Flixweed

Flixweed or Fluxweed

(Descurainia sophia)

To make a liar of myself, I'm posting two mustards in one day.  Can you believe it?  I've seen this one on the trail often and love how frondy it is!

2010 May 27

2010 May 27

2010 May 27

This is an introduced weed.  Sophia means "wisdom" or "skill" ... those that were wise and in the know, knew to use this plant for dysentry, to expel worms from the intestinal tract and to heal wounds.  All good things to know when all else fails.

Clasping Leaved Pepper Grass

Clasping Leaved Pepper Grass  

(Lepidium perfoliatum)

Just when you think you've seen about all the plants you can see that grow in your area, you find another new one!  Aren't the leaves on this one cute!

2010 May 27

2010 May 27

This cutie is from the Mustard Family.  There are many mustard plants growing around here but I haven't tackled most of them ... the task has seemed to onerous for some reason.  Actually, they are really tricky to photograph!

Silverweed

Silverweed (Potentilla anserina)

Silverweed is common around here yet it has taken me until now to post about it!

2010 May 26

2010 May 26

2010 May 26

Found in moist, alkaline places.  Our area is very alkaline!  This plant is sometimes called the Indian sweet potato as many interior First Nations people used the roots, cooked or raw.    Apparently it has a crisp, nutty, starchy taste.  This site states that the leaves can also be made into a tea. An infusion of the leaves can be used as a cleanser for delicate skin, even the skin of babies.  A mildly astringent plant with most of the astringency in the roots.  Leaves are harvested in early summer and dried while the roots are harvested in late summer, early fall.

Buttercup: Alkali

Alkali Buttercup or Shore Buttercup  

Ranunculus cymbalaria

We've taken many walks down by the lake over the last 3-4 years but this is the first year (2010) that I've noticed these tiny, tiny plants/flowers down by the lake shore:

2010 May 26

The flowers had that shiny look of buttercups so I knew what family to begin looking under!

2010 May 26