Orobanchaceae • Broomrape Family Pine broomrape Orobánche pinòrum All members of the Broomrape family are at least partial parasites. Until recently the family con- sisted of only fully parasitic plants with no chlorophyll-producing foliage, including Orobanche and annual, perennial • 4–12" (10–30 cm) Boschniakia, the groundcones, 2 of which, along with several other broomrape species, are present in rocky, open forest Oregon but not in the Cascades. Current taxonomic classification now includes some hemiparasites, late: late July to August plants that get only some of their nourishment or moisture from other plants. These include Castilleja, Orthocarpus and Pedicularis, all formerly placed in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. Members of Botanists long believed this unusual plant to be para- this family attach to the roots of host plants by specialized structures called haustoria. Our fully sitic on conifers, and it still bears the misnomer pine parasitic plants are usually very specific about host plants and, in response to compounds given off broomrape as a result of this refuted relationship. We by the host, may send out these growths underground over long distances until they reach a suitable now know that its actual host species is ocean spray. host. The partial parasites do not appear to be as particular. While there is quite a bit of variety within It forms upright, branched inflorescences of tubular the family, all have petals fused into a tube, generally with 2 lobes on the upper lip and 3 on the flowers with no foliage. Each flower is basically yellow lower. The leaves, if any, are alternate and may be reduced to small bracts. Their parasitic nature to tan, but is often tinged with varying amounts of prevents even the showy ones from common garden usage, but paintbrush seeds tossed among maroon. It has 5 narrow lobes and is sessile or attached other plants may survive. In some areas, broomrapes parasitize crop plants and can become pests. to the stem by a short pedicel with a small bract at the base. The entire inflorescence is covered with short glandular hairs. Naked broomrape annual • 1–6" (2–15 cm) damp meadows, outcrops, rocky seeps Pine broomrape occurs Orobánche uniflora from British Columbia to middle: May to June California and Idaho. In This little annual is fairly common but easy to miss. Its small 1"-long Oregon, it is encountered flowers can be an almost invisible pale lavender to a showy deep in the mountains on rare purple. Each flowering stalk has only 1–3 flowers. The flower lobes occasions near populations are rounded. Tiny hairs cover the flowers and stems. It parasitizes a of ocean spray. If you're very number of species but mainly sedums and saxifrages. Look for it among lucky, you may spot it at these plants in rocky meadows and seeps. Moon Point, Youngs Rock, Naked broomrape is the most common species of Orobanche in Grasshopper Meadows, and Oregon and can be found occasionally throughout the state. It occurs Bearbones, Hershberger and in every state and much of Canada. Bull of the Woods, Tire Mountain Rattlesnake mountains. and Bohemia Mountain are among the many places it grows. In Douglas and southern Lane counties and farther south, broomrapes clustered broomrape annual • 1–6" (2–15 cm) with bright yellow, round-lobed dry meadows, rocky areas flowers (bottom left photo) are Orobánche fasciculàta middle to late: late June to July found in forests parasitizing Oregon bedstraw. These may be a different Clustered broomrape may have as many species or a form of one of these 2 as 20 flowers on long pedicels com- species. Look for these at Twin Lakes, ing out of a common base. In our area, Hemlock Lake, Youngs Rock, and in the flowers are straw yellow, although the Rogue-Umpqua Divide. elsewhere in its range they may be lav- ender or pinkish. The flower lobes are pointed. It is usually found near com- posites—especially Oregon sunshine and mugwort—and buckwheats. This species blooms a little later than naked broom- rape and prefers a drier habitat. This widespread species is scat- tered about the Western Cascades and Oregon and ranges east all the way to the Great Lakes and Texas. Keep your eyes open for it at Abbott Butte, Twin Lakes, Browder Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Mt. June, and Wild Rose Point.

164 • Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family • 165 harsh paintbrush Suksdorf’s paintbrush Castillèja híspida Castillèja suksdórfii perennial • 8–24" (20–60 cm) perennial • 12–20" (30–50 cm) rocky meadows, outcrops, roadsides wet meadows, streambanks early to middle: May to July middle to late: July to mid-August The inconspicuous, narrow, tubular flower of This rhizomatous moisture- lover has a rela- a paintbrush is adapted for hummingbird pol- tively short and wide inflorescence. The lination. The frequently red, long-lasting bracts broad bracts are mainly green with sharply are used to attract the birds but make them a defined, bright red tips, often separated by favorite of wildflower lovers as well. They can be a thin yellow band. They have up to 5 nar- difficult to identify, but close examination of the row lobes as do the upper leaves. Lower down corolla (a narrow tube with a long pointed upper the stem, the leaves have a single pair of lat- lip called a galea) and surrounding 4-lobed calyx eral lobes and eventually become entire. The makes it easier. Harsh paintbrush is a hairy, usu- stem is usually unbranched. While the bracts ally unbranched species that has wide leaves are hairy, the leaves are usually glabrous. The and red-tipped bracts with several pairs flower has a very long galea and sharply of round-tipped, lateral lobes. The calyx pointed calyx lobes. lobes are rounded and short and cover Suksdorf's paintbrush is a rare species much of the green and red corolla. found mainly in the Cascades between Harsh paintbrush occurs from south- Mt. Adams in Washington and the Three ern British Columbia to northern California, SIsters in Oregon, with a few populations east to Montana and Idaho. It is common as far north as the Olympics and south to in the northern half of Oregon but is large- Crater Lake. You can see it at Echo Basin, ly replaced by frosted paintbrush at the Cache Meadows, Tombstone Prairie, southern end of the Western Cascades. It Bruno Meadows, and Park Creek. adds much color to Cone Peak, and Coffin, Lowder, and Tire mountains. scarlet paintbrush perennial • 16–32" (30–80 cm) moist meadows, roadsides Castillèja miniàta frosted paintbrush perennial • 8–24" (20–60 cm) middle to late: July to mid-August outcrops, gravelly open areas Castillèja pruinòsa Scarlet paintbrush is a tall, sometimes middle: mid-June to July branched, variable species with leaves that A dense covering of silvery hairs gives frosted are generally entire, although they may paintbrush its name. A closer look with a hand a shallow pair of lobes at the end. The lens reveals most of the hairs are branched, elongated inflorescence has bright red unique to this species. The lance-shaped leaves bracts with up to 5 sharply pointed lobes. may be entire or have 1–2 pairs of lateral They have less noticeable green at the base lobes and are often tinged purple. The colorful than harsh or Suksdorf's paintbrush. The bracts are mostly bright red with yellow to green corolla reaches well beyond the pointed at the base. They are deeply cleft into 3 lobes lobes of the calyx. Long glandular hairs and sharply pointed. The mostly red corolla make the inflorescence feel slimy. reaches well beyond the sharply pointed calyx This widespread species ranges from lobes. Alaska to California, east across Frosted paintbrush is found mainly in south- the western US and Canada. It western Oregon and northern California. Look is very common in the Western for it at Abbott Butte, Twin Lakes, Whitehorse Cascades and other mountains Meadows, and Lookout, Big Squaw, and of Oregon and can be seen at Hershberger mountains. Where their most of the sites in this book. ranges cross in southern Lane County, Good places to see it include populations with characteristics interme- Patterson Mountain, Table Rock, diate between this and harsh paintbrush Hemlock Lake, Park Creek, and may be the result of hybridization. Moon Point.

166 • Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family • 167 cliff paintbrush narrow-leaf paintbrush Castillèja rupícola Castillèja attenuàta (Orthocarpus attenuatus) perennial • 4–10" (10–25 cm) cool, generally north-facing cliffs, outcrops annual • 4–14" (10–35 cm) early: May to June meadows middle: June Cliff paintbrush has a lacier appearance than the more common harsh paintbrush. Its 3–5 Narrowleaf paintbrush (or owl-clover as it used to lobed leaves are more deeply divided and be known) is a slender, single-stalked annual. It has narrower in the center. The bright red bracts green bracts deeply divided into 3 very narrow have as many as 7 slender lobes and, unlike lobes. Those near the top are tipped with white. most of our species, have no green at the The narrow linear leaves are entire except near the base. The prominent green corolla sticks out inflorescence where they are also divided into 3 of an acutely lobed calyx. The compact flow- slender lobes. The delicate flowers have a white er heads are on short, unbranched stalks. The upper lip with a conspicuous, upright beak. T h e whole plant is somewhat hairy and is pale lower lip has a yellow tip and maroon frequently tinged with purple. spots, and is slightly puffed up in 3 sec- Cliff paintbrush is an uncommon tions. The calyx also has narrow lobes. The species found in cool rocky areas in entire plant is covered with short spreading the Cascades and Olympics from hairs. southern British Columbia just into Narrowleaf paintbrush is found from Douglas County in Oregon. Look for British Columbia to California, mainly west of this beauty at Tidbits, Whetstone, the Cascades, and also in Arizona. It is more Coffin, Bearbones, and Horsepasture common in Oregon to the south and at low mountains, and at the top of Cone elevations, but can be seen at Heckletooth Peak. It makes a rare low elevation Mountain, Mt. June, and Tire Mountain. appearance at McCord Creek Falls. hairy paintbrush mountain owl-clover Castillèja ténuis Orthocárpus imbricàtus (Orthocarpus hispidus) annual • 4–14" (10–35 cm) annual • 4–16" (10–40 cm) meadows meadows middle to late: July to August middle: June to July Like paintbrushes, mountain clover has a long sea- This upright annual is more densely hairy than son of color provided by the bright pink borders narrowleaf paintbrush. The lower lip of the of the green bracts. Peeking out from the broad, small white flowers of hairy paintbrush is unlobed bracts are the inflated corollas. Each inflated into 3 pouch-like compartments. flower has a slightly beaked, pink upper lip that The upper lip has a short, slightly hooked covers the lower lip. The compact flower heads beak. The bracts have 3–7 slender lobes bloom from the bottom up. The fresh, upper- and are often tinged with red. Further down most flowers are mostly yellow below but fade the stalk they are less divided, becoming more to white. The bracts also fade somewhat. The like the true leaves which are entire. slightly hairy, narrow, lance-shaped leaves are From southern British Columbia where it unlobed and sharply pointed at the tip. is rare, hairy paintbrush (or owl-clover) rang- Mountain owl-clover is common at moderate es south across much of Oregon to California, to high elevations in the Cascades of Oregon and and east into Idaho and Nevada. It is seen northern California and is also found in occasionally in meadows in the southern part the Olympics in Washington. It forms of the Western Cascades including large pink swaths at Blair Lake, Fairview Heckletooth Mountain, Abbott Peak, Grasshopper Meadows, Abbott Butte, Youngs Rock, Tire Mountain, Butte, and Rattlesnake Mountain. Hemlock Lake, and Illahee Rock.

168 • Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family • 169 sickletop lousewort coiled-beak lousewort Pediculàris racemòsa Pediculàris contórta perennial • 6–20" (15–50 cm) perennial • 6–20" (15–50 cm) open coniferous forest, roadside rock outcrops middle: July to early August middle: July The upper lip of coiled-beak lousewort is The strongly curled, beak-like upper lip of actually shorter and less coiled than that of simi- this species conjures up many other imagi- lar flower of sickletop lousewort. It curls down native names including parrot's beak and over the widely flaring lower lip. The creamy ram's-horn lousewort. The lower lip of the flowers are in an elongated spike above a feath- white to pinkish flowers is widely flaring with ery mound of basal leaves. Each leaf is pinnately 3 pronounced lobes. They are in a loose, leafy, cleft with have very narrow, toothed segments. terminal raceme. Unlike our other louse- Similar smaller leaves alternate up the flowering worts, the lance-shaped to linear leaves stem, becoming reduced to small bracts within are not pinnately cleft, merely toothed. the inflorescence. They are mainly on the stem. When exposed Coiled beak lousewort is an uncom- to the sun, they often become deep red or mon montane species that occurs from even purple. southern British Columbia and Alberta Sickletop lousewort can be found to northern California and Utah. It is up from southern British Columbia and seen infrequently in the Cascades from Alberta to northern California and New Lane County north and also in the Mexico. In Oregon, it is frequent through- Blue mountains. Look for it near the out the Cascades and also found in the Blue summits of Table Rock, Whetstone mountains. Look for especially Echo Basin, Mountain, Bull of the Woods, and on Olallie Mountain, Buck Canyon, Patterson outcrops above Blair Lake. Mountain, and Hemlock Lake.

elephant’s head bracted lousewort Pediculàris groenlándica Pediculàris bracteòsa perennial • 8–30" (20–75 cm) perennial • 12–40" (30–100 cm) wetlands, streambanks moist meadows, open forest middle: July to August middle: July This species, also known as wood betony, Few flowers have a better-suited name than has flowers in dense terminal spikes. They are Elephant's head. Each pinky-purple flower has usually pale yellow, but may be deep red in an amazing replica of an elephant's curving the northern part of our area. The hood-like trunk formed by the upper lip. The 2 side upper lip extends beyond the 3-lobed lower lobes of the lower lip spread outward just lip. Each flower is held by a toothed bract. Most like a pair of floppy ears; a third lobe hides of the large, fern-like, pinnately lobed leaves below the trunk. Small, pinnately lobed bracts are found on the flowering stems. hold each flower in the fairly dense, terminal Bracted lousewort ranges from British spike. The stem leaves are similar to the the Columbia south to California, east to Montana, narrow, pinnatifid basal leaves but much Colorado, and into New Mexico. In Oregon, it smaller, especially near the flower head. is common at moderate to high elevations in Elephant's head is a circumboreal species the Cascades, and also found in the Wallowas. found across Canada and the western US. It is It can be seen at Olallie Mountain, locally common in the Cascades and Hemlock Lake, Hells Half Acre, mountains of eastern Oregon. Look Blair Lake, and throughout the for this beauty at Gordon Meadows, Rogue-Umpqua Divide. Burgundy- Fish Creek, Quaking Aspen Swamp, flowered plants occur at Cache Anvil Lake, Groundhog Mountain, Meadows and Anvil Lake. and Donegan Prairie.

170 • Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family • 171 Oxalidaceae ~ Wood-Sorrel Family Parnassiaceae Most members of the Wood-sorrel family are tropical or from temperate areas of southern Africa and South America. While typically perennial herbs, a few, including cultivated starfruit (Averrhoa Grass-of-Parnassus Family carambola), are trees. Most have compound leaves with a sensitive pad at the base, called a pulvi- Until recently, grass-of-Parnassus was considered a member of the Saxifrage family and some authori- nus, that allows the leaves to fold up. They have radially symmetrical flowers with 5 petals and ties leave it there. It differs from members of Saxifragaceae by having staminodia and a 4-parted sepals, and 10 stamens commonly fused together at the base. The fruit is a usually a 5-cham- ovary. There have also been changes in the species. These 2 species were once considered merely bered capsule that develops from a pistil with 5 styles and often opens explosively to disseminate varieties of the same species but have now been separated. A third, unfringed species, California the seeds. Like true sorrels (Rumex spp.), members of the Wood-sorrel family contain large amounts grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia californica), can be found in the Siskiyous. of oxalic acid that give the leaves and stems a sour taste. While edible in small amounts, too much can be poisonous. Oxalis is the only genus in our area. Cascade Grass-of-Parnassus Parnássia cirràta var. intermèdia Oregon wood-sorrel (P. fimbriata var. hoodiana) Óxalis oregàna perennial • 6–16" (15–40 cm) perennial • 4–8" (10–20 cm) wet meadows, stream banks, seeps conifer forest late: late July to August early to middle: May to early July Grass-of-Parnassus is one of the highlights of late sum- Think twice before planting this attractive but vigorous mer botanizing. Intricately detailed, 5-petaled, white groundcover in your garden as its fleshy rhizomes enable flowers float above a mass of glossy green, heart- it spread quickly and swamp more delicate plants. Its shaped leaves. When it first develops, the single flower flowers are typically white with purple veins but may be bud is protected by the small leaf attached part-way solid pink, especially to the south. The flowers are soli- up the flower stalk. There are 2 species in the Cascades. tary on leafless flower stalks and form ovoid capsules. Cascade grass-of-Parnassus is recognized by its wider Each shamrock-like leaf has 3 heart-shaped leaflets petals and yellow, ball-tipped staminodia—the ster- edged with brown hairs and is held up on a long, hairy ile stamens in the center. petiole. These leaves have the remarkable ability to fold This species has a limited shut at night as well as in direct sun and rain. range, being found in Oregon Also known as redwood sorrel, it occurs west of the almost entirely in the Cascades, Cascade crest from northern California just into British but it is the more common of Columbia. It forms vast emerald carpets at Patterson the 2 in our area. Look for it Mountain and also grows at Lowder, Heckletooth and Tire in sun or shade in wet mead- mountains, Monument Peak, and Gordon Meadows. ows and along creeks at Echo Basin, Groundhog Mountain, Monument Peak, Whitehorse threeleaf wood-sorrel perennial • 5–10" (12–25 cm) shady creeks and wet spots, moist forest Mea­dows, and Fish Creek. Óxalis trilliifòlia Late: July to August Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus perennial • 6–16" (15–40 cm) When present, the drooping white flowers wet meadows, stream banks, seeps in clusters of 3–9 and the long, narrow seed Parnássia fimbriàta late: late July to August capsule easily differentiate threeleaf wood- (P. fimbriata var. fimbriata) sorrel from the previous species. It also prefers This grass-of-Parnassus can be told from much wetter habitats. The leaves are quite simi- the previous species by its lobed sta- lar but the stems and leaves have only a few minodia that are blunter and more hairs. greenish. Also, its petals tend to be This uncommon species is found in low to narrower and both the basal leaves middle elevations mostly in the northern part and the cauline leaf are larger. of our area and near the coast. It ranges into This species is found primarily in the California, Washington, and Idaho. Look for it northern part of the Western Cascades in creekbeds at Gordon Meadows, Crescent including Cache Meadows, Whetstone Mountain, and Monument Peak, and in the Mountain, and Hawk Mountain but shady wetlands at Heckletooth Mountain and ranges north to Alaska and east to Hell’s Half Acre. Colorado.

172 • Oxalidaceae Grass-of-Parnassus • 173 musk flower perennial • 2–12" (5–30 cm) Phrymaceae ~ Lopseed Family streambanks, moist meadows, damp roadsides Mímulus moschàtus The Lopseed family was previously unknown in the western US until recent DNA research led to the early to middle: June to July realignment of the Figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. Most genera in our area were removed from One touch is all it takes to confirm the iden- the Figwort family and placed in other families. The widely distributed genus Mimulus (monkey- tity of this slimy-feeling perennial. Its leaves flowers), with a great many species in the West, was found to be most closely related to Phryma are densely coated with white glandular (lopseeds) and was thus moved into this small family. Its members are characterized by having a hairs. The musky smell that gives the plant its tubular, toothed calyx, seed capsules that split longitudinally, and sensitive stigmas with 2 name is rarely noticeable, however. The plant , as by a visiting bee. This most likely helps to prevent self- lobes that close together when touched spreads by rhizomes, sprawling around pollination. Monkeyflowers have tubular flowers with 5 spreading lobes, the upper 2 and lower moist areas on lax stems that can root at . They may not look like monkeys, but it is hard not to detect some 3 usually forming 2 distinct lips the nodes. The flowers appear almost radi- personality in their brightly colored blossoms. Somewhat hidden in the tube, the stamens are in 2 ally symmetrical. Fine red lines often appear pairs of unequal length. The toothed calyx is inflated and strongly angled. The flowers normally in the open throat. As with most monkey- fall off before wilting, but the angular, ridged calyx persists and hides the capsules where many flower species, there are hairs in the throat tiny seeds develop. The leaves are opposite and typically more or less ovate with 3 to 5 promi- that deter pollinators other than bees. The nent veins starting at the base. calyx teeth are of equal size. In the West, Musk flower ranges from seep monkeyflower annual, perennial • 2–36" (5–90 cm) British Columbia to Montana and south to seepy slopes and outcrops, perennially wet places Mímulus guttàtus California and Colorado. It is also found in early: June to early July the eastern Canada and the US as far south as North Carolina. It is fairly common in the Seep monkeyflower is extremely variable. It can be a small, fibrous-rooted annual or a tall, stolon­ Western Cascades in a variety of moist habi- iferous perennial. It is hard to believe these two forms are actually the same species. Each has large, tats. Look for it (and feel it!) at Grasshopper bright yellow flowers on long pedicels in the leaf axils. The middle lobe of the flower’s lower Meadows, Buck Canyon, Fish Creek, Echo lip is much larger than the other 4 lobes. Red freckles frequently mark the 2 rounded ridges that Basin, Coffin Mountain, Hemlock Lake, and partially close the throat. The upper tooth of the calyx is noticeably larger than the others. The Twin Lakes. glabrous leaves are noticeably 3–7 veined and irregularly toothed. Those near the top clasp the stem, while the lower ones are on short petioles. Both leaves and stems may be tinged with purple. Seep monkeyflower is found from Alaska south through Canada to California and New Mexico, primrose monkeyflower perennial • 1–4" (3–10 cm) wet meadows, damp openings from sea level into the mountains. The small form is very common in the Western Cascades and cre- Mímulus primuloìdes ates spectacular sheets of bright yellow on seepy hillsides at Tire, Iron, and Bachelor mountains. The middle: July larger type is seen occasionally in wet meadows, including those at Patterson Mountain, Hells Half This diminutive perennial spreads across low-grow- Acre, and Abbott Butte, or ditches such as the one along the old road at Table Rock. ing areas of wet meadows by delicate rhizomes and sometimes stolons, often forming continuous car- pets of rosettes. A variable species, its leaves may be glabrous or covered with long white hairs and entire or slightly toothed. A single, perky, yellow blossom is attached to a rosette by a delicate, often reddish, bare stem. The flower lobes are evenly sized and each has a small notch. Several to many deep red dots decorate the lower lip near the opening, while yellow hairs line the throat. Primrose monkeyflower is found at moder- ate to high elevations in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, east as far as Montana and New Mexico, and south to California. It is com- mon in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide but may also be seen at other sites close to the Cascade Crest includ- ing Quaking Aspen Swamp, Anvil Lake, Groundhog Mountain, Hawk Mountain, and Echo Basin.

174 • phrymaceae Lopseed Family • 175 chickweed monkeyflower Plantaginaceae ~ Plantain Family Mímulus alsinoìdes Formerly a fairly insignificant family in the Cascades—only the 2 non-native plantains were present annual • 2–8" (5–25 cm) in our area—the reorganizing of the Figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, has given the plantain family mossy outcrops, cliffs, seeps many of our important and showy species. These are united by bilaterally symmetrical tubular The fruit is usually in a capsule. early: May to June flowers divided into 2 lips. Penstemons are some of our most glorious native wildflowers and merit a more careful look at Chickweed monkeyflower is a charming denizen of their morphology. The tubular corolla has 2 lobes on the upper lip and 3 on the bottom and are seasonally moist, rocky areas. Its yellow flowers are heavily visited by bees. Although the flowers are otherwise 5-parted, they have only 4 fertile stamens a mere ½" (12 mm) but are so brightly marked, they that are usually pressed against the roof the upper lip. Resting on the lower lip is the staminode, a can almost be called showy. A large maroon splotch 5th but infertile stamen. Characteristics of the staminode and the twin sacs of the fertile anthers guides incoming bees to land on the enlarged are commonly used to distinguish the many species of penstemons. The staminodia are often hairy central lobe of the lower lip. More tiny spots and giving rise to the other common name beardtongue. The 4-chambered seed capsule remains on the stripes then lead the pollinator inside to find its plant for a long time and becomes woody with age. This can help one recognize penstemons after reward, most likely pollen rather than nectar in this the pretty flowers are gone. The opposite leaves are evergreen and are frequently toothed. and many other monkeyflowers. The flowers are perched on long pedicels that, along with the caly- ces, are often suffused with red and may be smooth or somewhat glandular. The lowest 2 calyx teeth are larger and more rounded than the upper ones. The small ovate leaves are slightly toothed. cliff or rock penstemon perennial, subshrub • 2–6" (5–15 cm) outcrops and cliffs Chickweed monkeyflower occurs at low to mod- Pénstemon rupícola erate elevations, from southwestern British Columbia early: May to early July to northern California, mainly west of the Cascade Cliff penstemon is one of the crown jewels of crest. It is seen most often at lower elevation sites the Western Cascades. From a distance, its such as Castle Rock, Mt. June, Youngs Rock, McCord brilliant 1"-long, purplish-pink to magen- Creek Falls, and Bearbones and Lookout mountains. ta tubular flowers beckon one to scale rocky cliffs to get a closer look. The calyx is covered Brewer’s monkeyflower annual • 1–6" (3–15 cm) with glandular hairs. Inside, the anthers are seasonally moist meadows, open ground Mímulus brèweri densely covered with white woolly hairs. early: June to mid-July The staminode has few if any hairs at the end. The little evergreen leaves are quite glau- This little plant frequently escapes notice cous and have very small teeth. They grow entirely, except when moisture is sufficient close together on somewhat woody stems to allow it to grow en masse and coat the that root as they creep over rocks. The low- ground. The tiny pink flowers are no more growing mats they form may be as much as 2' than ¼" (6 mm). They have 5 evenly sized, wide. Cuttings root easily, but plants seldom notched lobes and a darker spot or ring on persist in the pampered conditions of a garden. the tube. The lance-shaped leaves, stem, Davidson’s penstemon (P. davidsonii), found and inflorescence are all covered with mainly in the High Cascades, is similar but has glandular pubescence. greener leaves, bluer violet flowers and a very Brewer’s monkeyflower is fairly common hairy staminode. The two species may hybrid- in the Cascades and, except for the Coast ize where their ranges overlap. Range, is also found in most other Oregon Cliff penstemon is found only in the mountains. It ranges north just into British Cascades and Siskiyous, from Washington to Columbia, south to California, and east to northern California. Normally occurring at Montana and Colorado. See if you can spot mid to high elevations, it reaches down to just this miniature delight at above sea level at the Columbia Gorge where Three Pyramids, Wild it blooms in May at McCord Creek Rose Point, Grasshopper Falls. While common in rocky places Meadows, Groundhog throughout the Cascades, it is espe- Mountain, Abbott Butte, cially showy and accessible at Mt. and elsewhere in the June, High Rock, and Iron, Tidbits, Rogue-Umpqua Divide. and Hershberger mountains.

176 • phrymaceae Plantain Family • 177 Cardwell’s penstemon small-flowered penstemon Pénstemon cardwéllii Pénstemon prócerus subshrub • 4–12" (10–30 cm) perennial • 4–12" (1–3 cm) roadsides, rocky areas mountain meadows, rocky slopes middle: June to July middle: June to July Cardwell’s penstemon is closely related to cliff The ½"-long, blue to purple flowers of this species penstemon, but has much longer, bright green grow in tight whorls at the top of the slender flower leaves and is usually much taller and forms larger stalk and are small enough to be pollinated by butter- mats. The large flowers may be well over 1” long flies. It is also a favorite host plant for several species of and are typically bright purple. The anthers are checkerspot butterflies. It is not unusual to see their densely covered with white woolly hairs, the spiny black and orange caterpillars nib- staminode has a bearded tip and inside the bling on the narrowly elliptical, glabrous lower lip is also hairy. leaves. While the upper leaves are sessile, Although seen occasionally along trails, this the larger basal leaves have long petioles. showy species is frequent along gravel roadsides The plants can form extensive mats. throughout the Cascades where it Small-flowered penstemon is fair- may create impressive swathes of ly common at mid to high elevations in purple. It is less common elsewhere the Cascades. Its range extends from in western Oregon and is found in California to Colorado and north to a few places in Washington as well. Canada. It is abundant at Coffin Mountain Fabulous displays can be seen along and Grasshopper Meadows and can the roads to Fairview Peak, Coffin, also be seen at Fairview Peak, Carpenter Patterson, Groundhog, and Lowder Mountain, Tidbits, Cone Peak, and Buck mountains. Canyon.

hot-rock penstemon Rydberg’s penstemon Pénstemon deùstus var. deùstus Pénstemon rydbérgii perennial • 8–24" (20–60 cm) perennial • 8–28" (20–70 cm) hot, dry, rocky areas mountain meadows, moist slopes middle: June to July middle: July to August The cream flowers of hot-rock penstemon easily Rydberg’s penstemon resembles a much distinguish it from our other penstemons. A vari- larger version of small-flowered penstemon, able species, elsewhere they may be clear white or to which it is closely related. Its glabrous, even pink. In most populations, purple lines guide entire leaves are up to 6" long, mainly in bees into the narrow flower tube. The anthers and well-developed basal clumps. There are also staminode are hairless. The strongly toothed smaller pairs on the tall flower stalks. The vio- leaves are ovate in sessile pairs on the flowering let flowers are close to the stem in well spaced stems. Those on the short non-flowering stems whorls. Their calyx has narrow pointed- are narrower and have short peti- lobes with pale margins. Golden hairs are oles. In winter it is common for present on the staminode tip and inside the the leaf margins or even the lower lip. The anthers are not hairy. whole plant to turn purple. Vast colonies of Rydberg’s penstemon Hot-rock penstemon is found cover the upper meadows at Rattlesnake from Washington to Montana, Mountain and also grow down below in Fish south to California and Utah. Creek Valley, at Whitehorse Meadows, and Look for it mainly in the southern elsewhere in the Rogue-Umpqua part of our area at Castle Rock, Divide. Normally it is found east of Bearbones, Tire and Rattlesnake the Cascades from Washington to mountains, Illahee Rock, and California, east to the Rockies and Sawtooth Rock Meadow. rarely strays west into our area.

178 • plantaginaceae Plantain Family • 179 Cascade penstemon English plantain Pénstemon serrulàtus Plantàgo lanceolàta perennial • 8–24" (20–60 cm) 6–24" (15–60 cm) outcrops, roadsides, roadsides, meadows, disturbed areas middle: June to mid-July middle: June to July Cascade penstemon’s large (up to 2") ovate The flowers of plantains are not particularly showy, leaves are prominently toothed. Those near since, as with other wind-pollinated plants, the the base may be narrower and have petioles. bright colors used to attract insects are unnec- The upper leaves often clasp the stem. Unlike essary and large petals restrict the air needed to our other species, there are no glandular hairs. distribute the masses of pollen they produce. The purple to blue violet flowers are about ¾" English plantain has tight spikes, conical early on long and have a bearded staminode but are then elongating, of very small, brownish, papery otherwise hairless. They are clustered at the top flowers with 4 spreading, pointed lobes. The of the stem and sometimes in the leaf axils. feathery stigma develops first and is followed by 4 Cascade penstemon is found mainly in stamens with large anthers on delicate filaments, the Cascades, and also in the Coast Range, easily shaken by the wind. Each flower head is on from Lane County north to southern a hairy, leafless, ribbed stem that elongates as it Alaska. It prefers somewhat moister, matures. Only 1 or 2 seeds are in each ovoid cooler sites than our other species. capsule. The lance-shaped, somewhat hairy It is abundant along the old road at leaves have 3 or more prominent parallel the beginning of the Table Rock trail, veins and are in fairly erect basal rosettes. and can also be seen at Castle Rock, English plantain originated in Europe but Bachelor Mountain, McCord Creek is now found across North America and most Falls, and Bull of the Woods. temperate areas of the world. It is far more frequent in western than eastern Oregon but woodland beardtongue perennial • 12–32" (30–80 cm) only occasionally seen in the Cascades. forest, shady rocky areas Nothochelòne nemoròsa late: mid-July to August (Penstemon nemorosus) common plantain Plantàgo màjor Woodland beardtongue’s pinky-purple tubular flowers are in terminal clusters. They are covered 4–16" (10–40 cm) with short glandular hairs. Inside the 4 stamens moist roadsides, disturbed areas have woolly anthers and the short staminode middle: June to July is bearded. Although closely related to penste- mons, its stamens are also hairy at the base. The Common plantain is easy to recognize by its broad, narrowly ovate to lanceolate, toothed leaves oval leaves that are as much as 7" long and have gradually taper to a sharp point and are on deep, parallel veins. They are on long petioles in short petioles. The lower ones diminish in size. In more-or-less flat basal rosettes. The dense, narrow its normal shady habitat, the paired leaves maxi- flower spikes can elongate to 6" or more. The mize light by lying on the same plane, the stems tiny, 4-lobed, greenish flowers have a single stigma often hanging downward. When they occasion- and 4 prominent stamens. The small seed capsules ally grow in more open areas, the plant is upright hold up to 24 seeds that, like other plantains, are and could be mistaken for Cascade or Rattan’s mucilaginous when wet. Plantains are edible and penstemons. Its stem die back in the winter. are used medicinally. The dietary fiber psyllium is Woodland beardtongue is very common at derived from the seed husks of several species. mid to high elevations in the Cascades and other This is a cosmopolitan species in temperate mountains of western Oregon and ranges just into regions of the world, native to Europe and Asia, but southwestern British Columbia and now found throughout North America. There are northwestern California. Look for a number of native plantains in Oregon, but in the it at Table Rock, Hawk Mountain, Cascades you will only see these 2 weedy species, Olallie Mountain, and most of the that are found occasionally in disturbed areas such other sites in this book. as roadsides and parking areas.

180 • plantaginaceae Plantain Family • 181 maiden blue-eyed Mary sticky blue-eyed Mary Collínsia parviflòra Collínsia rattánii annual • 2–16" (5–40 cm) annual • 2–18" (5–30 cm) partly shady, seasonally moist rocks and slopes open woods, partly shady areas middle: May to June middle: late May to June The tiny, two-toned flowers of this modest species, Sticky blue-eyed Mary is an inconspicuous annu- also appropriately referred to as small-flowered al of partly shady spots sites in dry or rocky areas. blue-eyed Mary, are usually under ¼" across. The It is best distinguished from maiden blue-eyed 2-lipped corolla appears to have 4 lobes. The upper 2 Mary by the conspicuous glandular hairs on lobes are white to lavender or pink and erect. Behind the stems and calices. The lower lip of the flow- the 2 blue to purple, lower lobes, a 5th lobe is folded er tends to be a pinker shade of purple. The into a pouch, concealing 4 stamens and a pistil. The flower tube is only slightly bent and lacks the corolla tube is bent, its base forming an oblique prominent hump on the top. Only 1 or 2 flow- angle with the long pedicel that is attached at the ers are attached at each node on relatively short leaf axil. The calyx has 5 long, sharply pointed pedicels. The linear leaves are quite long lobes and persists after the seeds develop in a cap- and narrow and are arranged in wide- sule. The linear to oblong leaves are widely spaced ly spaced pairs that become smaller in opposite pairs on the delicate, somewhat toward the top. Like our other 2 species, pubescent, reddish stem. The upper ones the leaf edges are rolled under. are smaller and may be whorled. Sticky blue-eyed Mary’s limited range. Maiden blue-eyed Mary is found from is mainly in southwestern Oregon and British Columbia east to Ontario and northwestern California with occasion- south to California and New Mexico. It al occurrences north to the Columbia occurs at all elevations throughout Oregon Gorge and just into Washington. Keep and is common in the Western Cascades. your eyes open for it at Youngs Rock, and Look for it at Tire Mountain, Castle Rock, Big Squaw, Bearbones, and Heckletooth Monument Peak, and Abbott Butte. mountains.

large-flowered blue-eyed Mary annual • 2–16" (5–40 cm) purple foxglove outcrops, slopes, roadbanks Collínsia grandiflòra Digitàlis purpùrea middle: May to June Large-flowered blue-eyed Mary is similar to maiden biennial • 2–7' (.5–2 m) blue-eyed Mary but generally larger in all its parts. roadsides, disturbed areas The flower may be up to ½" across. The flow- middle: June to July er tube is bent back at a right or even slightly This attractive non-native originally escaped acute angle to the stem. The stem is stouter and from cultivation and is still commonly grown the flowers are more crowded, imparting the plant in gardens. In its first year, it forms rosettes of with a much sturdier and showier appearance. The thick, fuzzy leaves up to 16" long. The tall flow- upper corolla lip varies from bright white to a pur- ering stalk produced its second year has smaller ple almost as dark as the lower lip. The leaves are leaves that diminish in size as they alternate up oblong to lance-shaped. Some populations display the stalk. The large drooping pinky-purple to intermediate features between the 2 species and white tubular flowers are decorated inside can be hard to place definitively in either one. with white-ringed dark spots. All parts of the These may be the result of hybridization. plant contain highly toxic cardiac glycosides. Large-flowered blue-eyed Mary occurs at low to Digitalis is a drug derived from this plant that is mid elevations from British Columbia to northern used to treat heart conditions. Cal­ifornia, mainly west of the Cascade Crest, and Originally from Europe, purple foxglove is also in parts of Idaho and Utah. Masses of spread across the West from Alaska to California this pretty wildflower create a grand display and Colorado, and also the northeastern states. at Buck Canyon, the Alpine Trail, and Big It is seen primarily along roadsides at low to Squaw, Bearbones, and Tire mountains. moderate elevations west of the Cascade crest.

182 • plantaginaceae Plantain Family • 183 alpine speedwell thyme-leaved speedwell Verónica wormskjòldii Verónica serpyllifòlia var. humifùsa perennial • 4–10" (10–25 cm) perennial • 3–12" (10–30 cm) wet meadows, streambanks, bogs shady, mossy rocks, moist cliffs middle: June to mid-July middle: June to mid-July Veronica is a large genus with over 200 species world- This creeping rhizomatous perennial has upright wide. While the shape of the paired leaves is extremely stalks topped by a terminal inflorescence with small variable, the flowers are recognized by their cross-like, glandular hairs. The blue flowers are followed by a 4-lobed corollas, that are usually blue with the lowest heart-shaped capsule. The ovate to oblong, glabrous lobe often much smaller. They have 2 stamens, and leaves are entire or have rounded teeth and are up to 1 stigma that persists on the flattened seed capsule. 1" (2.5 cm) long. A less common non-native variety (var. Alpine speedwell is notable for being conspicuously serpyllifoia) has smaller pale blue to white flowers and hairy throughout. Its unbranched stems are erect. A lacks the glandular hairs in the inflorescence. Common small cluster of violet flowers with short stigmas speedwell (V. arvensis) is another non-native seen occa- and stamens sits atop the stem. The capsules are sionally at lower elevations. It is a small annual with tiny taller than wide and barely notched. Spreading by blue flowers in the leaf axils and scalloped leaves. rhizomes, the plant can form thick patches in moist Thyme-leaved speedwell can be found areas. It has slightly toothed to entire, ovate leaves. from Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Alpine speedwell ranges widely from Alaska to mountains and also across most of Canada to northern Mexico and east to Montana, New Mexico the northeastern states. It occurs in western and also the Northeast. In Oregon it occurs at mid Oregon and in higher elevations east of the to high elevations, mainly in the Cascades and Blue Cascades. It is fairly common in the Western mountains. Look for it at Groundhog Mountain, Cascades and can be seen at Blair Lake, Buck Hawk Mountain, Cache Meadows, Blair Lake, and Canyon, Moon Point, and Twin Lakes. Whitehorse Meadows.

snow queen perennial • 2–6" (5–15 cm) American brooklime coniferous forest Synthỳris renifòrmis Verónica americàna early: May perennial • 6–20" (15–50 cm) This evergreen perennial is one of our earliest small creeks, wetlands bloomers. In mild winters it may flower as early as January at low elevations and it can bloom middle: July through snow in the mountains. The kidney- This moisture-loving, glabrous perennial shaped (reniformis) leaves become flushed is often found with its feet in standing or with reddish violet when exposed to the sun slow-moving water, spreading by short, and the undersides are often bright purple. creeping rhizomes. Its blue-violet flowers They are somewhat hairy above with scal- are in elongated sprays attached at the loped edges. The small, bell-shaped flowers upper leaf axils. The lance-shaped to ovate, are in clusters on weak, hairy stems. They have opposite leaves are on short petioles. They 4 lavender to purple petals and 2 stamens may be serrated to nearly entire. All parts with bright pink anthers that open to release of the plant are glabrous. Marsh speedwell white pollen. The seed capsules are similar to (V. scutellata) is a less common species that Veronica reflecting their close relationship. also has flowers in the leaf axils and grows in Snow queen has a limited range from south- similar habitats but has linear leaves. ern Washington to northern California on the American brooklime ranges across most west side of the Cascades. While more of the US and Canada and is common in common at low elevations, it reaches western Oregon and the mountains of east- moderate elevations in the moun- ern Oregon. It can be seen at almost any tains. It can be seen at Hemlock Lake, moist site in this book including Reynolds Mt. June, Heckletooth, Tidbits and Ridge, Donegan Prairie, Blair Lake, and Bearbones mountains, Monument Cache Meadows. Peak, Table Rock, and Castle Rock.

184 • plantaginaceae plantain Family • 185