exposed

  • Physaria spp / twinpods

    Physaria spp / twinpods

    • yet another very small yellow crucifer/brassica
    • densely hairy leaves, tapering to a petiole
    • bloom in early spring on minimal soil in rocky places
    • fruit characteristics TBPL
  • Picea engelmannii / Engelmann spruce

    Picea engelmannii / Engelmann spruce

    • common, especially in mixed conifer forests
    • canopy a narrow spire in young trees, cylindrical in older trees
    • sharp, pointy needles, generally "swept" toward branch tips
    • needles attached to twigs with woody pegs (sterigmata)
    • pendant cones less than 2.5 inches long; thin scales, wavy margins
  • Pinus albicaulis / whitebark pine

    Pinus albicaulis / whitebark pine

    • high altitude - subalpine to alpine; cold, windy sites
    • five needles in tight fasicles
    • brown to purple cones at top of tree; cones don't open
    • scaly grayish bark
  • Pinus contorta / lodgepole pine

    Pinus contorta / lodgepole pine

    • evergreen conifer
    • needles in groups (fascicles) of 2
    • lopsided cones, (mostly) remain on tree when mature
    • rounded crown; orangey-brown scaly bark
  • Pinus flexilis / limber pine

    Pinus flexilis / limber pine

    • high elevation, rocky or talus, dry, high-stress habitat
    • often - stunted and deformed by wind
    • highly flexible branches
    • needles in bundles (fascicles) of 5
    • often - semi-rotted cones on ground below
  • Populus angustifolia / narrow-leaf poplar

    Populus angustifolia / narrow-leaf poplar

    • a riparian tree also planted for landscaping
    • long, narrow leaves with serrated edges
    • furrowed, grey bark on mature trees; smooth and yellow-ish on young trees
    • flowers are small, grey catkins in very early spring
    • fruits are fluffy white cotton in early-mid summer
  • Populus tremuloides / quaking aspen

    Populus tremuloides / quaking aspen

    • white barked, often growing in large clones
    • leaves flat with long, flat petiole at 90˚
    • leaves quake in even light breezes
    • twigs and buds reddish, long and pointed
    • catkin flowers in very early spring
    • leaves turn yellow or reddish or orange-ish in fall
  • Potentilla gracilis / slender cinquefoil

    Potentilla gracilis / slender cinquefoil

    • yellow, 5-petaled flowers with many stamens
    • petals touch or overlap
    • leaves with 5-9 toothed, deeply cut lobes
    • leaves may be hairy, especially below
    • many different exposed habitats
  • Potentilla norvegica / rough cinquefoil

    Potentilla norvegica / rough cinquefoil

    • 5 yellow petals, not fused
    • 5 sepals longer than petals, esp. after flowering
    • numerous stamens and pistils
    • compound leaves with leaflets grouped in 3s
    • prominent veins; toothed margins
    • hairy stems
    • mostly in disturbed areas, including gardens
  • Primula parryi / Parry's primrose

    Primula parryi / Parry’s primrose

    • striking, bright magenta (or pink) flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals
    • 3 to 30 flowers per stalk
    • brilliant green foliage as a rosette
    • foliage releases horrible smell with the slightest touch
    • typically at higher altitudes in wet places
  • Prunella vulgaris / self-heal

    Prunella vulgaris / self-heal

    • compact spike of tiny purple, mint-like flowers
    • upper/lower lips purple and white respectively
    • square stems, opposite leaves
  • Pseudotsuga menziesii / Douglas fir

    Pseudotsuga menziesii / Douglas fir

    • persistent cones with distinctive 3-pronged, "mouse tail", bracts
    • semi-pointy, but not stiff or sharp, single needles
    • needles attached to twigs by petioles (no pegs)
    • oval leaf scars
    • twig buds are pointy, "lustrous" brown