Wildflower of the Month: June, 2023

Wildflower of the Month: June, 2023

Checkermallow (Sidalcea species) While there are varieties that make their homes along the coast and on each side of the Cascades, several species of checkermallow occur in the Willamette Valley. All have similar spires of whitish pink to deep pink flowers that appear...
Wildflower of the Month: May, 2023

Wildflower of the Month: May, 2023

Large-leafed avens (Geum macrophyllum) Large-leafed avens is a common native geum of meadows and forest edges, blooming through late spring and early summer. This plant has a vast range, growing from Alaska south to Baja California and east across Canada to the...
Wildflower of the Month: April, 2023

Wildflower of the Month: April, 2023

Yellow Violet Viola glabela The yellow violet shown above is probably a stream violet (Viola glabella). It is abundant in the Native Plant Garden and other moist places in the park, where it spreads to form extensive patches. Several other yellow-flowered violet...
Wildflower of the Month: March, 2023

Wildflower of the Month: March, 2023

Pacific Sanicle  This year’s unusually cold weather is delaying bloom in the forest and native plant garden. Flowering currant buds are barely showing pink and the striking, glossy green rosettes of Pacific sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) that appear in midwinter...
Wildflower of the Month: February, 2023

Wildflower of the Month: February, 2023

Coast silk tassel (Garrya elliptica) Coast silk tassel is not a Willamette Valley native. Its native range is restricted to the coast of California and the southern half of Oregon. The silk tassel is dioecious (meaning female and male parts are borne on separate...
Wildflower of the Month: November, 2022

Wildflower of the Month: November, 2022

Common Ink Cap While the wildflowers sleep for now, the fungi have arrived after fall rains. The common ink cap, in the genus Coprinus, is a mushroom found throughout the northern hemisphere in both America and Europe. It is related to the larger...