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Home , Ericaceae, Kalmiopsis fragrans, Pyrola minor

Ericaceae ~ Heath white Rhododéndron albiflòrum The heath family is large and varied, containing , , and perennials, including unusual non-green . Most species have alternate leaves, flower parts in 5’s, and anthers that release • 3–8’ (90–240 cm) pollen through pores. They generally favor acidic and dominate acidic habitats. The family is moist forests usually broken down into subfamilies, and some authorities consider these separate families. The early to middle: June many or huckleberries, , are in their own subfamily, , that have urn-shaped flowers, , and are mostly deciduous. The subfamily Pyroloideae, which includes Also known as Cascade azalea, this decidu- and , are with 5 separate and seeds in 5-parted capsules. The ous shrub has large elliptic leaves that are most fascinating species, those that do not produce any chlorophyll, are placed in the subfamily shiny and have short rusty hairs on the . Once thought to be saprophytes—plants that live on decaying matter—these are upper surface. They are alternate but clus- actually indirect parasites that tap into green plants, usually , through a fungal connection tered closely so as to appear in whorls. The and are properly referred to as myco-heterotrophic. With the green doing the photosynthesis fragrant, 5-lobed, bell-shaped flowers are and the fungal mycorrhizae transporting the nutrients, there is no need for leaves or extensive roots, white to cream, and appear on the previous so these plants are little more than flower stalks. Commercially valuable members include rhodo- year’s growth. They are followed by 5-part- dendrons for their flowers and blueberries for their fruit. A very rare endemic, fragrans, is ed woody capsules. The whole plant has an only known from a few rocky places in the Western Cascades in Douglas County. upright, somewhat leggy growth habit. White rhododendron is a mid to high elevation species found in the Cascades from northern Lane county north to British Columbia and east to Montana. Look for it at Hawk Mountain, Bull of the Woods and Bachelor Mountain. Though not profiled in this book, the trail to Triangulation Peak near Mount Jefferson is one of the best places to see masses of white rhododendron.

fool’s huckleberry shrub • 3–8' (90–240 cm) forests Menzièsia ferrugínea early to middle: June The pink to peach-colored, urn-shaped flowers resemble those of huckleberries, but its fruit is an inedible woody cap- sule rather than a delicious , hence the name “fool’s huckleberry”. Another common name is false azalea, for its clus- tered leaves are similar to those of azaleas (deciduous ). Unlike most heath family members, its floral parts are in 4’s. Out of bloom, the 4-parted capsule distinguishes it from white rhododendron as does its more spreading growth habit Pacific rhododendron shrub • 3–15' (90–450 cm) dry forests, clearcuts, roadsides and its duller, sometimes bluish-green Rhododéndron macrophýllum leaves that are covered with pale glandu- middle: June to July lar hairs. This is the state flower of Washington and easily one of the showiest shrubs of the Pacific Northwest. Fool’s huckleberry occurs only as far It can grow quite thickly in the forest understory and because it resprouts after a fire or logging, it south as northern Lane County in the often blankets mountain clearcuts with its large, pink, funnel-shaped blossoms. The Cascades but reaches from Alaska into leaves can be up to 8" long. The fruit is a woody capsule. Where rhododendrons grow in abundance, northern California along the other heath family members such as huckleberries and wintergreen are often seen as well. coast. Great places to see it are Pacific rhododendron occurs from British Columbia to California, along the coast to the west at Tidbits, Anvil Lake, Gordon side of the mountains. Table Rock has an amazing show in July. Illahee Rock, Patterson, Whetstone, Meadows, Monument Peak, and Lookout mountains, and Parrish and Daly Lakes are other good places to admire it. and Bull of the Woods.

108 • Heath Family • 109 pinemat manzanita shrub • 4–12" (10–30 cm) greenleaf manzanita open and forested rocky areas Arctostáphylos nevadénsis Arctostáphylos pátula very early: May to early June This low, evergreen, cushion-like shrub shrub • 3–8' (90–240 cm) is often seen densely covering open rocky dry open slopes, woodland areas. Its somewhat spoon-shaped leaves very early: June have a small point at the tip. Tight clusters Another large evergreen shrub, greenleaf man- of white to pinkish urn-shaped flowers hang- zanita is distinguished from hairy manzanita ing from the end of the stems produce dull by its shinier green leaves and lack of long reddish berries. As with most manzanitas, hairs. It has very short glandular hairs. It the bark is a rich mahogany color that peels also has much smaller bracts on the inflo- off. Pinemat manzanita is often confused rescence and pinker flowers. with kinnikinnick (A. uva-ursi). Mainly a Greenleaf manzanita occurs from coastal species, kinnikinnick has leaves with California and southwest Oregon up rounded tips, its berries are bright red, and it through the Cascades on both the has a less upright, more trailing habit. east and west slopes and east to the Pinemat manzanita is very common Rockies. In the Western Cascades throughout the Cascades. It also occurs in it is most common to the south. Wash­ington, California, and the Blue moun- It can be found at Abbott Butte, tains of Oregon. Look for it at Whitehorse Meadows, Moon Point, Tidbits, Mt. June, Twin Lakes, Hemlock Lake, and Browder Ridge. Whitehorse Meadows, Wild Rose Point, Castle Rock, and Patter­son Mountain. Pacific madrone • 30' (4–9 m) or more dry open slopes, oak woodland, rock outcrop Arbùtus menzièsii early: May This small tree is a standout any time of year and one of the hairy manzanita shrub • 2–8' (60–240 cm) dry open slopes, road sides great treasures of the Pacific coast. It has large, glossy, ever- Arctostáphylos columbiàna green leaves and showy panicles of fragrant white flowers very early: June that are followed by orange to scarlet berries. The flaky bark Hairy manzanita is a much larger, more upright peels off the sinuous limbs to reveal sensuously smooth green shrub than the previous species. It is character- wood that eventually turns orange. Song birds love its berries, ized by long bristly hairs as well as short ones and insects and hummingbirds are attracted to its urn-shaped on the leaves and especially on young twigs. flowers. It inhabits dry hillsides and rocky areas, mostly below At a distance these give the plant a gray-green 4000', alone or in association with or Douglas-fir. It can appearance. Each white to pinkish flower has resprout from the base after a fire. a conspicuous leafy bract up to 3/4" long. Although 2 other species of madrone occur in the south- Manzanita is Spanish for little apple and refers west, Pacific madrone is found only on the western sides of to the little, dull red, berry-like fruits. Be the Pacific states and British Columbia. While much more careful when identifying manzanitas, how- common in the lowlands, occasional specimens can be seen ever, as they frequently hybridize where their at Castle Rock, Big Squaw Mountain, Youngs Rock, and along ranges cross. At lower elevations in Douglas the Wolf Rock loop, as well as along low elevation roads. and southern Lane counties, the similar, hoary manzanita (A. canescens) may be seen. It has no long hairs but is tomentose. These 2 species grow side by side in some locations and may be just different forms of the same species. Hairy manzanita is found from California to British Columbia and across western Oregon at low to middle elevations. It can be seen at Castle Rock, Mt. June, Youngs Rock, Heckletooth, and Bearbones mountains, and along the Wolf Rock loop.

110 • ericaceae Heath Family • 111 alpine laurel thinleaf huckleberry shrub • 2–6' (60–180 cm) mountain slopes, forest, clearcuts, burns Kálmia microphýlla Vaccínium membranàceum early: June shrub • 6–18” (15–45 cm) Also called black huckleberry, this shrub is our wet meadows most abundant species and the most sought early: June after by late summer berry lovers (human and other animals!) for its sweet, flavorful, deep red- Pink drifts of beautiful alpine laurel brighten a dish-purple fruit. Its thin, shiny green, ovate number of wetlands in early spring. The showy, leaves are pointed at the tip and finely ser- cup-shaped flower is quite fascinating on close rated along the edges. In exposed areas, they examination. When it first opens, each of the 10 turn brilliant colors in the fall. The urn-shaped anthers is tucked in a little pocket, seen from the flowers vary from narrow to wide and from outside as an odd-looking bump. The first insect pale yellow-green to rose. Each flower hangs that lands releases these spring-loaded , individually on a long peduncle from a leaf axil. tossing the pollen at the unsuspecting pollina- The calyx is barely lobed. tor. The shiny evergreen leaves are opposite, Thinleaf huckleberry is found in mid-mon- unusual for the heath family, and are inrolled tane to subalpine areas mainly from at the edges. In the fall, older leaves often turn British Columbia east to Alberta bright red and a few flowers may appear. The and south to northern California fruit is a woody capsule. and Montana. While you can find at As its name indicates, alpine laurel grows at least a few plants at practically every high elevations, but it also occurs at midmon- site in this book, some particularly tane levels. In Oregon, it is found mainly in the good trails for berrying in August Cascades, Siskiyous, and Wallowas. Patterson include Blair Lake, Whitehorse Mountain, Parrish Lake, and Quaking Aspen Meadows, and Olallie, Hawk, and Swamp are terrific places to see this lovely plant. Carpenter mountains. It grows at Gordon Meadows, Bruno Meadows, and Groundhog and Hawk mountains as well. oval-leaf huckleberry shrub • 2–6' (60–180 cm) pink mountain-heather shrub • 6–18" (15–45 cm) moist forest, streambanks wet meadows Vaccínium ovalifòlium Phyllódoce empetrifórmis early: June to early July early to middle: late June Oval-leaf huckleberry is usually easy to dis- Mountain-heathers are low shrubs that get their tinguish from thinleaf huckleberry by its name from their resemblance to the Old World dull, slightly bluer, entire or only slightly true heathers (). Their alternate, ever- toothed oval leaves. Its berries are nearly green, linear leaves resemble needles or black, but a whitish bloom makes them cultivated rosemary. The 5-lobed, bell-shaped look blue. They are tart, but some people flowers of pink mountain-heather have 5 red enjoy them. The narrowly urn-shaped, sepals and nod on long pedicels. The 10 stamens white to pale pink flowers open as the are hidden within, but the long style protrudes leaves are beginning to unfurl. Their from the rosy flower. calyces are only slightly lobed. Pink mountain-heather occurs from Alaska Oval-leaf huckleberry is a northern spe- to northern California and east to the Rockies. cies found in Alaska and across Canada While it is an abundant and often dominant spe- coming south as far as Oregon, Idaho and cies of High Cascade alpine meadows, it is only Michigan. Although it often grows along- infrequently found in the Western Cascades. A side thinleaf huckleberry, it requires more little searching will turn up small patches in cool moisture and is not as common. Look for it spots at Hawk and Groundhog mountains, and at Hemlock Lake, Blair Lake, Quaking Aspen Swamp. So far, the less common Quaking Aspen Swamp, yellow mountain-heather ( glanduli- Gordon Meadows, Hawk flora), another high mountain dweller, has been Mountain, Hells Half Acre, found in our area only at Twin Lakes (see p. ??). and Whetstone Mountain.

112 • ericaceae Heath Family • 113 grouseberry dwarf huckleberry shrub • 4–18" (10–45 cm) wet meadows, moist rocky ridges Vaccínium scopàrium Vaccínium cespitòsum early to middle: June shrub • 4–15" (15–38 cm) Dwarf huckleberry is a rhizomatous, some- dry forest times mat-forming, deciduous shrub. The early: late June to July small ½–1", elliptic leaves are bright green, finely toothed and densely clustered at the This low-growing shrub is small in all its parts. Its ends of the short twigs. The pretty, pink, finely toothed, oval leaves are no more than ½" narrowly urn-shaped flowers are attached long, giving rise to another common name, little- individually in the leaf axils, but are so close leaf huckleberry. The red berries that follow the together they may appear to be in a cluster. pink urn-shaped flowers are tasty but only about ¼" Their calyces are inconspicuously lobed. in diameter and are probably best left for the grouse The edible berries are glaucous. The similar and small mammals who value them. The calyx is Cascade (V. deliciosum) has more barely lobed. The numerous short green twigs spherical flowers, is glaucous on the under- have strongly angled edges and are mainly verti- sides of the leaves, and is most commonly cal, giving the plant a broom-like appearance. found at higher elevations, only coming into Grouseberry is found in mountains from British our area at the northern end. Columbia and Alberta south across Dwarf huckleberry occurs from Alaska east most of the western states. While it is across Canada and the northern states a ubiquitous groundcover in the dry to Maine, and south as far as California lodgepole pine forests of the High and New Mexico. It is found at mid to Cascades, it is far less common at high elevations in the Cascades and the lower elevations of the Western other Oregon mountains. Look for it Cascades. Look for it at Whitehorse at Blair Lake, Grasshopper Meadows, Meadows, Olallie Mountain, Cache Coffin Mountain, and Hemlock Lake. Meadows, and Coffin Mountain.

red huckleberry shrub • 3–12' (90–360 cm) blueberry shrub • 4–24" (10–60 cm) moist coniferous woods wet meadows, Vaccínium parvifòlium Vaccínium uliginòsum (V. occidentàle) early: June middle: June to early July Red huckleberry is a large, open, graceful Bog blueberry is a low-growing, rhizomatous shrub with many angular-edged, green shrub that often forms large patches in wet branches and small (½–1" long), entire or fine- meadows (there’s no difference botanically ly toothed, oval leaves. It has inconspicuous, between “huckleberry” and “blueberry”, just translucent, pale green to reddish flowers that regional tradition). It differs from all our other are wider than long, with a shallowly lobed huckleberries in several respects: it has clusters calyx. Many insects flying around it may be of up to 4 flowers per leaf axil that usually the first clue that the plant is in flower. This bloom on old wood, deeply lobed calyces, delicate shrub is far more conspicuous when and glaucous leaves that turn plum in the fall. it bears its edible but tart, bright red berries The numerous, closely packed, oval to elliptic that are favorites of birds. Young plants might leaves are entire and only about 1" long. The be confused with grouseberry but are more sepal lobes are still somewhat visible at the spreading and flexible, and found in moister ends of the edible, frosted blue berries. spots. Bog blueberry is a variable circumboreal Red huckleberry occurs from Alaska to species that ranges down through Canada, the California, mainly west of the Cascades-Sierra northern border states, and most of the west. crest, from sea level to middle elevations. It In Oregon, it is found mainly at middle to high is most frequently found in lower elevation elevation in the Cascades. It coniferous forests where it prefers grows at Gordon Meadows, growing out of rotting logs and stumps. Groundhog Mountain, Blair Castle Rock, Table Rock, Mt. June, and Lake, Cache Meadows, and Watson Falls are good places to see it. Bruno Meadows.

114 • ericaceae Heath Family • 115 slender wintergreen salal Gaulthèria ovatifòlia Gaulthèria shállon • 2–8" (5–20 cm) shrub • 1–7' (30–210 cm) dry to moist woods dry to moist coniferous forest early to middle: June early to middle: June This small evergreen shrublet forms an Large leathery leaves, floriferous racemes of attractive groundcover. It has alternate, finely white flowers and dark blue edible fruit make toothed, ovate leaves and little white bell- salal an attractive plant year round, a valuable shaped flowers that originate singly from the shrub for wildlife and an excellent choice for leaf axils. This species can best be told from native plant gardens. It is common in the forest alpine wintergreen by the calyx that has red understory especially at low elevations. The entire glandular hairs and covers less than half of , including the urn-shaped flowers the corolla. The edible, red, berry-like fruit themselves, is covered with red glandular hairs. is actually a capsule surrounded by the fleshy The mildly sweet fruits are formed from the calyx calyx and retains the calyx hairs. It tastes persisting around the actual seed capsule. They slightly sweet. were a significant source of food for native peo- Slender wintergreen can be ples and make a good jam. found from British Columbia to Salal grows along the California and east to Idaho. It West Coast from California is fairly common at mid to high to Alaska, reaching from sea elevations in the Cascades and level to mid-montane. It can also grows in the Siskiyous. It be seen at Tire, Heckletooth, is easily seen by the side of the and Big Squaw mountains, trails at Twin Lakes, Table Rock, Castle Rock, Watson Falls, and and Whitehorse Meadows. Mt. June.

alpine wintergreen one-sided wintergreen Gaulthèria humifùsa Orthília (Pyrola) secúnda subshrub • 1–2" (2–5 cm) perennial • 3–8" (7–20 cm) wetlands, moist forest coniferous forest early to middle: June late: July to early August Alpine wintergreen is similar to slender wintergreen The species name secunda as well as the but is smaller, more compact, and prefers a moister common names, another being sidebells, all habitat. It often forms low mats next to small lakes, refer to the way the pale greenish flowers rooting as it creeps. The most distinctive difference is hang more or less to one side. Each flower its glabrous calyx. The corolla is shorter than that has 10 anthers and a straight style which of slender wintergreen, and as a result, the tips of poke through the 5 tightly cupped petals. the calyx lobes reach the edge of the corolla. The An evergreen, rhizomatous ground cover, it tasty fruit formed by the calyx is also smooth. Its can make large patches of its bright green, leaves are less noticeably toothed or entire and tend finely toothed, ovate leaves. The leaves to be closer together. are thinner than our Pyrola species. Alpine wintergreen is found across the west, One-sided wintergreen is a wide- most commonly at higher elevations, usually spread circumboreal species, ranging above 4500'. In Oregon, it is found in the Cascades across Canada and the northern US and and Blue Mountains. Look for it at Gordon Meadows, down through most of the western states. Anvil Lake, Bruno Meadows, Groundhog Mountain, it is also found in parts of Mexico, and Quaking Aspen Swamp. All 3 Europe, and Asia. It is common in species can be found at flower close-up the Cascades and can be seen along Whetstone Mountain. nearly every trail in this book.

116 • ericaceae Heath Family • 117 white-veined wintergreen little prince’s-pine perennial • 2–6" (5–15 cm) coniferous forest Pýrola pícta Chimáphila menzièsii late: July to early August perennial • 6–12" (15–30 cm) When it is out of bloom this little evergreen coniferous forest perennial is easy to miss. Unlike the following late: July to early August species, little prince’s pine has only a few alter- nating toothed leaves, and there are seldom White-veined wintergreen is a handsome wood- more than a few plants growing together. While land perennial. It has a single stalk of off-white fresh leaves are bright green, as they mature they flowers that arises from rosettes of thick ever- become dark and dull with a noticeably paler green leaves. The 5-petaled flowers have a long central vein. At the top of the reddish stems are style that curves downward and remains evident 1 to 3 lightly scented, nodding flowers. The on the seed capsule. The distinctive white vein- 5 waxy white petals are swept back to expose ing on its ovate leaves distinguishes it from most the flattened stigma and large superior ovary— plants. There is only 1 central vein. Individuals green at first but pink with age. Ten stamens vary quite a bit, some show very little white. The bear anthers that release pollen through pores. only plant it might be confused with is rattlesnake The fruit is a small capsule. plantain, a woodland orchid whose white veins While found at mid to high elevations are more net-like and branch off several parallel throughout the Cascades central veins. Where there is not enough light for and much of the west, lit- photosynthesis, plants with very tiny leaves or tle prince’s-pine is never leafless mycotrophic plants. abundant. If you look White-veined wintergreen occurs across the hard, however, you can west and is common at mid to high elevations find at least a few plants throughout our area. It can be seen on most trails. at almost every site in Crescent Mountain is a good place to see this spe- this book. cies and also Hells Half Acre.

pink or bog pyrola prince’s-pine Pýrola asarifòlia Chimáphila umbellàta perennial • 6–16" (15–40 cm) perennial • 4–12" (10–30 cm) moist coniferous forest, wetlands coniferous forest late: July to August middle: June The rosy pink flowers easily distinguish this Also known as pipsissewa, this species is simi- species from our other pyrolas, even when lar to little prince’s pine but is larger and more leafless, mycotrophic­ forms occur. Except for robust. It has 3–8 nodding flowers that are color, the flowers are similar to white-veined tinged pink to rose. The upright capsules persist wintergreen with a long curved style. The through the winter. The previous year’s are com- thick, green leaves are rounder than our monly seen alongside the current year’s flowers. other common species and very glossy. The finely toothed, shiny, bright green leaves Lesser pyrola () has round leaves are arranged in whorls of 3–8 and are larger that are much smaller and has radially sym- but narrower than little prince’s pine. This ever- metric, white flowers. If you are lucky, you may green perennial spreads widely by rhizomes and spot it at Anvil Lake and Park Creek. can create large, dense patches in the woods. Pink pyrola is found in Alaska, Canada, and Prince’s pine is a widespread species. It many of the western and northern states. Look occurs throughout the west and much of the for it at Mt. June, Three Pyramids, Twin Lakes, east coast, as well as Canada, Mexico, Central Bruno Meadows, and Hemlock Lake. Leafless America, and Eurasia. It is very common in west- plants occur regularly at ern Oregon and is also found in the Wallowas Castle Rock and Youngs and moister parts of eastern Oregon. It can be Rock. seen on almost any Western Cascade trail.

118 • ericaceae Heath Family • 119 pinedrops pinesap Pteróspora andromèdea Monótropa hypópitys ( ) perennial • 1–3' (30–90 cm) dry coniferous forest perennial • 2–10" (5–25 cm) late: August coniferous forest late: late July to August As its name implies, pinedrops grow near pines as well as other conifers. This is Each flesh-colored to red stem has 3 to 12 or because of the fungal association that allows more nodding, finely fringed, straw-colored it to obtain its nutrients from the trees. Its flowers that are clustered tightly at first but even- drooping, urn-shaped flowers are whorled tually turn upright and spread out before maturing around a tall red stalk covered with sticky into capsules. The whole plant becomes brown with white hairs. The 10 stamens are hidden with- age. Because they get their sustenance through a in the creamy corolla. mycorrhizal connection with nearby conifers, their Pinedrops is found across the west and leaves are not needed for chlorophyll production at mid to high elevations in much of Oregon. and are reduced to reddish scales. It can be seen occasionally in drier forests of Pinesap is a widespread species, inhabiting most the Cascades. When fungi and conditions are of this country, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, right for one mycotrophic species, others are Central America, and even Eurasia. It is found occa- often present as well. Browder Ridge, Youngs sionally and is the most likely to be seen of the Rock, Castle Rock, and Tidbits are excellent non-chlorophyll plants in the Cascades and other places to see pinedrops along with other mountains of Oregon. Cache Meadows, Whetstone interesting non-chorophyll plants. Mountain, Browder Ridge, Rattlesnake Mountain, and Castle Rock all have pinesap.

perennial • 6–18" (15–45 cm) candystick, sugarstick perennial • 4–12" (10–30 cm) coniferous forest indian pipe Allótropa virgàta dense coniferous woods late: July to early August Monótropa uniflòra late: August Candystick has to take the prize for the most bizarre The ghostly white flowers of Indian pipe always come as a sur- wildflower in our area. Its tall stalk is conspicuously prise pushing their way out of the duff in dark forests. The waxy striped red and white, with white scale-like leaves flowers nod as they emerge but become erect as they mature. and bracts. Numerous squat flowers sit on short As the species name indicates, there is only one flower per pedicels along most of the stalk. Each has 5 short stalk. The leaves are reduced to white scales on the stem. The whitish sepals cupped around a fat purple pistil entire plant turns black as it ages. Because they bloom so late, and 10 large, purple, protruding anthers. they are easily missed, but the dried stalks often survive the win- Candystick is found only in the west: from ter, giving some evidence of their existence. British Columbia to California and Montana. In Indian pipe ranges across Canada, most of the US except for Oregon it is infrequent from the southwest up the Rocky Mountain states, and into Mexico, and Central and through the Cascades. It is abundant at the begin- South America, as well as parts of Asia. It is found occasion- ning of the Crescent Mountain trail and is also ally in the Cascades, mainly at lower elevations. The Youngs seen at White­horse Meadows, Browder Ridge, and Rock trail may be the best place to see it, but try Browder Ridge, Castle Rock. Heckletooth Mountain, and Castle Rock as well.

120 • ericaceae Heath Family • 121 fringed pinesap perennial • 2–6" (5–15 cm) coniferous forest Fabaceae (Leguminosae) ~ Pea Family Pleuricóspora fimbriolàta late: mid-July to early August The pea family is enormous and variable, ranging from small annuals to trees. What unites the family is the fruit—a that splits along the sides and propels the ripe seeds. Many spe- Another odd non-chorophyll plant, fringed pinesap has a creamy to yellowish 1-chambered pod cies—all of ours—have , unique to the family flower stalk that resembles a pinecone dipped in wax. It only partially pushes bilaterally symmetric flowers with 5 unequal petals and typified by the common sweet pea. The up through the soil. The glabrous, 4-petaled flowers are fringed at the edges uppermost (banner) is large and often folded and held [subtended] by long pointed bracts that turn brown at the tips. Black- over the others; the 2 lateral petals (wings) enclose 2 partly joined petals called the keel. Within tipped, white berries develop from the superior ovaries. the keel hide the single pistil and, usually, 10 stamens with their filaments partly fused. The 5 sepals, Fringed pinesap’s range extends west of the Cascade crest from northern often of unequal length, are fused. The leaves are usually compound and have a stipule where they California through Washington at mid elevations. Though uncommon, it can join the stem. All members of the family, called legumes, are able to enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen frequently be seen at Crescent Mountain. Search for it at Tidbits, Browder Ridge, from the air with the aid of bacteria that live in nodules on their roots. This allows them to flourish Patterson Mountain, and Youngs Rock as well. in areas of poor soil and to colonize disturbed areas like roadsides. Among the many familiar culti- vated legumes are edibles such as peas, beans, and peanuts; forage plants like alfalfa; and ornamentals, including wisteria, redbud, and mimosa. Unfortunately, there are many weedy non-natives as well.

broadleaf lupine Lupìnus latifòlius perennial • 2–4' (60–120 cm) meadows, forest openings middle: mid June to July Broadleaf lupine has palmately compound leaves with 6–9 relatively broad, ovate leaflets with sharp tips. The flowers are generally purple with a paler banner, have long petioles and are loosely arranged in a tall raceme. There are many varieties that differ mainly in the amount of leaf hair. Broadleaf lupine occurs from southern British Columbia south to California and east to Utah and New Mexico. It is the most common lupine in our gnome plant perennial • 1–5" (3–13 cm) coniferous forest area, except in the south. It is especially abundant at Hemitòmes congéstum Grasshopper Meadows and Crescent Mountain. late: August Gnome plant is our rarest mycotrophic plant and the only member of its genus. bigleaf lupine Similar to fringed pinesap, it usually pushes Lupìnus polyphýllus its flowers straight up but barely above the soil. Most of the stalk and scale-like leaves perennial • 2–5' (60–150 cm) remain underground. The white to cream streambanks, wet meadows, moist areas or pinkish flowers are clustered together at middle: late June to early August the top of the stalk. Each has 4 petals that are partly fused at the base, unlike most Polyphyllus, “many leaf”, refers to the large number of the related non-chlorophyll plants. They of leaflets—each palmately compound leaf has as are pubescent, especially on the inside. At many as 17. This, along with its preference for very the center is the flat, egg yolk-like stigma. wet habitat, makes it easy to recognize. The narrow As the plant matures, its seeds develop in inflorescence can be 16" tall; the pale to deep pur- ovoid berries, and it turns brown. ple flowers are arranged in whorls. The banner has a Gnome plant occurs sporadically at mid- pale patch that turns deep red. Large stands of bigleaf dle to high elevations from the Cascades lupine in full bloom are an impressive sight. west and north to British Columbia and This robust perennial ranges from southeast south to California. It is more likely to be Alaska to California and Montana. Look for a gor- found in the northern part of our area; with geous display along Park Creek. It also grows at Bruno luck you may spot it at Cache Meadows. Meadows, Donegan Prairie, and Fish Creek.

122 • ericaceae Pea Family • 123 sickle-keeled lupine silver lupine Lupìnus albicaùlis Lupìnus álbifrons perennial • 1–3' (30–90 cm) perennial • 1–2' (30–60 cm) dry slopes, open areas outcrops, rocky slopes, roadsides middle: late June to mid-July early: mid-May to mid-June In the Western Cascades, an occasional white Also known as whiteleaf lupine, the most pro­ (or rarely even pink) plant of the predominately minent feature of this perennial is its stunning purple-flowered species may appear, but this is leaves. Each leaf has 6–10 leaflets covered our only regularly white-flowered lupine— with flattened silky hairs that shine like silver, although elsewhere in its range it is usually especially when covered with water droplets purple. The creamy-white flowers have no hairs from morning fog. In our area the plants tend on any of the petals and are irregularly arranged to be low-growing and somewhat lax, but in the inflorescence. The keel is strongly curved they can be tall and shrubby with a notice- and often not completely covered by the ably woody trunk, especially to the south. The narrow wings. The mostly cauline leaves are flowers are purple in racemes of 3–12" long. palmately divided into 5–10 leaflets and are The patch on the front of the banner may attached to the stems by short petioles. They start out white or yellow but soon darkens to are sparsely covered with short, flattened hairs. red-violet. The back of the banner is Sickle-keeled lupine occurs from Washington pubescent. to California, mainly west of the Cascade-Sierra Silver lupine is found mainly from crest. It puts on quite a display at Abbott Butte southwestern Oregon south through and is also found at Fairview Peak, Hemlock Lake, California. Good places to see it include Moon Point, and Whitehorse Meadows. Sawtooth Rock Meadow and nearby Mt. June, Youngs Rock, and Tire, Heckletooth, and Rattlesnake mountains. spurred lupine perennial • 8–30" (20–75 cm) dry meadows, rocky slopes Lupìnus arbústus (L. laxiflorus) dwarf or alpine lupine perennial • 3–4" (7–10 cm) middle-blooming: July pumice, gravelly areas, roadsides Lupìnus lépidus var. lóbbii Lupines are notoriously difficult to iden- middle: June to early July tify, many requiring a hand lens to look (L. lyallii) More or less prostrate, this is the smallest peren- at hairs on the petals. Spurred lupine’s nial lupine found in our area. The leaves have 5–8 short but prominent spur on the back small leaflets and are on long petioles that arise of the flower distinguishes it from other from a woody base. The leaves, stems, calyces and lupines in our area. A pubescent spot seed pods are all covered with long silvery hairs. near the tip of the wing petals sepa- The purple flowers are in 1–4" racemes. A white rates it from other lupines with spurs in patch decorates the front of the banner. eastern Oregon. In the Cascades the flow- Dwarf lupine is found in the mountains from ers are purple, but varieties to the east British Columbia south to California and Nevada. may be white, yellow or pink. Its leaves In Oregon, it occurs mainly at high elevations in have 7–13 narrow leaflets that are cov- the Cascades but also on the highest peaks of the ered with short hairs. They tend to be Coast Range and other mountain ranges of the strongly folded, even in the shade. south and east. It is uncommon in the Western Rare in southern British Columbia, Cascades but can be seen at Whitehorse Meadows, spurred lupine ranges south to California Fish Creek, and Bohemia and east to Montana and Utah. It is Mountain. An excellent colo- more common east of the Cascades. but nizer of volcanic pumice and does spill over into the northern part cinder, it was the first plant to of the Western Cascades and even the recolonize Mt. St. Helens after Willamette Valley. Browder Ridge, and it erupted. It is abundant along Iron, Hawk, and Olallie the cinder-lined roads of the mountains all have size- Cascade Mountain passes. able populations.

124 • Fabaceae Pea Family • 125 King's clover Howell’s clover Trifòlium kingii ssp. prodúctum Trifòlium howéllii (T. productum) perennial • 20–30" (50–75 cm) perennial • 4–15" (10–38 cm) wet meadows, swamps, streambanks open slopes and rocky areas late: mid-July to mid-August early: June Also known as canyon clover, this upright, gla- Clovers have umbel-like heads of slender flow- brous perennial is our largest clover. Its oval ers and leaves with (usually) 3 palmate leaflets leaflets can be as long as 4" and are edged with and a stipule partly fused to the petiole. The tiny teeth. Large, ovate stipules are conspicuous long, white to pinkish flowers of King's clo- at the base of the short petioles. The individual ver have a very short rose-colored calyx. They flowers are shiny, pale green with white tips, fad- hang downward, even before opening fully. An ing to white and then brown as they age. They are unusual feature is that the flowers don’t reach upright in bud but hang down upon opening. to the top of the flower head, exposing some Howell’s clover is limited to a narrow bare green stem at the top. The 3 leaflets are region from the Klamath moun- elongated and have sharp teeth and tips. The tains of northwestern California to petioles of the basal leaves are long; those of the southern end of the Oregon the stem leaves are shorter. The entire plant is Cascades with only 2 small popula- glabrous. tions—at Monument Peak and Bull Also called Shasta clover, this is an uncom- of the Woods—found (so far) north mon species found in the Cascades and parts of of Lane County. It can be seen more south-central Oregon, through western Nevada easily at Hershberger Mountain, Fish and the central Sierra Nevada in California. Creek, Hemlock Lake, and Donegan Look for this beautiful perennial at Cone Peak, Prairie. Browder Ridge, and Whetstone, Bachelor, and Horsepasture mountains. woolly-head clover perennial • 4–18" (10–45 cm) dry meadows, gravelly areas long-stalked clover Trifòlium eriocéphalum Trifòlium lóngipes middle: mid-June to mid-July Well named, this plant has distinctively woolly perennial • 4–16" (10–40 cm) flower heads that are even more noticeable in moist meadows bud. The soft white hairs are found on the middle: June to July edges of the long narrow lobes of the green to deep red sepals. Individual flowers are creamy Long-stalked clover is a variable perennial white with a pink tinge and hang downward. that may be glabrous or pubescent. The A hard bend at the top of the long peduncle 3 finely toothed leaflets are elliptical to tips the flower head. Soft hairs also cover the lance-shaped, about 3–4 times as long as rest of the plant, including the 3 narrow, fine- wide, and pointed at the tips. The white ly toothed leaflets. The conspicuous clasping to pink flowers are upright and have stipules are similar in shape to the leaflets. pubescent green calyces with very long Woolly-head clover occurs from south- teeth. Short rhizomes allow this species ern British Columbia to California and east to spread widely across damp areas. to Montana and Utah. In Oregon, it has an Long-stalked clover is the most unusual distribution pattern, occurring in the common native perennial clover in the Willamette Valley down through the southern Western Cascades and occurs at mid to end of the Cascades and the Siskiyou/Klamath high elevations in much of Oregon and area as well as in the Blue mountains and across the western states. It is scattered other eastern sites. Rattlesnake plentiful at Fish Creek, Cache Mountain, Abbott Butte, and the BVD Meadows, Bruno Meadows, Meadow near Twin Lakes are among the Blair Lake, and Quaking Aspen few places it grows in the Cascades. Swamp.

126 • Fabaceae Pea Family • 127 tomcat or sand clover small-head clover Trifòlium willdenòwii (T. tridentatum) Trifòlium microcéphalum annual • 6–20" (15–50 cm) annual • 3–12" (7–30 cm) vernally moist meadows dry meadows, grassy slopes middle: June middle: June One of several similar, low elevation, annual clovers, Small-head clover has a dense head of up to 60 tomcat clover is easily recognized by its long, narrow, short, pale pink flowers with long, pointy caly- toothed leaflets and flat involucre with numerous, ces. The saucer-shaped involucre has about 10 even-lengthed, sharp teeth. The pink and white flow- simple pointed lobes and, like the calyx, stem ers have magenta calyces with 3 sharp points and are and leaves, is pubescent. The somewhat wedge- in showy 1"-wide heads. The stipules have many teeth. shaped, oval leaflets have a notch at the tip. Tomcat clover occurs on the west side of the This small annual occurs across much of the west. Cascades from British Columbia to California. It can It can be seen occasionally from the coast to middle be seen at Castle Rock, Tire Mountain, Youngs Rock, elevations including Tire and Big Squaw mountains, Sawtooth Rock Meadow, and Big Squaw Mountain. Sawtooth Rock Meadow, and Youngs Rock.

rancheria clover white clover Trifòlium albopurpùreum (T. macraei) Trifòlium rèpens perennial • 2–4" (5–10 cm) annual • 4–16" (10–40 cm) disturbed areas, meadows, lawns dry sloping meadows long: May to August middle: June White clover is a glabrous perennial with Rancheria clover is a pubescent annual, but, unlike heads of white to pinkish flowers that tend our other annuals, it does not have an involucre. to reflex with age. The leaflets are oval with Its flowers are deep red-violet with white tips on rounded tips and usually have a pale chevron the wings. Its leaflets are oval to oblong with a blunt pattern near the base. It forms large mats by end. Unlobed ovate stipules wrap around the base rooting along the stems. of the petiole. This familiar weed hails from Europe and is Rarely seen in the mountains, rancheria clover now found throughout , usu- is generally a lowland species but reaches into the ally in ­disturbed sites such as along roads, trails, Cascade foothills at Youngs Rock and Tire Mountain. and parking areas. Its range extends from British Columbia to northern Baja California.

perennial • 8–24" (20–60 cm) annual • 4–16" (10–40 cm) red clover whitetip clover disturbed areas, meadows, lawns vernally moist meadows Trifòlium praténse Trifòlium variegàtum middle: June middle: June Red clover is another perennial introduced for Whitetip clover has small heads with fewer than 15 flowers that cultivation from Eurasia. Its leaflets are often are deep red-violet at the base and white at the ends. It has decorated with the same type of chevron pat- sharply toothed, ovate leaves and an irregularly lobed and tern as white clover, but they are much larger toothed, disk-like involucre. Few-flowered clover (T. oligan- and quite hairy. Its stems don’t root, making thum) is a similar glabrous annual with small flower heads, but it somewhat less invasive than white clover. its leaves are small and much narrower, and its involucre has no Instead, it is taprooted. It has large round more than 10 simple lobes. heads of pink flowers that sit on a leaflike Whitetip clover occurs from British Columbia to California, bract. Montana and Arizona. It is found at Tire Mountain, Youngs Red clover has naturalized across much of Rock, and Big Squaw Mountain; few-flowered clover at Castle Canada and the US but is much less common Rock, Tire Mountain, and Sawtooth Rock Meadow. in the Western Cascades than white clover.

128 • Fabaceae Pea Family • 129 Sierra or Purple pea Nevada pea Láthyrus nevadénsis Láthyrus lanszwertii perennial • 12–24" (30–60 cm) perennial • 12–30" (30–75 cm) open woods open woods, dry sloping meadows middle: June middle: June Our native peas are perennials with angular stems Nevada pea is a variable species with several different and pinnately compound leaves that terminate in a varieties. In the Cascades it may also be hybridizing tendril or bristle. The flat pod fruits resemble edible with Sierra pea causing some taxonomic confusion. The peas. Unlike vetches, they have hairs on only one type most apparent in our area (var. aridus) has 6–12, side of the flat style. Sierra pea is a variable spe- nearly opposite, very narrow leaflets with a simple cies with 4–8, almost oppositely arranged, oval terminal bristle and small stipules, and purple-veined leaflets and a terminal tendril usually reduced to white flowers that fade to golden yellow. It is gener- an unbranched bristle. At the base of each leaf is a ally sprawling. pair of small, sharply pointed stipules. The flowers A common Great Basin perennial, Nevada pea is are usually pinky-purple, fading to blue, in a 1-sided, uncommon in the Western Cascades but can be seen raceme of 2–4 blossoms. In our area there are a few at Bachelor Mountain, Park Creek, and Castle Rock. white-flowered populations and some with narrow leaves. These may be the result of hybridization with Nevada pea or just species variability. Sierra pea is found from British Columbia to American vetch California, east to Idaho and Nevada. It is very com- Vícia americàna mon in the Western Cascades and can be seen on most of the trails in this book. White ones occur on perennial • 1–2' (30–60 cm) Horsepasture Mountain; variable populations can open woods, meadows and thickets be seen at Lowder Mountain and Youngs Rock. middle: mid-June to July Vetches are very similar to peas; the main technical leafy or Oregon pea perennial • 18–36" (45–90 cm) difference is that the style is hairy all around the tip. dry open woods Láthyrus polyphýllus American vetch is variable with 8–16, small, oval to middle: June oblong leaflets that may be glabrous or hairy. The tendrils are usually branched and grasping. The pur- Leafy pea is a robust, glabrous perennial plish flowers are in short-stalked racemes of 3–9. with 10–16 oval leaflets that general- American vetch is found from Alaska to ly alternate along the stem. The sessile California east across most of Canada and the US. It stipules at the base of the leaf are is quite common in the Cascades. Look for it sprawl- almost as large as the leaflets. There ing on the ground or in upright tangled masses at is usually a small branched tendril at Youngs Rock, Twin Lakes, and Hawk, Heckletooth, the end of the leaf; it may attach itself Bearbones, and Tire mountains. to other plants but isn’t really a climb- er. Hanging down along 1 side of an upright, long-stalked raceme are 5–15 Common vetch perennial • 1–3' (30–90 cm) disturbed areas, meadows pinky-purple flowers that turn blue Vícia satìva with age. Unlike our other species, the middle: June edges of the calyx teeth are fringed. Also known as garden or spring vetch, this is an upright or Leafy pea is found west of the climbing perennial. Its pinnately compound leaves have well Cascade crest from Washington to developed tendrils and linear to oblong leaflets under 1" northern California but is fairly com- long. The stipules are very small and toothed. The magenta (or mon at low to middle elevations in occasionally white) flowers are in clusters of only 1–3 on very western Oregon. It is abundant along short pedicels in the leaf axils. the Alpine Trail, and also found at Twin Originally from Eurasia and long cultivated, this vetch is now Lakes, Table Rock, Donegan Prairie, and distributed across the country. Mainly found at low elevations Bearbones, Heckletooth, Big Squaw, in western Oregon, it turns up in the Cascades occasionally. and Patterson mountains.

130 • Fabaceae Pea Family • 131 Nevada deervetch Spanish-clover Lòtus nevadénsis Lòtus unifoliolàtus (L. purshiànus) perennial • 3–10" (8–25 cm) annual • 6–24" (15–60 cm) open gravelly areas roadsides, meadows, disturbed areas early: mid-May to mid-June early: mid-May to mid-June Lotus species differ from peas and vetches because, Spanish-clover is an unassuming, small-flow- rather than a tendril, they have another leaflet at ered annual covered with soft, pale gray the end of the leaf, and their flowers are in umbels hairs. A variable species, it may be simple or (or solitary). Nevada deervetch is a lovely, softly well-branched, upright or nearly prostrate. The hairy, mat-forming perennial that has numerous essentially sessile leaves have 3 elliptical to branches emanating from a tap root. Each leaf has lance-shaped leaflets. The stipules are reduced 3–5 ovate, gray-green leaflets and a pair of tiny to mere glands. A single pale pink flower, black gland-like stipules at the base. The pretty under ½", with 1 leaf-like bract, extends out bright yellow flowers may be tinged with from the leaf axil on a relatively long peduncle. red and are in umbels of 3–12 on short The glabrous pods are deep red or brown and peduncles in the leaf axils. Only a few seeds quite narrow. are contained in the small curved pods. Spanish-clover is a wide-ranging species Nevada deervetch occurs from found across Oregon at all elevations and in Washington to Idaho, south to California much of the US and into Mexico. It is occa- and Nevada. It is found at middle to high sional in the Cascades, most frequently growing elevations in the Cascades, Siskiyous along gravel roads. You can see it at Groundhog and Coast Range. Look for it at Bachelor Mountain, Blair Lake, Reynolds Ridge, Buck Mountain, Browder Ridge, Youngs Rock, Canyon, Park Creek, and Carpenter Mountain. and Cone Peak.

streambank lotus perennial • 12–24" (30–60 cm) small-flowered deervetch annual • 4–12" (10–30 cm) streambanks, wet meadows, ditches meadows, open areas Lòtus oblongifòlius Lòtus micránthus late: mid-July to August middle: May to June The leaves of streambank lotus have 5–11 Tiny red buds open to ¼" cream-colored oblong to lance-shaped leaflets with small flowers, flushed with red. The flowers are stipules at the base. A fine layer of short white solitary, with a 3-parted, leaf-like bract hairs covers the plant giving it a bluish or gray- just below, and are on a short peduncle. ish cast. The flowers have a yellow banner The alternate leaves have 3–5 blunt- that is often flushed and veined with red, tipped, oblong leaflets and are usually especially noticeable in bud, and white wings glabrous, or only lightly pubescent with and a yellowish keel. Just below each umbel gland-like stipules. Many stems branch of up to 8 flowers is a conspicuous 3-parted from the base of the plant and may by leaf-like bract. The peduncle that holds them upright or prostrate. Early on, the stems is shorter than the leaves. Bog lotus (L. pinna- are red. The mature narrow red pods are tus) is similar but is glabrous, has no bract, no glabrous and noticeably constricted red on the flowers, and has a longer peduncle between each of the 4–9 seeds. that lifts the flowers well above the leaves. Small-flowered deervetch ranges from Streambank lotus is found in the Cascades extreme southwestern British Columbia from Lane County south through southwest- and western Washington to California. ern Oregon and California into Nevada and In Oregon, it occurs from the coast to Mexico. It grows in the wetland at middle elevations in the Cascades. It is Heckletooth, at the trailhead to Mt. a modest part of the mead- June, in roadside ditches on the way ow flora at Sawtooth Rock to Patterson Mountain and Youngs Meadow, Tire Mountain, Rock, and at Hershberger Mountain, Buck Canyon, Youngs Rock, Hemlock Lake, and Buck Canyon. and Heckletooth Mountain.

132 • Fabaceae pea Family • 133 bird’s-foot trefoil California tea Lòtus corniculàtus Rupértia (Psoralea) physòdes perennial • 3–18" (8–45 cm) perennial • 12–32" (30–80 cm) roadsides, disturbed areas, lawns forest edges, thickets, roadsides early: mid-May to mid-June early: mid-May to mid-June Bird’s-foot trefoil is an attractive perennial with California tea is a perennial with a creeping root- umbels of 3–12 chubby yellow, sweet pea-like stock that can form dense patches at the edge of flowers, sometimes tinged with red. The leaves have woods and other semi-shaded sites. The leaves 3 ovate to oblong leaflets on a short petiole and have 3 broadly ovate, sharply pointed leaf- 2 more similar, sessile leaflets at the base, some- lets, up to 2" long, that are dotted with minute times considered to be stipules. The actual stipules glands. The petiole is 1–2" long and has a small are gland-like. The plant is usually glabrous but may stipule at the base. A dozen or more greenish- be pubescent and can be upright or reclining, the white flowers are clustered in dense racemes stems often rooting at the nodes. The narrow pods at the end of a long peduncle. Their calyces are are up to 1.5" long. noticeably covered with long black hairs. The Bird’s-foot trefoil is a weedy species, native to pods are also covered with black hairs and are Eurasia, that has naturalized in disturbed areas short, usually containing only 1 seed. across most of the country. In Oregon, it is found California tea is an occasional plant at low mainly on the west side of the Cascades. It is seen to middle elevations west of the Cascade crest occasionally in the mountains, especially along grav- in Oregon. It ranges north just into southern el roads in the southern part of our area. British Columbia and south through California and also in Idaho. Look for this plant along the Alpine Trail, at Whetstone Mountain, Youngs big deervetch perennial • 2–3' (60–90 cm) Rock, Mt. June, and especially along roadsides. roadsides, disturbed sites Lòtus crassifòlius middle: June to early July Big deervetch is our largest species of Lotus. It Scotch broom shrub • 3–10' (90–300 cm) has pinnate leaves up to 8" long, with as many clear cuts, roadsides, disturbed sites as 23 leaflets that are oval to elliptic with a Cytisus scoparius middle: June tiny pointed tip. They are glaucous, and, when young, somewhat pubescent. The narrow flowers Although it creates an undeniably brilliant show are pale green with reddish markings. They are of color when its bright yellow, pea-like flowers in dense umbels of about 12–20 on a pedun- blanket clearcuts and roadsides in early summer, cle shorter than the leaves. A little ways below this is a seriously destructive, invasive weed that the inflorescence is a conspicuous bract with as can form dense stands, ruining habitat for native many as 6 leaflets. The skinny pods are about plants and animals. Originally brought over from 3" long. Once considered a subspecies of big Europe in the 1800s as an ornamental, it has since deervetch, rosy bird’s-foot trefoil (L. aboriginus) spread widely across low-elevation disturbed has shorter leaves, that usually have no more areas. It is an upright shrub with wiry, 5-angled, than 15 leaflets, and an umbel of no more than green branches and 1–3 oval leaflets per leaf. 12 flowers on a peduncle as long as the leaves. Once mature and dry, its hairy black pods split Big deervetch occurs mainly on the west side open in a spiral, thrusting out the seeds which of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon but can stay viable in the soil for decades. Plants need is found throughout California. While seldom to be pulled up by their taproots or cut off at soil seen on trails, it is common along gravel roads level. If cut higher up they can resprout. including those on the way to Grasshopper Scotch broom has invaded many states on Meadows, Moon Point and Patterson and both coasts and even Hawaii. It is abundant in Carpenter mountains, and grows in the burned the lowlands of western Oregon, so far only areas of Heckletooth Mountain. More common occasionally making it up into the Western on the coast, rosy bird’s-foot trefoil also occurs Cascades but is spreading along the roads. If in the southern part of the Cascades including you find stray plants of this weed, remove them Whitehorse Meadows. if you can!

134 • Fabaceae Pea Family • 135