Erythronium grandiflorum “Glacier Lily” Liliaceae
Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor (BLM), MT
April 23, 2015
Robert Niese
The Glacier Lily is endemic to western North America and is a close relative of E. montanum, another common montane fawn lily. Unlike E. montanum, the yellow Glacier Lily is not as particular about its habitat and is regularly found in the understory of nearly all our Ponderosa Pine forests in the springtime.
Dodecatheon pulchellum “Prairie Shooting Star” Primulaceae
Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor (BLM), MT
April 23, 2014
Robert Niese
Our two most common Shooting Stars in the Missoula area are D. conjugens and D. pulchellum. They are nearly identical and can even occur side-by-side on shrub-steppe hillsides. Check out the links above for information on how to tell them apart!
Dodecatheon pulchellum “Prairie Shooting Star” Primulaceae
Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor (BLM), MT
April 23, 2014
Robert Niese
Our two most common Shooting Stars in the Missoula area are D. conjugens and D. pulchellum. They are nearly identical and can even occur side-by-side on shrub-steppe hillsides, but a careful examination of the wrinkles at the base of the anthers and the shape of the stigma can usually assist in identification. D. pulchellum tends to have a slightly enlarged stigma and has anthers with wrinkles that run vertically. Conversely, D. conjugens has a narrow, almost imperceptible stigma and has wrinkles on its anthers that run horizontally. This individual has some nice vertical wrinkles and an obvious stigma.
Dodecatheon conjugens “Desert Shooting Star” Primulaceae
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
March 18, 2015
Robert Niese
Our two most common Shooting Stars in the Missoula area are D. conjugens and D. pulchellum. They are nearly identical and can even occur side-by-side on shrub-steppe hillsides, but a careful examination of the wrinkles at the base of the anthers and the shape of the stigma can usually assist in identification. D. pulchellum tends to have a slightly enlarged stigma and has anthers with wrinkles that run vertically. Conversely, D. conjugens has a narrow, almost imperceptible stigma and has wrinkles on its anthers that run horizontally. This individual has some nice horizontal wrinkles and a very small stigma. After editing this picture, I noticed that there is also a louse or springtail hanging out on the style, presumably waiting for a pollinator to stop by so it can hitch a ride to another flower.
Trillium ovatum “Wakerobin/Western Trillium” Liliaceae
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
March 18, 2015
Robert Niese
Trillium is, by far and away, my favorite spring arrival to our PNW forests. They like moist areas around rivers and streams, especially those that have a nice mossy carpet to keep the soil damp throughout the year.
Pseudoplectania nigrella “black cup fungus” Ascomycota
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
March 18, 2015
Robert Niese
These cup fungi are very early bloomers here in the PNW. Some members of this genus will even pop up out of the snow before the plants have even begun to stir. These fungi are quite common, but, along with their small size and inconspicuous coloration, they are easily missed by all but the most observant hikers.
Ribes setosum (R. oxyacanthoides ssp. setosum) “Gooseberry” Grossulariaceae
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
April 18, 2015
Robert Niese
I was surprised to find this currant blooming on my hike this weekend. This individual must have been receiving direct sunlight for a good portion of the day to have bloomed so much sooner than all the others along our trail. Later in the summer these adorable flowers will become delicious, juicy black currants and will make an excellent trail-side treat!
Fritillaria pudica “Yellowbells/Yellow Fritillary” Liliaceae
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
April 18, 2015
Robert Niese
Yellow Fritillaries are a sure sign of spring in the PNW east of the Cascades. They tend to make their appearance around the same time as species like the Sagebrush Buttercup and Biscuitroot. The roots of F. pudica are edible and quite starchy. They are said to taste like rice after they have been cooked.
Collinsia parviflora “Blue-eyed Mary” Plantaginaceae (Scrophulariaceae)
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
April 18, 2015
Robert Niese
The Smallflowered Blue-eyed Mary is a common PNW plant, but its diminuitive growth habit makes it easy to miss. The flowers of this plant are rarely more than a few millimeters across and they rarely grow more than 10cm off the ground. Here in Montana, they begin blooming as soon as the snow melts in March and will continue through July.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi “Bearberry/Kinnikinnick” Ericaceae
Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
April 18, 2015
Robert Niese
Bearberry is a ubiquitous, vining Ericad here in the pinelands of the eastern PNW. The dried leaves of this plant are very popular in traditional Native American smoking mixtures. The dried leaves are also used in teas to treat mild urinary tract problems.
Northwest Naturalist 