Saturday, May 1, 2004

The lupines are out! It's taking me time to nail down which lupine this is, and place a corresponding link, so I'll have to finish up tomorrow. It took me by surprise, as did the Mahonia below. ADDENDUM 5 June 2004 They're going to seed. Now you can see the seed pods forming on these pea-family plants. And detail... 7:41:44 PM    comment [] Smilacina stellata (or Maianthemum stellatum), starry false Solomon's seal I think... It could also be Smilacina racemosa, but the low (+/-5000 ft.) altitude should preclude that. It grows in communities on the creek banks here, near the currant thickets. The roots of either plant have some slight medicinal value. These plants haven't blossomed yet. 6:31:57 PM    comment [] Mahonia repens (also Berberis repens), Dwarf mahonia, Creeping Oregon grape What's this, then? I didn't even know I had wild Oregon grape on the place. But this popped out from under the gravel and blossomed so brightly I couldn't not see it when I drove past. Lovely! It's a liver plant--the vivid yellow root signals the presence of berberine (hence a common name, barberry). Medicines made from the roots, flowers, and purple berries lower fevers, stimulate the liver, cleanse the skin, tonify the intestines, act as a laxative, and "cure" hangovers. 5:57:21 PM    comment []

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