Self-tutoring about plant identification in nature: the tutor mentions vanilla-leaf. Vanilla-leaf is a distinct plant one tends to see in the forest around here. As the guide says, it has fan-shaped leaves near the ground, typically three. As I recall, …
The tutor brings up an oft-seen ornamental in populated areas of Vancouver Island: the California poppy. California poppies are hardy plants on Vancouver Island fields, and they’re perennial. They’re typically around 40cm tall, with netted foliage that isn’t very noticeable. …
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The tutor shares an easy find that has been harder to classify. British bluebells, while not native to Vancouver Island, are apparently here. I’ve been noticing them amongst tall grass by the roadside, and even in a hidden corner of …
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‘Tis the season for yard work: let the identification of spontaneous plants continue. I don’t call plants that arrive in the yard, weeds. I call them “spontaneous plants,” since they grow here of their own decision. (Spontaneous plants is not …
Lifestyle: plant identification from field guide: common groundsel Read more »
The tutor mentions another field discovery. The same day I noticed the western trillium (see here), I noticed another flower on the river bank: the pink fawn lily. The pink fawn lily has some telling features. It has long, thin …
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The tutor shares a find he’s 90 percent certain about. My daily walk takes me by a lot that’s been cleared but remains vacant. Searching such an area, a botany student will often be rewarded, as in this case. A …
Plant identification from a field guide: dune tansy Read more »
The tutor brings up a shrub perhaps noticeable now. Around here nowadays, one often sees small trees (shrubs) abundant with red berries. They have compound leaves. My guide suggests they are mountain-ash. One I examined closely has sharp-pointed leaflets; I …
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The tutor shares another of his field finds. Out in the woods a few days ago with the field guide, my simple plan was to identify a new plant. I didn’t know what or where it would be, but expected …
Plant identification from a field guide: foamflower Read more »