A couple from the Lily family

Pictured above is Streptopus amplexifolius (clasping twistedstalk). This species is distinguished from other members of the Streptopus genus by it's branched stem arrangement (Pojar). Greenish-white blooms occur either singularly or in pairs at leaf axils, bourne beneath the leaves (just visible in the photo, click to enlarge). The base of the leaves clasp the stems. Common at low elevations. Fruits range in color from yellow to red to dark purple.

Prosartes (formerly Disporum) hookeri (Hooker's fairybells). Easily differentiated from Streptopus when in bloom, this species bears flowers only at the end of the stems. There are two species in this genera native to western Washington, the other being P. smithii (Smith's fairybells). P. hookeri has hairs on the upper sides of the leaves and along the stems, as well as forward-pointing hairs along the margin whereas P. smithii exhibits smooth leaves and stems. Fruits are yellow to red in color and also often hairy.

Saxifragaceae

Saxifragaceae - the Saxifrage Family.

This family's members native to western Washington are herbaceous with lobed, basal leaves. Flower parts come in increments of five and the pistil is oblong in shape (Elpel). Native genera include Parnassia, Boykinia, Mitella, Heuchera, Saxifraga, Tolmiea, Tiarella, Lithophragma and Tellima among others. Common lowland species include Tellima grandiflora (fringecup), Tolmeia menziesii (piggyback plant) and Tiarella trifoliata (foamflower).

We spent some time with the Mitellas and keyed out both M. caulescens (slightstemmed miterwort) and M. ovalis (coastal miterwort). M. ovalis is pictured both above and below. Distinguishing characteristics for this genus include shape of inflorescence (shallow bowl or cup), if the flowering stem exhibits leaves, number of filiform lateral segments on the petals, whether the petals are opposite (in line with) or alternate with the stamens and if the inflorescences at the top of the flowering stem mature before those lower down ("flowers blossoming downward" in Hitchcock) or vice versa. Click on the photo above to enlarge and look for the intensely dissected petals. In this species, stamens are alternate the petals (and opposite the sepals) and flowers are blossoming upward (the lower inflorescences are already on their way to bearing seed). General leaf shape among the various species are also surprisingly distinct, spend some time with the drawings in Hitchcock and it all becomes pretty clear. Photograph of the seeds below (seeds are at least partially splash dispersed, dislodged by raindrops and the like).

One-sided sedge

One-sided sedge (Carex unilateralis). Family: Cyperaceae.
Inflorescence is a dense cluster borne individually on one side of the stem. The lowest involucral bract extends straight up past the inflorescence and is 5-15 cm long. Overall height: 30-100 cm. Range: moist or wet places at low elevation, BC to California, mainly West Cascades (Hitchcock). Easily confused with slenderbeak sedge (Carex athrostachya) but involucral bracts extend up rather than out so flower spikes appear borne on the side of the stem rather than at the end.
Some photos:

A discourse on catkins.

Catkins = An inflorescence consisting of a dense spike or raceme of apetalous, unisexual flowers.
What this all means exactly, that’s the point, so I’ll make a point of defining any unfamiliar terms listed here.
Spike = An unbranched, elongated inflorescence with sessile or subsessile flowers or spikelets maturing from the bottom upwards.
Raceme = An unbranched, elongated inflorescence with pedicellate flowers maturing from the bottom upwards.
The following native genera/species have catkins:
Alnus spp., Betula spp., Corylus cornuta (Betulaceae)
Salix ssp., Populus spp. (Salicaceae)
Quercus alba (Fagaceae)
Herbaceous species can also display catkins – stinging nettle (Utrica dioica) is one example.
Catkins are, by definition, imperfect then. Either staminate (male) or carpellate/pistillate (female). The majority of those listed above only display catkins for the flowers of one sex – male, with the female flowers of another form.

A photograph of the female inflorescence (strobile) above and the male catkin below of red alder (Alnus rubra). Strobile = an inflorescence resembling a cone.

The willow family is an exception possessing both male and female catkins.

Here is an example of a carpellate Pacific willow (Salix lucida) catkin:

The willow family is also the only dioecious family listed above, with male and female inflorescences occurring on separate plants.

Through this endeavor we will attempt to learn every plant present in western Washington (both native and otherwise) and to better understand the ecological communities of our area as a whole. We also want to master Hitchcock and other dichotomous keys, become fluent in plant identification terminology and spend quality time with our dissecting scopes. South Sound plant lovers unite!