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Juniper Haircap Moss (Polytrichum juniperinum)Observer
irenemooreDescription
This clump of moss, found next to a sidewalk on Evergreen State College campus, is known as juniper haircap moss, or Polytrichum juniperinum. The plant thrives in the moist, Autumn air as it absorbs most of its water this way like other mosses. This moss, however, is unique because it also possesses primordial xylem- and phloem- like structures. Its rhizoids actually contain these tiny vessels called hydroids and leptoids that have evolved to transport additional water and nutrients from the soil to the plant.
The green leaves of the gameteophyte wrap around the brownish/reddish stem and have distinguishing red tips. The male will have a red/brown flowery looking apparatus at the top. The gameteophytes look like tiny, needley, palm trees.
A sporophyte and female gameteophyte were extracted and later observed under microscope. The slender sporophyte stalk with brownish capsule of spores grows out of the archegonia of the female gametophyte. The spores could be seen coming out of the capsule like little yellowish puffy dust clouds.
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Salal (Gaultheria shallon)Observer
irenemooreDescription
Gaultheria shallon, or Salal, is a durable shrub, native to western North America. It has thick and leathery simple leaves with tiny serrated edges if you look closely. The upper side of the leaves are a dark green and are waxy and glossy from a thick cuticle. Underneath they are a duller, papery pastel green. They are arranged alternately about the branches. It is commonly seen in the under story of larger trees like this Hemlock. Maples surround the Salal shrub also.
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Western Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aleuticum)Observer
irenemooreDescription
This is a palmately branched five-fingered fern, or western maidenhair fern. Not to be confused with Adiuantum pedatum, native to eastern North America, Adiantum aleuticum is a perennial fern from the family Polypodiaceae. No sori were found underneath the fronds as shown in picture 2, however, you can see the "flap-like indusium," or the thin, floppy shield, formed by the inrolled leaf margin, covering where a sorus would be on the frond. The leaf stalk is blackish-brown. It thrives in moist environments so it fits right in at the base of the rain forest.
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Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)Observer
irenemooreDescription
A vine maple, or Acer circinatum of the family Sapindanceae, was spotted in the Olympic National Forest. They can grow from 16-26ft, and this one was standing at about 18ft. The vegetation that clings to its trunk and branches thrives in this moist weather, and it is completely covered in the moss and lichen companions. Although they can be cultivated on open ground, this vine maple was found in the shade of the much larger trees of the forest.
Its leaves are palmately lobed with 7-9 toothy, pointed lobes each, and are arranged oppositely about the branches. This small tree also has samara with wings that line up laterally. In the Spring we would see its small, red flowers with green-yellow petals in the center.
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Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata)Observer
irenemooreDescription
Resting nearby a raging river just outside Lake Cushman, was this Western redcedar, or Thuja plicata, of the family Cupressaceae. Some defining characteristics of this native plant are scaley needles, small reproductive cones, and red fibrous bark.
This tree should not be confused with true cedars of the family Cedrus. The fall view of this evergreen tree shows it sits by neighboring firs and hemlocks. Lichens and moss cling to its bark, absorbing all of the moisture-rich air.
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Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)Observer
irenemooreDescription
Symphoricarpos albus,or the common Snowberry, Waxberry, or Coralberry, is distinguishable by its droopy white berries. It is a deciduous shrub and the food source for many songbirds during the cold winter months.
The orientation of the oval-shaped leaves are across or opposite one another which gives the plants its place in the family of honeysuckle plants or Caprifoliaceae. At this time of late Fall, many of the leaves are dead or dying. Spring gives the Snowberry light pink flowers, which turn into the not-so-tasty-to-humans white berries by Summer. Don't eat them or you could get a bad stomach ache!
What
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Observer
irenemooreDescription
The Yarrow plant, or Achillea millefolium from the family Asteraceae is pictured here. Found in the trails of Tumwater Historical Park in late September, this display captures the plants' slender, feather-like leaves. Normally producing tiny, pretty pink flower clusters when in season from May to June, this yarrow plant smells sweetly like chrysanthemums during its blooming period.
The leaves are neatly arranged in a bi- or tri- pinnate orientation about the central axis of the stem. It is herbaceous and perennial. The light green pigmentation in the leaves can be attributed to the plants' affinity for environments with extreme sunlight. The yarrow is commonly used as a drought resistant garden-beautifier for its pinkish, white flowers.
Some facts from Wikipedia.org