Several smooth stems with large, ovate, long-stalked leaves mostly near base and loose clusters of purple or blue flowers on branches at top (held on a petiole). The inflorescence is a panicle of flowers on individual pedicels.
Fun facts:
• Native Americans made a preparation of the roots to treat burns and stomach aches.
• Likes dry, shaded areas
• Seeds stick to socks as you walk by
Anthocyanins; basal leaves, weak stems, prostrate to ascending flower stalks; lightly covered with soft to shaggy hair; leaves heart-shaped shallow lobes with toothed margins.
Fun facts:
• One of first flowers to bloom in late winter
Several smooth stems with large, ovate, long-stalked leaves mostly near base and loose clusters of purple or blue flowers on branches at top (held on a petiole). The inflorescence is a panicle of flowers on individual pedicels.
Fun facts:
• Native Americans made a preparation of the roots to treat burns and stomach aches.
• Likes dry, shaded areas
• Seeds stick to socks as you walk by
The distinct flower petal and leaf arrangement were used in identification.
Leaves alternate, simple, deciduous; generally elliptical or oblong, 2–5 inches; 5-petaled flowers are white or whitish-green, pendulous. The twig is slender, green turning to reddish brown, pith chambered, conspicuous orange lenticles.
Fun facts:
• Indigenous peoples make tea of the bark, and chew its twigs to use as a mild anesthetic and aphrodisiac.
• Good wood for arrows, bows, small wooden tools
• Edible berries
• only species in the genus Oemeria
• Flowers smell like cat pee
Leaves smooth-edged + lance-shaped; yellow-green flowers produced in small umbels.
Fun facts:
• Often mistaken with bay laurel
• Hosts pathogen that causes sudden oak death
• Related to avocados (same family)
• A tea was made from the leaves by indigenous peoples to treat stomach aches, colds, sore throats, and to clear up mucus in the lungs
• According to a modern Miwok recipe for acorn soup, "it is essential that you add a generous amount of California laurel" when storing acorns to dry, to keep insects away from the acorns.
Pale brown lenticels; palmate leaves with 5 lobes; flowers on dangling racemes
Fun facts:
• "sanguineum" means blood-red
• Drought-tolerant
• Blooms in early spring
• Tart berries but can be suitable for jam, etc.
• Can host white pine blister rust
• Hardy to -4F
Gravel bar at margin of river. Irish Bend County Park.