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

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.

Violets: Canada

Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

2008 May 27

2008 May 27

2008 May 27

2008 May 27

Easily propagated but can become invasive in a garden setting.

Meadowrue

Western Meadowrue (Thalictrum occidentale)

2008 May 16

2008 May 16

2008 May 18

2008 May 18

2008 May 20

2008 June 1

Male Flowers

2008 June 1

Female Flowers

2008 June 30
Seed Pods forming up.

2009 August 31

2009 August 31

The veins in a couple of the pictures look quite prominent to me, so this may be Veiny Meadowrue (T. venulosum).

Click here for references to Aboriginal peoples uses of this plant.

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.

Bastard Toad-Flax

"Bastard Toad-flax" (Comandra umbellata)

2008 May 15

2008 May 23

2008 June 2

Quite a name for quite a pretty little flower. It is hemiparasitic, as it derives at least some of its nourishment by attaching itself to the roots of other plants and the balance from photosynthesis. It is a member of the Sandalwood family. It puts out a berry like fruit that I'll have to keep my eye peeled for. I've never noticed this plant before this year.