Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Description: Cornus canadensis
Description: A low, trailing perennial from rhizomes; slightly woody at the base. Erect stems are slightly hairy and stand 5-25cm tall. Evergreen leaves 4-7, in a terminal whorl are oval-elliptic 2-8cm long and are glossy green above but whitish underneath. Showy dogwood like flowers have four white or purple tinged petals surrounding a central umbel-like cluster. Produces a cluster of small red berries, shown below.
Ecology: This pretty little plant is found at low to subalpine elevations but is more common at the higher elevations where it can be found on moist roadsides, forest edges, meadows, bogs, and growing on tree logs, trunks and stumps.
Notes: This plant was found on the side of a shady old logging road in a high elevation coniferous forest, June 2001. The lower picture with berries were of plants in a high elevation slash next to old growth forest in the Tetrahedron, August, 2006.
Skunk Cabbage
Lysichiton americanum
Description: A perennial 30-140cm tall, it has very large lance or elliptic shaped in a basal rosette, leaves may reach sizes of more than 1m. The yellowish flowers form on a yellow - hooded spike, characteristic skunky odour is very prominent when in flower.
Ecology: Grows in swamps, muskeg, wet forests and seepage areas at middle to low elevations.
Notes: The leaves were not eaten but were used to wrap and cook food in by many native peoples. In spring bears can often be found digging the roots of skunk cabbage to cleanse their digestive tract after a long winter's sleep. It is too strong of a cleansing agent to be used by people.
Indian Potato
AKA Western Starflower
Trientalis latifolia
Description: A perennial with enlarged vertical tubers, hence the common name as it was eaten by native peoples. Grows 10-30cm tall, with 4 leaves, or up to 8, in a whorl. The leaves are elliptic in shape and located at the top of a single stem with no lower leaves. It has white or pinkish white flowers with 5-7 petals with sharp points, a single flowers is found in the middle of the whorl of leaves. It has a spherical fruit with chambers that split into 5 when dried.
Ecology: Grows in moist, shady, boggy forests at low and middle elevations, common in Southwestern BC.
Notes: The tubers were gathered as food by some native coastal peoples.
Northern Starflower
Trientalis arctica
Description: A generally very small perennial, 5-25cm, from short horizontal rhizomes. Oval-elliptic or broadly lance shaped leaves are 1-7cm long in a terminal whorl of 5-6. Has smaller, alternate lower leaves. White or pink tinged flowers with 5-7 pointed petals that are fused at the base.
Ecology: Found primarily in bogs, swamps, muskeg, wet thickets and meadows at low to (less commonly) high elevations.
Notes: This plant was found growing in a peat bog at Lyon Lake, a high elevation coniferous forest, summer 2006.
Wild Ginger
Asarum caudatum
Description: An evergreen perennial from extensive rhizomes, stems are trailing and often root to form mats. Heart to kidney shaped leaves, 2 at each node, are 4-10cm long and up to 15cm wide, leaves and stems are finely hairy. Produce purplish brown to greenish yellow solitary bell shaped flowers that are often concealed by the leaves.
Ecology: Found in rich, moist shaded forests at low to middle elevations, often growing out of thick leaf litter that may hide the flowers.
Notes: This healthy population was found on the side of a steep old logging road in Dakota Bowl, Sept 2006.
Sweet Scented BedStraw
Galium triflorum
Description: Rhizomatous perennial with sprawling leaf squarish stems 20-100cm long that are generally found sprawling over other vegetation. Leaves are elliptically lance shaped in whorls of 5-6, with 1 vein and bristly margins, vanilla scented. Greenish white flowers are 2-3mm wide, produces 2 lobed little burs covered with hooked bristles.
Ecology: Common at low and middle elevations in moist forests, thickets, streambanks and clearings in partial shade.
Notes: This plant was found in a shady mixed forest on the banks of Chapman Creek in Sechelt, BC, June 2001.
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
Description: A soft, hairless perennial with delicate, fern-like foliage, leaves are all basal, and are deeply divided. The flowers are a pinkish-purple, heart shaped and sac-like, drooping from long stems, rising above the leaves.
Ecology: Grows in moist forests, ravines & stream banks at low to middle elevations, common in BC, often locally very abundant.
Notes: These ones were growing ditch-side in a forested area.
Herb Robert
Geranium robertianum
Description: A lovely tap-rooted annual with a very unpleasant odour, stems are branched, bent at the base to upright, the plant is spreading and covered in fine hairs, grows 10-60cm tall. Has pink flowers, 5 petals 7-15mmm long
Ecology: Introduced Eurasian weed, common in clearings, meadows, open forests, generally at low elevations.
Notes: This one was growing near the base of my apple tree where they grow in abundance every year. Common in BC.
Deer Cabbage
Fauria crista-galli
Description: A hairless perennial from shallow rhizomes, its 10-50cm tall flowering stems are leafless. Basal leaves are thick and heart or kidney shaped, wider than they are long, with blunt teeth. Flowers are white, top shaped with petals fused into short tubes.
Ecology: Found growing in bogs, swamps, wet forests, seepage areas, common at low to subalpine areas, particularly in maritime climates.
Notes: This one was found on a high elevation loggin road in Dakota Ridge, BC. There was a large healthy population growing on a swampy roadside, July 2006 photo. The Deer Cabbage is related to the Gentian Family.
Common Harebell
AKA Bluebells of Scotland
Campanula rotundifolia
Description: 10-80cm tall perennial, 1 to many slender stems with oval to heart shaped coarsely toothed leaves that often wither before the flowers appear. Stem leaves are lance-shaped and narrow and may be smooth or toothed. Lovely purplish to almost white flowers are 1.5-3cm long, showy nodding bell shaped flowers found singly or in loose clusters of up to 15.
Ecology: Common, found on rocky open ground, grassy slopes, gullies and canyons srom sea level to middle elevation.
Notes: This was found in a clearcut at low elevation along a roadside in West Sechelt, summer 2003.
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Description: A spreading perennial from strong rhizomes; armed with stinging hairs (calendula salve makes a great antidote!). Stems are leafy and upright, grows 1-3m tall. Flowers are greenish and tiny in numerous dense drooping clusters.
Ecology: Probably a Eurasian nattive species, common in BC in meadows, thickets, stream-banks and open forests and disturbed habitats, always grows in moist rich soil from low to subalipne elevations.
Notes: The young tender leaves can be picked and cooked and eaten like spnach in the spring. The plant has also been used for headaches, eczema, rheumatism and arthritis. It is also used as an anti-asthmatic mixed in tea with honey and for anemia or chronic illness as it is highly nutritive, very high in iron, plus Calcium, vitamin C and minerals. Used for any type of internal hemorrhaging, and intestinal ulcers. Strengthens and supports the whole body, detoxifies, it increases energy, cleanses kidneys, improves circulation, cleanses and builds up the blood while lowering blood sugar thus useful for hypoglycemia. Inhibits influenza A and helps with seasonal allergies. Use as part of 'spring cleansing' because helps purify the blood, and aid in tissue detoxification. Massage infusion into damp scalp as a final rinse for dry scalp and dandruff. Strong stem fibers used in linen weaving, paper and rope making.
Common St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Description: Perennial 10-70cm tall with lance shaped 1-2cm long leaves on single or simply branched stems. Yellow flowers have 5 narrowly lance shaped sepals. Produces brownish seeds over 1mm long with rows of pits.
Ecology: Found around human settlement, in pastures, on roadsides and clearings, disturbed areas from low to middle elevation.
Notes: INTRODUCED Eurasian weed, common in southern BC. May cause photosensitivity causing burns and dermatitis in sensitive individuals who may touch the leaves. Widely used herbal medicine used since ancient times for wounds and nervous disorders, depression and viral infections. H. formosum is a native species with more oblong leaves and flowers found in moist open sites. This one was photographed on a logging road on the way to Carlson Lake, August 2006 photo. Left photo is Bog St. John's Wort, Hypericum anagalloides, is a native species found often in wet meadows, ditches and bogs from low to middle elevation. It is a low matt forming perennial 5-15 cm tall with tiny yellow flowers.
Vanilla Leaf
Achlys triphylla
Description: perennial from slender spreading rhizomes, sends up single leaves at intervals along the rhizome. Leaves are all basal on 10-30cm stalks with 3 fan shaped asymmetrical coarsely blunt toothed leaflets. Small white flowers lack sepals and petals, but have 8-20 long white stamens, numerous flowers on a long stalked showy white 2-5cm long spike that sticks up above the leaves. Produces dark grey brown or purplish crescent shaped achenes.
Ecology: Found in moist shady forests, openings and forest edges, stream banks at low to middle elevation from Vancouver Island south.
Notes: Used by native peoples as an insect repellent, the dried leaves were hung in their homes to keep the mosquitoes away and for their sweet vanilla like scent. These ones were photographed on the edge of a logging road in Powell River, BC, July 2005 photo.
Common Plantain
Plantago major
Description: Large broadly elliptic or egg shaped leaves with strong parallel veins. Produces green flowers in long spikes that stick up just above the leaves.
Ecology: Found anywhere there is human disturbance, roadsides, common lawn and garden weed, fields, clearings, etc.
Notes: There is some uncertainty whether this is a native species in North America or not, but it is generally believed that it was introduced soon after white man came to North America. Excellent healing herb used in the field for wounds, nature’s bandaid – if you have a cut, blisters on your feet, etc wrap it in plantain leaves, a great healing herb and astringent to helps top bleeding. Also great in herbal salves for all sorts of skin conditions, dry cracked skin, and more. This one was found on a roadside in Sechelt, June 2005 photo.
Sea Milk Wort
Glaux maritima
Description: A flehy hairless perennial from rhizomes. 3-30cm tall stems have numerous oval to oblong leaves that are opposite at the base and alternate at the tip, 5-25mm long. Flowers are small and white or pinkish, 4-5mm long and cup-shaped, single and stalk less in leaf axils. Flower parts in 5's.
Ecology: Common in tidal flats, sea beaches and salt marshes throughout coastal BC.
Notes: These ones were found growing in a tidal flat at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park in Sechelt, BC, June 2001.
Perennial Saltwort
AKA American Glasswort
Salicornia virginica
Description: A fleshy matted hairless perennial from long spreading slender rhizomes. Stems are trailing and prostate, jointed, flowering stems upright 5-30cm tall, often a purplish colour. Flowers are tiny sunken in pits in the joints.
Ecology: Very common on the coast in salt marshes and tidal flats, but absent from areas with strong wave action.
Notes: This one was found growing in a sheltered estuary in the tidal flats, in Sechelt Inlet, August 2001.
