FLOWERING PLANTS & SHRUBS GALLERY
These are the species of flowering plants and shrubs that we found in the forest...
Symphoricarpos albus - (Common Snow Berry)
Family: Caprifoliaceae Genus: Symphoricarpos Species: Symphoricarpos albus We could identify this plant because of its waxy white berries and pointed oval leaves. The leaves grow opposite one another oval to round, are about 4-6 cm long. There is a stiff main stem with smaller shoots branching off. Usually grows in thickets. The plant is short being about 1-2.5 m tall. The fruit is white, berry-like, each with 2 seeds; hangs through winter after leaves fall; inedible and considered poisonous by humans. Though the fruit may be poisonous to humans, many species of mammals like gophers and bears graze apron the fruit. The Snow berry was brought over from the United Kingdom where it was originally a very popular plant. It has since become an invasive species and grows freely in local B.C forests. The Snow berry grows in moist to dry forests, shady to open slopes, at low to mid elevations. The plant grows in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to well alkaline. The plant is local to Coastal British Columbia and can be found in mildly dense forests. We found this plant growing alongside the blackberry bushes. Birds spread the growth of the plant by defecating the seeds of the fruit the plant has produced. We know that when it is the right season, we can also notice flowers that are pink, bell shaped and would be clustered together 2-3 cm at the ends of the branch. J.L |
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Rubus Spectabilis - (Salmon Berries)
A short bush that grows in thickets that have a few thorns.The stems are round and can be either a yellow or brown color. The leaves will separate into 3 and sometimes 5 toothed leaflets. The flowers begin to bloom around early spring and are generally 5-6 cm across with magenta petals. When the fruit grows in early may, they can be yellow, salmon, or red. They are edible with a mushy texture, although their taste isn’t the best. They grow along the coast or near streams, in moist forests, burned areas and clearings, and on the banks of the Columbia River, up to 5000 ft. This plant was first found by Meriwether Lewis by the banks of the Columbia River in 1806 on March 27th.
I.H |
Rubus armeniacus - (Himalayan Blackberries)
Kingdom: Plantae This invasive species was first introduced in
(Unranked): Angiosperm North America around the 1800s. It became
(Unranked): Eudicots invasive due to the birds eating and spreading
(Unranked): Rosids the berry seeds around.
Order: Rosales Other than forests, Himalayan Blackberries
Family: Rosaceae be found near rivers.
Genus: Rubus
Species: R. armeniacus
Field Notes
Leaves: Large, rounded, toothed and usually in groups of five. Leaves are around 12-25 cm wide.
Stem: Thin, green colored with thorns.
Fruit: The fruit can be located under the leaves. The fruit is dark coloured, edible and soft to the touch. 1-1.5 cm wide.
Flowers: Flowers are small, either white or pink coloured.
Location Found: Forest
A.M
Kingdom: Plantae This invasive species was first introduced in
(Unranked): Angiosperm North America around the 1800s. It became
(Unranked): Eudicots invasive due to the birds eating and spreading
(Unranked): Rosids the berry seeds around.
Order: Rosales Other than forests, Himalayan Blackberries
Family: Rosaceae be found near rivers.
Genus: Rubus
Species: R. armeniacus
Field Notes
Leaves: Large, rounded, toothed and usually in groups of five. Leaves are around 12-25 cm wide.
Stem: Thin, green colored with thorns.
Fruit: The fruit can be located under the leaves. The fruit is dark coloured, edible and soft to the touch. 1-1.5 cm wide.
Flowers: Flowers are small, either white or pink coloured.
Location Found: Forest
A.M
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Lapsana communis - (Nipplewort)
Kingdom: Plantae This plant is naturalized in North America (Unranked): Angiosperm but is considered invasive.Young (Unranked): Eudicots Nipplewort leaves can be eaten and can (Unranked): Asterids be used for cooking. You can find Order: Asterales Nipplewort in fields, woods, roadsides and Family: Asteraceae forests. Genus: Lapsana Species: L. communis Field Notes Height: The plant is short, possibly around 30cm tall Leaves: Small, lightly coloured green and rounded Stem: Green, thin and hairy feeling Flowers: The flower is smaller than the leaves and yellow coloured with petals curving out Location Found: Forest A.M |
Hedera Helix - (English Ivy)
The English Ivy is considered as a invasive species in our local forests, they were first introduced from Europe. The plant can be found on house walls, tree trunks, waste spaces and gardens.
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Apiales Family: Araliaceae Genus: Hedera Species: H. helix We found the Ivy alongside a runny creek crawling on the ground. The Ivy is about 20 cm tall off the ground. The Ivy can crawl up different objects so the height may vary. The leaves had 5 points that are connected together. Each leaf is separate from one another with a branch leading on to each leaf. Our Ivy had distinct white vein lines that branch out on the leaf. The plant we saw grew in bushels and spread out like water over a large area. Our English ivy was not in the right season to bloom. Flowers grow on separate stems of the leaves and can be as high as 20 cm tall. The flowers are busheled together, each stem can have anywhere between 4 and 8 bushels of flowers. The flowers are small and don't smell of anything, about 8 mm long. Fun fact: The English Ivy is one of the top 10 plants to purify your air with. J.L |
Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org
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Urtica Dioca - (Stinging Nettle)
This plant is short and in a bunch with leaves arranged in a ‘plus’ shape. The leaves are around 2-6 in wide (5-15cm) and are pointed at the end. In the centre of the flower near the bottom are small green flowers. At the top there are female flowers. This plant like to grow where it is moist such as forests and shrubby areas. If you happen to touch them, you could get a rash. They have hairs that will sting if you touch places such as the centre of the flower.
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