UNDER CONSTRUCTION! I will updating plant information over the next month – with explanations of how to use, find and understand the plant for each entry. Each plant will also have link to other websites with detailed information. CHECK BACK OFTEN.
- Apple, Crabapple– Pacific Crab apple (Malus fusca) – Ecology: found in moist areas of the forest, swaps, edges of standing or flowing water, near ocean beaches. Nutritional and Medicinal: The fruit is small, tart and found in clusters. It is edible. The bark was used as a remedy for eyes and stomach. The bark contains cyanide-producing compounds and should be used with caution
- Alder, red (Alnus ruba) – Native deciduous rapid growing tree to 80 feet. Important pioneer species that appears quickly after a soil disturbance and fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. Good shade tree or hedgerow planting with bright green leaves turning yellow in the Fall. Provides good food source and cover for Butterfly larvae and birds.
- Alder, Sitka (alnus crispa ssp. Sinuata)
- Alumroot, smooth-(Heuchera glabra) – Perennial from short, stout rhizomes. Flowering stems that rise above green foliage. Found on rocky crevices and rocky meadows from 3000 feet to sea level. Often found in the spray zone around waterfalls. Roots were crushed and made into a poultice applied to cuts and sores to stop bleeding and promote healing.
- Alumroot, small flowered – (Heuchera micrantha) Small-flowered alumroot is a great perennial wildflower for the shaded rock garden or woodland plot. In dense plantings, the multiple inflorescences add great texture to the garden. Older plants may become less attractive because the stems elongate, losing their lower leaves, so that the basal leaves are elevated off of the ground. At this point, plants could be dug up and divided into multiple plants.
- Arnica – Meadow Arnica(Arnica chamissonis) – North American native perennial medicinal herb with daisy like yellow flowers on creeping stems to 1 foot tall. Whole flowering plant is used in oil, salves or strong teas as an anti-inflammatory on bruises, strains or sprains. Grows best in full sun in moist loamy soil.
- Avens, Large-leaved – (Geum macrophyllum) – Common perennial groundcovers in open moist to dry forests and glades. Leaves are hairy borne at the base (basal) and along the flowering stem to 3 feet. A single to several bright yellow flower appears at the tops of stems.
- Bergamot, Wild (Monarda fistulosa) – Perennial North American native herb to 4 feet tall. Makes tight clusters of lavender long-tubed flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Excellent tea herb or fresh-cut flowers. Prefers full sun to partial shade in moist to dry soils.
- Berry, Bane (Actaea rubra) (Red baneberry, Chinaberry, Doll’s Eye) is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant native to North America and Canada in the family Ranunculace. After flowering green berries are produced. The fruits are ellipsoid shaped berries containing several seeds. In mid to late summer, the berries turn bright red or white (forma neglecta). The berries also have a black dot on them. The toxins can also have an immediate sedative effect on the cardiac muscle tissue possibly leading to card.iac arrest if introduced into the bloodstream. As few as two berries may be fatal to a child.
- Berry, Blackcap – Black-cap Raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) Native perennial deciduous shrub 3-5 feet tall with erect arching blue-green colored stems with small curved prickles. Clusters of small white flowers bearing red turning to purple-black edible fruit in midsummer. Grows in open clearings in dry to moist soil with partial shade. Inconspicuous white flowers yet a valuable food source for hummingbirds.
- Berry, Blackberry Trailing or Dewberry– (Rubus ursinus) Native to the Pacific Northwest – Common in disturbed sites. Trails along the ground (often called a ankle-cutter). Leaves used as a tea. Berries will dry on the vine and is a bird and wildlife winter forage. Berries are very eatable.
- Berry, Buffalo-berry or soapberry – Soopolallie (Shepherdia Canadensis)- Mostly found in Alaska and Canada. Often found with lodge pole pine stands. The berries with whipped up and would form a froth. Often used to make “Indian Ice-cream” which was mixed with sweet berries from the Salal or other sweet berries..
- Berry, Elderberry – Red Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) – Fast growing native deciduous shrub or small tree to 18 feet with soft pithy green twigs, which becomes woody with age. Creamy white flowers form in clusters turning to red clusters of berries. Berries are edible for wildlife but raw can be poisonous to humans. Cooked and seeds removed makes good jelly, jams and syrups. Grows quickly in forest edges, clearings or newly disturbed site that are moist or wet. Excellent shrub for attracting birds for viewing.
- Berry, Elderberry – Blue (Sambucus cerulea Raf.) General: coarse shrub, sometimes approaching the size and habit of a tree, normally with several stems from the base, 2-4 m tall, with soft, pithy, waxy-coated twigs. Flowers with strong, unpleasant smell, white or creamy, 4-6 or 7 mm across, the 5 corolla lobes evidently longer than the short flat tube.
Flowering time: May-July. Fruits: berry-like drupes, juicy, round, 4-6 mm thick, bluish-black beneath the dense, waxy bloom, thus appearing pale powdery blue, containing 3-5 small, seedlike stones, each enclosing a seed. The fruits of blue elderberry are edible raw, cooked or used in preserves. This is the most well-tasting of the North American elders, even though it is full of small seeds. The berries are rather sweet and juicy. They can however cause nausea if eaten raw, but ripe berries are edible when cooked. Berries can be used in portlike wine, jams, and pies. They should always be cooked and are used primarily in wines and syrups. The fruit is usually dried before being used. Some caution is advised, the leaves and stems can be toxic. The flowers are edible raw or cooked, and are said to be pleasant and refreshing raw. A pleasant tea can be made from the dried flowers. - Berry, Goose – Wild Gooseberry (Ribes divaricatum) Native deciduous perennial shrub 3-8 feet with thorns at the leaf nodes. Grows best in moist to dry forest edges with partial shade. Inconspicuous burgundy and white fuchsia-like flowers yet a valuable food source for hummingbirds. Gooseberries are edible for humans and wildlife. DEER-RESISTANT
- Berry, Goose-Black Black Gooseberry (Ribes lacustre) Native deciduous perennial shrub to 4 feet with small “fuzzy” golden prickles along stalk and thorns at leaf nodes. Leaves are maple-leaf shaped, small reddish flower clusters and black fruit in early fall. Grows best in shady, moist to wet forests; often growing on old rotting wood.
- Berry, Huckleberry – Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) Native evergreen densely bushy shrub to 3 feet in sun, eight feet tall in shade with light-pink small flowers and blue berries in fall. Grows best in partial shade or partial full-sun in soils rich in organic matter. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, humans and wildlife eat the berries.
- Berry, Oso or Indian plum (See Indian Plum)
- Berry, Salal (See Salal)
- Berry, Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Deciduous native perennial shrub common in areas of moist, rich soils with sun. Provides delicious, orange-red blackberry-like fruit in early summer. Its magenta flowers announces the coming of spring and serves as an early nectar source for our returning Rufus Hummingbird. Can grow to 10 feet in ideal sites and spreads by rhizomes making it an ideal selection for hedges.
- Berry, Service (See Saskatoon Serviceberry)
- Berry, Saskatoon– Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – Native deciduous perennial shrub 6 to 18 feet high and wide depending on site. Has small oval dark green leaves, showy white flowers in early summer that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with edible purple-black fruit for humans and wildlife. Prefers moist to dry well drained soils in full sun, open forest edges and shorelines. Excellent for wildlife habitat and soil erosion control.
- Berry, Snowberry – Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)– Native deciduous shrub to 7 feet with thick, delicate branches, leaves and small pink bell-shaped flowers. The white pea-sized berry persists through winter and provides an important wildlife food source. Spreads by rhizomes in moist to dry soils, shade and full sun providing excellent erosion control, creating hedgerows and wildlife habitat. Flowers attract hummingbirds.
- Berry, Strawberry -Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) – Native perennial groundcover with attractive shiny dark-green leaves, white flowers and edible fruit. Grows best in sunny or partial shady conditions in sandy or well-drained soils and rock gardens. Attracts butterflies and bees. One of the two species of the hybridized commercial strawberry – the other being, F. virginiana. Attracts butterflies.
- Berry, Strawberry -Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)– Native perennial ground cover to 4 inches tall with runners. White flowers on short stalk bearing edible small fruit in summer. Fruit is a favorite for small wildlife and birds. Grows best in sunny openings or forest edges and excellent groundcover for weed control. Attracts butterflies.
- Berry, Strawberry – Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) – Native perennial ground cover to 6 inches tall. White flowers bearing edible small fruit in early summer. The leaves are usually larger and more grayish-green than woodland or coastal strawberries. This is a very hardy strawberry plant and one of the two species of the hybridized commercial strawberry- the other being F. chiloensis. Attracts butterflies.
- Berry, Swamp currant and Trailing currant (See Trailing Currant)
- Berry, Twinberry –Black Black Twinberry(Lonicera involucrate) –Native, fast growing perennial straggly deciduous shrub 2-7 feet tall in the honeysuckle family. Twin, yellow tubular flowers at leaf axis bloom April-May and twin blackish blue shiny berries form in June. Flowers are good nectar source for hummingbirds, and berries, not usually considered edible by humans, are a favorite for birds. Grows best in moist open sites in loamy soil. Can tolerate early shallow flooding.
- Berry, Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) Native deciduous perennial raspberry-like shrub with no thorns. It has large, fuzzy, maple-like leaves and produces a tasty red berry for humans and wildlife. The white five-petal rose-like flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Excellent for stabilizing sunny, moist slopes and open sites.
- Berry, Waxberry (See Snowberry)
- Birch, Western White (See Paper Birch)
- Birch, Paper – (Betula papyrifera) – Deciduous northwest native tree to 100 feet. Peeling bark on mature trees white to copper-brown color, sometimes pink. The bark is used for basketry by humans and is used for nesting material for birds and mammals. Oval to round leaves turning golden yellow in fall. Leaves provide food for butterfly larvae, and cavity nesting birds and mammals nest and roost in tree cavities. Grows in open and dense deciduous or mixed evergreen woods in moist to wet soils.
- Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) – Perennial herb native to eastern US hardwood forests with tall plumes of cream to white flowers, on a wand-like stems, bloom from May to July, often-towering over six feet. Butterflies and hummingbirds are quite attracted to the flowers. From August to October, seeds develop in capsules and make a rattling sound when they are mature and ready to be harvested. Root has been used as a treatment alternative to mainstream hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Other traditional medicinal uses include rheumatism, sore throats, and bronchitis.
- Bleeding Heart, Pacific (Dicentra formosa) – Divided fern-like basal leaf foliage on fleshy stems to 18 inches tall. The bleeding-heart grows in moist well-drained rich soils and partial shade. The heart-shaped pink to purple flowers in clusters of 5-15 bloom in mid-spring and are a favorite of hummingbirds and butterfly larvae will feed on the leaves. Ants are attracted to the seeds and carry them off to ensure new established patches.
- Burdock, Common (Arcticum minus) – Roots of this herb are used as a detoxifier for sore throats, skin problems and eliminating heavy metals. Native to Europe and Asia this herb is commonly found in fields and meadows in the N. Am. west. The second year flower stalks grow to 5 feet producing purple flowers in bur-like structures which gave rise to the idea of “Velcro”.
- Camas – Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii) – Native perennial bright purple or blue blooming flower in the lily family. The bulb is a valuable food source of indigenous peoples. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Grows in sunny moist areas.
- Camas, death also called Meadow Death Camas (Zygadenus venenous) – grows alongside Great Camas and looks similar. VERY DEADLY. Has a white flower instead of a blue or purple flower of the Great Camas. Camas was always harvested in its flowering state so as not to get this plant mixed up with the eatable Great Camas. The bulbs and leaves of the Death-Camas resemble those of the Great Camas. Remember blue flower – good, white or yellowish flower – BAD
- Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana)
- Cat-tail or Reed Mace (Typha latifolia) Marsh or semiaquatic perennial plant. It is found as a native plant species in North and South America, Europe, Eurasia, and Africa. Used for weaving mats and clothing. Cattail seed fluff used for pillows and baby diapers by Native peoples. Important food source for many birds and other wildlife. Important food source for foraging humans.
- Cedar, Yellow Nootka Cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis D. Spach)), formerly Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, Xanthocyparis nootkatensis or Callitropsis nootkatensis, is a cypress (Cupressaceae) no a true cedar. It is found in Northern Canada and south to Western British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Important tree for many items including paddles, fishing nets, dishes, clothing and shelter. The cones and roots were used for medicine. The tree is shelter for many birds and small animals. The Yellow-cedar can live to be 1,000 to 1,500 years old.
- Cedar, Western Red – (Thuja plicata) The Western Redcedar is a mother plant to forest communities. The number of native plants who thrive around this tree can be counted in the thousands. The fungi can be counted in the hundreds. The tree will uptake moisture, store it for a season and release the moisture to the entire surrounding forest during dry seasons. Many plants survive only because of the ecosystem created by this beautiful tree. From the Western Redcedar and the Yellowcedar the First peoples of the Cascadia bioregion obtained the materials to provide themselves with food, medicine, shelter, clothing, tools, and transportation. The Western Redcedar is considered to be a “keystone” cultural plant of the Cascadian coastal First Peoples. Many tribes found in the Cascadian bioregion used the tips and twigs of this mighty tree as strong medicine. It was used to treat tuberculosis, colds, toothaches and other respiratory ailments. Like the Yellow-cedar the trees can live a very long time-as much as 1,000 years.
- Cherry, Bitter
- Clematis, White
- Coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus var. palmatus) – Native woodland groundcover that blooms from March through July. But it’s most noted for its large, palmate, deeply lobed leaves to 1 foot tall and wide. The small creamy-white or pink flowers are borne on flat-topped clusters above the leaves. Prefers wet seepage, moist woods and ditches.
- Columbine – Pink Double (Aquilegia vulgaris) – Perennial with deep blue to purple double petal flowers. Blooms in late spring and flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Prefers damp open to partly shaded sites. Can self-seeds readily in garden beds.
- Columbine – Purple Double (Aquilegia vulgaris) – Perennial with deep blue to purple double petal flowers. Blooms in late spring and flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Prefers damp open to partly shaded sites. Can self-seeds readily in garden beds.
- Columbine – Red Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – Native perennial upright brightly flowering plant to 30 inches. The red flowers with red or yellow spurs bloom in spring and early summer providing nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds. Seeds are eaten by birds and plant self-seeds readily. Grows in sun to partial shade in moist to dry well drained to rocky soils.
- Cow parsnip
- Currant, Red-flowering Current (Ribes sanguineum) – Native deciduous perennial shrub to 10 feet that produces profuse blooms of red-pink blossoms in early spring. Flowers are excellent food source for hummingbirds and butterflies. The dark purple berries are edible for wildlife and humans. Sun to partial shade in dry, well drained soils. DEER-RESISTANT
- Daisy, Michaelmas (Aster novae-angliae cv) – Fall blooming perennial ornamental aster to 3 feet tall. Flowers are bluish-purple on a graceful stout stemmed plant. Flowers remain until late fall and are a good source for Butterfly food and nectar. Prefers full sun and tolerates moist poor soils.
- Dead trees, upright or downed —Russel Link– Urban Wildlife biologist lists dead trees and the first indispensable native plants — He treasures dead trees because they’ve been part of our ecosystem for 15,000 years, and species from bats to woodpeckers depend on them. Downed logs that Link has salvaged and integrated into his garden act like big sponges soaking up water for salamanders. Wrens forage for insects in the bottom of the logs, while overhead, cavity nesters such as chickadees make their homes in old snags.
- Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus) – Native deciduous perennial shrub to 8 feet related to oriental ginseng. Plant is heavily armored with large greenish spines on stems and large maple-leaf shaped leaves. Flowers are small creamy white on terminal clusters turning to showy bright-red shiny berries in late summer. Fruit is a favorite for birds. Highly used medicinal plant for diabetes, arthritis, auto-immune disorders, body-balancing and system-strengthening.
- Dock, bitter
- Dock, Sheep sorrel
- Dogwood, Flowering
- Dogwood, Pacific (Cornus nuttallii) – Native small deciduous tree to 40 feet with rich green leaves, white showy flowers in Spring and red berry clusters in Fall. Grows in moist well drained sites in dense forest or open forest edges. May be difficult to establish due to its susceptibility to disease.
- Dogwood, Red Osier (Cornus sericea) – Freely spreading deciduous perennial shrub, 4-16 feet, native to North America. Grows best in moist to wet sites in full to partial sun. The flowers are small, white to greenish in terminal clusters that form in May or June. The fruit is a creamy white or tinged blue small berry in drooping clusters. The red stems make this an attractive winter native ornamental shrub for erosion control or as a barrier hedge. Good source of wild bird food and habitat and a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. The long slim stems were used by Indigenous people for basket weaving, and an extract from the bark and roots containing salicylic acid – aspirin was used for treating fevers and coughs. Indigenous people and early settlers smoked the inner bark, stem scrapings, and leaves, which have a slightly narcotic effect.
- Dogwood, Yellow Twig (Cornus sericea var.) – Freely spreading deciduous perennial shrub, 4-16 feet, native to North America. Grows best in moist to wet sites in full to partial sun. The flowers are small, white to greenish in terminal clusters that form in May or June. The fruit is a creamy white or tinged blue small berry in drooping clusters. The bright yellow stems make this an attractive winter native ornamental shrub for erosion control or a barrier hedge. Good habitat and food source for birds, and a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Elderberry – red and blue
- False Solomon Seal
- Fern, Bracken
- Fern, Lady – Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) – A fast growing native deciduous fern 2-5 feet tall with multiple yellow-green, lance-shaped fronds growing from a central clump. Grows best in moist to wet soils in full sun to full shade. Provides cover for wildlife.
- Fern, Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum) – Delicate, showy black stemmed native perennial fern to 18 inches tall with fan-shaped fine leaves. Grows best in damp shady humus-rich forests or rocky crevices.
- Fern, Sword – Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) Large native evergreen fern to 3 feet tall with erect or ascending fronds. Grows best in moist mixed or evergreen forests with partial sun or shade and rich soils.
- Fern, Wood – (Dryopteris expansa) Native deciduous woodland fern. Each frond is lacy broad-triangular 1-3 foot tall. Each plant usually has 3- 7 fronds growing in partial shade in lowland forest soil and in decaying logs.
- Fir, Douglas
- Fir, Grand (Abies grandis) – Native evergreen true fir of the northwest. Mature stands are common in second growth forests due to their lack of commercial value. True to their name, they can grow to 250 feet and become good nesting and roosting sights for bald eagle, blue herons, hawks and ravens.
- Fir, Subalpine or White balsam
- Fir, White
- Fireweed
- Foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata) – Native perennial groundcovers that gains it common name from the delicate tiny white flowers at the end of short stalks like specks of foam that attract butterflies and other beneficial insects. Flowers can last through summer above attractive maple-shaped basal leaves. Prefers growing in moist shady coniferous forests.
- Fox Glove, Common (Digitalis purpurea) – Biennial native to Europe. Abundant in the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest usually in disturbed sites. Flowers are drooping bell-shaped, pink-purple, sometimes white, on tall stalks to 5 feet tall. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) -Native perennial groundcovers with showy hairy green heart-shaped leaves. Flowers are very fragrant small greenish-white turning reddish on stalks 2 feet tall; 10-35 in loose flower clusters that attract hummingbirds. Grow best in loose moist to dry soils in sunny locations.
- Ginger, Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) -Low growing aromatic evergreen groundcover of moist, rich, shady soils. The whole plant smells of lemon-ginger when bruised or crushed. Leaves are shiny heart-shaped usually growing in pairs off creeping stems that will form scattered mats. The striking flowers are purple-brown bell-shaped, though are often hidden bloom April-July. Protect from slugs and snails.
- Goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus) is a statuesque perennial, forming a fat, 5-foot mound of foliage topped with white, plumy flowers in summer. The graceful large-leafed foliage and showy plumes has tiny white flowers on stalks. It prefers edge habitats in moist forests, road-cuts and stream banks. The male plant bears the showier flowers. It is filled with little flying pollinators. You know it has to be important in the food web because other things are likely eating those insects.
- Grass, Bear-grass
- Grass, Blue-eyed (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) – Delicate western native member of the Iris family preferring moist to wet edge, sunny sites. Perennial growing to 12-16 inches tall. Flowers are small, circular blue to purple with yellow “eyed” center. Seeds are carried off and eaten or reseeded by rodents.
- Grass, Golden-eyed (Sisyrinchium californicum) – Delicate western native member of the Iris family preferring moist to wet edge, sunny sites. Perennial growing to 12-14 inches tall in tufted clumps. Flowers are small, bright yellow in terminal cluster. Seeds are carried off and eaten or reseeded by rodents.
- Grass, Common reedgrass
- Grass, Eel-grass
- Grass, Reed Canary-grass
- Grass Pinegrass
- Grass, Ryegrass
- Grass, Sweetgrass
- Grass, Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) – Attractive clump-forming grass native to marshes and wet prairies of North America to 18 inches tall. Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soils in part shade to sun. Numerous flower stems rise in summer from the foliage mound to a height of 3′ bearing wide, airy panicles of tiny, variably-colored flowers of gold, silver, purple and green. Flower panicles turn yellowish-tan after bloom as the seed ripens and may remain attractive through much of the winter. Small birds are attracted to the seeds and plants provide cover.
- Greasewood
- Hawthorne, Red
- Hawthorne, Black
- Hazelnut, California
- Hazelnut- Western Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica) -Native small tree or many-stemmed bush to 20 feet in sun or shade. The male flower, catkins, first appear before leaves in February or March. Also called filberts, the nut of this tree is a favorite food source for birds and squirrels. Grows best in damp well drained forest edges or light shade.
- Hellebore, false or green
- Hemlock, Western (Conifer)
- Hemlock –conifer
- Hemlock – Poisonous
- Honeysuckle, Hairy (Lonicera hispidula) Native perennial deciduous trailing vine with hairy dark green leaves and white to pinkish-purple trumpet flowers attractive to Attracts Flowers attract hummingbirds. Grows in dry, open forests, and rocky ridges. Makes a showy ground cover in the garden.
- Honeysuckle, Orange (Lonicera ciliosa) – Native perennial deciduous, widely branching climbing vine to 16 feet the orange-yellow trumpet shaped flowers at branch ends attracts hummingbirds. Grows in sunny or partially sunny sites along woods and thickets in dry to moist soil.
- Horsetail – Field
- Horse Tail – scouring rush
- Indian Plum -Osoberry/Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) – Fast Growing native deciduous perennial shrub or tree to 18 feet. Prefers moist rich soils in light sun or partial shade. First spring bloomer with white somewhat hanging bell-shaped flowers in February and March. Male and female flowers bloom on separate plants. Fruit are peach colored ripening to blue-black pea sized plums in June through August. Fruit is edible to humans when ripe and is a favorite of birds. Osoberry is a nectar plant for hummingbirds.
- Indian Consumption Plant (See Parsley, Bare Stemmed Desert)
- Indian Hemp
- Iris, Blue-eyed Grass (See Grass, Blue-eyed)
- Iris, Golden-eyed Grass (See Grass, Golden-eyed)
- Juniper, Common or Ground Juniper (Juniperus communis)
- Kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – Native evergreen ground cover with trailing branches with thickly clothed dark green, leathery leaves. The white – pink, urn-shaped flowers bloom in early spring, attracting hummingbirds, followed by vibrant red berries which birds love. This fast-growing plant is found in dry, sunny locations and requires no watering in summer. Good for erosion control in poor soils. Native groups smoke Kinnikinnik and the berries are still used medicinally to treat bladder and kidney disorders.
- Larch, Western
- Larkspur
- Licen, Wolf
- Lily, fawn
- Lily, pine
- Lilly, tiger
- Madrone, Pacific – Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) Small to medium sized broad-leafed evergreen native coastal tree to 75 feet. White flower clusters in spring and red berry clusters in late summer through winter. Fruit is an excellent winter food source for birds. Highly valued for its red-brown peeling bark with green underneath. Difficult to transplant due to its very fragile root hairs and mycorrhizal associations. Grows best in sandy to rocky WELL DRAINED soil in open west to southwestern facing areas sheltered from NE winter winds. Lummi Island seed source.
- Maple, Douglas – Douglas Maple (Acer glabrum v. douglasii) – Native deciduous shrub or small tree to 30 feet. Prefers dry, well drained soils on forest edges and openings. Leaves turn from green to bright yellow or red in Fall. The flowers appear in spring providing nectar and food source for insects. All maples are a valuable food source for butterfly larvae.
- Maple – broadleaf – Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) Native large broad-leaved deciduous tree to 100 feet tall and 40 feet wide with excellent soil binding and erosion control qualities in dry to moist well-drained soil. Provides cover and nesting sites for birds, squirrels and other mammals. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring and provide nectar and food source for insects; especially butterflies. The seeds are dispersed in a helicopter style and are a good wildlife food source. Will drop large limbs so not recommended to plant near structures or near sewer, water and septic lines because the roots tend to invade the pipes and lines.
- Maple – Rocky Mountain
- Maple, vine – Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) Native deciduous understory shrub or small tree to 20 feet noted for its green stems and small maple leaves turning bright red in late summer. Thrives best in moist to wet places under other trees where light reaches forest floor, forest edges, and in open shrub gardens. All maples are a valuable food source for butterfly larvae.
- Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) – Erect downy perennial herb to 7 feet with heart-shaped leaves and showy small white flowers with pink centers emerging from stalk in mid-summer. Attracts butterflies. Tea from roots, leaves and flowers brings relief from dry coughs, bronchial congestion and intestinal problems. Grows best in partial shady gardens in rich soil.
- Mint, Field (Mentha arvensis) – Very aromatic perennial herb growing 18-24 inches tall and spreading habit. Flowers are light purple or pink emerging from the leaf/stem joint in early summer. Prefers moist sunny sights and makes a nice additions to wet meadow plantings. Leaves make a tasty mint tea.
- Mint – Lemon Balm(Mellissa officinalis)Perennial herb to 2 feet with lemony scent and flavor in the bright dark-green leaves. Dried leaves are used for lemon flavoring and medicinally for easing depression, calm nerves, relieve headaches and strengthens heart. Grows best in sun or partial shade.
- Miner’s Lettuce
- Mitrewort, Five-stamened
- Mirewort, Brewer’s
- Mock-Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) –Native deciduous perennial shrub to 10 feet tall. Blooms fragrant, 4-5 petaled white flower clusters in mid- summer that attract butterflies. Full to partial sun in dry to moist well drained soil on open sites, forest edges, or base of evergreen trees. Very important to include in landscaping as it attracts birds, bees and other pollinators. The flower is very fragrant. The First People of the Cascadian bio-region used this plant widely for making implements such as combs, knitting needles, bows and arrows, and other tools. The leaves and flowers foam into a lather when bruised. It was then used as a cleansing agent.
- Nettle, Stinging (Urtica dioica) – A common perennial herb to 6 feet found on moist forest edges, meadows and disturbed sites of rich soil. Hollow hairs on the leaves and stems inject folic acid into the skin, causing a stinging sensation. A valuable plant to humans for food, medicine and materials: Harvest young leaves (with gloves) in Spring and steam or boil for food high in vitamin A, B, C, K, calcium, potassium and iron. Dried leaves and root are used as a tea for menopause symptoms, blood building and strengthening kidneys. The fibrous stems were used in making strong cord for use in basketry, ropes and fishing nets.
- Ninebark, Pacific (see Pacific Ninebark)
- Oak – White
- Oak – Black
- Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) – Northwest native erect deciduous perennial shrub to 16 feet tall with creamy white lilac-like flower clusters on terminal ends. Flowers bloom in midsummer and stay on branches, turning brown in fall. Excellent winter seed source for birds. Grows best in dry to moist open sites or under high-branched exposed evergreen trees.
- Oregon Grape, Dull ( Mahonia nervosa)
- Oregon Grape, Tall (Mahonia aquifolium)
- Pasture Wormwood
- Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) – Native tall deciduous perennial shrub to 18 feet tall with attractive white pompom flower clusters in spring. Arching angled branches on mature plants with peeling reddish-brown bark. Prefers moist to wet soils in partial shade to full sun.
- Pacific Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum tenuipes) A true shade-lover and can become dominant in ideal moist open forests. The dark green leaves are pointed and coarsely toothed. The flowers are white-lavender to purple in compact clusters on stalks from upper leaf axils.
- Parsley, Bare Stemmed Desert – Indian consumption plant -(Lomatium nudicaule) Found in dry, open or sparsely treed sites. Low to middle elevations. The leaves taste like celery and were used in a potherb. It is a popular springtime plant and is high in vitamin C. The seeds are used to flavor soups, stews and tobacco mixes. The plant was used in the last century as a cure for “consumption” (tuberculosis). The seeds were chewed to treat colds, sore throats and TB.
- Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) – North American native perennial to 3 feet tall related to “pussytoes”. Attractive pearly white button-like flowers on flat-top clusters. Drought tolerant and grows best in sunny dry to moist well drained sites. Attracts Butterflies.
- Piggy-back plant (Tolmiea menziesii) Northwest native perennial groundcover and popular houseplant that gets it common name from its ability to produce plantlets from the leaf-base. It has bright green hairy leaves with small chocolate colored flowers with bright yellow anthers on 1-2 foot stalks that attract the Rufus hummingbird. Grows best in moist shady gardens and forest glades.
- Pine, Shore (Pinus contorta) found along sea shores from Southern British Columbia to California. The taller straighter Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta subsp. Latifolia) is found along the coast range of Alaska and British Columbia and the crest of the Cascades. The split and twisted roots were used as rope, the pitch was used to water-proof boats, The gum was chewed to alleviate heart pain and treat TB. The lodgepole is a fire adapted tree. The bark of the lodgepole pine is fairly thin, minimizing the defense the tree has to fire. Blue stain fungus, Grosmannia clavigera, attacks this species from the mouth of the Mountain Pine Beetle. A study in 2011 suggests that by the late 21st century, P. contorta could experience significant reductions to its range due to climate change. Lodgepole pine is named for its common use in the Native American tepee lodge. A typical tepee is constructed with 15-18 lodgepole pines. The long, straight, and lightweight characteristics of the species made it ideal for horse transport in nomadic buffalo hunting cultures.
- Pine, Ponderosa – (Pinus ponderosa) same as Lodgepole Pine only grows inland.
- Pine, Western white (Pinus montecola) The white pine was much used by the First People of the Cascadian bioregion. The pitch was used as medicine. The bark was used for baskets and small canoes. It grows in a wide range from moist valleys to fairly open and dry slopes, from near sea level to subalpine. The species is being decimated by a fungus called White Pine Blister Rust. It was introduced to the west coast in about 1910. It is a very important tree for wildlife habitat. The cones are eaten by many animals and birds. The cones are mostly wind pollinated.
- Pleurisy Root (See Butterfly Bush)
- Red Cedar (See Cedar, Red)
- Redstem Ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus)
- Rose, Wild – Dwarf Wild Rose or Baldhip Rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) – Native deciduous perennial shrub to 5 feet with fragrant pink flowers in early summer. The fruit is small orange to scarlet pear-shaped hips that often persists through winter. Grows in dry soils in shady locations.
- Rose, Nootka -Nootka Wild Rose (Rosa nutkana) – Native deciduous perennial shrub 3-8 feet with large fragrant pink flowers in early summer. Provides food and nectar for butterflies and humming birds. The fruit is purplish-red large round hips used in teas; high in vitamin C. Grows in most moist soils in sunny locations. DEER-RESISTANT
- Rose, Wild Clustered (Rosa pisocarpa) – Fast growing native wild rose with clusters of small bright pink flowers in early summer. May grow up to 8 feet tall. Prefers moist to wet soils in sunny or partially sunny sites. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and the small bright red egg-shaped hips are eaten by birds and mammals. The leaves of all wild roses are eaten by the mourning cloak butterfly larvae.
- Sagebrush, common
- Sage, San Juan – San Juan Sage (Artemisia suksdorfii) – A native perennial sage of coastal bluffs and sandy beaches. The very fragrant leaves are green above and white-hairy below. The flower heads are cream to yellow on four foot clustered stems. Grows best in dry to moist well drained soil, and full sun. Lummi Island, WA seed source.
- Salal (Gaultheria shallon) Common shade-loving native thick-forming broad-leaf evergreen perennial shrub growing 2-6 feet; rarely above 3 feet in sunny sites. The whitish pink small urn-shaped flowers hang on stalks in loose clusters forming edible blue-black berries. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Salal provides cover for birds and small mammals, hosts butterfly caterpillars and the fruit is eaten by birds, deer, bear and humans. Grows best in dry forest with full to partial shade.
- Sand Verbena
- Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)
- Saxifrage family
- Sedge, Slough (Carex obnupta) -West coast native evergreen grass-like sedge to 3 feet tall in moist to wet sites and is drought tolerant. Can grow in sun or shade and is attractive in groupings or single plantings around ponds, wet meadows and other water features. The inconspicuous flower blooms from April to July and seeds attract foraging birds and waterfowl. In shallow, wetter areas, slough sedge provides important egg laying habitat for amphibians.
- Sedge, Basket
- Sequoia
- Snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus)
- Skullcap, Blue (Scutellaria lateriflora) – Perennial medicinal herb in the mint family used to nourish and calm the nervous system. Pointed and toothed oval leaves with small blue flowers which are produced on one-sided flower stalk. Sun to partial shade; grows to 3 feet tall.
- Skunk Cabbage
- Sorrel, Redwood (Oxalis oregana)– Perennial native groundcovers to 6 inches with distinctive three-parted, bright green shamrock shaped leaves that open and close at night and during rains. Favors moist forest shady sites. Flowers are white to pale pink.
- Spirea, Ocean Spray
- Spirea, Hook
- Spirea, Hardhack
- Spreading Dogbane
- Spruce, Englemann or White
- Spruce, Sitka
- Sweet cicely
- Trillium
- Twinberry, black
- Tule
- Vanilla Leaf
- Vetch
- Wapato –
- Wild Ginger (See Ginger)
- Willow, Pacific (Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra) – Native deciduous tall slender shrub or tree to 40 feet. Long lance-shaped leaves, yellow-green bark and pale yellow flowers in spring. Prune to keep short and shrubby. Thrives in wet areas such as stream banks, flood plains and wet meadows. Attracts bird for food and shelter.
- Willow, Hookers
- Willow, Pacific
- Western Starflower (Trientalis latifolia) often grows in clumps around bases of conifers in soft forest soils. Each plant has a small edible tuber and naturalizes easily. Starflower grows to 3-4 inches tall with pink to rose six petal flowers on a nearly invisible stem which makes the flower seem to be hanging in the air.
- Wood sorrel or Oxalis
- Wormwood (Pasture Wormwood)
- Yarrow Common – (Achillea millefolium) Common native perennial medicinal herb that grows erect to 3 feet with green to gray-green fern -like leaves. Flowers are small white to pale yellow in clusters along stem. Many cultures have used Yarrow for cold, fever and as a wound healer.
- Yew, Pacific or Western (Taxus brevifolia) Native evergreen shrub or small tree 6 to 40 feet with reddish, papery bark found the understory of mature evergreens. Bark has been used as the anti-cancer agent – Taxal. Berries and seeds are toxic to humans but birds consume them. Has good soil binding and erosion control qualities. Grows in moist mixed forests in sun or partial shade.
- Willow, Sitka (Salix sitchensis) Native deciduous perennial shrubby tree to 3-20 feet. The flowers (catkins) appear with or before leaves emerge in early spring. Provides food, nesting or cover for many birds, mammals, and insect species, including hosting butterfly caterpillars. Like most willows they are fast growing in wet sunny sites and have good soil-binding qualities. Don’t plant near septic and sewer lines.
- Willow, Hookers
- Willow, Pacific
- Western Starflower (Trientalis latifolia) often grows in clumps around bases of conifers in soft forest soils. Each plant has a small edible tuber and naturalizes easily. Starflower grows to 3-4 inches tall with pink to rose six petal flowers on a nearly invisible stem which makes the flower seem to be hanging in the air.
- Wood sorrel or Oxalis
- Wormwood (Pasture Wormwood)
- Yarrow Common – (Achillea millefolium) Common native perennial medicinal herb that grows erect to 3 feet with green to gray-green fern -like leaves. Flowers are small white to pale yellow in clusters along stem. Many cultures have used Yarrow for cold, fever and as a wound healer.
- Yew, Pacific or Western (Taxus brevifolia) Native evergreen shrub or small tree 6 to 40 feet with reddish, papery bark found the understory of mature evergreens. Bark has been used as the anti-cancer agent – Taxal. Berries and seeds are toxic to humans but birds consume them. Has good soil binding and erosion control qualities. Grows in moist mixed forests in sun or partial shade.
I am curious to know more about your proposed book; I am creating an agricultural foundation to train farmers to farm, to teach all aspects from soil to spreadsheets, to create sustainable, longevity in co-creative regenerative economies for those in agriculture, including micro loans, land purchasing and leasing. I am not sure how I found you. My life work has been as farmer/artist/healer/adventurer, including the forever best jobs of Mom and pilot.
I am also on sabbatical looking for the first best farm/ranch to begin. and start a blog, and remake my websites. Thank you! Lori Ann
My book has been put on hold because I cannot find a publisher and do not have the funds to self publish. I have not been able to attract any financial help for this projects. So, I do not expect it and continue to keep this blog in place out my love for nature and the native plants. I am also in the process of setting up a farm that includes wild place for the native plants. We are restoring a salmon habitat creek that runs through our property and planting native plants along the creek to smoother out the invasive canary grass. This project has taken up so much of my time in the last year, that I stopped updating this blog almost a year ago. Hope to begin to write again. Thanks for the comment. – Ellen