Gooseberry: Northern

Northern Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides)

2008 May 23

2008 May 27

2008 July 4

2008 July 28

2009 August 10

Notice, no bristles on the berries.

Wild Sarsaparilla

"Wild Sarsaparilla" (Aralia nudicaulis)

2008 May 27

2008 May 27

2008 May 27

2008 May 31

2008 July 28

2007 Fall Colours

The fall colours of this plant caught my eye but I didn't know what it was until the following spring when I found it in flower.

Some used a decoction of this plant as a blood purifier while others made a tea to treat colds. The rhizomes can be made into a refreshing drink (a substitute for true sarsaparillis) and have a spicy fragrance. I have found references that the berries can be used to make wine.

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster lucidus

2008 April 26

2008 May 21

2008 June 4

2007 June 14

2007 June 17

2007 June 17

2007 August 8

2007 September 3

2007 September 3

2007 September 13

2007 September 13

This is an introduced species, not previously known to be in our area. If you live in the Cariboo and see this plant growing wild, could you please let me know in the comments section. Thanks. It is growing in various locations on our own property and behind our property in undeveloped, open forest areas (where the plants get some sunshine). It is easily spotted in the fall for its bright red foliage.

Black Twin Berry

"Black Twin Berry" (Lonicera involucrata)

2008 June 1

2008 June 1

2008 June 1

2008 June 18

2008 June 8
... but taken at Sea Level, while the flower pictures were taken at
945 meters (elevation).

Black bears, grizzlies and birds will eat these berries and they won't really harm you either, but they are bitter. Here, you will find a number of references as to how this berry was, or was not, used by the various Aboriginal Peoples.

A few references said that the juice of the crushed berries and the inner shavings of the stem are steeped in warm water until the liquid turns a green or yellow color were used to treat cataracts and were applied to the eyes as drops.