Anaphalis margaritacea “Pearly Everlasting” Asteraceae
Fort Casey State Park, WA
December 17, 2013
Robert Niese
Pearly Everlasting, so named for its persistent white inflorescences that hang around well into winter, is a lovely wildflower native to most of North America. It is often seen in the fall/winter bouquets sold by Pike’s Place Market’s famous flower vendors in Seattle. The dried inflorescences and leaves have also been used as an incense, especially around baby cribs.
Ramalina subleptocarpha “Strap Lichen"
Fort Casey State Park, WA
December 17, 2013
Robert Niese
Strap lichens in the genus Ramalina are relatively abundant and easy to recognize. Most grow on tree bark and have bushy bodies (i.e. a fruticose thallus)
with lots of long, flattened branches. This particular individual is densely covered in soredia (reproductive structures) giving it a coarse, bumpy appearance. This suggests that this individual is severely stressed by local air pollution.
Northwest Naturalist 