Family: Ranunculaceae or Buttercup Ecology/ Botany: This flowering, wild vine is common in a variety of forest zones in moist to dry climatic regions like Montane Spruce, Interior Douglas Fir, and Interior Cedar Hemlock. It grows up to five meters long, climbs, and blends in with the surrounding vegetation, so the flowers appear to float […]
Family: Rosaceae/ Rose Ecology/ Botany: This shrub is common at low to mid-elevation along rivers, streams, marshy areas, and gullies. It prefers Interior Douglas Fir and Cedar Hemlock forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It has medicinal properties for the heart and circulatory system. Most commonly, the dark red clusters of seedy berries are used for heart […]
Family: Rosaceae or Rose Ecology/ Botany: This extremely strong shrub has cascading sprays of tiny cream flowers. It is widespread at low elevations and grows in openings and on rocky slopes of many types of mature forests. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Indigenous North Americans have used the wood for making arrows, bows, spears, harpoon shafts, and […]
Family: Honeysuckle or Caprifoliaceae Ecology/ Botany: This perennial vine grows in a wide range of habitats including some forests in moist climatic regions. That said, it most commonly grows in dry climatic regions in forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir. It can grow up to 6 meters high. Its nectar attracts hummingbirds and bees. The […]
Family: Berberidaceae/ Barberry Ecology/ Botany: This common evergreen shrub grows in dry climatic regions or dry forest openings of moist climatic regions, usually in Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones. It has deep green, shiny, leathery, toothed leaves that sometimes turn brilliant red. The clusters of yellow, citrusy scented blossoms in spring turn to powdery, purple, […]
Family: Rose or Rosaceae Ecology/ Botany: This widespread shrub has fragrant spring blooms that turn into summer berries for many birds, wildlife, and people. There are many varieties, and although they appear in moist climatic regions in Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones, they more commonly grow in dry regions in Interior Douglas Fir and Ponderosa […]
Family: Apocynaceae/ Dogbane Ecology/ Botany: This shrub prefers warm, dry forest openings and meadows of Interior Douglas Fir and Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: Do not let this beauty fool you. It contains toxic cardiac glycosides in its milky sap. Sickness and death have occurred when people have attempted internal use. It’s safe […]
Family: Honeysuckle or Caprifoliaceae Ecology/ Botany: This semi-woody perennial loves moisture and shade. It provides creeping ground cover in dry climatic regions in Montane Spruce and Interior Douglas Fir forest zones, and moist regions in Interior Cedar Hemlock zones. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Indigenous North Americans have used the whole plant as a tonic for pregnancy […]
Family: Rose/ Rosaceae Ecology/ Botany:This hardy, adaptable, wide-ranging shrub has many species. They grow in openings of a variety of forest types in the dry to moist climatic regions. Medicinal/ Other Uses:Roses are all about love and protection, allowing an open heart. The flowers in spring and summer turn to rose hips in fall and […]