Woodland Strawberry
Fragraria vesca
Description: A small perennial from woody rootstock, and producing hairy runners. This species has leaves with the terminal tooth being longer than the adjacent teeth (unlike the wild strawberry) and its green leaves are not leathery (unlike the coastal strawberry) Large, white 5 petaled flowers and small berries
Ecology: Common in openings and open forests at low to subalpine elevations, south of about 55 degrees North
On the sunshine coast this tends to be found in shadier and more forested and moister areas than the above wild strawberry which is found on rock bluffs, roadsides, etc.
Notes: This one was found on a partially shady logging road at high elevation near Carlson Lake on the Sunshine Coast of BC. Uses: The leaves of strawberries were and still are used often for diarrhea in a tea, particularly for children, berries were eaten by many native peoples.
Wild Strawberry
Fragraria virginiana
Description: A small perennial rootstock, and producing hairy runners. This species has leaves with the terminal tooth being shorter than the adjacent teeth (unlike the woodland strawberry) and its bluish green - topped leaves are not leathery (unlike the coastal strawberry which is also restricted to coastal localities). Large, white flowers and small strawberries in summer.
Ecology: Generally an interior species but found in drier coastal habitats in southwestern BC.
Notes: This one was found on the side of a logging road in Sechelt Inlet, BC. Uses: The leaves of strawberries were and still are used often for diarrhea in a tea, particularly for children, berries were eaten by many native peoples.
Large-Leaved Avens
Geum macrophyllum
Description: A hairy perennial from short rhizomes on stems that can grow up to 1m tall. Heart to kidney shaped leaves that decrease in size up the stem, leaves are deeply lobed or 3 parted.
Ecology: A common plant at low and middle elevations in open areas and open forests. Often found to frequent disturbed areas. This picture was taken on the side of the road in Sechelt, BC.
Notes: Medicinal Uses: The root was used in tea by native peoples for stomach aches; leaves were chewed during childbirth, or made into a diuretic tea.
Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Description: A 1-2m tall perennial from stout creeping rhizomes with several hairless stems. Large lower leaves are 3 times compound, upper leaves less compound, leaflets are sharply toothed and pointed with hairy undersides. It produces tiny white flowers in elongated branched terminal clusters; male and female flowers are on separate plants.
Ecology: Found in edge habitats at low and middle elevations such as roadsides, forest edges and streams, areas tend to be moist to moderately dry.
Notes: This one was found at the edge of a cleared area next to Angus Creek near Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast.
Partridgefoot
Luetkea pectinata
Description: Low prostrate mat-forming evergreen, flowering stem up to 15cm tall, leafy stems much shorter. Semi-shrub. Numerous fan shaped leaves in crowded basal tufts 2-3 times dissected. Small white flowers in a dense terminal cluster on an upright leafy stem to 15cm tall.
Ecology: Common in meadows, heath and scree slopes at middle to alpine elevations.
Notes: This one was found growing alongside Pink Mountain Heather in the Lyon Lakes area of the Caren Range mountains, at high elevation.
Silverweed
Potentilla anserina
Description: Hairy perennial herb from long runners. Basal leaves to 40cm long, compound, pinnate with a mix of small and large leaflets that are woolly beneath. Produces single yellow flowers on leafless stalks with oval petals to 1.2cm long. Produces flattened oval achenes to 2mm long.
Ecology: Found on edges of marshes, streams, beaches and dunes. Usually near the ocean but not restricted to marine habitats, common at low to middle elevations.
Notes: Distinguished from other coastal cinquefoils by its runners and leafless flowering stalks with single flowers. Roots were used as a food source by most coastal peoples, they were dug in the fall or early spring and were steam cooked to remove the bitter taste. This one was found in a clearing next to the ocean in Wilson Creek on the Sunshine Coast, May 2005 photo.
Sitka Burnet
Sanguisorba canadensis ssp. latifolia
Description: Perennial from rhizomes, 25-100cm tall. Mostly basal leaves with blades 10-30cm long divided into 9-17 egg shaped or oblong coarsely toothed leaflets; with attached membranous stipules on blades. Leaves of flowering stems have 1-3 leaflets, being reduced up the stem. Greenish white or yellowish white flowers with sepals 2.5mm long in dense cylindrical heads, petals absent.
Ecology: Found in bogs, swamps, stream banks and wet meadows, common at middle to subalpine elevations.
Notes: The root is used medicinally in a decoction for internal and external bleeding, dysentery or genital discharges. This one was found growing at the edge of Carlson Lake at middle elevation, July 2006 photo.
