Lyrae has a BSc in Environmental Sciences and studies biological diversity in BC, she is also the founder of Lyrae's Naturals, manufacturer of a wide range of all natural body and bath products, please visit her business website below:
Little/Few Seeded
Western Bittercress
Cardamine oligosperma
Description: Perennial herb from slender rhizomes that form tubers at the base of the stem. Flowering stems to 40cm long; basal leaves are deeply divided with opposite paired lobes and a larger lobe at the end, in a loose rosette. Leaves become simpler as you move up the stem. Flowers are white, with 4 petals 2-4mm long. Erect cylindrical seed pods to 2.5cm long. A very similar species is Western Bittercress C. occidentalis which is often partially submerged or growing along the edges of flowing or standing water at low elevations. Seed pods grow to 3.5cm long and are more numerous.
Ecology: Common in wet, open sites from disturbed areas to open forests at low and middle elevations.
Notes: This picture was taken in moist, humus rich soil at Wakefield Creek, Sechelt, BC.
Shepherd's Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Description: Annual on simple or occasionally branched stems to 50cm tall, finely hairy. Basal leaves to 6cm long are broadly lance shaped, toothed and pinnately divided forming a rosette. Stem leaves are alternate and clasping lance shaped or oblong and irregularly toothed. Small white flowers have 4 petals, usually lots of flowers at first densely clustered but spreading as they mature. Characteristic flattened heart shaped silicles (pod-like fruit) on longish stalks down the top portion of the stem below the flowering top.
Ecology: Roadsides, cleared areas, gardens, fields, common at low to high elevations anywhere there is human disturbance.
Notes: INTRODUCED European weed widespread in North America. Greens and spicy seeds are edible, also a common wound herb used for centuries to heal wounds of all kinds, aids in healing and helps to stop bleeding. You will often find these growing in your gardens, this one was growing in West Sechelt, October 2004 photo.
Marsh Yellow Cress
Rorippa palustris
Description: Annual or biennial herb from erect stems to 1m tall, simple or branched. Large alternate leaves to 17cm long are finely divided becoming simply toothed up the stem. Produces light yellow flowers with 4 petals to 2mm long in terminal clusters and in leaf axils. Sausage shaped seed pods are up to 1cm long.
Ecology: Found in wet meadows, lakeshores, swamps and ditches at low to middle elevation throughout our area.
Notes: This one was found growing at the edge of Chapman Creek at low elevation, May 2005 photo.
