Fleshy jaumea

Fleshy jaumea (Jaumea carnosa) is in the Asteraceae family - this succulent, estuarine species spreads by rhizomes and is pictured above along with pickleweed (Salicornia virginica). The inflorescence is a yellow composite that occurs between July and September. Leaves are opposite and linear-oblong.

Puget Sound gumweed

Puget Sound gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia) is a perennial in the Asteraceae family common in salt marshes and along the coast. This species flowers between June and October - blooms are large yellow composites. Mature individuals are 12-30 inches in height. Leaves along the stem are clasping at the base and alternate in arrangement. Flowers occur both singly and as clusters on leafy stalks. This species also occurs in inland meadows.

Manroot (Marah oreganus)

Native to Washington and most commonly occurring on the west side of the state, manroot(Marah oreganus) is a perennial vine in the Cucurbitaceae family. The east side counterpart is an annual species, wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata). Manroot's inflorescence consists of a tubular corolla with five flaring lobes (pictured above). Fruits are an inflated gourd-like structure covered in spines (pictured below). This individual was photographed in Pioneer Park in Tumwater. The Cucurbitaceae family also includes pumpkins, squash and zucchini - key characteristics of the family are the vining habit, tendrils, and funnel-shaped flowers that form large, three- to four-celled fruits (Elpel).

Pioneer violet (Viola glabella), also known as Stream violet, is in the Violaceae family. Found in moist shady situations at low to mid elevations. Other native violets with a yellow bloom are either found in drier woods (V. nuttallii), in prairies with larger grayish leaves (V. praemorsa), at moderate elevations in the mountains (V. bakeri), have round leaves (V. orbiculata), have evergreen foliage (V. sempirvirens) or occur on the east side of the state. The above specimen was photographed at the Chehalis Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve, located outside of Aberdeen.