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PEA FAMILY (LEGUMINOSAE).

The members of this important family can be readily identified by their typical, irregular, sweet-pea-like flowers, and bean-like pods. A field key to the eight genera, represented in this area follows:

Tall Blue Lupine (Lupinus latifolius var. columbianus). A plant principally of the lower elevations. Grows 2 - 3-1/2 feet tall and has branched stems, several often arising from the same crown. Leaflets 6-9 in number, oblanceolate in outline and about 2 inches long. The flowers are a purplish blue. The plant is very lightly hairy.

Common Blue Lupine (Lupinus latifolius var. canadensis). One of two common that are typical the Hudsonian zone, this species being generally the more abundant and more characteristic of the lower portions of the Hudsonian meadows in good soils (4500-6000 feet). It often forms large patches that are striking for the beauty of the blue flowers. It is a leafy plant, 8-16 inches tall with simple stems bearing compact terminal racemes of voilet-blue flowers. Several stems often arise from the same crown. The leaflets, 6-9 in number and 1-2 inches long are spatulate in outline. Without careful examination the plant appears to be hairless but with a hand lens it will be seen that it is sparsely hairy.

Blue Lupine (Lupinus volcanicus). The second of the two common blue lupines of the Hudsonian zone - this one preferring a drier soil, usually volcanic ash, and growing more in the upper portions of this zone from about 5500-6500 feet. It may be readily identified from the Common Blue Lupine by the fact that the plant is conspicuously hairy. The stems are simple and leafy, about 3-16 inches tall with oblanceolate leaves, 1/2 - 1-1/4 inches long. The light blue flowers are borne in racemes.

Lyall's Lupine (Lupinus lyallii). A common and very distinctive plant of the Arctic-alpine zone, growing in dry, rocky soils. This is characteristically a low, tufted, flat-spreading plant with the foliage densely covered with silky hairs. The leaflets are small, not over 1/2 inch long and usually much shorter, with erect flower stems, 3-4 inches tall, bearing short racemes of small deep blue flowers. The Lyall's Lupine is one of the most attractive plants of the Arctic-alpine zone.

Mountain Locoweed (Oxytropis mazama). In rocky soils of the Hudsonian zone but not common. This is a low tufted perennial with a thick root-stalk and very short stems from which arise a number of the leaf and flower stalks, 4-10 inches tall. The leaves are compound, being composed of 8-12 pair of slightly hairy, elliptic-lanceolate, leaflets less than 1/2 inch long. The flowers are pale yellow and borne in terminal spikes 1-1 1/2 inches long.

Vetch (Vicia americana). A prostrate or climbing slender perennial with well developed tendrils. The flowers are purple, 4-8 in number upon slender stalks arising from the axils of the leaves. The leaves are compound with 8-16 ovate to oblong leaflets (1/2-1 inch long and 1/4-1/2 inch wide) which have a short, slender point at the apex (cuspidate).

Narrow-leaved Vetch (Vicia americana var. angustifolia). Similar to the common vetch except that the leaves are smaller and linear.

Trailing Pea (Lathyrus pauciflorus). A climbing perennial with angled stems, violet flowers, and simple or branched slender tendrils. Another species, Lathyrus nuttallii, has very small and inconspicuous tendrils, and is generally erect and non-climbing.

Clover (Trifolium sp.). Everyone is familiar with the characteristics of Clover of which we have four species. The Red Clover is Trifolium pratense; Yellow Clover is Trifolium dubium and Trifolium hybridum has pinkish purple flowers, White Clover is Trifolium repens.

Alfalfa (Medicago sp.). This plant is likewise familiar to most people. The Yellow-flowered Alfalfa is Medicago lupulina and the Purple-flowered Alfalfa is Medicago sativa.

GERANIUM FAMILY (GERANIACEAE).

Wild Geranium (Geranium pusillum). A wood plant with small pink or violet flowers and palmately lobed leaves about an inch in diameter.

WOOD SORREL FAMILY (OXALIDACEAE).

Wood sorrel (Oxalis oregana). A very common plant in the deep woods at the lower elevations of the park, often forming dense patches in moist soils. Its most noticeable feature is the clover-like leaves, borne upon slender stems, several of which arise from the root in a sort of loose tuft. The flowers are white with the petals faintly veined with purple and are borne upon slender leafless stems. The plant is from 4-6 inches tall. Another species, Oxalis trilliifolia, is very similar to the one just described and often grows in company with it but the flowers are borne several upon the stem rather than singly.

STAFF-TREE FAMILY (CELASTRACEAE).

Mountain Box (Pachystima myrsinites). A rather common low evergreen bushy shrub, 12-24 inches tall, found in open situations in the Canadian zone. The small leaves (1/2-3/4 inch long) are opposite, are joined to the branches by very short stems and the margin is slightly toothed above the middle and slightly inrolled. The flowers are very small, purplish green and are borne in the leaf axils.

CROWBERRY FAMILY (EMPETRACEAE).

Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). A small, low, spreading shrub from 2-8 inches long with very small, thick, linear leaves and inconspicuous flowers. The common name is derived from the small black berry which is the fruit. It is a rare plant of the high alpine country.

MAPLE FAMILY (ACERACEAE).

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum). A very common tall shrub 9-20 feet tall found in the park up to about 4500 feet in elevation. The typical maple leaves are divided into 7-9 lobes, the edges of which are conspicuously toothed. The small reddish flowers are borne in loose corymbs. This plant is largely responsible for the gorgeous flaming red patches of color characteristic of the park in early October. The fruit is the characteristic double, winged sarnara.

Douglas Maple (Acer douglasii). Found in locations similar to the Vine Maple but not so common. The leaves are 5 lobed, the lower two lobes being quite small, with the margins very coarsely toothed.

Broadleaved Maple (Acer macrophyllum). An occasional tree in moist situations, especially along streams, at the lower elevations of the park. The leaves are very large (6-10 inches) and the flowers are green and borne in pendant racemes. A more complete description of this tree will be found in a future issue of "Nature Notes", which will deal exclusively with the trees of this park.

BUCKTHORN FAMILY (RHAMNACEAE).

Cascara (Rahmnus purshiana). A small tree, 10-20 feet tall that is rather rare in the park. It has dark grey bark, alternate leaves and small greenish flowers borne in umbels. The fruit is black and about the size of a pea.

Sticky Laurel (Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus). A much branched shrub, 3-4 feet tall with stout branches and thick oval, finely toothed leaves 1-1/4 - 3 inches long. The leaves are further characterized by being dark green and sticky upon the upper surface and grey-green beneath, by having short stout stems and three prominent veins. The flowers are small and white and are borne in terminal clusters (panicles). This plant is quite common in the lower Stevens Canyon area.

Buckbrush (Ceanothus sanguineus). A woody shrub 3-4 feet tall with thin, oval, finely toothed leaves. The flowers are white, small and borne in panicles. This plant is not sticky.

MALLOW FAMILY (MALVACEAE).

Mallow (Malva rotundifolia). A weed plant with a prostrate stem 6-24 inches long often branched near the base. The leaves, 3/4 - 2 inches wide, are either round or kidney-shaped in general outline and have 5-7 lobes, the margins of which have numerous small rounded teeth. The flowers are white.

ST. JOHNSWORT FAMILY (HYPERICACEAE).

St. Johnswort (Hypericum anloides). This is a plant of wet to marshy locations which is fairly common in the Longmire meadow. It is a succulent, much branched herb with slender prostrate and weak stems from 1-4 inches in length. The leaves are opposite, sessile ovate and 1/4 inch or less in length. The flowers are small and yellow.

VIOLET FAMILY (VIOLACEAE).

While there are eight species of voilets native to Mt. Rainier National Park the most common and readily observed ones are the Yellow Violet (Viola glabella), which is often known as "Johnny-jump-up" and the common Blue Violet (Viola adunca var. glabra). Both are plants of the early spring and summer and grow in moist soils in the Canadian zone. The Yellow Voilet noted above is from 4-8 inches tall and has long stemmed kidney-shaped to heart-shaped leaves. Two other yellow violets will be found in the park. The Round-leaved Yellow Voilet (Viola orbiculata) as the name indicates, has round leaves while Viola sarmentosa is an evergreen species. Three other species of blue or purple voilets, in addition to the common one noted above, occur in the area. One - Viola adunca is very similar to the common blue violet except for the fact that the leaves are very slightly hairy. The other two species of blue voilets are Viola palustris and Viola howellii. The eighth species is a White Violet (Viola palens).

EVENING PRIMOSE FAMILY (ONAGRACEAE).

Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina var. pacifica). This is a plant of moist shaded locations in the woods of the Canadian zone but, as it is not a very conspicuous one, will often be overlooked. It is a succulent herb 6-12 inches tall with opposite leaves upon slender stems, 1-2 inches long and ovate to heart-shaped in outline with the margins sparsely toothed. The flowers are small, white and borne upon slender-stemmed racemes that arise from the axils of the leaves.

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium). This tall, erect, perennial, about 3-feet high, with its raceme of rose-purple flowers, is very conspicuous in old burns, open woods, along roadsides, and similar situations. It is found in the park from the lowest elevations to well within the Hudsonian zone. In the late summer the showy flowers give way to the seeds which are characterized by a tuft of silky white hairs. The numerous leaves are 3-6 inches long, pointed, and lanceolate. The common name is probably due to the plant's habit of occupying old burns or the vivid color of the flowers.

Yellow Fireweed (Epilobium luteum). A common plant in moist situations, particularly along streams, from 3500-5500 feet. It is from 8-16 inches tall with opposite, usually sessile elliptic leaves 1-2 inches long, having finely toothed margins. As the common name indicates the flowers are showy and a light yellow.

Alpine Fireweed (Epilobium alpinus). An erect succulent plant 4-12 inches tall with opposite ovate leaves having finely toothed margins. Leaves 3/4 - 1-1/2 inches long. The flowers are pink to purple. It is common in wet places in the Hudsonian zone. Eight additional species of Epilobium are found in the park area but these are either uncommon or inconspicuous and are consequently not described here. (See check list on page 29).

Gayophytum (Gayophytum ramosissimum). A plant of dry locations that will rarely be noticed as it is not very attractive. It is much branched, 6-12 inches tall with small linear leaves and small pink flowers.

WATER MILFOIL FAMILY (HALORIGIDACEAE).

Mare's Tail (Hippuris vulgaris). This species, together with another - Hippuris montana - are found along the borders of ponds or lakes. The latter is fairly common in such situations in the Hudsonian zone. They are not very attractive and consequently may be overlooked. They have simple erect stems and linear leaves in whorls upon the stem.

GINSENG FAMILY (ARALIACEAE).

Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridum). One, of the most common and conspicuous plants of the deep woods of the lower elevations. It is characterized by large, maple-like leaves 4-12 inches broad which are borne at the apex of the stem. The stout stem and the underside of the large leaves are covered with numerous spines. The green flowers are borne in an erect raceme which give way to bright red berries in the late summer.

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Descriptions continued...