Skykomish River, Snohomish, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: Skykomish River, off of National Forest Development Road 6021, May Creek, Snohomish, Washington, 98251, United States of America (Lat: 47.8357887268, Long: -121.6576156616)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in mid 60’s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Walked along the loop by the river off of parking lot. Forest dominated by many Cottonwoods and Red Alders. Also saw Big Leaf Maples and Willows. Saw examples of adventicous rooting in the Cottonwoods along the bank of the river. Discussed how this was because they were along a riparian floodplain, and need to be able to access water and nutrients when the river floods. Also discussed how these can be used to determine floodlines. Understory comprised of Dogwood (flowering), Huckleberry, Vine Maple, Indian Plum (gone to fruit), Salmonberry (flowering), Saskatoon, and Cascara. Less abundant Japanese Knotweed, Snowberry, Thimbleberry, and Trailing Blackberry. Lots of Bracken Ferns. Bordering the parking lot, noticed some flowering Orange Honeysuckle as well as groundcover of English Plantain, Sheep Sorrel and a grass I was unable to identify (but have linked to this journal entry). Noticed significant amount of a non-native, invasive weed from California near riverbanks as well as some Himalayan Blackberry.

Species List

1. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
2. Populus trichocarpa (Cottonwood)
3. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
4. Salix (Willows)
5. Rhamnus purshiana
6. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
7. Linnaea borealis
8. Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon)
9. Lonicera ciliosa (Orange Honeysuckle)
10. Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry)
11. Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)
12. Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed)
13. Malus domestica (Pacific crabapple)
14. Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus (Snowberry)
15. Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken fern)
16. Polystichum munitum (Sword fern)
17. Rubus ursinus (Trailing blackberry)
18. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
19. Rumex acetosella (Sheep sorrel)
20. Plantago lanceolata (English plantain)

Posted on May 18, 2012 02:03 AM by sophiejhart