Ericaceae ~ Heath Family WHITE RHODODENDRON Rhododéndron albiflòrum The heath family is large and varied, containing trees, shrubs, and perennials, including unusual non-green plants. Most species have alternate leaves, flower parts in 5’s, and anthers that release shrub • 3–8’ (90–240 cm) pollen through pores. They generally favor acidic soil 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 blueberries or huckleberries, Vaccinium, are in their own subfamily, Vaccinioideae, that have urn-shaped flowers, berries, and are mostly deciduous. The subfamily Pyroloideae, which includes Also known as Cascade azalea, this decidu- Pyrola and Chimaphila, are evergreens with 5 separate petals 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 Monotropoideae. 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 conifers, through a fungal connection tered closely so as to appear in whorls. The and are properly referred to as myco-heterotrophic. With the green plant 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, Kalmiopsis 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 berry, hence the name “fool’s huckleberry”. Another common name is false azalea, for its clus- tered leaves are similar to those of azaleas (deciduous rhododendrons). 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 evergreen 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 • Ericaceae 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, oak 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. Wash ington, 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 Patter son Mountain. PACIFIC MADRONE tree • 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 oaks 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 stamens, 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.