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: Asteraceae/ Aster/ Daisy/ Sunflower Ecology/ Botany: This luminous, widespread perennial grows from low to subalpine elevations in rocky forest openings and meadows. It prefers Engelmann Spruce- Subalpine Fir, Coastal Western Hemlock, or Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones. It blooms midsummer and can last until snowfall, hence the name everlasting. Medicinal/ Traditional/ Other Uses: Nlaka’pamux […]
Family: Onagraceae/ Evening Primrose Ecology/ Botany: This unique, annual beauty grows at mid-elevation in open areas with sandy, well-drained soil. It likes Interior Cedar Hemlock, Douglas Fir, or Ponderosa Pine forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It has been used for the treatment of eyes. The seeds are edible. References/Other useful Links: E-Flora BC Atlas Page/ linnet.geog.ubc.ca https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Clarkia+pulchella
Family: Ranunculaceae or Buttercup Ecology/ Botany: This tap-rooted perennial grows in moist, open forests from low to subalpine elevations. It likes disturbed areas like roadsides and avalanche chutes in Sub-Boreal Spruce and Montane Spruce forest zones. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Indigenous North Americans have used it as a good luck and love charm. It is not […]
Family: Orobanchaceae/ Broomrape Ecology/ Botany:This widespread perennial grows at mid to high elevations on open, grassy slopes or disturbed ground. It prefers Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir forest zones. It takes selenium from the soil and is high in this mineral where the soil content is high. Medicinal/ Other Uses:It was considered sacred to some indigenous cultures. […]
Family: Liliaceae/ Lily Ecology/ Botany: This tall, tap-rooted perennial grows in dry, open grassland or shrubland at low to mid elevation. It prefers Bunchgrass or Ponderosa Pine forest zones. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Indigenous North Americans ate the large fleshy bulbs raw or cooked. Okanagan people used a poultice of the bulb for poison ivy blisters. […]
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: Polemoniaceae or Phlox Ecology/ Botany: This biennial and sometimes perennial grows in well-drained, sandy openings or water’s edge in the dry climatic region. It prefers forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir or Ponderosa Pine. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: The leaves are a blood tonic and are used to treat blood diseases. The whole plant is cathartic […]
Family: Lamiaceae or Mint Ecology/ Botany: This widely distributed perennial grows in moist climatic regions in Coastal Western Hemlock and Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones. Medicinal/ Other Uses: It is known as a wound healer and has anti-viral properties. References/ Other useful links: E-FLORA BC: ELECTRONIC ATLAS OF THE FLORA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA researchgate publication […]