Family: Asteraceae/ Aster Ecology/ Botany:This tall, tap-rooted biennial and sometimes perennial grows in dry climatic regions, often in disturbed environments. It prefers forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Bunchgrass. It is infrequent, scattered, and blooms in late summer. The leaves and flower heads are covered in sticky, resinous gum. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It […]
Family: Orchid/ Orchidaceae Ecology/ Botany: This fragile, perennial orchid is hidden away in the mossy, shaded forest floor of zones like Interior Cedar Hemlock or Interior Douglas Fir. It only grows with specific fungi, so it is almost impossible to transplant. It has delicate roots that are easily harmed so it is usually exterminated in […]
Family: Primulaceae or Primrose Ecology/ Botany: These perennial, earthly stars prefer open meadows with spring moisture when in bloom. They like the dry climatic regions in forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir or Ponderosa Pine but are also frequently found along coastal British Columbia and Washington. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: They have been used as a charm […]
Family: Scrophulariaceae/ Figworts Ecology/ Botany: It is a biennial, meaning it grows a rosette of velvety soft, fuzzy, large leaves in the first year and a towering stalk, topped with small yellow flowers, in the second. It grows in gravelly, disturbed soils and is not a true North American native but well established here. It’s […]
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: Asteraceae/ Daisy/ Sunflower/ Aster Ecology/ Botany: These bright perennials have a variety of species that can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Most varieties can be found in openings of montane forests. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Arnicas various species are well known as topical analgesics (pain-relievers) for bruising, swelling, cuts, arthritis, etc. Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) […]
Family: Crassulaceae/ Sedum Ecology/ Botany: This perennial succulent spreads low to the ground. It grows in rocky, thin soil on dry, open slopes or rock outcrops and ridges. It grows in dry, moist, and wet regions but prefers moister regions in Engelmann Spruce- Subalpine Fir forest zones. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Syilx (Okanagan) people have used […]
Family: Polemoniaceae/ Phlox Ecology/ Botany: Some other wild Phlox species are similar and difficult to tell apart. This perennial prefers arid, desert-like climates on Sagebrush slopes in Bunchgrass or Ponderosa Pine forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: A tea of the whole plant has been used to treat anemic children by Syilx (Okanagan) people. References/Other useful Links: […]
Family: Asteraceae/ Daisy/ Sunflower/ Aster Ecology/ Botany: This perennial grows scattered in dry to moist forest meadows at any elevation. It prefers the Engelmann Spruce- Subalpine Fir forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: Arnicas various species are well known as topical analgesics (pain-relievers) for bruising, swelling, arthritis, etc. Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) people have used them for this purpose […]
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 […]