Family: Rosaceae/ Rose Ecology/ Botany: The tiny blooms turn into tiny strawberries that are bursting with flavor. It’s a perennial that grows close to the ground in openings of many different forest types. It’s versatile and common in many habitats. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: The leaves and berries are cooling and soothing. They can ease menopausal or […]
Family: Primulaceae or Primrose Ecology/ Botany: These perennial, earthly stars prefer open meadows with spring moisture when in bloom. They like the dry climatic regions in forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir or Ponderosa Pine but are also frequently found along coastal British Columbia and Washington. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: They have been used as a charm […]
Family: Ranunculaceae or Buttercup Ecology/ Botany: This flowering, wild vine is common in a variety of forest zones in moist to dry climatic regions like Montane Spruce, Interior Douglas Fir, and Interior Cedar Hemlock. It grows up to five meters long, climbs, and blends in with the surrounding vegetation, so the flowers appear to float […]
Family: Liliaceae or Lily Ecology/ Botany: This perennial grows in subalpine to alpine moist meadows and open forests. It blooms in early spring when the snow melts. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It was an important root vegetable to most Indigenous North American nations. It was also an important trade item for Interior Salish people. There’s a story […]
Family: Montiaceae/ Purslane Ecology/ Botany:These perennials grow in open, moist slopes and meadows at mid to high elevation. They bloom in early spring and literally glow in the sun with filaments that reflect ultraviolet light. After blooming and seeding, they die back above ground to save energy underground in their tuberous roots for the next […]
Family: Liliaceae/ Lily Ecology/ Botany:This tall perennial likes moist climatic regions in forest openings of Interior Cedar Hemlock, Sub Boreal Spruce, or Interior Douglas Fir zones. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses:Its large bulbs are edible and have been used to add peppery flavor to dishes by Indigenous North Americans. It […]
Family: Asteraceae/ Aster Ecology/ Botany:This tall, tap-rooted biennial and sometimes perennial grows in dry climatic regions, often in disturbed environments. It prefers forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Bunchgrass. It is infrequent, scattered, and blooms in late summer. The leaves and flower heads are covered in sticky, resinous gum. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It […]
Family: Onagraceae/ Evening Primrose Ecology/ Botany: This unique, annual beauty grows at mid-elevation in open areas with sandy, well-drained soil. It likes Interior Cedar Hemlock, Douglas Fir, or Ponderosa Pine forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It has been used for the treatment of eyes. The seeds are edible. References/Other useful Links: E-Flora BC Atlas Page/ linnet.geog.ubc.ca https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Clarkia+pulchella
Family: Ranunculaceae/ Buttercup Ecology/ Botany: This strange yet beautiful perennial grows in a wide range of habitats in dry climatic regions. It prefers open forests and meadows in Interior Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It is poisonous to humans and animals but has been used to make blue dye and a parasiticide, […]
Family: Orobanchaceae/ Broomrape Ecology/ Botany:This widespread perennial grows at mid to high elevations on open, grassy slopes or disturbed ground. It prefers Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir forest zones. It takes selenium from the soil and is high in this mineral where the soil content is high. Medicinal/ Other Uses:It was considered sacred to some indigenous cultures. […]
