who ate it during the gold rush
to prevent scurvy. Miner's lettuce is gaining
popularity and is now sold by major seed
companies as a salad green. Best harvested
before its small white flowers bloom, look for
this native plant in your backyard and enjoy!
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Western Mugwort
Artemisia ludoviciana
A wide range of Artemisia species are native to our area.
Included in the spectrum are small, uncommon varieties
such as A. campestris, large well-known species such as
Sagebrush, and even A. dracunculus, Tarragon, the only
larval host plant for the Oregon Swallowtail butterfly. Most
of the Artemisias are long or late blooming and aromatic.
Western Mugwort is a vigorous, drought tolerant Artemisia
with silvery, fragrant foliage. It is also a great host plant for
beneficial insects.
Various Native Shrubs
Elderberry, Rabbitbrush, etc...
Before cutting back dry and dead branches of native shrubs
in your landscape for winter, keep in mind that these twigs
and brush provide important overwintering nest sites for
beneficial insects and native pollinators.
Mason bees, for example, will nest in the hollow or pithy
stems of native shrubs such as elderberry. Planting and
maintaining native shrubs for habitat in your landscape will
help the insect populations that pollinate our plants as well
as prey on our plant pests
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
This common PNW native herb, considered a nuisance by
some, was once revered as a sacred herb. Highly nutritious,
nettles contain vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as
protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A,C,D, B-complex, and
more. Cooking or drying the plant disarms its namesake
sting.
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Care should be taken not to harvest nettles for food or medicinal use after they have
flowered. When and after flowering nettles contain cystoliths which can irritate the
kidneys. Go online to find recipes; like Nettle Pesto!
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Nettles are medicinal, a great additive to compost and
fertilizers, and yield fibers strong enough to be made into
ropes.
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Oceanspray is a native shrub found in both dry
and wet woodlands of the Pacific Northwest.
The color and appearance of its flowers win its
name. The flowers that are so beautiful in
bloom in the summer woods produce seeds
which, though small, stay on the branch into
winter, thus providing an important winter food
for birds. Also a good plant for native pollinators and beneficial insects.
Oregon Grape
Mahonia sp.
Yellow flowers on thick, often evergreen,
leaves. Though bitter, the edible berries can
be used to make delicious jellies. An
important medicinal plant and the Oregon
state flower. Often used in landscaping,
some species create nice hedges. Drought
tolerant.
Cushion Phlox
Phlox hoodia
This low-growing, shrubby phlox forms
mats with its short needle-like leaves. When
in bloom it is extremely beautiful growing
among sagebrush or creeping between
rocks. The showy flowers appear in spring,
white to pink or lavender in color, and often
cover the entire plant. This is a lovely plant
for rock gardens and areas with dry, rocky
soils and full sun exposure east of the
Cascades. Phlox hoodii also provides an early nectar source for native pollinators.
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Pineapple Weed
(Matricaria discoidea)
A wonderful find for those interested in edible and
medicinal native plants. Look for these annual herbs,
whose flowers look and smell like small pineapples, in the
most unlikely of places-gravel, roadsides, ditches, disturbed
areas. A close relative and native alternative to chamomile.
Although they become more bitter with age, flower tops can
be used for teas and salads. Medicinally used for
gastrointestinal upset, rubbed on the skin as a pleasant
smelling insect repellent, and given to animals to expel
worms.
Prairie Stars
Lithophragma sp.
This showy, but delicate looking wildflower has pink to
white flowers with deeply divided petals above tufts of lowgrowing leaves.
These plants go completely dormant in summer, reemmerging from small bulblets in the spring. There are
many species of prairie stars native to the Pacific
Northwest. At least three species found in the Gorge bloom
alternately thus providing a longer window of opportunity
for viewing. Great in rock gardens. Sun to part shade.
Grows in well-drained soil which is moist in spring.
Rabbitbrush
Ericameria sp.
One of the latest blooming plants in our area, rabbitbrush
is a native shrub of dry, sunny sites.
There are a few different species found in our area with
showy displays of yellow flowers in the fall. The silvery
foliage of grey rabbitbrush is particularly striking against
the yellow blooms.
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A good choice for the xeric garden, and a late season
nectar source for bees and pollinators.
Wild Rose
Rosa sp.
A few species of wild rose inhabit our area
naturally. Beautiful and also vital for wildlife,
wild roses provide an excellent nectar source for
native pollinators and butterflies.
Rose hips, or fruits, are most notable in the fall
when they turn red, are very high in vitamin C
and can be harvested after the first frost for
winter jams and jellies. The entire plant is
edible, best being the hips and also the flowers which lend a rosey fragrance to
salads, sauces, syrups, wine, tea and even ice cream. Medicinally roses are used to
stop bleeding from minor wounds.
Northwestern Saxifrage, Early saxifrage
Saxifraga integrifolia
A small, early wildflower in Gorge meadows and
forests. The greenish-white flowers can be seen in
spring, but emerging rosettes of leaves can be found
as early as January. Several species of saxifrage
occur in the Pacific Northwest of which the leaves
can be eaten as a salad green. All, however, vary in
taste and perhaps the most palatable are the leaves of S. integrifolia. If there were no
grocery stores we would be happy to find this mild and pleasant green snack in the
winter and early spring.
Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
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This Pacific Northwest native shrub thrives on
dry slopes and in open woodlands. Showy
white flowers in spring lead to edible, deep
purple berry-like fruits in summer.
Serviceberries are delicious fresh or in jams
and pies. This shrub is beneficial to wildlife
and pollinators. Adding fall color to it's list of
attributes makes this plant a favorite.
Poet's Shooting Star
Dodecatheon poeticum
There are a few different species of shooting stars
native to our area which can be seen blooming in
spring.
Poet's Shooting Star is found growing in vernal pools
and areas that are wet in spring and dry in summer.
Dodecatheon poeticum is an endemic wildflower. This
means it only occurs within a very small range over the
Columbia River Gorge, N.Central OR & S. Central WA,
thus deserving protection.
You can see its distribution and report your sighting
online at the Oregon Plant Atlas website.
Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra
Sumac, an excellent source of vitamin C, has
sticky, scarlet fruits that can be used to make
'lemonade'. Rhus glabra is a fast growing,
deciduous shrub native to the Pacific Northwest.
Rhizomatous, it spreads easily in disturbed soils
and is thus useful for erosion control. Smooth
sumac grows in dry areas yet is tropical looking
in the summer with beautiful fall foliage.
Wapato
Sagittaria latifolia
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Also known as duck potato, this attractive aquatic plant
was once plentiful in areas along the Columbia River and
an important food source for many people. The colorful,
tasty tubers are harvested in the fall & winter. Historically
women walked barefoot in cold waters to dislodge tubers
with their feet, collecting them as they floated to the
surface. Wapato has broad arrow-shaped leaves, white
flowers, and is an important plant for wetlands and
wildlife.
Washington Lily
Lilium washingtonianum
Growing at mid to high elevations as far north
as Mt. Hood, Washington Lily does not
naturally occur in the state of Washington.
One of the grandest wildflowers found in the
Pacific Northwest, Washington Lily, like other
beautiful native lilies, suffers declines in its
population as a result of people poaching
plants from the wild. If you see this showy
native plant, please leave it there for all to
enjoy. Seed propagated nursery stock of this
plant can be found if you want to grow it at home.
Western Bunchberry
Cornus unalaschkensis
A low growing, PNW native sub-shrub and the smallest member
of the dogwood family, Bunchberry is a hardy groundcover
found in moist western woodlands. Large, white dogwood
flowers in summer become attractive red fruits in fall. These
fruits are edible to wildlife and humans, but be sure not to
confuse with poisonous plants that may grow nearby.
Yellow Bee Plant
Cleome lutea / Peritoma lutea
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Growing in desert-shrub communities of Washington & Oregon, this
bright yellow flower provides a valuable late season nectar source
for pollinators. Cleome lutea is a native annual which blooms
profusely from August until October and although its flowers are
self-fertile, it still relies on the many bees and pollinators which visit
it to ensure its survival. This is a good species to use in rangeland
restoration in arid areas.
Yellow Star Thistle – Noxious Weed
Centaurea solstitialis
Yellow star thistle is a highly invasive, noxious weed
able to spread out of control very quickly. It has very
sharp spines and the ability to ruin a landscape for
both humans and livestock. Yellow star thistle is a
member of the same plant genus (Centaurea) as other
highly invasive plants such as knapweed and
bachelor buttons. It is important that we all help in
the fight to keep this plant out of Wasco County. Please report this plant if you see it.
Learn more about the war being fought on the Oregon border to keep Yellow Star
Thistle from coming into Oregon, watch the OPB special ‘Silent Invasion’ online at;
http://watch.opb.org/video/1274375861 .
Chocolate Lily
Fritillaria affinis
Beautiful but camouflaged, F. affinis is a unique PNW native
with green and brown checkered flowers in early spring.
Also called Indian Rice Root for the small bulblets that it
produces which can be cooked and eaten as a starchy but
slightly bitter food. Patches of F. affinis were cultivated like
camas by Native Americans. Originating in Eastern Asia,
Fritillaries may have been brought to North America as a
food by travelers on ancient migration routes.
Deer Brush
Ceanothus integerrimus
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Sometimes called Wild Lilac, Ceanothus
integerrimus is a beautiful, nitrogen fixing,
PNW native shrub. Blooming from late
spring to early summer, the flower color
can range from white to pink or blue. This
shrub supports a wide range of butterflies
and native bees. It grows well on dry slopes
and forest edges. Its seeds require fire
scarification to germinate and may remain
viable in the soil for 100 years.
Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
There are many species of Anaphalis native to Asia, but
only A. maragaritacea is native to North America. A hardy
perennial, it can be seen blooming in late summer even at
high elevations. Small yellow flowers are surrounded by
papery, white bracts which dry well in bouquets. Flowers
are dioecious, which means they are either male or female
and not self-fertile. Attracts butterflies and native bees.
Gray Rabbitbrush/Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Each year Monarch butterflies fly through the Gorge laying
their eggs on native milkweed. As the next generation of
Monarchs that will return to California, who will live until next
spring, emerge and fly southward, Rabbitbrush is what they
will need to fuel their migration. It is one of the few plants
growing in the Intermountain West that supports pollinators in
the fall. It is drought tolerant, beautiful and potentially critical
to the survival of a species. Please plant, protect and advocate
for this native shrub.
Juniper
Juniperus occidentalis
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Junipers are edible, medicinal and controversial. The
'berries', actually female cones, are used as a spice &
medicine. Fire suppression, overgrazing and climate
change have resulted in a huge increase in Western
Juniper populations, causing some suppression of other
native plant life. Different techniques have been used to try
to control Juniper populations. Naturally rot resistant and
excellent for fencing, it is being sold as a chemical-free,
sustainable lumber from family run mills.
Phantom Orchid
Cephalanthera austiniae
This rare, native orchid is able to go dormant for up to 17
years in between flowering. It is devoid of chlorophyll and
depends solely on a relationship with soil fungi to obtain
nutrients thus making it a myco-heterotroph. This is the
only species of Cephalanthera native to N. America. If you
are lucky enough to see this beautiful orchid, be careful
not to disturb it or pick its flowers. Disturbance and
development currently pose serious threats to phantom
orchid populations.
Yellow Bells
Fritillaria pudica
A bright perennial wildflower of
the Columbia River Gorge that
blooms in the early spring with
vibrant yellow, bell-shaped
flowers. F. pudica is a PNW
native bulb that grows in open meadows and sagebrush grasslands, sites that host
very hot, dry soils in the summer. This spring ephemeral goes dormant in order to
survive drought-like conditions.
Arrowleaf (or Heartleaf) Buckwheat
Eriogonum compositum
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Arrowleaf Buckwheat is a spring blooming, drought
tolerant PNW native perennial that grows in dry
meadows and rocky slopes. The large flower clusters
are very beautiful when in bloom. Two flower color
forms are found in the Columbia River Gorge. Plants of
this species growing west of The Dalles tend to be
cream-colored while plants growing east are yellow. An
important plant for native pollinators and wildlife.