Plant of the Month

PLANT OF THE MONTH Tsuga heterophylla (Western hemlock) The Western hemlock is easily identifiable by its drooping, conical top and similarly drooping branches. It ranges from 165 to 230 feet in height, and can reach up to 9 feet in diameter. Western hemlock needles are flat, short, and rounded. Their dark green top surfaces contrast…

PLANT OF THE MONTH Abies Grandis (Grand Fir)           Grand fir is native to the Pacific Northwest from Montana to the Pacific coast and southern British Columbia to northern California, and it inhabits altitudes from sea level to 1800 meters. Unlike Douglas-fir, Grand fir is a “true fir” of the genus…

OCEANSPRAY Holodiscus discolor Family: Rosaceae Description: Oceanspray, also known as creambush, is an understory shrub common in the Pacific Northwest and California, from sea level to 7,000 feet. It occupies a diverse set of environments, from moist, coastal forests to arid mountains. Its can sprout from the root crown when the top is destroyed, so it recovers…

WATER PARSLEY Oenanthe sarmentosa Family: Apiaceae Water parsley occurs from Alaska to California and prefers wet, low-elevation habitats with full sun. It grows in saturated soil and can often be found in standing water or along streambanks. This preference, combined with the dense biomass this species creates aboveground, renders it useful in the context of…