United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Intermountain 

Research Station 

Ogden, Utah 84401 

General Technical 

Report INT-180 

April 1985 

Field Guide to 

Forest Plants of 

Northern Idaho 

Patricia A. Patterson 

Kenneth E. Neiman 

Jonalea R. Tonn 
THE AUTHORS 

Patricia A. Patterson, forester, Clearwater National Forest, was 

assigned major responsibility for development of this field g.uide, while 

assisting the northern ldaho habitat type refinement project. She holds B.S. 

degrees in both forest management and wood utilization from the University of 

ldaho where she is currently working on an M.S. degree in forest 

management. She was a seasonal employee for the Clearwater National Forest 

since 1981. 

Kenneth E. Neiman, plant ecologist, Clearwater National Forest, was 

co-leader of the northern ldaho habitat type refinement project and directed 

this effort to create a regional field guide for plant species of ecological 

importance. He holds a B.S. degree in range management and an M.S. 

degree in forest and range ecology both from Washington State Univerisity, 

and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in forest ecology at the University of 

Idaho. He was Zone Ecologist for the northern ldaho national forests since 

1981 . 

Jonalea R. Tonn, forester, Intermountain Forest and Range 

Experiment Station, originally developed a similar guide for use by INT 

research field crews. She has been directly involved in developing, writing, 

and reviewing all material in this field guide. She earned both a B.S. and 

an M.F. in forestry from the University of Idaho. She joined the 

Intermountain Station at Moscow in 1978. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Major financial support for this guide was provided by Timber 

Management, Northern Region of the Forest Service, U. S. Department of 

Agriculture, and the Clearwater National Forest, Nezperce National Forest, 

and the ldaho Panhandle National Forests through a cooperative agreement 

with the lntermoutain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 

Many people have volunteered their time and effort in reviewing and 

contributing to this publication. We wish to thank the following individuals 

whose aid, suggestions, and support have greatly increased the quality of 

this guide: Peter F. Stickney (Inter-mountain Station), Anita Cholewa 

(Washington State University), Daniel J . Holden (Nezperce National Forest), 

Fredric D. Johnson (University of Idaho), Charles A. Wellner (USDA Forest 

Service, retired), and Richard T. Bingham (USDA Forest Service, retired). 

Reviews and suggestions were supplied by persons too numerous to list here 

with the exception of Cynthia Lacky and Kathleen Roche (Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests). Many long hours of volunteer labor along with 

constructive suggestions were supplied by Donald Patterson (Clearwater 

National Forest) during 'the initial development and creation of this field 

guide. 

Drawings originally published in C. L. Hitchcock and others (1955-69) 

were used with permission from the University of Washington Press. New 

illustrations have been added through the volunteer efforts of Anita Cholewa, 

Lisa Marie Skovlin, (Sawtooth National Forest)' and Kathleen Dawes (Moscow, 

ID). 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Introduction .............................. 1 

Species Description Format ...................... 2 I 

Trees ................................. 5 

Shrubs ................................ 29 

Ferns and Friends .......................... 83 

Forbs ................................. 97 

Graminoids .............................. 195 

Descriptive Drawings ......................... 221 

Collecting and Pressing Methods .................... 229 

Glossary ............................... 232 

References .............................. 239 

Index of Scientific Names ....................... 242 

Index of Common Names ........................ 244 

TABLES 

Key to Native Trees and Tall Shrubs ............... 7 

Betula Conspectus ....................... 11 

Shrub Characteristics ...................... 30 

Alnus Conspectus ........................ 33 

Ribes Conspectus ....................... 60 

Rosa Conspectus ........................ 63 

Rubus Conspectus ....................... 67 

Vaccinium Conspectus ..................... 78 

Key to Ferns and Friends .................... 84 

Forb Characteristics ....................... 98 

Corallorhiza Conspectus .................... 126 

Li liaceae Conspectus ...................... 129 

Habenaria Conspectus ..................... 142 

Mitella Conspectus ....................... 156 

Pyrola Conspectus ....................... 170 

Viola Conspectus ....................... 190 

Graminoid Characteristics ..................... 196 

Carex Conspectus ....................... 202 

Luzula Conspectus ...................... 213 
Figure 1 .--The portion of Idaho 

(hatched area) covered by this 

guide. 
INTRODUCTION 

This field guide has been developed specifically to complement the 

-- Forest Habitat Types of Northern ldaho (Cooper and others 1983). The 

geographic area covered is Idaho's forested lands from the Salmon River 

drainage north to the Canadian border (fig. 1). This guide is not meant to 

be a comprehensive taxonomy to northern ldaho flora, but rather an 

identification aid for species having forested habitat type indicator value 

within this geographic area. 

Criteria for species selection were: common overall occurrence in 

mature to old-growth forested stands, special environmental or habitat type 

indicator value, and special interest within northern Idaho. Additional 

species have been included that are ~norphologically similar to and often 

confused with selected indicator species. Species descriptions are based on 

Flora of the Pacific Northwest (C.L. Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973) and 

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Parts 1-5 (C.L. Hitchcock and 

others 1955-1969). Frorn the above sources, we constructed characteristics 

tables, dichotomous keys and conspectuses as a simplified means to initially 

determine genus or species. Within the characteristics table, pseudo-keys 

using one or more easily determined characteristics, such as leaf 

arrangement, are used to group species. Final identification must correlate 

the specimens' characteristics with the species description. The species 

descriptions and keys were developed for people with a minimum of botanical 

training. We emphasized characteristics that are useful for field identification 

of the species within the context of a northern ldaho location. In other 

geographic areas having a different floristic composition or environment, these 

distinctive field characteristics may not be usable for identification of a 

species. Citations for a number of authoritative floras for northern ldaho are 

included in the References. 

This publication is the product of two previous informal drafts. Many 

corrections, additional species, keys, species comparison guides, and handy 

field characteristics have been added. As updating, correcting, and 

improving are unending tasks for botanical field guides, the authors would 

appreciate receiving comments, suggestions, or criticisms at: 

USDA Forest Service 

lnternouritain Forest and 

Range Experiment Station 

1221 S. hlain Street 

Moscow, IC 83843 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION FORMAT (A) 

FAMILY Tribe (B) 

Genus specific epithet' Authorship (C) 

Standard vegetation code (Dl 

common name or names 

FORM: Lifeform or habit with general description of height 

and roots. 

NATIONAL or IDAHO CHAMP ION : Record tree measl~relnents 

and general locatiorl (E). 

STEMS: General characterist~cs (F) and rneasurernents (G) 

BARK: General chat.acteristics ( F] anri ~neasur-emc-nts (G). 

BUDS: General characteristics IF ) .irid rrieascr r-emcnts (G) 

BUNDLE SCARS: General char-~ctc.1 1st1c.5 (F) and measure~nents (G). 

LEAVES: General characteristics (F:) and rneasut-enients (G). 

FLOWERS: Genera! characterist~cs (F) arid me~surerricr~ts IG). 

SPORANGIUM: General charactet,istics (F) arld rneasl.lru-- 

ments (G) used to describe the rep~.o(luc.tive str~~ctut.es in 

Ferns and Friends. 

INFLORESCENCE: General chat-a~ter~~L~~~ ( F) and rncasure 

ments (G) used to descr-lbe grarn~no~ds 

CONES: General characteristics (F) and rneas~~l.enlents (GI. 

FRUIT: General characteristics (F) and rneasurements (G) 

ENEMIES: List of common injurious diseascs and insects in 

order of decreasing damage potential. A generalized 

detrimental or advantageous response to Fire (ti 1. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: List of easily confused genus and species 

HABITAT: General site character-istics (J! . 

NOTES: Special interest items 1 K) 

CONSTANCY TABLE: A table of constancy by habitat type for c.azh 

species is included along the Inner margin [L). 

' Letter codes explained in mow detail on pages 3-4. 

2 
(A) The species description layout was patterned after a similar 

description layout in Randall and Kenistoti (19G8). The text and terminology 

style was patterned after the above cited plant taxonomies. Line drawings 

used throughout the guide are from C.L. Hitchcock and others (1955-1969), 

Hayes and Garrison (IgGO), and Anon. (1981 ) . Additional drawings were 

provided by persons listed in Acknowlegments. Scale perspective is provided 

by a six foot forester standing next to a typical plant. 

(B) Family from CI-onquist (1931). GRAMINEAE tribes from A.S 

Hitchcock (1971). 

(C) The authority used for species authorship was C.L. Hitchcock 

and Cronquist (1973). 

(D) Standarized vegetation codes are frorn Garrison and others 

(1976). These codes facilitate species field data entry and data exchange 

between agencies. This system uses the first two letters of the genus and 

specific epithet to create a 4-letter code, such as Asca fot- Asarum caudatum. 

In cases of duplication a suffix number is added, e.g. Asca3. A variety is 

designated by the addition of the first letter of the varietal name; for 

example, Spiruea betulifolia va r . lucida becomes Spbel . Genera a re 

designated by a code of the first 5-letters or less being all capitalized, such 

as SPIRA, ACER, POA. Common names follow C.L. Hitchcock and Cronquist 

(1973); Garrison and others (1976); or the rnost descriptive local usage. 

(E) All wild and cultivated trees in ldaho are eligible to be measured 

for determination of the largest tree of each species or variety. The scoring 

for record trees is based on tlie formula: circumference (inches) + height 

(feet) + one-fourth tlie average crown diameter (feet). For a complete listing 

of current record trees and forms explaining the process for nominating new 

record trees, contact: 

Idaho Big Tree Program 

Department of Forest Resources 

College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences 

University of ldaho 

Moscow, I D 53843 

(F) General characterrstics were condensed from several taxonomic 

treatments, (Davis 1957; Hayes 1960; A.S. Hitchcock 1971; C.L. Hitchcock 

and others 1955-1969; C.L. Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973; Lee and Pfister 

1978). C.L. Hitchcock and CI-onquist (1973) was used as the authority. 

General field identification characteristics have been supplied by many 

individuals (see Acknowledgments). A glossary of taxonomic terms is 

included at the end of guide. 

(GI The measurements are general ranges, not absolutes. The 

conversions frorn metric to English have been rounded for ease of use. Very 

small measurements, (<lin) ar-e given in metric only. 
(H) More complete lists of species and related data can be found in: 

Diseases : Bega (l978), Fowells (l965), Hepting (1971 1, Partridge and others 

(1978), Partridge and Miller (1974). Insects: Prlt-tridge and others (l978), 

Fowells (1965), and Furniss and Carolin (1977). Fire: DeByle (19811, and 

Volland and Dell (1981). 

(I) SIMILAR SPECIES lists other genera andjot- species that can be 

easily confused with the one being described. Useful differentiating 

characteristics are included in commas. Sin~ilar species described in this 

guide are referenced by page number; species not included have their- common 

names in parentheses. 

(J) Site char-actel-istics are yiven Tot ,I species whrn it generally 

occurs in a specific type of habitat in northcrri Idaho. Tllc characteristics 

have been extracted from the previously mentioned refel-enccs or from the 

authors' and contributors' experience within northern Idaho. 

(K) NOTES contain ~tems of cornrnon irltems t, species variation, or 

special botanical interest. Reterences are made to species on the ldaho State 

Watch List, due to their rarity or limited distt-ibution, are being monitored. 

You can learn more about northern Idaho species covered under the 

Endangered Species Act of 1972 by consulting FWR Bulletin No. 34, Vascular 

Plant Species of Concern in Idaho, 1981, available ft-ern, 

FWR Experiment Station 

University of Idaho 

Moscow, ldaho 83543 

(L) The habitat type constancy table shows the percentage of stands 

within a habitat type in that one can expect to find the species described. 

The fist of habitat types and constancy values comes from Cooper and others 

(1983). Habitat types and phases with incidental occurrence in northern 

ldaho have not been included. The habitat types and phases are ordered 

from top to bottom along a generalized enviromental gradient of hot-dry to 

cold-wet. The constancy values are given for rnidseral to climax stand 

conditions. Most species have different occurences and constancy in highly 

disturbed habitats. Constancy codes: blank = not found + - Trace; 1 = 10%; 

2 = 20%; 3 = 30%; 4 = 4% . . .10 = 100%. 
TREES 3 

P 

Table 1.--KEY TO NATIVE TREES AND TALL SHRUBS 

- - 

1. LEAVES LINEAR OR SCALE-LIKE; EVERGREEN OR DECIDUOUS 

2. Leaves flat, scalelike, overlapping ............. 2. Leaves linear or needle1 ike 

3. Deciduous, cluster of 15-40 leaves borne on short spur. .. 3. Leaves eve rg reen 

................... 4. Leaves in bundles 

5. Leaves usua I l y in bundles of 5 ............. 

............. 5. Leaves in bundles of 2 or 3 

........... 6. Leaves usua l l y in bundles of 2.. 

........... 6. Leaves usually in bundles of 3.. 

4. Leaves scattered singly on stems 

7. Leaves without a petiole 

8. Leaves 4-sided; sharp tip; borne on short peg 

(which remains on twig after needles fall). ... 8. Leaves flat with rounded or notched tip ..... 7. Leaves with petiole 

9. Leaves with sharp-apex, 2-ranked, fleshy fruit . 9. Leaves blunt or with slight pointed tip; fruit: 

10. Buds: Large (6mm) pointed, red-brown .... 10. Buds: Small (3mm) rounded light colored. .. 

......

cone 

......

......

1. LEAVES BROAD, THIN, FLAT; DEC l DUOUS 

11. Leaves opposite 

12. Leaves compound. ...........................

12. Leaves simple 13. Palmately lobed "maplelike" ....................

13. Leaves entire, not lobed. .....................

11. Leaves alternate 

14. Leaves compound. ........................

14. Leaves simple 

15, Older twigs armed with stout woody thorns ..........

15. Older twigs unarmed 16. Buds naked, without scales ................

16. Buds with scales 

17. Flowers in catkins 

18. Female catkins persistent and conelike .......

18. Fema le catkins deciduous, not conel i ke 

19. Leaves relatively long and narrow; single bud scale

fruit: hairy capsule. .............

19. Leaves about equal in length and width; multiple 

bud scales;fruit: winged nutlet ........

17. Flowers not in catkins 20. Leaves elliptic, finely serrate with glands on 

20. Leaves oblong, coarsely toothed, without glands 
Abgr 

2 

-:-?*== 

3 

PI NACEAE 

Abies grandis (Dougl . ) L~nc 

Abgr 

grand f~r, white fir 

Caru Caru 

Aruv h.t. 2 2 Phna Phrna 3 1 Smst h.t. 

FORM A large conifer up to 80rn (260ft) tall, neatlymi 1 

whorled with primary branches distinctly opposite. h.t. 2 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1981. 54.9in dbh; 172in circum. + Me e Stam 3 

218ft tall + 7.7ft crown= 398pts; Pierce RD., Clearwater 

NF. 1 Vag Xete 

BARK: Smooth and greyish with resin blisters when LUh' h't' 

young, aging to ashy brown with thick, deep furrows; 

inner bark purple-red. 

BUDS: Resinous, blunt to rounded, yellow-brown, 6mm. 

LEAVES: Flat needles, 2-3crn (lin) long, apex rounded and 

notched (I), dark green, grooved above with two white 

stornatal bands underneath with very small resin ducts 

located near leaf margin (2), distinctly two ranked (3). 

CONES: Cylindrical, 6-1 lcm (2-4in); borne upright, high 

in crown and disintegrating on tree; ripens Aug.; seed 

shed early Sept. 

ENEMIES: Diseases : Echinodontiurn tinctoriurn, Armillaria 

species, Phellinus (Poria) weirii, and broom r~st; 

Insects: spruce budworm, and tussock moth; Fire: 

susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Abies lasiocorpa, p.9. 

8 Vaca c.t. 
PINACEAE 

Abies lasiocarpa (Hook. ) N utt . Abla 

subalpine fir, alpine fir 

FORM: Tree, up to 40m (137ft) tall; spirelike crown often 

extending to the ground; bole extremely tapered; primary 

branches distinctly opposite. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1981. 49.9in dbh; 156.7in circum. + 

137ft tall + 5ft crown= 298pts; Pierce RD, Clearwater NF. 

BARK: Thin, grey, smooth with resin blisters; shallowly 

fissured. 

BUDS: Rounded, light brown, 6mm long. 

LEAVES: Thick needles, 2-4cm (1-2in) long, apex rounded 

(I), blue-green with stomata1 bands on both surfaces with 

large resin ducts located midway between leaf margins 

(2); leaves brushed to upperside (3). 

CONES: Purplish-grey, cylindrical, 6-10cm (2-4in) long; 

borne upright, high in the crown and disintegrating on 

tree; ripens mid-Aug . ; seed sheds mid-Sept. 

ENEMIES : Diseases : Echinodontiurn tinctoriurn, Fomes pini, 

Armillaria species, Polyporus tornentosus, and broom rust; 

Insects: spruce budworm, and tussock moth; Fire: 

susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Abies grandis, p.8; and Picea 

engelrnannii, p .16. 

Table 2.--KEY TO BETULA SPECIES 

1. Femalecatkinscone-like, persistent; pithtriangular; twigsslightlyangled.. 

1. Fema le catkins tassel - I i ke, not persistent; pith compressed; twigs round, res i n

BETULA SPEClES CONSPECTUS 

Species ' Page Form Ba rk Leafshape Leaf

Betula glandulosa 39 shrub not exfoliating c rena te 3c

bog b i rch da rk brown rounded ovate ( 1 i 

Beg I 

Betula occidentalis 12 tree not exfoliating serrate 5-8

water birch reddish brown broadly ovate (2-3 

Beoc st icky 

Betula papyrifera 13 tree 

paper birch 

Bepa 

exfoliating doubleserrate 5-10c

wh i te- b rown roundovate (2-4
Beoc 

pEiq ;! ;; 

Xete 

BETULACEAE 

Betula occidentalis Hook . B eoc 

water birch 

pE& 

Me e h't' 

G dr 

FORM: Small tree or loosely branched shrub, up to 15rn 

(13-26ft) tall; frequently found in crowded, dense 

thickets. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. occidentalis, 1973. 29in dbh; 

91. lin circum. + 50ft tall + 7ft crown= 148pts; Sawtooth 

NF. 

BARK: Smooth, shiny, reddish-brown, marked by pale 

horizontal lenticels; bark does not exfoliate. 

BUDS: Brown, resinous, pointed, about 6mm long. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, broadly ovate to diamondshaped, 3-5cm (1 -2in), serrate to dentate, green above, 

pale yellow-green and minutely glandular below, initially 

sticky; changes to dull yellow in autumn. 

FLOWERS: Cylindrical catkin 2crn long, flowering with orbefore leaves in the spring; Feb.-June; breaking up at 

maturity. 

FRUIT: A winged samara tipped with persistent styles (1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Betula papyrifera, p. 13. 

HABITAT: Along streams or on open hillsides. 

NOTES: Most common birch in Idaho. B. occidentalis and 

B. papyrifera freely hybridize in nortb~rn Idaho. 

12 

Mefe 

Xete 

Xete 

Luhi 

Mefe 

Luhi 

Clun 

h.t. 

Mefe 

h.tStam 

t:te 
1 

BETULACEAE 

Betula papyrifera Marsh. 

Bepa 

paper b~rch 

FORM: Tree, 15-20m (50-66ft) tall; old trees have open 

crowns and short, pendulous branches. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. comrnutata: 1973. 29in dbh; 

91in circum. + 70ft tall + 16.5ft crown= 178pts; Bonner 

Co. 

BARK: Young trees bronze to light. reddish brown, aging 

cream-white to coppery, with horizontal raised lenticels 

(1); peeling in thin, papery strips, thus its common 

name. 

BUDS: Resinous, orange-brown; pointed ovate, 3-5mm 

long. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, ovate, 6-l0crn (2-4in) long, 

yellow-green and smooth above, pale below, usually 

doubly serrate. 

FLOWERS: Cylindrical catkin 2-4cm (1-2in) long; flowering 

with or before leaves, breaking up at maturity; AprilJune. 

FRUIT: A winged samara tipped with persistent styles (2). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Betula occidentalis, p. 12. 

HABITAT: Moist, open to dense montane woods. 

NOTES: B. papyrifera and 5. occidentcllis f reely hybridize 

in northern Idaho. 
subalpine larch, alpine larch, Lyall larch 

FORM: Timberline tree, up to 15m (50ft) tall; long, 

spreading limbs with broad crown, often stunted or 

gnarled. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1970. 50in dbh; 157in circum. + 95ft 

tall + 9.5ft crown= 261pts; Bonners Ferry RD, Kaniksu 

NF. 

STEMS: Young twigs covered with dense, white or 

yellowish woolly hairs (1). 

BARK: Thin, ashy grey, becoming brown, initially smooth, 

becoming separated into scaly, deep furrows. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, 30-40 rigid needles borne on short 

spur, light bluish-green, 2-4cm (1-2in) long, 4-angled 

with visible resin ducts in cross-section (2); turning 

color earlier than Larix occidentallis. 

CONES: Reddish-yellow to purplish-green 3-5cm (1-2in) 

long; bracts much longer than cone scales; ripens 

Aug.-Sept.; seed shed in Sept. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: Fomes pini and Phaeolus (Polyporus) 

schweinitzii . SIMILAR SPECIES: Larix occidentalis, p. 15. 

HABITAT: Timberline above 2000m (6550ft) elevation in the 

spruce-fir zone. 

NOTES: Rare tree, seldom encountered near roads; it is 

accessible on the old Nezperce Trail, FS Rd g468. 

Caru Caru 

Aruv h . t. 

Phna Phma 

Smst t1.t. 
Laoc 

PINACEAE 

Larix occidentalis N utt . 

Laoc 

western larch, tamarack 

FORM: Tree, up to 60m (200ft) tall; short open crown with 

long, clear bole, often with swollen butt. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1977. 76.2in dbh; 239.3in circum. + 

142ft tall + 5.5ft crown= 387pts; Latah Co. 

STEMS: Young twigs without dense woolly hair. 

BARK: Initially thin and scaly becoming very thick and 

deeply furrowed into large plates; flaking into cinnamonred scales, resembling Pinus ponderosa . 

LEAVES: Deciduous, 15-30 needles borne on short spur, 

pale green, broadly triangular with no resin ducts visible 

(I), 2-4cm (1-2in) long; becoming yellow and falling in 

late fall after Larix lyallii. 

CONES: Oblong, 2-3cm (<2in) long; thin, red-brown 

scales; borne upright on spur shoot, may remain on tree 

for several years; ripens Bug. -Sept.; seed shed 

Sept. -0ct. 

ENEMIES: Diseases : Fomes officinalis, Fomes pin;, 

Phaeolus ( Polyporus) schweinitzii, Armillaria species, 

Phellinus (Poria) weirii and Hypodermella laricis; I nsects : 

larch casebearer; Fire: very resistant. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Larix lyallii, p.14. 
PI NACEAE 

Engelmann spruce 

FORM: Tree, up to 55m (180ft) tall; crown spirelike; 

branches extending to the ground. 

NATIONAL CHAMPION: 1970. 92.4 in dbh; 290in circum. 

+ 179ft .tall + 10.8ft crown= 480pts; Valley Co., ID. 

STEMS: Young twigs finely pubescent (1). 

BARK: Thin, brownish-red, scaly. 

LEAVES: Short, rigid needles, 2-4cm (1 -2in) long, bluegreen, pointed (21, 4-angled in cross-section (3); borne 

singly on a peg, that remains on twig when needle is 

shed (4). 

CONES: Oblong, 2-4cm (1 -2in) long; light chestnut-brown, 

scales paper-thin; cones droop from branches, falling 

during autumn or winter; ripens Aug.-Sept., seed shed 

Sept. -0ct. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: Armillaria species, Fomes annosus, 

Phaeolus (Polyporus) schweinitzii, Fomes pini, broom 

rust, and dwarf mistletoe; Insects: western budworm, and 

tip weevil; Fire: very susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Abies lasiocarpa, p.9. 

HABITAT: Montane; favors cold humid sites, and wet frost 

pockets of all elevations. 
Pial 

PINACEAE 

Pinus albicaulis Engelm . Pial 

whitebark pine 

FORM: Subalpine tree, 5-15m (15-50ft) tall, with broadly 

branched crown; stunted or decumbent on exposed sites. 

NATIONAL CHAMPION: 1980. 105.4in dbh; 331in circum. 

+ 69ft tall + 11.7ft crown= 412pts; Sawtooth NRA, ID. 

BARK: Thin, white-grey, scaly; inner bark red-brown. 

LEAVES: Needles in bundles of 5, dark green, 3-8cm 

(1-3in) long; clustered at branch ends. 

CONES: Ovoid, deep red to purple-brown, 5-10cm (2-4in) 

long, thick scales with stout, pointed umbos (1) 

(protuberances); cones disintegrate on ground, rarely 

found whole. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: White pine blister rust, Armillaria 

species, Poria subacida, Fomes annosus, Fomes pini, 

Phaeolus (Polyporus) schweinitzii and dwarf mistletoe; 

Insects: mountain pine beetle; Fire: very susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Pinus monticola, p. 19, long, light 

cones; P. contorta, p. 18; or P. flexilis (I~mber pine), not 

found in Idaho north of Riggins. 

HABITAT: Subalpine slopes and ridges. 

17 
Pinus contorta vat-. latifolia Engelm. in Wats 

Picol 

Rocky Mtn. lodgepole pine, jack pine 

FORM: Tree, up to 30tn (100ftl tall with short crown 

NATIONAL CHAMPION: 1980. -43.6in dbh; 137in circum.+ 

135ft tall + 10.3ft crown= 282pts; Valley Co., ID. 

BARK: Lowland form has thick, black, rectangular plated 

bark; subalpine form is thin, reddish to grey with loose 

scales. 

LEAVES: Needles in bundles of 2, 3-8cm (1-3in) long; 

stiff, often twisted; yellowish green. 

CONES: Subsessile, 3-5cm (1 -2in) long, sharp-spined tip 

on scale; persistence and cone serotiny is regionally 

variable; cones mature Aug. -Sept. ; seed shed Sept. -0ct. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: Stalactiform rust, Phaeolus 

(Polyporus) schweinitzii, Polyporus tornentosus, P. 

anceps, Fornes pini, Arrnillaria species, Verticicladiella 

species (blackstain), Atropellis canker, dwarf mistletoe, 

and western gall rust; Insects: mountain pine beetle, and 

tip borers; Fire: susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Persistent cones are not a 

characteristic of any other pine in this area, but may be 

confused with 5-needle pines: Pinus albicaulis, p. 17; or 

Pinus rnonticola, p . 19. 

HABITAT: Potential early seral occupant on all habitat 

types except Pinus ponderosa series. 

1 7 Il uhi I 'p$r+- ete c.t 
western white pine 

FORM: Tree, up to 70m (730ft) tall; symmetrical crown 

with slender, drooping branches; well-marked nodal 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1981. 81.8in dbh; 257in circum. + 

214ft tall + 9.5ft crown= 481pts; Palouse RD, Clearwater 

BARK: Very thin at first, grey and smooth, with resin 

blisters on young trees (similar to Abies grandis and 

Pseudotsuga menziesii, becoming finely checked into small, 

dark grey squares. 

LEAVES: Needles in bundles of 5; 5-10cm (2-4in) long, 

blue-green, slender and flexible, tip blunt. 

CONES: Narrow and curved, 12-38cm (5-15in) long, thin 

unarmed scales; mature mid-Aug. of second year; seed 

shed Aug. -Sept. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: White pine blister rust, Armillaria 

species, Poria subacida, Fornes pini, Phaeo1u.s (Polyporus) 

schweinitzii, Phellinus (Poria) weirii, Fomes annosus, 

Polyporus anceps, Verticicladiella species (blac kstai n) , 

dwarf mistletoe, and Atropellis canker; Insects: mountain 

pine beetle; Fire: very susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Pinus albicaulis, p. 17, short and heavy 

,Vasc h.t. 

.zXete c.t. 

=Vaca c.t. 

cones. 

19 
PI NACEAE 

Pinus ponderosa Doug1 . Pi po 

letF Mefe 

ponderosa pine, yellow pine, bull pine 

FORM: Tree, 43m (140ft) tall; with symmetrical bole. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1962. 88in dbh; 276.6in circum. +. Luhi h't' 

138ft tall; description incomplete; Valley Co. 

BARK: Brownish-black on vigorous young trees, turning 

to an orange or cinnamon color as diameter growth slows; 

always scaly with deep furrows on mature tree. 

LEAVES: Flexible, yellowish-green, needles in bundles of 3 

sometimes 2, 12-20cm (5-8in) long. 

CONES: Ovate, 8-15cm (3-6in) long, cone scales have 

prickly tip; clustered at branch ends; may persist 2-7 

years; ripens Aug. -Sept.; seed shed Sept. -Jan. 

ENEMIES: Diseases : Armillaria species, rhaeolus 

(Polyporus) schweinitzi, Polyporus anceps, Verticicladiella 

species (blackstain), Fomes pini, Atropellis canker, dwarf 

mistletoe, Elytroderma needlecast and western gall rust; 

Insects: western and mountain pine beetle; Fire: mature 

trees very resistant. 

20 Vaca c.t. 

1 

Luhi 

Mefe 

Luhi 

Vagl 

h.t. 

Stam 

h.t. 

Xete 

E 

3 
Potr 

SALl CACEAE 

FORM: Small tree, up to 25m (82ft) tall, forming dense 

colonies, rarely singular. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1982. 30.lin dbh; 94.6in circum. + 

86ft tall + loft crown= 190.6pts; Camas Co. 

BARK: Smooth, greenish-white to cream colored becoming 

blackish and rough with injury and old age. 

BUDS: Resinous, sharp tipped, reddish-brown, Icm long 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, broadly ovate almost 

round, 2-9cm (1-4in) long, finely toothed, apex acute, 

shiny yellow-green, pale below; becoming bright yellow in 

autumn; the slender, laterally flattened petiole (2) allows 

leaf to flutter in slightest breeze. 

FLOWER: Catkins drooping; appearing before the leaves; 

ENEMIES: Diseases: Fomes igniarius, Hypoxylon canker, 

F. applanatus and Armillaria species; Fire: very 

HABITAT: Streams, moist benches and mountain slopes. 

NOTE: Timber and pulp species in other regions. 

aca c. 21 

quaking aspen, trembling aspen. W 
FORM: Large tree, 10-30m (30-100ft) tall, with broad, 

open crown. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1984. 32.9in dbh; 103in circum. + 

113ft tall + 3.75ft crown= 220pts; Boc~ndary Co. 

BARK: Smooth, yellowish-tan to grey on young, bark, 

aging grey with rough and narrow flattened ridges. 

BUDS: Orange-brown 2cm (<lin) long; tip sharp (I), 

resinous with fragrant odor when crushed. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, ovate, 5-15cm (2-6in) long, 

apex acute, margins finely toothed, dark green above, 

silver-white beneath, round petioles (21, strongly 

resinous, especially when young. 

FLOWER: Catkins drooping; appearing before the leaves; 

April-June. 

HABITAT: Mostly along streams and lake shores. 

NOTE: Largest hardwood native to Idaho. 1-1 

Vaca c.t. 
Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, red fir 

FORM: Tree up to 45m (150ft) tall; compact, pyramidal 

crown with irregular branching habit; branches upward 

spreading to drooping, with stiffly erect leader. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1978. 75in dbh; 217.5in circum. + 150ft 

tall + 8.75ft crown=377pts; Wallace RD, Coeur d'Alene NF. 

BARK: Rough, very thick, reddish-brown, separated by 

irregular deep furrows, bark's internal layers consist of 

light colored corky material mixed within reddish-brown 

BUDS: Shiny, reddish-brown, sharp-pointed, 6mm long 

LEAVES: Linear, flattened, blue-green petiolate needle 

(2), 2-3cm (lin) long, apex blunt, slightly grooved above 

with 2 white stomata1 bands below, spirally-arranged on 

twig, petiole drops with needle, leaving small flat scar on 

CONES: Pendent, reddish-brown, oblong-cylindric, 4-10cm 

(2-4in) long, with three-lobed bracts (4), protruding 

from thin scale; ripens/sheds, Aug. -Sept. of first year. 

ENEMIES : Diseases : Phaeolus (Polyporus) schweinitzii, 

Armillaria species, Phellinus (Poria) weirii, Fornes 

annosus, dwarf mistleioe, Dasyscypha canker, and 

Rhabdocline needle cast; Insects: Douglas-fir beetle, 

western budworm, and tussock moth; Fire: susceptible 

when young but resistant when old. 

23 
Tabr 

2 Clun 

1 

TAXACEAE 

Tavus brevifolia Nutt 

Tabr 

western yew, Paclflc yew 

FORM: Large, evergreen shrub to small tree, 5-10m 

(16-30ft) tall with erect or contorted trunk. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1967: 33.7in dbh; 105.8 In clrcum. + 

28ft tall + 13.75ft crown' 148pts; Slate Creek RD, 

Nezperce NF. 

BARK: Very thin; outer purpllsh scales coverlng newly 

formed reddish inner bark. 

LEAVES: Slngle, alternate, persistent, dark green above, 

l~ghter below, I~near, petlolate w~th sharp-pointed apex 

(I), sp~rally arranged, appearing 2-ranked. 

FRUIT: Fleshy, poisonous, red, berrylike (aril), solitary 

in leaf ax11 (2); ripens Aug.-Oct.; seed dispersal Oct. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Tsuga heterophylla, p.26, rounded 

apex. 

NOTES: Preferred moose wlnter browse species. Yew wood 

was famous for maklng archery bows. 

24 
Thpl 

RI 

Vaca c.t. 

CUPRESSACEAE 

Thuja plicata Donn 

Thpl 

western redcedar 1 

FORM: Large, tapering tree, up to 54m (177ft) tall, with a 

buttressed, fluted trunk; branches usually drooping; 

leader slender and drooping. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1979. 216in dbh; 680in circum. + 177ft 

tall + 9.9ft crown= 867pts; Palouse RD, Clearwater NF. 

BARK: Thin, cinnamon-red, aging to grey-brown, fibrous, 

finely ridged and furrowed, readily separating into long 

thin strips. 

LEAVES: Dark yellow-green, glossy, scalelike (I), in 

opposite pairs; branchlets forming flat sprays. 

CONES: Ovoid-cylindrical cones about Icm long, with thin 

spine-tipped, paired scales; cones borne erect, pointing 

backwards on twig; ripens early Aug.; seed shed 

Sept.-Nov.; often reproduces vegetatively by layering. 

ENEMIES : Diseases : Phellinus (Poria) weirii, Polyporus 

sericeomollis, Phaeolus ( Polyporus) schweinitzii and Fomes 

pini; Insects: western cedar borer, and cedar bark 

beetle; Fire: susceptible. 
FORM: Tree, 30-50m (100-160ft) tall; narrow pyramidal 

crown with drooping terminal leader. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: None Registered 

BARK: Young trees scaly, russet-brown; old trees hard, 

dark russet-brown; furrows separating widely, flat 

ridges, inner bark dark purple-red. 

BUDS: Light brown, rounded, 2mm long. 

LEAVES: Thin, flat, singular, petiolate, dark green needles 

6-10mm long, grooved above, marked with white stomata 

bands below, apex rounded, needles of varying lengths 

(1 1, 2-ranked on twig (2). 

CONES: Light brown, 2cm (<lin) long, thin scales narrow 

with wavy margin; ripens first year, Aug.-Oct.; seed 

shed Sept. -Jan., after seed release cones remain on trees 

until the next summer. 

ENEMIES: Diseases: Echinodontium tinctorium, Fomes 

anosus, F. pini, Phellinus (Poria) weirii, Armillaria 

species, Phaeolus (Polyporus) schweinitzii, Polyporus 

tomentosus, and dwarf mistletoe; Fire: moderately 

susceptible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Tsuga mertensiana, p. 27; and as 

sapling Taxus brevifolia, p. 24. 

NOTE: Largest hemlock native to the United States. 
Tsme 

PI NACEAE 

Tsuga mertensiana (Bong. ) Ca rr. 

Tsme 

mountain hemlock 

FORM: Tree, up to 35m (115ft) tall; pyramidal crown with 

slender, drooping branches and slightly drooping leader. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1978. 58.9in dbh; 185in circum. + 

113ft tall + 7.5ft crown= 305pts; Red lves RD, St. Joe 

BARK: Hard, red-brown with deep, narrow furrows 

separating into narrow, rounded ridges. 

BUDS: Brown, sharp pointed, 3mm long. 

LEAVES: Singular, plump, petiolate needles 1-3cm (lin) 

long, .deep bluish-green with stomata on both surfaces, 

apex blunt, needles of even length and extending out on 

all sides of twig (I). 

CONES: Mature cones,. cylindrical, with thin scales, 3-8cm 

(1-3in) long; purple, tlrrning brown when mature, 

remaining on trees several years; ripens and sheds seed 

from Aug. -0ct. 

ENEMIES: Same as Tsuga heterophylla, p. 26. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Tsuga heterophylla, p. 26. 

27 

SHRUBS 
Table 3.--SHRUB CHARACTERISTICS 

WHORLED Evergreen. ....................

Chimaphila spp. 42 S W(A) E ST C 

OPPOS I TE Evergreen. ....................

Linnaea borealis 48 S 0 E ST T 

Pachistima myrsinites 52L 0 E STC 

I Satureja douglasi i 72 S 0 E ST S 

W ....................

0 OPPOS l TE Deciduous. 

Acer glabrum 32 T 0 D SM C 

I Cornus stolonifera 43 T 0 D SE C 

Lonicera spp. 49 M 0 D SE T/C 

Philadelphus lewisii 53 T 0 D ST R 

I Sambucus spp. 71 T 0 D PT C/F 

Shepherdia canadensis 73 M 0 D SE S-C 

Symphoricarpos spp. 76 M 0 D SE R 

.....................

ALTERNATE Evergreen 

I Ar~tostaph~los uva-ursi 37 S A E SE C 

( Berber is spp. 38 S-M A E PT R 

I Ceanothus velut inus 41 T A E ST P 

1 Gaultheria ssp. 45 S A E ST S 

Ledum glandulosum 47 M A E SE C 

Phyllodoce empetriformis 54 S-L A E SLiI S 

I Taxus brevifolia 24 T A E SLiE - 
ALTERNATE Dec iduous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Alnus spp. 33 T A D ST A GW 

Amelanchier alnifolia 36 T A D ST R 

I Betula glandulosr, 

39 M-T A D ST A GW 

Ceanothus sanguineus 40 T A D ST P 

Crataegus douglasii 44 T A D ST C 

Holodiscus discolor 46 T A D ST P 

Menz ies ia f errug inea 50 M A D ST C P-Y

Oplopanax horridum 51 M A D SM R GW 

/ Physocarpus malvaceus 55 M A D SM C 

Prunus spp. 57 T A D ST R/C 

Rhamnus purshiana 58 T A 0 ST C G

/ Rhododendrop a lbif lorum 59 M A(W) D SE C 

/ Salix scouleriana 70 T A D SE A GW 

W 

d 

Sorbus spp. 74 T A D CPT C/F 

Spiraea betulifolia 75LAD STF

Ribes spp. 60 M A 0 STL-M R G/Y

Rosa spp. 63 M A D CT S/C 

Rubus spp. 67 S-M A D(E) CT/SMT S/C W

1 Vaccinium spp. 78 L-M A D ST S/C P/W

1 SIZE 

S -Subshrub=O-2Dcm (0-8in) 

L -Low Shrub=20-50cm (8-20 in) 

M -Medium Shrub=5-POdm (1.7-7ft) 

T -Tal l Shrub/Smal l Tree= +2m (+7ft) 

4 LEAF TYPE 5 INFLORESCENCE 

C -Compound A -Ament or Catkin 

E -Entire C -Cluster or 

I -1nrol led Rounded Corymb 

L -Lobed F -Flat Topped Cyme 

Li-Linear or Corymb 

M -Palmate or P -Panicle 

2 ARRANGEMENT 

A -Alternate 

0 -0 posite 

W -$orled 

6 COLOR 

C -Cream 

G -Green 

M- Maroon 

0 -Orange 

P -Pink 

R -Red 

Maplelike R -Raceme W -White 

P -Pinnate S -Single or Solitary Y -Ye1 low 

S -Simole T -Two or Pa i red 

T -~oothed or Serrate 

- = '*to" / = "ortt ( ) = "can also be" 
1 

Acgl 

p%+=yFj Phma 

4 Smst h.t. 

FORM: Shrub (var. glabrum) or small tree (var. 

douglasii) , 1 - 1 Om (3 -33ft) tall . 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. glabrum: 1973. 5.4in dbh; 

16.9in circum. + 25ft tall + 3.75ft crown= 45.8pts; 

Sawtooth NF. 

NATIONAL CHAMPION: var. douglasii: 1973. 12in dbh; 

38in circum. + 47ft tall + 5.25ft crown = 9lpts; Canyon 

RD, Clearwater NF, ID. 

STEMS: Smooth, reddish-purple; old bark grey. 

BUDS: Opposite, smooth, red, plump ovate, buds, 3mm 

long; bud scales paired (1 1. 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, simple, 3-5 toothed, 

palmately lobed, mapleli ke leaves, dark green often with 

reddish tints, 2-14cm (1-6in) long, trifoliolate leaves may 

frequently be found; var. glabrurn: leaves more deeply 

lobed, mostly <6cm wide; var. douglasii: leaves 

shallowly lobed, >6cm wide. 

FLOWERS: Small, greenish-yellow, borne in short terminal 

or axillary clusters; appearing with the leaves; AprilJune. 

FRUIT: Double samaras (2) 2-3cm (1 in) long. 

NOTE'S: Only maple native to northern Idaho. 

32 Vaca c.t. 

Rocky Mountain maple, Douglas maple 
Table 4. --KEY TO ALHUS SPEC1 ES 

1. Ferna le catkins tassel l i ke, not persistent; pith compressed; twigs round, resin-dott

1. Female catkins conelike, persistent; pith triangular; twigs slightly angled. . . . 

ALNUS SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es Page Form Pith Buds 

Alnus incana 3 4 ta l I shrub rusty rounded bro

W leaf alder or sta l ked 

W Al in sma l l tree 

Alnus rubra 

red alder 

AI ru 

10 tree orange t 0 

bright red 

rounded bro

stalked 

Alnus sinuata 3 5 whitish sha rp 

Sitka alder shrub not stalked 

Alsi 

Alnus rhombifolia 

white alder 

N/A 

Al rh 

tree whitish rounded 

sta l ked 

s
-- If-: 

I BETULACEAE 

2 Alrrus incana (L. ) Moench 

previously 

Alnus tenuifolia N utt 

Alin 

thinleaf alder 

FORM: Large shrub or small tree, up to 12m (40ft) tall 

with a tendency to form thickets. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1969. 10.2in dbh; 32in circum. + 30ft 

tall + 5ft crown= 67pts; Payette NF. 

STEMS: Usually somewhat 3-sided, sometimes with short 

rusty hairs (1); cambium and pith turns a rusty color 

when freshly cut. 

BARK: Thin, smooth, dirty green-grey; older trees tend 

to flake near base. 

BUDS: Alternate, winter buds stalked, bright red, short, 

with blunt apex. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, alternate, broadly elliptic, apex 

acute, margin double dentate, 3-7cm (1-3in) long; dull 

green both sides with yellow-green on central vein; not 

sticky. 

FLOWERS: Next seasons immature male and female catkins 

are exposed over winter; catkins developing before the 

leaves; male catkins clustered, pendulous (2) ; female 

catkins are small semi-woody, persistent, conelike (3) 

clusters of 3-9 on short stout stalks 9-13mm long; MarchMay. 

FRUIT: A small, wingless nutlet (4). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Alnus Conspectus, p.33. 

HABITAT: Associated with riparian to sub-irrigated sites. 

NOTES: Roots have nitrogen fixing nodules. 
BETULACEAE 

Alnus sinuata (Regel) Rydb 

Alsi 

.m/ 

2 Phma 

h.t. mst 

FORM: Multiple-stemmed shrub, ascending and bushy, up 

to 3m (loft) tall, often forming dense thickets. 

STEMS: Usually somewhat 3-sided; cambium and triangular 

pith remaining light not turning rusty colored when 

freshly cut. 

BARK: Thin, smooth, reddish-brown aging to greyishgreen with warty lenticles. 

BUDS: Sessile, alternate, dark purple, lanceolate with 

pointed apex, 3mm long (1). 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, ovate, 3- 10cm (1 -4in) long, 

shiny green, margins doubly serrate with fine sharp 

teeth, apex acute, sticky when young. 

FLOWERS: Male catkins (2) up to lOcm (4in) long, only 

male catkins are exposed over winter; a cluster of 3-6 

persistent, semi-woody, conelike female catkins (3) on 

thin stalks 15mm long; female catkins developing along 

with leaves; May-July. 

FRUIT: A small winged nutlet (4). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Alnus Conspectus, p.33. 

HABITAT: Moist montane woods and streamban ks. 

,Vast h.t. NOTES: Roots have nitrogen fixing nodules. 

Sitka alder 

2Xete c.t. LVa~a c.t. 35 
V Ama l 

serviceberry, Saskatoon serviceberry 

FORM: Shrubs or small trees, 2-7m (6-20ft) tall, 

to erect. 

spreading 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1978. 9.6i'n dbh; 30.2in circum. + 32ft 

+ 5.75ft crown= 68pts; Slate Creek RD, Nezperce NF. 

BARK: Glabrous, reddish-brown aging to grey. 

BUDS: Alternate, reddish-brown, conical 3-6mm long, scale 

edges hairy (1 1. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, thin, oblong to oval, 10-12 

individual parallel side veins; generally coarsely toothed 

above the middle (2), no glands on leaf or petiole. 

FLOWERS: White, 5-10mm long; 3-20 in short racemes; 

April-July. 

FRUIT: Dark purple pome (apple), 10-14mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Young or small plant's leaves may be 

confused with Spiraea species, p. 75, compare leaf veins; 

and Prunus species, pp.56-57, qlands on leaves. 

NOTES: Earliest blooming white- lowered shrubs; good jelly 

made from fruit. 

Phma 8 Smst h.t. 
Phma 

h. t. mst 

Aruv 

ERICACEAE 

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L. ) Spreng. 

Aruv 

bearberry, kinnikinnick 

FORM: Prostrate, often rooting along the stems, usually not 

over 20cm (8in) tall, sometimes mat forming. 

LEAVES: Alternate, evergreen, glabrous, entire, spatulate 

leaves, 1-3cm (lin) long, dark green somewhat shiny 

above, paler below. 

FLOWERS: White to pink, urn-shaped, 5mrn long; borne in 

terminal clusters; April-June. 

FRUIT: Bright red berry 7-10mm broad, edible with a 

dry, mealy interior. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Linnaea borealis, p .48; and Gaultheria 

species, p.45. 

NOTES: Alternate host for spruce broom rust. Indians 

used leaves as tobacco and to make a yellow dye. Fruit 

makes good jelly; and it is a good ground cover plant. 
BERBERIDACEAE 

Berberis repens Berberis aquifoliurn 

Lindl. Pursh. 

Bere Beaq 

creeping Oregon grape tall Oregon grape 

FORM: Shrub with hollylike leaflets. 

Bere: prostrate, subshrub seldom over 25cm (loin) tall, 

often rooting at nodes. 

Beaq: generally an erect shrub 5-10dm (2-3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, evergreen, odd-pinnately compound, 

sessile, hollyli ke leaflets. 

Bere: 10-20cm (4-Bin) long, generally with 5 leaflets, 

ovate, dull green above and paler beneath, 15-42 

inconspicous teeth, rounded tip; turning red in winter. 

Beaq: 15-31cm (6-12in) long with 5-9 leaflets, broadly 

lanceolate, shiny green on both sides, pointed tip, 12-29 

prominently spine tipped teeth; turning red or purplish 

in winter. 

FLOWERS: Bright yellow, 6-8mm long in several racemes, 

bunched together; March-June. 

FRUIT: Glaucous, dark blue. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately susceptible, regeneration from 

rhizomes to preburn levels within 5-10 years. 

HABITAT: Beaq generally more mesic sites than Bere. 

NOTES: Edible berry makes a jelly similar in taste to 

grape. Indians ate the berries, and used roots for dye 

and medicinal purposes. 
BETU LACEAE 

Betula glandulosa Mich x . Beg l 

bog birch, swamp birch 

FORM: An erect, many branched shrub, 1-3m (3-loft) tall. 

STEMS: Slender, very sticky and glandular (1) with a 

wintergreen flavor. 

BARK: Smooth and thin, dark greyish-brown, does not 

exfoliate. 

BUDS: Alternate, dark brown, resinous, several scaled. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, rounded ovate, 1-2cm 

(<l in) long, margins crenate, dark green above, lighter 

and glandular below. 

FLOWERS: Cylindrical catkin breaking up at maturity, 

developing with or before leaves; April-June. 

FRUIT: An oval winged samara tipped with persistent 

styles (2). 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Betula occidentalis, p. 12. 

HABITAT: Wet mountain meadows, bogs, and around 

springs and seeps. 
Cesa 

RHAMNACEAE 

Ceanothus sanguineus Pu rs h 

Cesa 

redstem ceanothus 

FORM: Erect loosely branched shrubs, 1-3rn (3-loft) tall, 

often forming thickets. 

BARK: Glabrous, reddish purple; pith solid. 

BUDS: Alternate, stalked with bud scales. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, thin, simple ovate, 3-10crn 

(1-4in) long, not shiny, 3 prominent main veins 

branching from leaf base (11, finely toothed and gland 

tipped. 

FLOWERS: Small, white, clustered in panicles near twig 

ends; May-July. 

FRUIT: Hard, 3-seeded mechanically explosive capsule 4rnm 

long, containing heavy seed (2). 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant and beneficial, resprouts from 

basal stems the following year; a fire dependent species 

requiring heat scarification of seed for germination. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Ceanothus velutinus, p.41. 

HABITAT: Semi-shaded, well-drained soils and early seral, 

open, sunny habitat following fire. 

NOTES: Roots have nitrogen fixing nodules. 
h.t. mst 

FORM: Erect to spreading, heavy-scented shrub, 1-3m 

(3-loft) tall, often forming thickets. 

BARK: Green; pith solid. 

BUDS: Alternate, stalked buds without scales. 

LEAVES: Alternate, thick, evergreen, broadly elliptic, 

shiny dark green often bronze tinged, gummy upper 

surface, underside greyish, 3 prominent main veins 

branching from leaf base (11, edges often curled 

downward . FLOWERS: Small, white, borne in dense pyramid shaped 

panicles, 5-12cm (2-5in) long; June-Aug . FRUIT: 3-seeded mechanically explosive capsule, containing 

heavy seed (2). 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant and beneficial, resprouts from 

basal stems the following year; a fire dependent species 

requiring heat scarification of seed for germination. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Ceanothus sanguineus, p.40. 

HABITAT: Open, sunny, early seral habitats following 

fire; generally absent from late seral and old-growth 

stages. 

NOTES: Roots have nitrogen fixing nodules. The foliage 

has a sweet, spicy odor during warm weather or when 

crushed. Flowers make a soapy lather when mixed with 

water. Indians used leaves for tobacco and tea, and 

roots for red dye. 

41 

Ceve 

iook 

RHAMNACEAE 

Ceanothus velutinus Dougl. ex t 

Ceve 

shinyleaf ceanothus, snowbush, evergreen ceanothus 
Chme 

ERICACAEAE 

Chimaphila men ziesii Chimaphila umbelloto 

(R. Br.) Spreng. ( L.) Bart. 

Chme Chum 

Menzies' prince's pine prince's pine 

little pipsissewa western pipsissewa 

FORM: Subshrub from slender rhizomatous rootstocks. 

Chme: 5-15cm (2-6in) tall. 

Chum: 10-30cm (4-12in) tall. 

STEMS: Simple or branched, slightly woody, glabrous. 

Chme: reddish. 

Chum: greenish. 

RRMR7 

pE&Tj Phma 

mst h.t. 

LEAVES: Evergreen, simple, sharply serrate. 

Chme: alternate, somewhat whorled, dull bluish-green, 

ellipitic, blade 2-6cm (1 -2in) long. 

Chum: whorled, bright green and shiny, oblanceolate, 

blade 3-7cm (1-3in) long. 

FLOWERS: Waxy, white to pink, 5-merous, 5-7mm long; 

June-Aug. 

Chme: 1-3 flowers. 

Chum: in groups of 3-15; flower stem with fine hairs. 

FRUIT: Globose, 5-celled capsule, 7mm broad. 

ENEMIES: Fire: susceptible, regeneration from rhizomes 

within >I0 years to preburn levels. 

NOTES: Boiled roots and leaves create a refreshing tea; 

leaves may also be nibbled raw. 

42 
ml Costs 

Eh.t. 

h Phma 

h.t. mst 

CORNACEAE 

Cornus stolonifera var. stolonifera Michx . Costs 

red-osier dogwood 

FORM: Many stemmed shrub, 2-6m (7-20ft) tall, usually 

spreading by layering stolons. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1976. 4.lin dbh; 12.9in circum. + 26ft 

tall + 3.8ft crown= 43pts; Idaho, Co. 

STEMS: Slender, bark turns dark red to purplish-red 

when growing in the sun; pith round and white. 

BUDS: Opposite, one pair of bud scales. 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, simple, entire, ovate 4-12cm 

(2-5in) long, with unique 5-7 prominent upcurving and 

parallel veins (11, that converge at the tip of the leaf; 

this vein pattern is unique to native Rocky Mountain 

Cornus species. 

FLOWERS: Small, white 2-4mm long, in flat-topped terminal 

cymes, not showy; May-July. 

FRUIT: Small, bitter, white, berrylike drupe, 7-9mm long. 

,Vast h.t. 

.zXete c. t. 

"Vaca c.t. 

HABITAT: Riparian, and other warm, moist sites. 

43 
Crdod 

FORM: 

ROSACEAE 

Crataegus douglasii var. douglasii Li ndl . Crdod 

black hawthorn 

Large, armed, erect shrub or small tree, 1-lorn 

(3-33ft) tall. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. douglasii: 1976. 20.5in dbh; 64in 

circum. + 21ft tall + 6.25ft crown= 9lpts; Palouse RD, 

Clearwater NF. 

STEMS: Reddish-brown at nodes, aging to dirty grey with 

zigzagging branches armed with solitary, stout thorns (1) 

1-2cm (lin) at nodes; round, white, continuous pith. 

BUDS: Alternate, short, plump, ovate shiny red with 

several bud scales. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, obovate, 3-6cm (1 -2in) 

long, irregular teeth, can be shallowly 5-9 lobed, dark 

green but turning red when growing in full sun. 

FLOWERS: Petals white, nearly orbicular 5-7mm long, in 

axillary clusters. 

FRUIT: Small, black pome (apple), borne in clusters. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Crataegus columbiana (Columbia 

hawthorn) red-orange fruit, thorns 2-3 times longer, 

lower elevation river canyons. 

NOTES: Most common of Idaho's hawthcrns. 
Gaov 

FORM: Low subshrub; mat forming with stems freely 

STEMS: Gahu: glabrous, trailing, crooked. 

Gaov: several thin, reddish, angular branches covered 

with long, reddish hairs. 

LEAVES: Alternate. evergreen, persistent, shiny leaves. 

Gahu: broadly ovate to round, 1-2cm long and 5-15mm 

broad, margins finely toothed to entire. 

Gaov: ovate to almost heart-shaped, margins finely but 

FLOWERS: Corolla white or pinkish, bell-shaped, borne 

single in leaf axils. 

Gahu: calyx glabrous; July-Aug. 

Gaov: calyx covered with long glandular brown hairs; 

FRUIT: Edible, bright red berry, 6-8nim broad. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, p .37; and 

Linnaea borealis, p .48. 

HABITAT: Gahu: mo~st subalpine to alpine, most common 

on Nezperce NF; 

Gaov: midelevation forest, drier and warmer than Gahu. 

45 

ERICACEAE 

Gaultheria hurnifusa Gaultheria ovatifolia 

(Grah.) Rydb. Gray 

Gahu G aov 

western wintergreen Oregon wintergreen 

slender wintergreen 
Hodi 

ROSACEAE 

Holodiscus discolor (Pu rsh) Maxim 

Hod i 

ocean-spray 

FORM: Erect to many-branched shrub. 1 -4m 13-13ftl tall. 

STEMS: Young stems slightly ridged, 'pith large, wtiite and 

spongy; older stems have shreddy bark. 

BUDS: 2-3 purplish-brown bud scales, 6mm long (1). 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, broadly triangular with 

truncate base, 3-8cm (1 -3in) long, somewhat pubescent, 

pale green above, often with whitish hairs below (2), 

margins coarsely toothed or very shallowly lobed. 

FLOWERS: Tiny, cream-colored, borne in dense terminal 

panicle; old infloresences turning brown, persistent over 

winter; giving the shrub a shaggy appearance; JuneAug. 

FRUIT: Tiny, light brown, I-seeded achene. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderate resistance, regenerating from 

basal stem sprouts to preburn level within 5-10 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Physocarpus malvaceus, p. 55. 

HABITAT: Successional species on logged or burned areas, 

climax on warm, dry sites. 

NOTES: Indians ate the seeds raw or cooked. 

Phma 9 mst h.t. 

Vaca c.t. 
ERICACEAE 

Ledum glandulosum N utt . va r . 

Leg19 

glandulosum 

Labrador tea 

FORM: Erect shrub, 5-20dm (2-7ft) tall. 

STEMS: Young branches finely hairy and dotted with 

glands, older branches smooth. 

LEAVES: Alternate, evergreen, entire, ovate to elliptic, 

2-6cm (1-2in) long, dark green above and light green and 

dotted with tiny yellow glands on lower surface, margins 

may be inrolled. 

FLOWERS: Small, white or yellowish, in clusters at ends of 

branches; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Globose capsule, 1 -3mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Menziesia ferruginea, p. 50, sticky, 

malodorous foliage; and Rhododendron albiflorurn, p.59, 

no odor. 

HABITAT: Riparian, bogs, and moist coniferous woods; 

indicator of wet, usually very acidic and nutrient poor 

organic soils. 

NOTES: Fragrant when crushed. , 
-- 

FORM 

CAPRI FOLIACEAE 

Linnaea borealis L. 

Lib02 

twinf lower 

: Trailing, woody perennial, subshrub with short 

erect stems, less than 10cm (4in) tall. 

STEMS: Siender but woody. 

LEAVES: Opposite, evergreen, firm, elliptic, 7-25mm long, 

with shallow teeth near apex. 

FLOWERS: A pair of tiny, pink, nodding, bell-shaped 

flowers, 2-5mm long; June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Small, 1-seeded capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Satureja douglasii, p. 72, square stem, 

fragrant; Caultheria species, p. 45; Veronica americana 

(American brooklime) deciduous, no odor, heart shaped 

capsule; and possibly Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, p.37. 

NOTE: May form extensive mats on forest floor following 

disturbance. 

Vaca c.t. 
- 

CAPRI FOLIACEAE 

Lonicera utahensis Wats 

Lout2 

Utah honeysuckle 

FORM: Widely branching, low to medium shrub, 1-2m 

(3-7ft) tall. 

STEMS: Dull grey, fine stringy bark and solid white pith. 

BUDS: Opposite, several-scaled, l~ght brown (1). 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, simple, entire, elliptic to 

ovate, 2-6cm (1-2in) long, smooth above and smooth or 

hairy below. 

FLOWERS: Light yellow, trumpet-shaped pai I-, 1 -2cm (1 in) 

long, borne in leaf axils; May-July. 

FRUIT: Bright red, united twin berries (2), lcm thick; 

edible but insipid. 

SIFAI LAR SPECIES: Symphoricarpos albus, p. 76, hollow, 

dark pith; Lonicera caerulea (sweetberry honeysuckle), 

riparian; Lonicera ciliosa (western trumpet honeysuckle), 

vine; and Lonicera involucrata (bearberry honeysuckle), 

flowers subtended by two purple bracts. 

NOTES: Most widespread upland honeysuckle species in 

northern Idaho. 
Mefe 

ERICACEAE 

Menziesia ferruginea Smith 

Mefe 

fool's huckleberry, mock azalea 

FORM: Straggly, erect shrub 1-2m (3-7ft) tall with habit 

of laying prostrate downhill on steep slopes making it 

slippery underfoot. 

STEMS: Generally branching in units of three; young 

twigs covered with fine hairs; crushed moist twigs give 

off a rank skunk like odor. 

BARK: Grey-brown, shreddy bark. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, ovate, 4-6cm (2in) long, 

thin, finely serrate margins, hairy on both sides, small 

white tip of midvein protruding from leaf tip (I), sticky 

glandular, dull light green to blue-green and aromatic; 

leaves appearing loosely whorled at branch ends. 

FLOWERS: Pinkish to yellowish-white, urn- to bell-shaped, 

6-8mm long, borne in terminal clusters on last year's 

growth; June-July. 

FRUIT: Many-seeded, ovoid, capsule, 5-7mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Rhododendron albiflorum, p. 59, no 

odor; Ledum glandulosurn, p.47, evergreen with an odor; 

and Vaccinium Conspectus, p.78. 

NOTES: Shrub is sticky when touched. 
Opho 

ARALIACEAE 

Oplopanax horridurn (Smith) Miq. 

Opho 

Devil's club 

FORM: Densely spiny shrub, 1-3m (3-loft) tall with thick, 

pithy stems, ARMED with numerous yellow spines (1) 

5-10mm long. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, palmate maplelike leaves, 

7-9 lobed, margins coarsely serrate, bright green, 

10-38cm (4-15in) broad with numerous spines on 

underside veins. 

FLOWERS: Small, greenish-white in a terminal raceme up to 

25cm (loin) long; May-July. 

FRUIT: An inedible, bright red, flattened berry. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Rubus parviflorus, p. 68, unarmed. 

HABITAT: Near streams and subirrigated forest sites, 

north of the Middle Fork Clearwater River drainage. 
CELASTRACEAE 

Pachistima myrsinites (Pu r-s h) Raf. 

Pamy 

pachist~ma, myrtle boxwood, mo.untain lover 

FORM: Low shrubs, 20-60c1n (8-24in) tall 

STEMS: Slender, glabrous, 4-angled, reddish brown 

BUDS: Opposite, appr-essed, very small with 2 pairs 

scales. 

LEAVES: Opposite, evergreen, glossy, simple, oblanceola 

serrate, 'I -3cm (I in) long. 

FLOWERS: Maroon colored, 3-4mm broad, numerous 

axillary clusters (1); April-June. 

FRUIT: Small whitish fleshy berrylike aril. 

NOTES: No longer a habitat type indicator species 

Makes a nice low hedge for landscaping. 

52 
BUDS: Opposite, hidden under leaf scars. 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, simple, light green, 3-8cm 

(1-3in) long, may be serrate, 3 major veins from leaf 

bases. 

FLOWERS: Numerous, very fragrant, white, showy, 

4-merous, 2-3cm (lin) broad, borne 3-11 in terminal 

raceme on lateral branches; May-July. 

FRUIT: Ovoid-elliptic capsule, 6-10mm long. 

NOTES: Idaho State Flower. 

53 
Phem 

ERICACEAE 

Phyllodoce ernpetriforrnis (Sw) D . Don 

Phem 

red mountain-heather, pink mountain-heath 

FORM: Matted subshrub, 10-40cm (4-l6in) tall. 

STEMS: Young stems finely puberulent., soon glabrous 

LEAVES: Alternate, evergreen, linear, fir-like, 5- 

long, deeply grooved beneath, in rolled creating a 

margin (I), leaves closely crowded on stems. 

FLOWERS: Deep pinkish- rose, bell-shaped about 7mm 

single in axils, clustered at stem tips; June-Aug. 

Phma 

Smst h.t. 

+ Mefe Clun ' 

Xete h.t. 

2 Xete Mefe 

4 ' Luhi h.t. 

Mefe Stam 

' 2 Luhi h.t. 

Vagl Xete 

Mefe 

FRUIT: Capsule (2). 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Phyllodoce glanduliflora (yellow 

mountain-heath), flower yellowish to white; P. 

empetriformis and P. glanduliflora will freely hybridize. 

HABITAT: High elevation, normally on north aspect of 

open ridges. 

54 
Phma 

ROSACEAE 

Physocarpus malvaceus (G reene) Kuntze 

Phma 

ninebark 

FORM: Spreading to erect, medium shrub, 5-10dm (2-7ft) 

tall with angled branches. 

BARK: Loose, shreddy; brown to grey. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous with 3 palmate lobes, 

maplelike, doubly toothed, 3-6cni (1-2in) wide, pubescent 

dark green above, paler with copious starlike hairs 

beneath. 

FLOWERS: Numerous small, white flowers in terminal 

cluster; May-July. 

FRUIT: Generally a pair of brown, many seeded, hairy 

follicles (1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific 

ninebark), larger shrub with 3-5 smooth follicles (2), a 

coastal disjunct in Idaho, mostly found on non-glaciated 

sites from Coeur d' Alene south to the Clearwater River 

can yon; Holodisci~s discolor, p .46; and Ribes 

,Vasc h.t. viscosissimum, p .62. 

2Xete c.t. 

-Vaca c.t. 55 
ROSACEAE 

Prunus emarginata (Dougl. ) Walpers 

P rern 

bittercherry 

FORM: Tall shrub to small tree, 2-15m (7-50ft) tall. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. mollis: 1966. 8.6 dbh, 

circurn. + 52ft tall + 4.5 crown=84pts; Priest Lake 

Kaniksu NF. 

27in 

RD, 

BARK: Deep reddish-brown or greyish, horizontal 

lenticels, tending to break and curl cross-wise; crushed 

twigs have peach-pit odor and bitter taste. 

BUDS: Shiny, small, sticky buds, 6rnm long with several 

bud scales. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, elliptic, light green, 

margins finely toothed; apex rounded; 1 or 2 glands 

located on base of leaf blade (1). 

FLOWERS: White, 5-8 in a loose, short, rounded cluster; 

May-June. 

FRUIT: Bitter, bright red drupe 5-lOrnrn, drying dark. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Prunus virginiana, p. 57, petiole 

glands; and Amelanchier alnifolia, p.36. 

56 Vaca c.t. 
h.t. mst 

FORM: Tall shrub or small tree, 1-4m (3-13ft) tall. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: var. rnelanocarpa: 1972. 14.6in dbh; 

46in circum. + 39ft tall + 8.25ft crown= 93 pts; Bingham 

Co . 

BARK: Smooth, shiny, reddish-brown aging to dull 

greyish brown, hard to peel; lenticels not evident; has a 

peach-pit odor when bruised. 

BUDS: Ovate, pointed, several scaled. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, elliptic to ovate-oblong, 

apex acute, finely serrate, 4-10cm (2-4in) long; petiole 

with 2-3 prominent glands (1). 

FLOWERS: Numerous white flowers, 4-8mm long, in long 

terminal racemes. 

FRUIT: Shiny, red to purple or black drupe, 8-11mm 

long; edible, sweet but with an astringent after-taste that 

makes good jelly and syrup. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Prunus ernarginata, p. 56, glands on 

blade; and Arnelanchier alnifolia, p.36. 

NOTES: Most widespread tree or shrub in the U.S. 

57 

Prvirn 

---%-A 

ROSACEAE 

Prunus virginiana L. var. melanocarpa (A. Nels.) Sarg. 

Prvim 

common chokecherry 
FORM: Erect, tall shrub or small tree to lorn (33ft) tall. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: Rhpu: 1975. 26.7in dbh; 83.8in 

circum. + 33ft tall + 5ft crown= 122pts; Slate Creek RD, 

Nezperce NF. 

STEMS: New twigs green and hairy; older twigs reddishbrown and hairless. 

BUDS: Naked buds (without bud scales) (1). 

LEAVES: Alternate (may appear opposite on new growth), 

deciduous, sometimes finely serrate, ovate-oblong, 6-13cm 

(2-5in) long. 

Rhpu: main lateral veins >8 per side. 

Rhal2: main lateral veins <8, per side, prominent parallel 

veins curved slightly toward tip. 

FLOWERS: Greenish-yellow petals, 5-merous, 3-4mm long. 

Rhpu: small axillary clusters of 8-40, in pedunculate 

umbels; April-June. 

Rhal2: 2-5 in sessile umbels, petals lacking; June-July. 

FRUIT: Bluish- to purplish-black berries, 6-9mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Alnus Conspectus, p.33, scaly buds; 

and Cornus stolonifera, p.43, opposite leaves and twigs. 

NOTES: Rhpu bark collected for medicinal laxative 

properties. 
/"h Rhal 

Rhododendron albiflorum Hook. 

Rhal 

white rhododendron 

FORM: Erect, nonodorous, medium shrub, 1-2m (3-7ft) 

tall. 

STEMS: Erect, slender branched, with peeling bark; 

young stems covered with long, reddish-brown hairs. 

LEAVES: Alternate but appearing whorled, deciduous, 

entire, elliptic, 4-9cm (2-4in) long, thin, yellowish-green 

covered with fine appressed coppery hairs on upper 

surface, main vein on underside covered by white hairs. 

FLOWERS: White, shallowly bell-like, 10-20mm broad, in 

axillary clusters of 1-4 from lateral buds; May-July. 

FRUIT: Persistent, short, heavy-walled, 5-celled capsule 

with numerous small seeds. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Ledum glandulosum, p.47, odorous; and 

Menziesia ferruginea, p.50, sticky, odorous, bluegreen 

foliage. 

HABITAT: High elevation forests north of the Middle Fork 

Clearwater River. 

NOTES: All parts of plant poisonous if eaten. 
Table 5.--RIBES SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec ies Page Arming Ba rk Leaves 

Ribes cereum wax currant Rice 

N/A una rmed smooth sha l low 

grey i sh-brown 3-5 lobed 

or waxy upper surface 

reddish brown both sides glandular 

Ribes hudsonianum N/A una rmed moot h maple1 ike 

stinking currant yellow glandular 3-5 lobed 

Rihu glandular to hairy 

Ribes Iacustre 61 a rmed smooth maple1 ike 

prickly currant prickles. redd ish-brown 3-5 lobed; serrate 

Ri la and glossy upper surface 

sp i nes velvety undersurface 

Ribes viscosissimum 62 una rmed shreddy rnapiel ike 

st icky currant dark 3-5 lobed 

Rivi redd i sh-brown ha i ry both surface 

coarsely toothed 
h.t. mst 

GROSSULARIACEAE 

Ribes lacustre (Pu rs h) Foi r. 

Rila 

prickly currant, swamp currant 

FORM: Erect to spreading, low to medium shrub, 1-2m 

(3-7ft) tall; armed with numerous slender, sharp prickles 

and nodal spines (1 ). 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, palmate or mapleli ke with 

cordate base, 2-5cm (1-2in) broad; mostly 5-lobed deeply 

incised, 1-2 times coarsely serrate, upper leaf surface 

glossy green and glabrous, underside rather velvety. 

FLOWERS: Yellow-green to reddish, shallow saucer-shaped; 

7-15 flowers in an elongate raceme; April-July. 

FRUIT: Edible, dark purple berry, 6-8mm long, with 

stalked glands (lollypop-like hairs~(2)falls free from its 

stalk when ripe. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately resistant, regeneration from 

seeds and stem sprouts to preburn levels within 2-5 

years; common pioneer species. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Ribes Conspectus, p.60; Physocarpus 

malvaceus, p.55; and possibly Rubus Conspectus, p.67. 

NOTES: Principal subalpine Ribes species; spineless plants 

have been identified in western Montana. Alternate life 

cycle host for Cronartium ribicola (white pine blister 

rust). 

6 1 
Rivi 

GROSSULARIACEAE 

Ribes viscosissimum Pu rs h 

Rivi 

sticky currant 

FORM: Erect to spreading, straggly, unarmed shrub, 1-2m 

(3-7ft) tall, covered with soft, very sticky hairs. 

STEMS: Twigs are hairy and sticky when young, aging 

dark reddish brown and shreddy. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, light green, 3-6cm (1 -2in) 

broad, 3-5 lobed and deeply cordate, coarsely toothed, 

blades covered with soft sticky hairs on both surfaces. 

FLOWERS: Sticky, greenish-white with pink tinge, bellshaped, 6-7mm long; 6-12 flowers in racemes; May-June. 

FRUIT: A few, deep bluish-black sticky berries, covered 

by short stiff hairs; not edible. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately resistant, regeneration from 

seeds and stem sprouts to preburn levels within 2-5 

years; common pioneer species. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Ribes Conspectus, p.60; and 

Physocarpus malvaceus, p .55. 

NOTES: Principal upland forest Ribes species. Alternate 

Xete 

mu 

life-cycle host for '~ronartium ribicola (white pine blister 

rust). 

62 Vaca c.t. 
Table 6.--ROSA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es Page Arm i ng Leaf Margins Flowers 

Rosa acicularis N/A numerous double serrate large, pink 

prickly rose various sized singular or 

Roac bristly prickles in pairs 

Rosa gymnocarpa 64 numerous soft double serrate small, pink 

8 baldhip rose same size singular 

RogY slender prickles (occ. 2-4) 

Rosa nutkana 65 2 stout prickles single large, pink 

Nootka rose on stem or singular 

Ronu below leaves double serrate (occ. 2-3) 

Rosa woodsii 66 2 stout prickles coarsely serrate small, pink 

pearh ip rose on stem in 

Rowo below leaves clusters 
Rogy 

baldhip rose, wild rose 

FORM: Finely branched shrub, 3-12dm (1-4ft) tall. 

STEMS: b ens el^, armed with soft, straight, slender 

prickles (1) on older branches, and stalked glands 

(lollypop-like hairs) (2), on 1-2 year old stems. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, odd-pinnately compound 

with 5-9 leaflets, 1-4cm long, doubly serrate with glandtipped teeth. 

FLOWERS: Small, pink, 1-3cm (lin) long, mostly borne 

singly at end of branches; smaller flowers and fruits than 

other rose species; June-July. 

FRUIT: Scarlet, pear-shaped hips, lcm diameter; calyx 

deciduous from mature hips (3). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Rosa Conspectus, q.63. 

NOTES: Rose hips can be used in jell~es and teas and 

provide a good source of vitamin C. 
I,,,. 

Ronu 

Nootka rose 

FORM: Erect, low to medium sh.rub, 1-2m (3-7ft) tall. 

STEMS: Armed with a pair of straight to slightly curved, 

flattened, infrastipular prickles (1). 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, odd-pinnately compound 

with 5-7 green leaflets, elliptic 1-7cm (1-3in) long; 

serrate or doubly serrate. 

FLOWERS: Large, pink, 4-8cm (2-3in) long; solitary at 

ends of branches; May-July. 

FRUIT: Thick, purplish-red spherical hips, 1-2cm (lin) 

diameter; calyx remains on hips (2). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Rosa Conspectus, p.63. 

NOTES: Rose hips can be used in jellies and teas and 

provide a good source of vitamin C. 

65 
Rowo 

- 

--- - - / 

- -- __ ROSACEAE 

Rosa woodsii Lindl 

Rowo 

-7 

pearhip rose 

1 

FORM: Erect, medium shrub, 1-2m (3-7ft) tall. 

STEMS: Stout, strongly armed to unarmed with 

infrastipular prickles (1). 

or without 

LEAVES:' ~lternate, deciduous, odd-pinnately compound 

with 5-9 leaflets, elliptic up to 5cm (2in) long, coarsely 

toothed. 

FLOWERS: Small, pink, 3-5cm (1-2in) long in terminal 

clusters; May-July. 

FRUIT: Red hips, 6-12mm diameter; calyx remains on hips 

(2). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Rosa Conspectus, p.63. 

NOTES: Rose hips can be used in jellies and tea; and 

provide a good source of vitamin C. 

66 Vaca c.t. 

Caru 

Aruv 

Phna 

Smst 

Caru 

h.t. 

Phma ' 

h.t. 

2 

3 

- 
Table 7.--RUBUS SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es Page Form Arming Leaves 

Rubus idaeus 

red raspberry 

Ruid 

N/A erect shrub a rmed dec i duous 

up to prickles compound 

2m (7ft) tall on' stems 3-5 leaflets 

doub I e serrate 

Rubus nivalis 

snow dewberry 

Run i 

N/A prostrate a rmed evergreen 

tra i I ing sma I 1 simple 

subshrub hooked prickles 3 lobed; ovate s

leaves&stems dentate-serrate 

Rubus parvifJorus 68 erect shrub una rmed dec iduous 

thimbleberry up to simple 5-23c

Rupa 2m (7ft) ta I I maple1 ike c

doub le serrate 

Rubus pedatus 69 mat-forming unarmed dec i duous 

strawberry bramble herbaceous compound s

Rupe perennial 3-5 fol iolate 

<10cm (4in) tal l double serrate 

Rubus ursinus 

blackberry 

Ruu r 

N/A prostrate armed deciduous la

trai I ing slender compound or 

shrub prickles 3-leaflets f 

double serrate c
Rupa 

ROSACEAE 

Rubus parviflorus Nutt. 

Rupa 

western thimbleberry 

FORM: Erect, low to medium, unarmed shrub, 5-20dm 

(2-7ft) tall. 

STEMS: Young stems glandular, hairy; older stems with 

grey flaking bark. 

BUDS: Large, reddish-brown, ragged appearance (1). 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, simple, dark green, doubly 

serrate, palmately 5-lobed, maplelike leaves with long 

petioles, 6-15cm (2-6in) long; soft to touch. 

FLOWERS: 2-9 large, white, regular flowers in loose, flattopped terminal clusters; May-July. 

FRUIT: Edible, red, hairy, juicy, thimblelike aggregate of 

drupelets. 

S lMl LAR SPECIES: Oplopanax horridurn, p. 51, armed. 
Rupe 

FORM: Mat-forming, subshrub, <lOcm (4in) tall. 

STEMS: Herbaceous, <2cm long, strongly stoloniferous; 

bearing 1-3 leaves and a single flower peduncle. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, 3-5 foliolate, with lateral leaflets 

deeply divided, doubly serrate, 1-3cm (lin) long. 

FLOWERS: White, 5-merous, solitary on long, erect stalk; 

May-early July. 

FRUIT: Edible, 3-6 red drupelets (I 1. 

NOTES: Occurrence is generally restricted to north of 

Coeur d'Alene. Easily grown and makes nice ground 

cover in shady areas. 

69 

ROSACEAE 

Rubus pedatus J. E. Smith 

R u pe 

strawberry bramble 
Sasc 

SALICACEAE 

Sasc 

Scouler willow 

FORM: Tall shrub or small tree, 2-10m (7-33ft) tall. 

IDAHO CHAMPION: 1969. 21.5in dbh; 67.6in circum 

Phma 1 Smst h.t. 

, ,^. . + 

45ft tall + 5ft crown= 118pts; Valley Co. 

STEMS: Stout, twigs sparsely to densely grey hairy; older 

branches, glabrous brownish to blackish; freshly crushed 

new bark and leaves have a strong, unpleasant odor. 

BUDS: Small, strongly appresssed to stem with a single, 

caplike bud-scale. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, enti re; mostly oblanceolate 

with cuneate base, 3-8cm (1-3in) long; rounded or broad 

tip; hairy when young; mature leaves dark green, 

glabrous above; undersurface whitened (glaucous) and 

sparsely reddish hairy. 

FLOWERS: Catkins, appearing before the leaves. 

FRUIT: Short, hairy capsule, 5-8mm long. 

NOTES: Common upland willow in northern Idaho. 

70 
CAPRI FOLIACEAE 4 

Sambucus cerulea Raf . Sambucus racemosa L. 

Sara 

blue elderberry elderberry 

FORM: Sace: large shrub or small tree, 2-4rn (7-13ft) tall. 

Sara: medium to tall shrub, 1-3m (3-loft) tall. 

STEMS: Erect, with soft, white to yellowish pith. 

BARK: Thin, dark brown tinged with red, irregularly 

furrowed and ridged. 

BUDS: Opposite, large, round, usually greenish. 

BUNDLE SCARS: Best seen on 1-year old wood. 

Sace: 7 vascular bundle traces on leaf scars (1). 

Sara: 5 vascular bundle traces on leaf scars (2). 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, glabrous. 

Sace: 5-9 odd-pinnate leaflets, 5-15cm (2-6in) long, 

finely serrate. 

Sara: 5-1 odd-pinnate leaflets, 5-17cm (2-Tin) long; 

sharply serrate; somewhat hairy beneath. 

FLOWERS: Numerous, small white or creamy flowers. 

Sace: flat-topped clusters, May-July. 

Sara: rounded or pyramidal clusters; March-July. 

FRUIT: Edible, juicy, berrylike with 3-5 small seedlike 

stones; makes a nlce jelly. 

Sace: strongly glaucous, appearing pale blue. 

Sara: purple-black or red, not glaucous. 

7 1 
Sado 

LAMIACEAE (LABIATAE) 

Satureja douglasii (Benth . ) Briq 

Sado IGydr h.t. 1 

yerba buena, savory 

FORM: Prostrate, perennial subshrub to Im (3ft) long. 

STEMS: Square in cross-section, often rooting from nodes. 

LEAVES: Opposite, evergreen, aromatic (minty), green 

above with a purplish tinge below, subsessile with a few 

blunt teeth, ovate to subrotund 1 -4cm (<2in) broad. 

FLOWERS: White or purple-tinged, bilabiate, solitary in 

axils, 7-10mm long. 

FRUIT: Nutlet. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Linnaea borealis, p.48, no odor, twin 

pink flowers; and Veronica arner~cana (American 

brooklime), deciduous, no odor, heart shaped capsule. 

NOTES: Yerba buena, good herb, named by Spanish priest 

in California; used in tea. 

72 Vaca c.t. 
Shca 

FORM: Unarmed, spreading, medium shrub, 1-4m (3-13ft) 

tall. 

STEMS: Older stems brownish, young stems covered with 

reddish-brown scales; round, reddish-brown, continuous, 

pith. 

BUDS: Opposite, naked, stalked, russet colored buds (1). 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, entire, ovate, 2-6cm (1-2in) 

long, dark greenish on upper surface with whitish silvery 

hair and rusty-brown scales on lower surface (2). 

FLOWERS: I -several, small yellowish, 1 -2mm long clustered 

in leaf axils, appearing with or before the leaves; male 

and female flowers are borne on separate bushes 

(dioecious); May-July. 

FRUIT: Orange to red, juicy, translucent berry. 

NOTES: Indian name is soopolallie (soap berry); crushed 

berries yield a soapy frothy drink and also makes a jelly. 

73 

ELAEAGNACEAE 

Shepherdia canadensis ( L . ) N utt . Shca 

buffaloberry, soapberry 
SOSl 

ROSACEAE 

Sorbus scopulina G reene Sorbus sitchensis Roemer 

soscz 

mountain-ash Sitka rnountain-ash 

FORM: Erect, several-stemmed shrub, 1-.4rn (3-13ft) tall. 

BARK: Sosc2: thin, light grey-red, smooth or slightly 

roughened by scales, inner bark fragrant. 

Sosi: young growth covered with rusty-red hairs, 

reddish-purple aging to gt-eyish-red. 

BUDS: Alternate. 

Sosc2: sticky, sparsely whitish-hairy. 

Sosi: covered with rusty red hairs. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous. 

Sosc2: 9-13 odd-pinnate leaflets, yellowish -green, 

narrowly oblong, 3-7cm (1-3in) long, acuminate at tip, 

finely serrate. 

Sosi: 7-11 odd-pinnate leaflets, 13-25cm (5-loin) long, 

leaflets, bluish-green, oblong, 2-5cnl (1 -2in) long, 

rounded tip, coarsely serrate for not more than threefourths of their length; often with rusty red hairs on 

bottom of leaflets. 

FLOWERS: White. 

Sosc2: 70-200 flowers borne in large, dense flat-topped 

clusters, May-early July. 

Sosi: 15-80 borne in large rounded clusters; June-July. 

FRUIT: Pome, lcm. 

Sosc2: orange to scarlet, glossy globe-shaped. 

Sosi: round, crimson with glaucous cast, very bitter.. 

NOTES: Sosc2 and Sosi may hybridize with each other and 

with escaped Sorbus aucuparia (European mountain-as h) . 
Spbel 

- . .- . . -.*-. 

ROSACEAE 

Spiraea betulifolia var. lucida (Doublas. ) Hitchc. 

Spbel 

spiraea, shiny-leaf spiraea 

FORM: Strongly rhizomatous, glabrous, medium shrub, 

20-60cm (8-24in) tall. 

STEMS: Erect, slender, light yellow-brown and smooth, 

not hairy; aging to reddish-brown. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, ovate, 2-7cm (1 -3in) long, 

generally coarsely toothed above middle, dark green on 

upper surface, slightly pale below, side veins of leaf 

bend toward apex. 

FLOWERS: Dull white in flat-topped corymbs, 3-8cm (1-3in) 

broad; June-July. 

FRUIT: Glabrous follicles, 3mm long (1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Spiraea species; or young Arnelanchier 

alnifolia, p.36, different leaf serration and venation 

patterns. 

'o~asc hat. g NOTES: Most common Spiraea species in northern Idaho. 

.zXete c.t. &\aca c.t. 7 5 
common snowberry 

-7 

FORM: Erect, rhizomatous shrub, 1 -2m (3-7ft) tall 

6 

4 

9 

STEMS: Opposite, twigs very slender; older stems have 

shreddy, greyish bark with hollow, brownish pith (1). 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, elliptic, 2-5cm (1 -2in) long, 

entire or with a few teeth; leaves on new shoots may 

have variable shapes, some resemble small oak leaves (2). 

FLOWERS: White to pinkish, bell-shaped, 5-7mm long (31, 

in few-flowered racemes; May-July. 

FRUIT: White, spherical, berrylike, 6-15mm diameter; 

persistent into fall and winter; considered poisonous. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lonicera utahensis, p.49, white, solid 

pith; and Symphoricarpos mollis, p. 77, a trailing, 

stoloniferous shrub. 

7 6 Vaca c.t. 

$ 

Caru 

ruv 

Fhma 

loSmst 

Caru 

h.t. 

Phrna 

h.t. 
Symo 

CAPRI FOLl AC 

Symphoricarpos mollis N utt. 

Symo 

creeping snowberry 

FORM: Stoloniferous, trailing shrub, 3-6dm (1 -2ft) tall. 

STEMS: Opposite, often rooting at nodes 1-3m (3-loft) 

long; twigs very slender; older stems have shreddy, 

greyish bark with solid, brownish pith (I), on 1-2 year 

stems. 

LEAVES: Opposite, deciduous, entire, elliptic, 1-3cm (lin) 

long; leaves on new shoots may have variable shapes, 

some resemble small oak leaves (2). 

FLOWERS: Pink to white, bell-shaped, 3-5mm long; short, 

few-flowered, terminal racemes; June-July. 

FRUIT: White, berrylike, 4-6mm diameter; considered 

poisonous. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Symphoricarpos albus, p .76, erect 

shrub; and Lonicera utahensis, p.49, white, sol~d pith. 

HABITAT: Coastal disjunct in northern Idaho; prinicpally 

on the St. Joe NF and Clearwater NF. 
Table 8.--VACCINIUM SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec ies Page Form Stems Leaves Flow

V. caespitosum 79 l ow light green oblanceolate white-

dwa rf huckleberry shrub round I ight green narro

Vaca angled usually serrate u rn-sha

wh i te ha i ry single 

V. globulare 80 med i um ye l l ow-g reen oblanceolate pale 

blue huckleberry shrub slightly angled rounded tip globu

Vag l smoot h serrate urn- sh

V. membranaceum 80 med i urn greenish-ye1 low ovate pink y

big huckleberry shrub slightly angled pointed tip elong

Va me smooth serrate urn-sha

V. myrtillus 8 1 l ow greenish ova l pin

dwarf bi lberry shrub strongly angled sharply serrate urn-sha

Vamy short hairs ve i ny on 

4 lower surface 

ca 

V. occidentale N/A l ow ye l l ow-g reen ova te pink

western huckleberry shrub round sharply toothed urn-sha

Vaoc2 smooth veiny on 1-4 

lower surface axi 

V. wa/ifolium N/A medium ye1 low-green oval or oblong single p

early blueberry shrub ang led smooth ma rg ins urn-sha

Vaor smooth waxybloom flowersb

prominent veins leaves a

V. oxycoccos N/A subshrub wi Id cranberry 

Va ox 

slender ovate deep 

glabrous shiny green ref l ex

greyish below peta

inrol led margins 

V. scoparium 82 l ow bright green tiny pink

grouse whort leberry shrub slender lanceolate urn-sha

Vasc strong I y ang I ed 
Vaca 

- - ERICACEAE -- 

Vaccinium caespitosum Mich x . Vaca 

dwarf huckleberry 

FORM: Low shrub, 15-30cm (6-12in) tall. 

STEMS: Round in cross-section, hairy twigs yellowishgreen to reddish-brown, usually zigzagged. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, oblanceolate, 1-3cm (lin) 

long and half as broad, light green, margins serrate. 

FLOWERS: Whitish to pink, narrowly urn-shaped, 5-6mm 

long; single in axils; May-July. 

FRUIT: Sweet, glaucous-blue berry, 5-8mm broad. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Vacciniurn scoparium, p. 82; or 

Vaccinium Conspectus, p.78. 

79 
Vagl 

ERICACEAE 

Vacciniurn globulare Vacciniurn rnernbranaceurn 

Rydb. Dougl. 

Vagl Vame 

blue huckleberry 

globe huckleberry 

big huckleberry 

thin-leaf blueberry 

FORM: Spreading shrub, 4-10dm (1-3ft) tall. 

STEMS: Older bark greyish and shreddy; young twigs 

somewhat angled. 

Vagl: greenish-yellow. 

Vame: yellow-green . LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, 2-4cm (1 -2in) long, finely 

serrate. 

Vagl: ovate with rounded tip (1). 

Vame: ovate with pointed tip (2). 

FLOWERS: Single in axils. 

Vagl: pale pinkish-yellow, globular (3), broader than 

long, 6-7mm lonq; Mav-June. 

~ame: yellow-Gnk urn-shaped (4), longer than broad, 

6mm long; April-June. 

FRUIT: Delicious, edible berry, 6-8mm broad. 

Vagl: glaucous bluish -purple. 

Vame: purple or dark purplish-red. 

NOTE: Vagl and Vame are considered ecological equivalents 

in northern Idaho. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Vaccinium Conspectus, p.78. 

80 
FORM: Low shrub, 20-30cm (8-12in) tall. 

STEMS: Sharply angled, usually hairy, greenish-brown, 

not broomlike. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, light green, glabrous ovate, 

1-3cm (lin), sharply toothed. 

FLOWERS: Pinkish urn-shaped, borne singly in axils of 

new stems; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Edible, dark red to bluish-black berry with 

glaucous bloom. 

S'MI LAR SPECIES: Vaccinium scoparium, p. 82; V. 

:aespitosum, p. 79; or Vaccinium Conspectus, p. 78. 

8 1 

ERICACEAE 

Vaccinium myrtillus L. 

Vamy 

dwarf bilberry 

Vamy 
Vasc 

ERICACEAE 

Vaccinium scoparium L.eiberg 

Vasz 

grouse whortleberry, grouseberry 

FORM: Low, perennial shrub 10-25cm (4-loin) tall. 

STEMS: Numerous bright green, slender, strongly angled, 

appearing broomlike. 

LEAVES: Alternate, deciduous, lanceolate, 8-15mm long, 

glabrous, shiny light green above, dull below, finely 

serrate. 

FLOWERS: Pinkish, urn-shaped, 4mm long; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Bright red, sweet berry, 3-5mm broad. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Vaccinium caespitosum, p. 79; V. 

myrtillus, p.81; and Vaccinium Conspectus, p.78. pqEWf-1 

8 Vaca c.t. 

Table 9.--KEY TO FERNS AND FRIENDS 

1. LEAVES FERN-LIKE COMPOUND, 2-4 TIMES PINNATE 2. Sporangium bhrne in sori on lower surface of leaves 

3. Leaves from clustered basa l arrangement ..... 4. Leaves fanlike on long, blackish, wiry petioles. 

4. Leaves pinnate ............. 5. Leaves evergreen, sor i round 

5. Leaves deciduous, sori not rouni 

6. Leaves general ly less than 25cm (loin) long ............ 7. Sori in cup-shaped indusium. ......... 7. Sori covering platelike indusium. 

6. Leaves longer than 25cm (loin) 

............... 8. Sor i crescent-shaped .............. 8. Sori horseshoe-shaped. 

3. Leaves not clustered bu,t arising singly from rhizomes .......... 9. Rhizome and leaves hairy, lacking scales ................ 9. Rhizome and leaves scaly. 2. Sporangium not borne in sori, but on erect fertile stalk above 

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.

Hteri 1; blade 

1. LEAVES NOT FERN-LIKE, SIMPLE, IN WHORLS OR PSEUDOWHORLS 11. Aerial, jointed, deciduous stem ......................

11. Prostrate, leafy, evergreen stern. .....................
FORM: Erect, perennial fern, 10-60cm (4-24in) tall, from 

short, creeping rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Few to solitary deciduous fronds, the stalk 

divides into two recurving parts, each part consisting of 

5-6 pinnae with 15-35 alternate, bluish-green pinnules 

(leaflets) in a fanlike blade arrangement (11, more or less 

parallel to ground on a thin, shiny purple to purplishblack wiry petiole. 

SORI: Borne on refiexed margins (2). 

NOTES: Major populations located between the St. Joe and 

Selway River drainages, in warm, high humidity habitats. 

85 

POLYPODIACEAE 

Adianturn pedaturn L 

Adpe 

maidenhair fern 

Bovi 

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE 

Botrychium virginianum (L. ) Swartz. 

Bovi 

grape fern, moonwort 

- tam Mefe FORM: Erect perennial, 15-50cm (6-20in) tall, consisting of 

h.t. a sterile segment (1) and an elongated fertile blade (2) 

on a common stalk. 

LEAVES: Sterile blade deciduous, thin, and membranous, 

deltoid, bi to quadpinnately compound, sharply toothed, 

general1 y wider than long, 10-30cm (4-12in) wide, sessile 

or with a short petiole, attached well above ground near 

middle of plant; fertile stalk slightly hairy when young 

soon becoming glabrous, elongate, 4-17cm (2-7in) long, 

together with stalk it is much longer than sterile blade. 

SQRI: None; numerous, short stalked, free sporangia borne 

on fertile stalk. 

HABITAT: Moist woods and thickets, seldom in meadows; 

up to moderate elevations in mountains; coastal/boreal 

disjunct in northern Idaho. 

87 
Cyfr 

POLY PODIACEAE 

Cystopteris fragilis (L. ) Bern h 

Cyf r 

brittle bladderfern 

FORM: Delicate perennial, small to medium fern; fronds 

small clusters attached to a scaly rhizome. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, glabrous, bi or tripinnate blade at 

least twice as long as wide, 3-25cm (1-loin) by 1-lOcm 

(1-4in), consisting of 8-18 pairs of offset leaflets, blade 

gradually tapers to tip (1). 

SORI: Small and numerous in cuplike indusium borne on a 

veinlet (2). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Woodsia oregano, p.96; young Athyrium 

filix-femina, p.86; and possibly near Canada: 

Cystopteris montana (Mtn. bladder-fern), blade nearly as 

wide as long. 

HABITAT: Moist to moderately dry, shady woods often in 

rocky places up to subalpine. 

Caru Caru 

1 Aruv h.t. 

2 Phma Phma 8 5 Smst h.t. 

Vaca c.t. 
POLYPODIACEAE 

Dryopteris austriuca (Jacg.) Woynar ex Schinz & Thell. 

Drau2 

mountain woodfern, spread~ng woodfern 

FORM: Medium to large fern with short ascending rhizome 

and clustered fronds. 

LEAVES: Decidllous, tripinnate blade, broadly triangular, 

widest at or near the base (I), 20-50cm (8-20in) long, 

pinnae numerous, progressively less dissected toward the 

tip; petiole glabrous except for brown scales on lower 

part, length nearly equals the blade. 

SORI: Sorus horseshoe-shaped (2), borne on undersurface 

of leaf, removed from margins (3). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Athyrium filix-femina, p.86; and other 

Dryopteris species, p .go. 

89 
Drfi 

FORM: Large, erect perennial fern; fronds clustered on 

short horizontal rhizome. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, finely serrate, pinnate to bipinnate 

blade, 2-10dm (1 -3ft) long, lanceolate to lance-oblong, 

slightly narrowed toward the base and tapers to a narrow 

tip (1). 

SORI : Sorus horseshoe-shaped (2), borne underneath, 

midway between the margin and the midvein, mostly 

confined to the upper half of pinnules (3). 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Dryopteris cristata (shield-fern); 

Athyrium filix- femina, p. 86; or other Dryopteris species, 

p.89. 

90 

I male fern 
Eqar 

1 

#\ 

-$,, 

EQUISETACEAE 

Equisetum arvense L. 

Eqa r 

field horsetail, common horsetail 

FORM: Rhizomatous, colonial perennial with annual, aerial, 

jointed stems, producing terminal cones (1). 

STEMS: Dimorphic; sterile stems: greenish, 15-60cm 

(6-24in) tall, branches generally whorled, ascending or 

spreading; fertile stems: nonbranching, white to 

brownish, 30cm (12in) tall, soon withering. 

CONES: Blunt, 5-40mm (<2in) long, generally produced on 

fertile stems, but Eqar is unusual in that the late-season 

green stems may produce some cones. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Equisetum hyemale (Dutch rush); 

Equisetum telmateia (giant horsetai I) ; and other Equisetum 

species 

HABITAT: Prefers damp, sandy, semi-shaded areas in 

fields and glades; often invades railway embankments or 

roadsides; difficult to exterminate. 

NOTES: Cosmopolitan in distribution throughout the 

Northern Hemisphere; poisonous if ingested. 

9 1 
Gydr 

POLYPODIACEAE 

Gyrnnocarpiurn dryopteris ( L. ) Newm . Gydr 

oak-fern 

FORM: Delicate, rhizomatous, perennial fern, 10-30cm 

(4-12in) tall. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, bi or tripinnate, appears as three 

leaflets, broadly triangular, distinctly asymmetrical, 

parallel to the ground; pinnae opposite with lowest pair 

the largest, then tapering to tip. 

SORI: Small, circular, borne on undersurface of leaf; 

indusium lacking. 

Similar Species: Cystopteris rnontana, (Mtn . bladder-fern), 

cuplike indusium. 

HABITAT: Moist woods, streambanks, and wet cliffs. 
Lyan 

FORM: Prostrate, perennial, evergreen clubmoss. 

STEMS: Erect, once or twice branched, leafy stems, 

5-25cm (2-loin) tall; trailing stems, sparsely leaved, 

elongate up to Im (3ft) long, rooting at intervals. 

LEAVES: Ascending to lax, crowded in 8 ranks; 4 leaves 

in each pseudo-whorl, lance-shaped, slightly toothed with 

very sharp pointed tip, 5-11mm long. 

CONES: Sessile, 1-4cm (<2in) long, borne singly at end of 

some stems. 

SORI: None; sporangia reniform, borne on sporophylls, 

special straw-colored to greenish leaves different from the 

vegetative leaves, 3-4mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lycopodium clavatum (Stag's horn 

moss) and other Lycopodium species 

93 

LYCOPODIACEAE 

L ycopodium annotinum L . Lyan 

stiff club-moss 
POLYPODIACEAE 

olystichurn rnuniturn (Kaulf. ) Presl, Tent 

Pomu 

western swordfern, Christmas fern 

Phrna 3 

mst h.t. 

FORM: Large, perennial fern with leaves tufted on short, mi:::: I 

stout rhizomes covered with reddish-brown scales. 1 Va Xete 

LEAVES: Evergreen, coarse and leathery, stiffly erect, 

linear to lance-shaped, tapering at both ends (I), 2-15dm 

(6-60in) long, mostly 35-70 offset, undivided pinnae on 

each side, 2-15cm (1-6in) long, with a basal lobe 

projecting upward (21, margins closely serrate with 

incurved spinulose teeth; stout, petiole 5-45cm (2-13in) 

long, chaffy toward base. 

SORI: Large, circular (3), borne mostly on middle and 

upper pinnae between rib and margins on undersurface 

(4) sometimes in several rows; hairy indusium. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Polystichurn Ionchitis (mountain holly 

fern), a smaller fern. 

94 
Ptaq 

&m/ POLYPODIACEAE 

Pteridiurn oquilinurn (L. ) Kuhn in von der Decken 

Ptaq 

bracken fern 

narrow inrolled indusial leaf margins 

9 5 

:arc~nogenic compounds and is poisonous to livestock. 
Woor 

(-3 $. n 

3 

POLY PODIACEAE 

Woodsia oregana D . C . 

Woo r 

woodsia, Oregon woodsia 

FORM: Erect, small to medium tufted fern, 7-25cm (3-loin) 

tall, from short creeping rhizomes covered with yellowish 

to dark reddish-brown scales. 

LEAVES: Numerous, deciduous, bi to tripinnate, lanceolate 

blades, 4-15cm (2-6in) long, with 7-17 pairs of opposite 

or offset pinnae, the lowest one or two pairs smaller than 

those above, the upper ones gradually reduced to tip 

(1); persistent petiole bases (2) remain on rhizome. 

SORI: Borne on lower surface of the leaf removed from the 

margins; indusium platelike, with radiating, hairlike often 

somewhat beaded segments (3), partly concealed by the 

reflexed margins. 

SIMI $AR SPECIES: Cystopteris fragilis, p. 88, without 

persistent petioles; and Woodsia scopulina (Rocky Mtn. 

woodsia) hairy, glandular leaves. 

HABITAT: Talus slopes and cliff crevices and ledges. 

9 6 Vaca c.t. 
FORBS 
Table 10.--FORB CHARACTERISTICS 

LEAF FLOWER 

12 3~ uJ 1-4 5 ti 7 

WWW 

CHARACTERISTICS U + >- V) 

SPEC l ES 

NONGREEN 

Corallorhiza spp. 126 P D M-L A 8 R R/Y 

Pterospora andromedea 169 P D M-XL A 8 R Y 

GREEN WHORLED Evergreen. ....................

Cornus canadensis 128PES-M USE C W

- 

Trientalis latifolia 185 P E S-M W SE S P 

WHORLED Deciduous. ...................

-- - 

Trillium ovatum 186 P D S-M W SE S W 

CD 03

..........

BASAL Evergreen CompoundLeaves 

Frasera fastigiata 138PD XL WSE P B

Gal ium spp. 139 P-A D M W SE P W 

I Coptis occidental is 125 P E S B ETr T W 

...........

BASAL Evergreen Simple Leaves 

I Asarum caudatum 116 P E S A(B) SCo S M 

I Goodyera oblongifolia 141 P E S B SE Sk W-G 

Echera ;GI indrica 145 P E S-XL B SMT PW-GY

Pyrola asarifolia 171 P E S-L B SE R P-PrR 

Synthyris spp. 180 P E(D) S-L B SCo R BV/BPr 

Viola orbiculata 193 P E S BSCoS Y

Xerophyllum tenax 194P E L-XL BSLiT R W 
.........

BASAL Deciduous Compound Leaves 

Anemone piper i 107 P D M-L B(W) CTrT S W 

I Fragaria spp. 136 P D M B CTrT C W 

I Liousticum soo. 150 P E L-XL B(A) P U W/P 

Lomat ium spp. 153 P D M-XL B(A) CPT U Y/W/P 

BASAL 

.......... Deciduous Simple Leaves 

Balsamorhize sagittata 118P D M-XL 6 SA Y 5 

)&so bulbosa 120P D S-M B SE S Pr 

1 Cl intonia unif lora 124 P D S B SE S W 

Dodecatheon jeffreyi 132 P D S-L B SE U Pr 

Erythronium grandiflorum 135 P D S-M B SE R Y 

Enaria Fpp. 143 P D M-L 0 sE R w/G/YG 

OPPOS l TE Deciduous Compound Leaves .........

(0D 

I Valeriana sitchensis 187 P D L-XL 0 CPT C W 

Hieracium spp. 146 P D S-XL B(A) SE H Y/W 

Hitella spp. 156 P D S-L BSCoT R G/W

Trautvetteria caroliniensis 184 P D L-XL B(A) SMTL C W/G 

..........OPPOS l TE Deciduous SimpleLeaves 

Apocynum androsaemifolium 101 P D M-L 0 SE Cy P 

Arenaria macrophylla 113 P D S-L 0 SE Cy W 

Arnica cordifolia 114P D S-L OSCoT H Y 

1 Arnica latifol ia 115 P D S-L 0 SE(TI H Y 

Circaea alpina 123 P D S-L 0 ST(E) R W 

I Geranium viscosissimum 140 P D X-XL 0 SMTCyS Pr 

I Hyper icum perfore turn 148 P D L-XL 0 SE Cy Y 

Listera spp. 152PDS-M OSE R G

Wont/a spp. 160 P D S 0(B) SECo R W 

Prunella vulgaris .I68 P D s-L O(B) SE Sk Pr 

- 

/ Silene arenziesii 176 P D S-H 0 SE Cy W 
...................

ALTERNATE Evergreen. 

Table 10.--(con.) 

Pyrola secunda 172 P E S A ST R W 

Sedum stenopetalum 174 P E S-M A SLi Cy Y 

l2 

CHARACTERISTICS 

wuwa 

P~LENZ SPEC I ES a-J~,Q 

..........ALTERNATE Dec I duo~ls Compound Leaves 

I Actaea rubra 104 P D M-XI A CLT C W 

I Angelica arguta 108 P D M-XI A CPT U W 

LEAF 

1 Aqui legia spp. 111 P D M-XL A(B) CLTr S Y/R 

345 

W 

I 

0 

1 Aral ia nudicaul is 112 P D M-L A CPT I G 

FLOWER 

t5 

-1 

I Thermops is montana 182 P D I-XL A CTr R Y 

6 

W 

10 K= 

2w 

- 

d 

0 

/ Tiarella trifoliata 183 P D M-L A(B) CLTrT P W 

7 

-";:e 

8 

Heracleum lanatum 144 P D XI A CMT U W 

Lathyrus nevadensis 149 P D M-XL A CP R W 

Ligusticum spp. 150 P D L-XL A(B) CP U W/P 

Osmorhiza chi lens is 161 P D I-XL A CLTTr U G-W 

Polemonium pulcherrimum 165 P D L A(B) C C B 

Potent i 1 la spp. 166 P D M-XI A(B) CPDT C Y 

T h a l i c t r u m o c c i d e n t a l e 181 P D L-XL A CL P GW-Pr4

I Vicia americana 191 P D M-L A CE R BPr 

...........

ALTERNATE Deciduous Simple Leaves 

Achillea millefolium 102 P D S-XLA(B) SP C W 

Aconi tum columbianum 103 P D L-XI A SL R PrB 

Adenocaulon bicolor 105 P D M-XL A SA H W 
I Anaphal is margar i tacea 106 P D M-XL A SELi H W 

1 Antennaria racemosa 109 P D S-L A(B) SE H G 

I Aster cons~icuus 117 P D M-XL A ST H B/V 

Campanula rotundifolia 121 P D S-XL A(B) SCoLi S B 

Cardamine constancei 122 P D M A SL R P 

Disporum spp . 130 P D S-L A SE S W 

Epilobium angustifolium 133 P D S-XL A SLi R P-Pr 

Er igeron peregr inus 134 P D S-XL A SE H Pr 

Mertensia paniculata 155 P D M-XL A SE C B 

Pedicularis spp. 162 P D S-XL A SPT R W/Pr/Y 

I Phacelia heterophylla 164 P D M-XL A SLE C W-Pr 

I Ranunculus uncina tus 173 P(A) D M-L A SCOL s Y 

Senecio triangularis 175 P D M-XL A SAT H Y 

Smilacina spp. 177 P D M-XL A SE P/R W 

Sfreptopus amplexifolius 179 P D L-XL A SE S GW 

Veratrum spp . 188 P D XL A SE P W/G 

- - - 

Viola spp. 

1 Ll FE CYCLE 

A -Annual 

P -Perennial 

6 INFLORESCENCE 

C -Cluster or 

Co rymb 

Cy-Cyme 

H -Head 

P -Panicle 

R -Raceme 

S -Single or 

Solitary 

Sk-Sp i ke U -Umbel 

-- 

190 P D S-M A(B) ST 

2 PERS l STENCE 

D -Deciduous 

E -Evergreen 

7 COLOR 

B -Blue 

Bk-B l ack 

Br-Brown 

G -Green 

M -Maroon 

P -Pink 

Pr-Purple 

R -Red 

V -Violet W -White 

Y -Ye1 low 

3 SIZE 

S =0-6" 

M =6-12" 

L =12-24" 

~~=24+" 

8 FLOWER TYPE 

B -Bell-shaped 

Bi-Bi labiate 

C -Composite 

I -Irregular 

0 -Orchid 

P -Pea-f lower 

R -Regular 

T -Tubular 

U -Urn-shaped 

4 ARRANGEM

A -AI te

B -Ba sa 

0 -0ppos 

W -Whor

9 FRUIT 

A -Achen

B -Berry 

C -Caps

D -Drupe 

F -Foll

N -Nutl

P -Pod 

S -Schiz

Si-Si l iq

Tr-Trifo

- = 'ItO" / = "or'1 ( ) = "can also be" 
Acrni 

V 

Iff# 4' 

I 

4 ;i 11 

0 Y 

I 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOS ITAE) 

Achillea millefoliurn L. 

Acmi 

common yarrow 

FORM: Aromatic, rhizomatous, deciduous, perennial forb, 

1 -1Odm (4-39in) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, slender, finely pinnately dissected 

fernlike leaves; basal leaves petiolate, cauline leaves 

without petioles. 

FLOWERS: White (sometimes pink), heads in flat to roundtopped clusters:. April--0ct. 

BI 

Mefe 

A 

I 

FRUIT: Compressed achene, 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately resistant, regeneration from 

seeds to preburn levels within 5-10 years. 

HABITAT: Common throughout warm, dry habitats; 

invades most other disturbed sites. 

NOTES: Dried leaves, seeds and flowers used for tea. 

Vaca c. t. 
FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial forb, 5-20dm (2-7ft) 

tall; stems occur singly or in small patches. 

LEAVES: Mostly cauline, alternate, long-petiolate, deeply 

3-5 lobed, 5-20cm (2-8in) broad. 

FLOWERS: Irregular, 5-merous, helmetlike (I), purplishblue flowers (var. columbiana) to occasionally pale yellow 

(var. ochroleucum), in a simple to freely branched 

raceme; June-Aug . 

FRUIT: 3-5 glabrous to glandular follicles, 1-2mm long 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Trautvetteria caroliniensis, p. 184, and 

Trollius laxus (globe flower). 

HABITAT: Moist woods to subalpine meadows, mostly along 

streams. 

NOTES: Seeds and roots are poisonous. 
Acru 

RANUNCULACEAE 

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd 

Acru 

baneberry 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perenniai forb, 4-10dm (1-3ft) 

tali; stems usually branched. 

LEAVES: Alternate, all cauline, 2-3 times compound, 3-9cm 

(1-4in) long, sharply toothed and lobed. 

FLOWERS: Inconspicuous, regular, 5-merous, white flowers 

2-3mm long, many in axillary and terminal clusters; MayJuly. 

FRUIT: Poisonous, bright red berry (sometimes white), in 

clusters, 5-1 1rnm long. 

Vaca c.t. 
Adbi 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE) 

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook . 

Adbi 

trail-plant, pathfinder 

FORM: Slender, erect, deciduous, perenn~al forb, up to 

1m (3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, mostly basal, triangular to arrowheadshaped blade, glabrous above, white-woolly below, 

margins shallowly lobed, 3-15cm (1-6in) wide with long 

petioles. 

FLOWERS: Small, white flowers in small heads; June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Small, sticky achene, 5-8mm long. 

NOTES: Common names are derived from the path marked 

by overturned silverv-white leaf undersurfaces. 
ASTERACEAE '(COMPOSITAE) 

Anaphalis margaritacea (L. ) B. & H 

Anma 

pearly everlasting 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, rhizomatous perennial, 20-90cm 

(8-35in) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, entire, sessile, white-woolly, narrowly 

lanceolate, to 12cm (5in) long, margins inrolled, basal 

leaves soon deciduous. 

FLOWERS: Many inconspicuous white flowers in numerous, 

small heads lcrn wide, with pearly white, papery 

involucral bracts, crowded into short broad inf lorescenes; 

June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Achene covered with short, rounded projections. 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, regeneration from seeds to 

preburn levels within 5-10 years. 

HABITAT: Forest openings, roadcuts and disturbed sites. 

NOTES: Dried inflorescences collected for use in flower 

arrangements. 
RANUNCULACEAE 

Anemone piperi B ritt . 

Anpi 

windflower, anemone 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial, 15-35cm (6-14in) tall, 

from dark-brown fork-tipped rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Basal, (if present) single (1 ) , biserrate, 

trifoliolate leaflets up to 7cm (3in) long; cauline leaves 

similar to basal but always in a whorl of 3 short-petiolate 

dissected leaves (2). 

FLOWERS: One, showy, 5-merous, regular, white or 

pinkish, 12-16mm wide; late April-early Aug. 

FRUIT: Elliptic, hairy achene, 3mm long (3). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Osrnorhizo chilensis, p. 161 ; and Coptis 

occidentolis, p .125. 
APIACEAE (UMBELLI FERAE) Apiaceae 

Angelica arguta Nutt . Anar2 

sharptooth angelica, Lyall's angelica 

FORM: Robust, deciduous, perennial, 5-20dm (2-7ft) tall; 

stem has an unpleasant odor. 

LEAVES: Alternate, large, ternate-pinnate, about twice 

compound, 4-14cm (2-6in) long; leaflets ovate to 

lanceolate with pointed tip, serrate or doubly serrate. 

FLOWERS: Inconspicuous, white, 5-merous, flowers 

gathered in 2 or more compound umbels, up to 8cm (3in) 

wide; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Broad, elliptic, glabrous schizocarp with narrowly 

winged dorsal ribs (I), 4-7mm (2-3in) long by 4-5mm 

wide. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Angelica species; or Osmorhiza 

occidentalis (western sweet-cicely) strong licorice smell, 

and narrow fruit, or Ligusticum verticillatum, p. 151 . 

HABITAT: Streamban ks, wet meadows, and marshes . pzzqj Vaca c.t. 
Anra 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOS I TAE) 

Antennaria racemosa Hook. 

Anra 

pussy-toes, everlasting 

FORM: Perennial, deciduous, dioecious forb 1 -6dm (4-24in) 

tall, with creeping, leafy stolons; may form mats. 

LEAVES: Basal leaves, smooth, green upper surface with 

white cotton-hairy undersurface, elliptic with short 

petiole, 2-8cm (1-3in) long; cauline leaves alternate, 

narrower and sessile, reduced upwards. 

FLOWERS: Inconspicuous, pale greenish to pale brownish 

heads on slender stalks in an open racemelike 

inflorescence; May- Aug . 

FRUiT: Terete or slight!y compressed achenes. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Antennaria neglecta (field pussy-toes) 

head in terminal umbel, leaves smaller, wider beyond 

midpoint. 

NOTES: The sap is sometimes used as chewing gum 
Apan 

APOCYNACEAE 

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. 

Apan 

spreading dogbane, flytrap dogbane 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial, freely branching, 

rhizomatous forb, 20--50cm (8-20in) tall; milky sap 

throughout plant. 

LEAVES: Opposite, simple, enti re, spreading or drooping, 

ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 3-7cm (1 -3in) long. 

FLOWERS: Pink, bell-shaped, 5-7mm long in terminal and 

axillary cymes; June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Long narrow follicles (I), 5-14cm (2-6in) long. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Symphoricarpos albus, p. 76 

HABITAT: On well-drained soils, usually hot, dry sites. 

NOTES: It is considered a serious orchard weed. Apan's 

pollen makes a sweet honey. The plant also has many 

medicinal uses, but is considered poisonous. 
Aqfo i 

Aqciilegia forrnosa Fisch. Aquilegia fluvescens Wats 

Aqfo Aqfl 

red columbine, Sitka columbine yello~v cu!urnbine 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial forb. 

Aqfo: 2-10dm (8-39in) tall. 

Aqfl: 2-8dm (8-31in) tall. 

LEAVES: Deciduous, mostly basal, triternate, cuneate. 

thin, blue-green, 2-3 times lobed, 2-Gcm (I-Ein) long; 

cauline leaves alternates, progressively reduced up the 

stem. 

FLOWERS: Several, showy, 5-met-ucrs, irregular flowers 

with slender, nearly straight spurs. 

Aqfo: pale to deep red; May-Aug. 

Aqfl: pale yellow; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Erect follicles usually 5 with hairy spread~ng tips, 

2cm (lin) long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Thalictrurn occidentale, p. 181 . HABITAT: Aqfo is generally found at lower elevations than 

Aqfl . NOTES: Aqfo is more common than Aqfl, hybrids between 

the two species occur in the SW part of our range. 
ARALIACEAE 

Aralia nudicaulis I 

Arnu3 

wild sarsapar~lla 

Phma 

Smst h.t. 

FORM: Perennial, r~hizomatous forb reaching 3-5dm 

(12-20in) tall. 

STEMS: Short, erect, woody stem, barely teaching the 

surface of soil. 

LEAVES: Deciduous; generally single, basal, 3-5dm 

(12-20in) ; terr ately compound. leaflets finely serrate 

FLOWERS: Inflorescence shorter than leaves, consisting of 

3-7 round ball umbels with numerous, ~nconspicuous, 

5-merous, greenish-white flowers, 5-6mm long; May-June. 

FRUIT: Dark purple berry, 6-8rnrn long 

NOTES: Major populations known from Cocolalla, ID and 

northward; boiled rhizomes make a beverage s~m~lar to 

true sarsaparilla, used medicinally as a gentle stimulant. 

112 Vaca c. t. 
ml 

Phma . . t 

FORM: Prostrate, deciduous perennial 5-15cm (2-6in) long, 

with extensive slender rhizomes, forming matted patches. 

STEMS: Terete or often 4-angled, decumbent to erect, 

usually branching. 

LEAVES: Opposite, numerous, simple, entire, pointed 

linear-ellipitic to lanceolate leaves, 2-5cm (1-2in) long. 

FLOWERS: 2-5, 5-merous flowers, borne singly on long 

petioles in slender, terminal cymes, petals white, shorter 

than sepals, sepals pointed (1); May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Globose-ovoid capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Silene menziesii, p. 176, very hairy, 

dioecious, flowers tubular campanulate; and Arenaria 

loteriflora (bluntleaf sandwort), sepals rounded, ellipticoblong leaves. 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE 

Arenario mocrophylla Hook 

A rma3 

bigleaf sandwort 
I I. 

IL ' 

i 

,- \ ,- 

- L, ,b r::: 7% -A,', -3 

r' - d 

v/ - b -- 

\ /' 

-3, 4 A'- - -, \$. ,? ?',/? -c ) 

b& 

7% 

AS l t K 1CtAl- (COMPOL! IAE) 

4rritc~1 ~~rclifolin Hook 

A rco 

I~edrtl~af arrllcd 

FORM Dec~duous, prrennral, halt.\/ forb 1 Gdm (4-241n) 

tdll, stems solrtar y to tew, loosely cl~rstcred together, 

frorr~ a naked rh~zome 

LEAVES: Oppos~te, blu~sh-green, heart-shaped, erit~re to 

toothed, 4-12cm (2-5111) long, soft hairy upper surface, 

wrth the velns appearing embedded; dur~ny flower~ng, 

lowest palr of leaves are well-developed w~th largest blade 

and longest petroles, other leaves smaller, niostly 2-4, 

lance-shaped, petlolate, becomrng sess~le up the stem. 

FLOWERS: Heads generally one per stem, rays yellow, 

~nvolucre densely ha~ry Apr~l June. 

F9UIT: Achenes mostly uniformly short ha~ry or glandular 

(1 1, most dependable character for drstrngursh~ng A 

cordifolia from A. latifolia 

ENEMIES: FI re moderate to low res~stance, reyenerat~on 

from rh~zomes to preburn levels w~th~n 3-7 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Arnica latifolia, p 115, nonpet~olate 

caul~ne leaves, oppos~te leaf arrangement generally 

d~st~ngurshes A cordifolia and A latifolia from other 

s~m~lar genera. 

NOTES: A cordifol~a and A latifolia may ~nhab~t the same 

s~te and often hybr~d~ze; A. cordifolia generally flowers 

before A latrfolia. 
Arla 

Arnica latifolia Bong. 

Arla 

mountain arnica, broadleaf arnica 

FORM: Deciduous perenn~al, glabrous to hairy forb, 1-6dm 

(4-24in) tall, stems solitary to several from a fibrous 

rhizome. 

LEAVES: Opposite, yellowish-green, entire to toothed, 

broadly lance-shaped, rarely heart-shaped, 2-14cm 

(1-6in) long, glandular-hairy above, veins do not appear 

embedded into leaf surface; when flowering, mid-cauline 

pair well-developed and sessile (1 1; A. latifolia appears 

more leafy than A. cordifolia. 

FLOWERS: Heads, generally several per stem, rays yellow, 

involucre with few to no hairs; June-July. 

FRUIT: Achenes glandular or short hairy on upper portion 

or totally glabrous (2); most dependable character for 

distinguishing A. cordifolio from A. latifolia. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderate resistance, regeneration from 

rhizomes to preburn levels within 3-7 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Arnica cordifolia, p. 114, petiolate 

cauline leaves. Opposite leaf arrangement generally 

distinguishes A. cordifolia and A. latifolia from other 

similar genera. 

NOTES: A. cordifolia and A. latifolia may inhabit the same 

site and often hybridize; A. cordifolia generally flowers 

before A . latifolia. 

115 
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE 

Asarurn caudaturn Lindl 

Asca3 

wild ginger 

FORM: Perennial, evergreen, prostrate forb with greenish, 

freely rooting stems, sometimes forming large mats. 

LEAVES: Alternate, appearing basal, two leaves from each 

node; leaves dark green, entire, cordate-reniform, heartshaped, 4-10crn (2-4in) diameter, on long, generally fine 

hairly petioles; crushed stems and leaves smell like lemonginger. 

FUXl'ERS: Single, with 3 long, brownish-purple sepals, 

from a bell-like base, 3-8cm (1-3in) long, corolla lacking; 

April-July. 

FRUIT: Fleshy capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Viola orbiculata, p. 193; and Pyrola 

asarifolia, p .17 1 . 

NOTES: Root stalk can be eaten fresh, or dried and 

ground as a ginger substitute. 
Asco 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOS ITAE) 

Aster conspicuus L.indl . 

Asco 

showy aster 

FORM: Stout, dec~duous, perennial, 3- 10dm (12-39in) tall; 

from creeping rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Alternate, sharply toothed, thick and firm with a 

sandpaper feel, sessile, ovate-elliptic, 6-18cm (2-iin) 

long; leaf shape and texture are ~lnique for northern 

Idaho Aster species (1 ) ; lower leaves smaller, obovate 

and soon deciduous. 

FLOWERS: Ray mostly 12-35, blue or violet, 10- 15mm long; 

heads few to many in an open, densely glandular 

inflorescence, involucral bracts with ac~iminate, green tip; 

July-Sept. 

FRUIT: Achene 

NOTES: Most common Aster species in forested areas, 

however, it seldom flowers in natural forested stands. 
Basa 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAL'.j 

Balsarnorhiza sagittatu i Pu rs h) N i.1 tt . 

Basa 

arrowleaf balsamrootFORM: Deciduous, perennial forb. 2.0-.80cm (3-32in) tall, 

from a long woody taproot, 

LEAVES: Large, long petiolate, silvery green, arrowheadshaped leaves covered with whitish feltlike hair; all leaves 

basal, up to 30cm (12in) long; no aerial leaf.-bearing 

stems. 

FLOWERS: Showy, yellow, solitary sunflower head, 5-Zcm 

(2-3in) in diameter; April-July. 

FRUIT: Glabrous achenes. 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, regeneration from cauder. to 

preburn levels within 2-5 years. 

NOTES: Indians named it "pash"; young stalks, roots and 

seeds were used for food. 
Cabi 

Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia (Hutti) C. L. Hitch 

Cabi 

wti~te marsh marigold, twinflower marsh marigold 

FORM: Deciduous, glabrous, perennial with flower stalks 

up to 15cm (6in) tall. 

LEAVES: Mainly basal, usually over 5cm (2in) long, 

petioles much longer than blade, blade suborbicular to 

ovate, entire to broadly crenate, basal margins 

overlapprng. 

FLOWERS: Generally two per stem, regular, borne on long 

pedl~ncle with wh~te sepals, petals lacking; late May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Several seeded, sessile follicle (1 1. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Coltha leptosepala (Alpine white marsh 

marigold) leaves longer than broad, scape very short, 

only one flower per stem. 

HABITAT: Perennial wet subalpine sites in Abies Iasiocarpa 

series. Ar! Abies lasiocarpa/Caltha biflora h . t. is 

described in central Idaho (Steele and others 1981). 
Phma + Smst h.t. 

LEAVES: Basal, simple, entire, single green leaf per 

plant, long petioled, broadly ovate-elliptic, with parallel 

veins, mostly 3-6crn (1-2in) long, produced at tip of corm 

in the fall, persistent through winter then withering in 

summer. 

FLOWERS: Solitary, rarely two, purplish, orchid flower, 

15-22mm (<lin) long, scoop-shaped lip, bearded with 

yellow hairs and streaked with purple; March-June. 

FRUIT: Erect capsule about lcm. 

HABITAT: Mostly in rather deep shade and rich soil of 

cool moist forests. 

NOTES: Flowers should not be picked, as damage to 

delicate roots holding the small corm destroys the pl.3nt. 

120 Vaca c. t. 

ORCH l DACEAE 

Calypso bulbosa (L. ) Oakes 

Cabu2 

fairy slipper 

FORM: Deciduous, fragrant, glabrous perennial, 

(2-8in) tall from corm. 
CAMPANULACEAE 

Campanula rotundifolia L. 

Ca ro3 

Scotch bellflower, lady s-thimble 

ORM: Deciduous, rhizomatous, perennial forb, 10-80cm 

(4-31 in) tall. 

.EAVES: Basal leaves in rosettes, cordate and petiolate, 

2cm (lin) long; cauline leaves: alternate, sessile, 

appearing linear, 1 -8cm (1 -3in) long. 

LOWERS: Several, erect to nodding, 5-merous, bellshaped blue, 2-3cm (lin) long, in a lax inflorescence; 

June-Aug. 

RUIT: Nodding capsule, 5-8mm long. 

IMILAR SPECIES: Young basal rosette may be confused 

with Viola species, p. 190; and some members of 

Crucifereae. 
CRUCl FERAE 

Cardarnine constancei Det I. 

Caco5 

Constance's bittercress 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb, 15-30cm (6 12in) 

with unbranched stems, from slender rhizornes. 

tall. 

LEAVES: Simple, shallowly lobed, 

(2-5in), mostly clustered near stem 

FLOWERS: Pink, 4-merous, 2 -3cn1 

few-flowered racemes; May -.June. 

broadly 

tip. 

[lin) I 

ovate, 5-13cm 

ong, borne in 

FRUIT: Unknown silique. Luhi 

HABITAT: Moist shaded stream bottoms of Thujo plicuta 

series. 

NOTES: An uncommon endemic in Shoshone, Clearwater 

and Nez Perce Counties, found associated with relic Xe te 

coastal vegetation; presently on the Idaho State Watch 

List. 

122 
Cial 

ONAGRACEAE 

Circaea alpina L. 

Cial 

dwarf enchanter s nightshade, alpine circaea 

FORM: Slender-, perennial forb, 10-50cm (4-20in) tall, 

~.tiizomatous or ar~sing froln tuberous I-hizome. 

LEAVES: Opposite, leaf pairs alternating at right angles to 

each other, thin, pale green, cordate-ovate, 2-6cm 

(1 -2in) long, mary ins entire to sharply toothed, petioles 

with narrow wlngs. 

FLOWERS: Slnall, whlte, 2-merous, Imm long, petals deeply 

2-lobed (11, in short terminal and axillary racemes; MayJuly. 

FRUIT: Interesting capsule, ?mm long, covered with soft, 

hooked hairs (2). 

HABITAT: Growing In seasonally wet to moist soil. 

123 
Ll Ll ACEAE 

Clintonia uniflora (Schult.) Kunth. 

Clun 

queen cup beadlily, bride's bonnet 

pEgq Phma 3 

mst h.t. 

FORM: Small, perennial, rhizomatous forb, deciduous but 

remaining green throughout the growing season. 

LEAVES: Basal, 2-3, broad, flat, simple, ent~ re, oblong, 

7-15cm (3-6in) long; glabrous above, silvery hairs below 

and on margins, hairs occasionally very reduced. 

FLOWERS: White, solitary, showy, 3-merous, about 2cm 

(lin) long; June-.July. 

FRUIT: Smooth, blue berry, 6-10mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Erythronium grandiflorum, p. 135, not 

hairy. 

HABITAT: Indicator of moderate moisture and heat 

gradients in nothern Idaho. 

124 
FORM: Evergreen, low, perennial forb with 

slender, yellowish-gold rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Basal, leathery, shiny, petiolate, 

leaves; leaflets broadly ovate, sharply ser 

(1-2in) long, 3-lobed about half their length. 

FLOWERS: 2-5 small, regular flowers consis 

tubular whitish petals, 6-10mm long; blooming 

immediately after snowmelt; April-May. 

FRUIT: Several seeded follicle, 8- 12rnrn long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Anemone piperi, p.1 

deciduous. 

NOTES: Common name goldthread refers to 

rhizomes . 

125 

RANUNCULACEAE 

Coptis occidentalis (Nutt . ) T. & G 

cooc2 

western goldthread 

widespread, 

trifoliolate 

,rate, 3-6cm 

ting of 5-7 

very early, 

07, leaves 

its yellow 
Table 11.--CORALLORHIZA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

INFLORES

Spec i es Page Stem Flower Lip 

Corallorhiza rnaculata 127 stout 10-30 lateral ly 

spotted coral-root purplish to redd i sh-purp le white w

Coma 3 redd i sh flowers wine- r

(albino forms) 8-10mm long spot 

Corallorhiza mertensiana N/A s lender western coral-root redd i sh 

Come 

30+ lateral ly 

pink not spo

some ye l low 

Corallorhiza striata N/A 7-30 not lo

stripped coral-root purpl ish pinkish 3-5 red

Cost2 
Corallorhiza rnacul 

Coma3 

Pacific coral root, spotted coral root, large coral r-aot 

ORCH IDACEAE 

FORM: Stout, purplish, parasitic forb, 20-40cm (8-16in) 

tall from much branched rhizome. 

STEMS: Erect, glabrous, reddish, brownrsh, yellowish 

(albino forms) or purplish with several alternate bracts, 

but lacks green leaves. 

FLOWERS: 10-30 flowers, in a widely spreading raceme: 

perianth reddish-purple to pinkish, with a poorly 

developed spur (I), white lip strongly wine-red spotted 

(2); May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Nodding, ovo~d capsule, 1-2cm (lin) long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Corallorliiza Conspectus, p.126 

NOTES: Albino plants quite common. Corallorhiza and 

common name coral root is derived from the coral-like 

formation of their roots. 
Coca 

CORNACEAE 

Cornus canadensis L. 

Coca 

bunchberry dogwood 

FORM: Low, rhizomatous, tra~liny subshrub, 

herbaceous, 5-20cm (2-8in) tall. 

STEMS: Erect, greenish to reddish sterns. 

LEAVES: Everqreen, elhptic, with ~~-om~nel~t, pinnate 

venation, 2-8ck (1 -3113) long, 4-7 in a'terminal whorl, 

FLOWERS: In sol~tary, terrn~ndl, condensed cymes, 

green~sh-whlte petals with ci~e-j burpl~sh tlnge, subtended 

by 4 whlte, p~nk~sh or pl~tple tin( LJ r,\ ltp bracts, 1 -2cm 

(<l~n) long, June-Aug 

FRIJIT: Tight cluster of bright red, fleshy, 2-seeded 

drupes, 6-8mrn long. 

NOTES: A widely used ornamental ~hich is eas~ly 

introduced by seed, or transplanting. 

2 Clun 

4 Mefe 

1 Xete 

Mefe h't. 

[ 3 (Gydr h.t. 

Mefe Stam 

Xete 

Luhi h.t. 

I lVasc n. t. 
Table 12.--LILIACEAE SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es 

Leaf and Leaf 

Page Stems Bases Margins 

Disporum hookeri 130 BRANCHED sessile strongly ciliate 

Hooker fa I ry-be1 l brownish ovate-el l iptic with 

Diho ( not green) rounded base forwa rd po i nt i ng b

ha i ry hairs 

Disporum trachycarpum 131 BRANCHEU sessile strongly ciliate 

wartberry fa i ry-be1 l brownish ovate-ob long with 

Di tr ( not green ) rounded base spread i ng ha i rs 

very ha i ry fro

Smilacina racemosa 177 unbranched sess i l e term

fa l se ~olomon's sea l BROWN I SH- broad l y ovate smooth of s

Sm ra GREEN slightly wh

clasping bases 

Smilacina stellata 178 unbranched sessl le termi

starry Solomon-plume GREEN lanceolate smooth 5

Sms t ha i ry on 

leaf bottom on z

Streptopus amplexifolius 179 BRANCHED sessi le 

twisted-stalk GREEN ovate with smooth green i 

Stam obvious on T

CLASP l NG BASES belo
LlLlACEAE 

Disporum hookeri (Torr. ) Nicholson 

Di ho 

Hooker fairy-bell 

FORM: Deciduous, branched, hairy, perennial forb, up to 

Im (3ft) tall, arising from I-h~rornes. 

STEMS: Branched, brownish to purplish, not green. 

LEAVES: Alternate, simple, entire, ovate to ovate-elliptic, 

acuminate, 5-15cm (2-6in) long, prominently veined, hairy 

beneath, short ciliate with forward-pointing hairs on leaf 

margins (1) (hand lens helpfui). 

FLOWERS: 2-3 terminal creamy white, 3-merous bell -shaped 

flowers, 9-18mm long on a short, pendent peduncle, often 

concealed by the leaves; April-July. 

FRUIT: 2-3 red berries, broadly oval, smooth to slightly 

hairy, pointed tip, 7-9mm long, 4-6 seeded, inedible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lily Conspectus, p. 129. 

NOTES: Fruits eaten by Blackfoot Indians but generally 

considered inedible. 

130 Vaca c.t. 
LlLlACEAE 

Dispor~lnl trachycarp~im (Wats. ) Benth. G Hook 

D~trwartberry fa~ry -bell, Sierra fairy -bell 

FORM: Deciduous, perenn~al, branched, hairy torb,30-60crii 

(12-24in) tall; arising from rhizomes. 

STEMS: Branched, brownish to purplish, not green. 

LEAVES: Alternate, simple, entire, ovate to ovate-oblong, 

accuminate, 4 12cn1 (2-51n) long. with rounded base, 

prominently veined, glabrous above, hairy below, margins 

ciliate with spreading hairs, not pointing forward (I), 

hairs less dense and not uniform, (hand lens helpful). 

FLOWERS: 1-2 on stout, hairy pedicels; creamy white bellshaped (2), 8-15mm long, terminal, often concealed by 

leaves; May-July. 

FRUIT: Yellow to reddish, glabrous, round berry, 7-10mm 

long, with a bumpy surface, 6 -12 seeded, inedible. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lily Conspectus p.129 

HABITAT: D. trachycarpum drier habitats than D. 

hooker;, bct species are often found together. 

NOTES: Fruits eaten by Blackfoot Indians but generally 

considered inedible. 
PKIMULACEAE 

Doderut hmn jeffrevi Van tioutte 

Role 

Jeffrey's s ,hoot~r~g star, 

FORM: Flesh);, I~fir-baceou~, deciduous perennial in large 

clumps, 10-60cr-11 (4 24ir1) tail, f r-or0 sle~ide~ rootstocks. Xete 

Lu 1 k.t. 

LEAVES: Sirnp!e, basal, fleshy, generally entire, 

oblanceoate leaves with Ions wi~gec! petioles, 5-4Ocm 

(2-16in) long by !--6c11i (,,21ri) broad Xete 

FLOWERS: 3-20 regular flowers ~ri terminal umbel on 

naked stalk; nodding, short tubular 4- or 5-merous 

flowers having reflexed petals, 1 3cm (lin I long; yellow 

to reddish anthers 6-lOmm long; Jcne-Aug (1). 

FRUIT: 1 -celled, ovoid capsule, 7- llrnrn long,(2), 

SIMILAR 

shooting 

SPECIES: 

star), drier 

Dodemtheon 

and lower- elevation. 

p;./che//utn (dark-throat m[ 

Vasc h.t. 

HABITAT: High elevation wet s~tes. 
Epan 

Epilobium angustifolium L. 

Epan 

fireweed, blooming Sally 

FORM: Glabrous, deciduous, perennial forb from 

widespread rhizomeli ke roots, 1 -3m (3-loft) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, sessile, entire, willowlike, narrowly 

lanceolate, 10-15cm (4-6in) long, prominent white midvein, distinct venation pattern is created by the 

connection of the lateral veins at the margins. 

FLOWERS: Pink to purple, 4-merous, short-clawed (1) 

petals, 8-20mm long, in many-flowered, terminal racemes; 

June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Linear, green to red, dehiscent capsule (2), 5-8cm 

(2-3in) long, seeds long, soft hairy from tip. 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, regeneration from rhizomes and 

seed to preburn levels within 1-2 years. 

HABITAT: Widespread, successional species; common along 

roads and old burns. 

NOTES: Edible, crisp, peeled stem, older leaves used for 

tea; dried seed pods make excellent tinder. 
Erpe 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE) 

Erigeron peregrinus (Pu rs h) G reene 

Erpe 

subalpine daisy, wandering daisy, wandering fleabane 

FORM: Glabrous, deciduous, leafy perennial forb up to 

70cm (28in) tall, from fibrous-rooted, short rhizome. 

LEAVES: Basal leaves simple, entire, wide, oblanceolate, 

tapering to petiole, alternate cauline leaves various. 

FLOWERS: Solitary or few heads, 30-80 deep rose-purple 

ray flowers, 8-25mm long, disk flowers, 10-25mm wide; 

July-Aug. 

FRUIT: Symmetrical, 4-7 nerved achene (1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Erigeron and Aster species. 
Ergr 

Ll LIACEAE 

Erythronium grandiflorurn Pu rs h 

Ergr 

dogtooth-violet, glacier Illy, pale fawn-lily 

FORM: Early growing, dec~cluoi~s, perennial forb, 

(4-8in) tall, from deep-seated, elongate corms. 

LEAVES: Basal pair, withers after flowering, leaves 

uniformly green, glabrous, margins and underside not 

hairy, not mottled, grad~~ally narrowing to broad petioles, 

10-20cm (4-8in) long. 

FLOWERS: Solitary or '2-5 in loose racemes, showy, bright 

yellow to golden, whh reflexed petals, 2-4cm (1 -2in) 

long, stamens exposed, white, red, or yellow, 10-12mm 

long; March-Aug. 

FRUIT: Green cylindrical capsule, 3cm (tin) long (1) 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Clintonia uniflora, p. 124, !eaves hairy 

and green throughout growing season. 

HABITAT: Sagebrush slopes to montane forests. 

NOTES: The starchy cooked bulbs were an important food 

for indians. 
Frve 

ROSACEAE 

Fragaria vesca L. 

woods strawberry 

FORM: Strongly stoloniferous, deciduous, perennial forb. 

-7 

bml 4 ruv h.t. 5 P ma Phma 3 6 Smst 

LEAVES: Basal, long petiolate, trifoliolate leaves, leaflets 

yellow-green, sessile, broadly elliptic, sparsely hairy 

above, upper leaf surface appears slightly bulged between 

main and lateral veins, margins coarsely serrate with 

terminal tooth of leaflet larger or same size as uppermost 

lateral teeth (1) (does not form gun sight as in Fragaria 

virginiana) . FLOWERS: Showy, white or pinkish, 5-merous, 3-11 in 

open cyme, inflorescence longer than leaves; April-June. 

FRUIT: Succulent, edible, red strawberry, about lcm 

broad. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderate to low resistance, regenet-ation 

from stolons to preburn levels within 3-7 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Fragaria virginiana, p. 137. 

NOTES: Leaves used to make tea high in vitamin C. 

136 
Frvi 

ROSACEAE 

Fragilria virginiana DL) c hesba 

Frv~ 

strawberry 

FORM: Strongly stoloniferous, deciduous, pet-enn~al forb. 

LEAVES: Basal, long petiolate, tl-ifoliolate leaves; leaflrts 

sessile, broadly ovate, 2-7cm (1 -3ir1) long, crenate - 

serrate, glaucous, blu~sti -green above, thick not 

prominently veined, upper surface not bulged, margins 

coarsely serrate, terminal tooth of leaflets generally 

shorter than adjacent lateral teeth, creating a gun sight 

(1). 

FLOWERS: Wli~te or p~nkish, 5-merous, 2-15 in open cynle, 

inflorescence shorter than leaves; May -Aug . 

FRUIT: Succulent, ed~ble, red strawbet-ry about lc~n 

broad. 

ENEMIES: Fire: model-ate to low resistance, regeneration 

from stolons to preb~irn levels w~ttiin 3-7 years 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Fragaria vesca, p. 136 

NOTES: Leaves used to make tea high in v~ta~ritii C. 
Frfa 

& 

+ $?: 4;? 

GENTIANACEAE 

Frasera fastigiata (Pursh) Heller 

Frfa 

clustered f rasera 

FORM: Stout, glabrous, unbranched, deciduous, perennial 

forb; flowering stem 5-15dm (2-5ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Cauline leaves: lanceolate, whorls of 3-5, 

reduced upward; basal leaves: thin, acute, obovate, 

20-45cm (8-18in) long. 

FLOWERS: Regular, blue or bluish-purple, 4-merous, 

tubular to campanulate (bell-shaped), numerous in large, 

narrow, congested panicle; May-July. 

FRUIT: Ovoid, slightly compressed capsule, 12-18mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Frasera speciosa (giant frasera), and 

early stages of Veratrum species, p. 179-180. 

138 Vaca c.t. 
Gatr 

Galiurn boreale L. Galiurn triflorurn Michx 

Gabo Gatr 

northern bedstraw sweetscented bedstraw 

- - l~ydr h.t. 

'mFORM: Square stemmed, deciduous, perennial forb with 

numerous stems from creeping rhizomes. 

Gabo: erect and stout, ,2-8dm (8-32in) tall. 

Gatr: usually lax, trails on ground, 2-8dm (8-32in) long. 

LEAVES: Simple, entire, sessile in whorls, 1 -4cm (<2in) 

long. 

Gabo: 4/whorl (I), 3-nerved, lanceolate with rounded tip. 

Gatr: G/whorl (21, I-nerved, narrowly elliptic, vanilla 

scented. 

FLOWERS: White, 4-merous, tubular. 

Gabo: Showy, numerous in terminal cymose panicle, (3j; 

June-Aug. 

Gatr: usually borne in threes at ends of axillary 

peduncles (4); June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Dry capsule, 2mm long. 

Gabo: giabrous or with straight hairs, 2mm long (5). 

Gatr: covered with hooked hairs, 1-2mm long (6). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Galiurn oparine (goose-grass) weedy, 

clinging annual from short taproot, leaves 6-(8)/whorl, 

narrow, I-nerved; small hooks on stems. 

NOTES: A member of the coffee family, seeds roasted and 

ground can be used for coffee; roots make yellow dye. 

139 
Gevi 

GERANIACEAE 

Geranium viscosissirnum F . & M. 

Gevi 

sticky purple geranium 

FORM: Glandular-hairy, deciduous, perennial 

40-90cm (16-35in) tall, with several stems. 

forb, 

LEAVES: Sharply toothed, densely glandular-hairy, 5(7) 

pa!mately-lobed blades, 5- 12cm (2-5in) broad. 

FLOWERS: Showy, sticky, opposite, 5-merous, pink to deep 

purplish-red (rarely white), petals hairy at base, 

generally only two cymose inflorescences; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Slender, glandular-hairy capsular fruit, containing 

1-2 seeds, capsule tipped with slender persistent styles 

usually recurving after seeds are explosively shed (1). 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Ranunculus species, Trollius species, 

and Delphinium species. 
/ ORCH l DACEAE 

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf . 

Goob 

Goob 

western rattlesnake-plantain, rattlesnake-plantain 

FORM: Evergreen, perenn~al forb from short rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Basal rosette of thick, simple, entire, ellipticlanceolate leaves with wide petioles, 3-7crn (1 -3in) long, 

mottled or white striped especially along midrib. 

FLOWERS: Many small, dull white to greenish, hoodshaped, glandular pubescent, 3-merous, flowers, 6-10mm 

long, borne in tight one-sided spike or in loose spiral up 

to 10cm (4in) long, lip not saccate, spur lacking (1);JulyAug. 

FRUIT: Erect capsule, lcm long 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Habenaria Conspectus, p. 142 

NOTES: Most common orchid in northern Idaho forests. 

Indians once thought it was a cure for rattlesnake bites, 

thus its common name rattlesnake plantain. 
Table 13.--HABENARIA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Leaf Leaf 

Spec i es Page Description Pe rs i stence 

Habenaria elegans N/A 1-3 withering s

hillside rein-orchid nea r ba sa I at 

Hae l oblanceolate flowering 

Habenaria orbiculata N/ A two large basal 

large re i n-orch id orbicular A Haor shiny above 

P )3 flat on ground 

withering 

after 

flowers 

st r

Habenaria saccata 

slender bog orchid 

Ha sa 

N/A ca~. ine 

ob long 

reduced upwa rd 

withering 

with 

stem 

gr

Habenaria unalascensis 143 2-4 basal 

Alaska rein-orchid l anceo l ate 

Ha un 

withering 

before 

flowering 

mo

w

s
Haun 

ORCHIDACEAE 

Hobenaria unalascensis (Spreny . ) 1 

Haun 

Alaska rein-orchid 

FORM: Glabrous, dec~duous, perenn~al forb, 20-60c1n 

(8-24in) tall, from fleshy-fibrous roots with 1-3 rounded 

tubers. 

STEMS: Single, leafy at base, br-acteate above. 

LEAVES: Basal cluster of 2-4 simple, entire, oblanceolate 

to lanceolate leaves, 8-15cm (3-6in) long, withering before 

or during flowering. 

FLOWERS: Numerous, fragrant, white, greenish oryellowish green, spirally arranged in a narrow, rather 

densely flowered raceme, 10-40cm (4-12in) long, 3-merous 

with a short narrowly cylindric spur, 3-8mm long; late 

June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Erect, ellipso~d ;a" ..ule up to 10mm long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Habenaria Conspectus, p.142 

HABITAT: Dry woods to gravelly streambanks and open 

mountain sides. 
cow parsnip 

FORM: Robust, single-stemmed, deciduous, perennial forb, 

1-3m (3-loft) tall, from taproot. 

STEMS: Stout, erect and covered with woolly harrs 

LEAVES: Alternate, once-ternately compound with broad, 

distinct petiolate leaflets, palmately lobed, coarsely 

toothed, 10-30cm (4-12in) long and wide. 

FLOWERS: White in compound umbels on terminal or 

axillary stalks, 10-20cm (4-8in) wide; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Glabrous to slightly hairy obovate to obcordate, 

strongly dorsally flattened schizocarp (I), 7-12mm long 

by 5-9mm wide. 

HABITAT: Streambanks and moist, low ground, from 

lowlands to mid-montane. 
Hecy 

SAX1 FRAGACEAE 

Heuchera cylindrica Dougl . ex Hook. 

Hecy 

roundleaf alumroot, lava alumroot 

FORM: Evergreen, perennial forb, flowering stem naked or 

with 1-3 brownish bracts, 15-90cm (6-35in) tall, from 

short, thick rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Numerous, basal leaves, ovate to nearly 

reniform, margins crenate-dentate, smooth to hairy, 

generally longer than broad, 1-6cm (<2in) long, all but 

smaller leaves with deeply cordate base. 

FLOWERS: White to greenish-yellow, 5-.merous, tubularcampanulate, lOmm long, in open panicle, 3-12cm (1-5in) 

long; April-Aug. 

FRUIT: Many seeded capsule, 6-10mm long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Heuchera grossularifolia (gooseberry 

leaved alumroot) and possibly Mitella Conspectus, p. 156. 
ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE) 

Hieraciurn albertinum Fa rr 

Hial2 

western hawkweed 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb, densely 

throughout with long, white bristles drying 

3-13dm (1-4ft) tall from short rhizomes, mi 

throughout. 

I hairy 

yellow, 

Iky sap 

LEAVES: Firm, entire, variously hairy, lower cauline 

leaves elongate, persistent, 10-25cm (4-loin) long; middle 

and upper leaves gradually reduced. 

FLOWERS: Yellow, heads few to many, 15-50 flowered, 

involucre densely covered with long, white bristles, 

drying yellow (1); July-Aug. 

FRUIT: Achene. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Hieraciurn cynoglossoides, (houndstongue hawkweed), glandular; and Hieraciurn albiflorurn, 

p.147, white flowers. pmqj Vaca c.t. 
\ 

ASTERACEAE (COMPO 

Hierac~um alb~flor~~rn 

H~al 

SITAE) 

Hook . 

white-flowered hawkweed 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb, long-hairy at base 

becoming glabrous upwards, 3-'12drn (1 -4ft) fall, from a 

short rhizome; milky sap throuyhout. 

LEAVES: Slightly to moderately hairy, margin enti re or 

slightly wavy, 4-17cm (2-7in) long; basal and lowest 

cauline leaves: persistant; middle and upper leaves: 

sessile, reduced, and generally less hairy. 

FLOWERS: White, usually 13-34 in several to many heads on 

slender peduncles; involucre 6-1 lmrn high (l),narrow, 

blackish-green, glabrous to hairy; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Achene (2). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Hieracium albertinurn, p. 146, yellow 

flowers; and Hieracium cynoglossoides (houndstongue 

hawkweed), very hairy. 
CLUSIACEAE (HYPERICACEAE) 

Hypericurn perforaturn L. 

Hype 

Klamath weed, common St. John's wort, goatweed 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, freely branching, perennial forb 

30-80cm (12-32in) tall, from a taproot with short 

rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Opposite, simple, entire, sessile, elliptic to 

oblanceolate, 1 -3cm (<l in) long, black dotted and finely 

translucent-dotted, making the leaf appear full of holes 

when held up to light (1). 

FLOWERS: Many 5-merous, regular, yellow flowers 10-15mm 

wide; in large, compound cymes; June-July. 

FRUIT: Acute, 3-celled capsule, 5-8mm long. 

ENEMIES: Chrysolina quadrigernina and Chrysolina hyperici 

(Klamath weed beetles) exert effective biological control 

(Furniss and Carolin 1977). 

HABITAT: Widespread, introduced weed, poisonous to 

livestock. 

NOTES: In England, there is a custom of hanging Hype 

over doorways for prosperity. It was also used to make 

a dark yellow dye. 
Lane 

FABACEAE (LEGUMI NOSAE) 

Lathyrus nevadensis Wats 

Lane 

Cusick's peavine 

FORM: Deciduous, rhizomatous, perennial forb, erect to 

climbing, 15-80cm (6-32in) tall from creeping rootstocks. 

STEMS: Angled but not winged. 

LEAVES: Alternate, pinnately compound, 4-10 leaflets, 

paired or scattered, thin, ovate to obovate, with welldeveloped unbranched tendrils and narrow stipules. 

FLOWERS: 2-7 papilionaceous (pea-flowers) generally white, 

lined with pink, 13-20mm long in a raceme; May-July. 

FRUIT: Glabrous pod, 3-7cm (1-3inl long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lathyrus ochroleucus (cream-flower 

peavine) white flowers, glabrous leaflets; and Vicia 

arnericana, p ,189. 
-4 

m1 

Phma i? 

mst h.t. 

FORM: Deciduous, leafy, perennial forb 5-15dm (20-59in) 

tall from fibrous root-crowns. 

STEMS: Stout, freely branching. 

LEAVES: Mostly basal with 1 or more well-developed 

cauline leaves; ternate-pinnately compound; small 

lanceolate leaflets 1-5cm (<2in) long and <2cm (<lin) wide. 

FLOWERS: White or pinkish, irregular in compound umbels; 

terminal umbel 15-40 rays, larger than laterals; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Oblong or elliptic, dry schizocarp, 4-5mm long, 

ribs narrowly winged (1.1 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Ligusticum verticillaturn, p. 151, less 

dissected; and Ligusticurn gray; (Gray's licorice-root), 

7-14 rays. 

NOTES: Relatively common Ligusticurn in northern Idaho. 

150 

APIACEAE (UMBELLI FEREAE) 

Ligusticum canbyi Coult. & Rose 

Lica2 

Canby's licorice-root 
APIACEAE (UMBELLIFEREAE) 

Ligusticurn verticillaturn (Geyer) Coult. C Rose 

Live 

verticillate-umbel licorice- root 

FORM: Robust, deciduous, soft-stemmed perennial, 1-2m 

(3-7ft) tall, from fibrous root-crowns. 

LEAVES: Glabrous, 1-2 ternate-pinnate; mostly basal, 

large, long petiolate toothed or lobed, leaflets ovate to 

oblong, 3-8cm (1-3in) long; several, alternate cauline 

leaves differ from basal leaves in having progressively 

shorter petioles and fewer leaflets; less dissected than 

other Ligusticurn species. 

FLOWERS: White, in compound umbels; terminal umbel 

generally 15-30 flowered; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Elliptic, dry schizocarp, 4-6mm long, with 

narrowly winged ribs. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Angelica arguta, p. 108, prefruit 

stages; and Ligusticurn canbyi, p. 151, more dissected 

leaves. 

NOTES: Relatively scarce in northern Idaho, generally 

found in the Selway and Clearwater River drainages. 

Flathead Indians smoked the root for relief of sore 

throats. 
ORCHIDACEAE q 

Listera caurina Piper 

Lica3 

western twayblade, northwestern twayblade 

ma Phma ii 

Smst h.t. 

2 Mefe h.t. . 1 Xete 

? Mefe 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb, 10-35cm (4-14in) tall. 

STEMS: Slender, glandula~*-pubescent above leaves, 

glabrous below. 

LEAVES: Two, nearly opposite, 

simple, entire, sessile with a clasping base, lanceolateovate, 2-6cm (1 -2in) long; positioned well above midlength 

of stem. 

FLOWERS: Small, 3-merous, greenish to purplish-green, 

3-4mm long; lip angled down, narrow not clawed; 5-25 

flowers in a slender, lax raceme; June-early Aug. 

FRUIT: Green ovoid, glabrous capsule not longer than 

5-6mm. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Listera cordata (heartleaf listera), 

forked lip and L. convallarioides (broad--lipped listera), 

horizontal lip clawed. 

152 Vaca c. t. 
Lodi2 

APIACEAE (UMBELLI FEREAE) 

Lomatiurn dissecturn (Nutt. ) Math. & Const. 

fern-leaved lomatium, desert-parsley 

FORM: Robust, deciduous, leafy, perennial forb, 5-15dm 

(20-59in) tall, several stems from a large woody root. 

LEAVES: Large, basal and cauline; ternate then 2-4 

pinnately dissected into small, narrow fernlike segments; 

leaves have a spicy fragrance. 

FLOWERS: 10-30 yellow or purple flowers in compound 

umbels; April-June. 

FRUIT: Elliptic, dry schizocarp, with cot-ky-thickened 

wings, 8-17mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Lomatium species. 

NOTES: Indians and early settlers made flour from the 

1 53 
APIACEAE (UMBELLI FEREAE) ill 

Lornotiurn triternoturn (Pu rsh) Coult. & Rose 

Lot r 

nine-leaved lomatium 

FORM: Perennial forb 20-80cm (8-32in) tall, stems leafy, 

all clustered in a basal rosette, from a short caudex. 

LEAVES: Few or solitary, usually basal, ter-riately to 

ternate-pinnately 2-3 times deeply cut into long, narrow 

leaflets, 1-lOcm (<4in) long, entire or shallowly toothed. 

FLOWERS: Yellow or white flowers in compound umbels; 

May-July. 

FRUIT: Oblong to elliptic, t;r.nadly winged, dry 

schizocarp (1 1. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Lornotiurn onibiguurn (desert-parsley) 

NOTES: Indians and early settlers baked biscuits and 

large cakes from flour made from the roots. 
2h.t. 

h.t. mst 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial forb, 2-15dm (8-59in) 

tall, numerous stems from a stout rhizome. 

LEAVES: Alternate, numerous cauline leaves, simple, 

entire, very thin, obvious lateral veins, ovate to 

lanceolate, short-petiolate, acuminate with rounded base, 

3-14cm (1-6in) long; basal leaves when present, long 

petiolate, cordate. 

FLOWERS: Blue, sometimes white or pink, 5-merous, 

tubular 9-16mm long, in branched, open, terminal cymes; 

May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Nutlet. 

HABITAT: Streamsides and wet meadows. 

155 

BORAGINACEAE 

Mertensia paniculata (Ait . ) G .'Don 

Me pa 

tall bluebells, panicle bluebells 
Table 14.--MITELLA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Leaf 

Spec i es Page Leaves Shape Flowers Peta l s Stamens 

Mitella breweri 

Brewer's mitrewort 

Mibr 

157 basal corda te-kidney 20-60 in raceme d i ssected stamens 5 

7-11 lobed greenish into alternate 

with saucer- shaped 5-9lateral withthe 

brownish hairs b l ossom i ng upward segments peta l s 

Mitella caulescens N/A mostly cordate and ha i ry up to 25 in raceme dissected stamens 5 leafy 

mi trewort basal with 5-7 lobed green;bel I-shaped into a l ternate 8 2 

Mica3 a few blossoming with the 

V1 caul ine downwa rd segments peta l s 

cn 

Mitella pentandra 

alpine mitrewort 

Mipe 

158 ba sa l ova te-co rda te 6-25 in raceme d i ssected stamens 5 5-9 lobed greenish into opposite 

hairy/glandular sauce r- shaped 4-10 the b l ossom i ng upward segments peta l s 

Mitella stauropetala 159 basal corda te-kidney 10-48 in raceme 3- lobed stamens 5 

s ide-f l owered m i t rewort 5-7 lobed wh i t i sh; be l l shaped not a l ternate Mist2 underneath 1 - s i ded raceme d i ssected w i th the purp l ish blossoming upward peta l s 
Mibr 

SAX l FRAGACEAE 

hlitello brewer; C r-a y 

M~br 

Brewer's mitrewort 

FORM: Rhizomatous, deciduous, perennial forb with 

leafless flowering stem, 10-30cm (4-12in) tall. 

LEAVES: Basal, cordate to reniform, 4-8cm (7-31n) broad, 

shallowly 7-11 lobed, slightly round-toothed w~th few 

brownish hairs on upper surface. 

FLOWERS: Calyx saucer-shaped, greenish-yellow petals 

pinnately dissected into 5-9 lateral palred segments (I), 

stamens 5, alternate with petals; In 20-60 flowered 

racemes, blossom~ng upwdt-d; May-Aug 

FRUIT: Numerous, small, shiny, black seeds contained in 

the saucer-shaped dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Mitella Conspectus, p. 156; Tiarello 

trifoliate, p. 183; and Heuchera species, p. 145. 

HABITAT: High elevation, cold, very moist to wet sites 
Mipe 

SAXIFRAGACEAE 

Mitella pentandra Hook. 

Mi pe 

alpine mitrewort, five-stamened mitrewort 

FORM: Low, occasionally stoloniferous, deciduous, 

perennial forb; flower stems 20-30cm (8-12in) tall. 

LEAVES: Basal, ovate-cordate, 2-5cm (1 -2in) broad, hairy 

and glandular, shallowly 5 to 9-lobed, with round-teeth, 

doubly crenate, puberulent on upper surface. 

FLOWERS: Calyx saucer-shaped, 3-4mm broad, petals 

greenish, pinnately dissected into 4-10 lateral segments 

(11, 2-3mm long, stamens 5, opposite the petals; 6-25 

flowers in raceme to panicle; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Numerous, small, shiny, black seeds contained in 

the saucer-shaped dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Mitella Conspectus, p. 156;, Tiarella 

trifoliata, p. 183; and Heuchera specres, p. 145. 

HABITAT: Moist woods, especially along streams to wet 

mountain meadows. 

pzq Vaca c.t. 
SAX1 FRAGACEAE 

Mitella stouropetala Piper 

Mist2 

side-flowered mitrewort, cross-shaped mitrewort 

FORM: Rhizomatous, deciduous, perennial forb; flower 

stems slender, several, up to 50cm (20in) tall. 

LEAVES: Cordate to kidney-shaped, often purplish-tinged, 

2-8cm (1 -3in) broad, shallowly 5-7 lobed, 1 or 2-times 

crenate, puberulent on upper surface. 

FLOWERS: Calyx bell-shaped, 4-6mm long; petals 3-lobed, 

whitish or purplish-tinged 3-4mm long; 5 stamens,( 

alternate with petals; 10-35 flowers in simple one-sided 

racemes; May-June. 

FRUIT: Numerous, small, shiny, black seeds contained in 

the saucer-shaped dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Mitella Conspectus, p.156; Tiarella 

trifoliata, p.183; and Heuchera species, p.145. 
Moco 

PORTULACACEAE 

Montia cordifolia (Wats.) Pax & Hoffm. in E. & P 

Moco 

broadleaved montia PI 

Lu i h.t. 

FORM: Succulent, perennial forb, without fleshy taproots. 

LEAVES: Several basal leaves, simple, entire triangularovate to somewhat cordate, 3-6cm (1-2in) broad; two 

cauline leaves, opposite, broadly lanceolate, 1 -5cm (<2in) 

wide. 

FLOWERS: Regular, 5-merous, white, 3 to '10-flowered, in 

lax racemes not subtended by bracts; May-Sept. 

FRUIT: Smooth to worty, shiny black, acutely margined 

capsule (1 1. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Montia sibirica (Siberian montia) flowers 

subtended by bracts, and Montia perfoliata (miner's 

lettuce), cauline leaves form a disc. 

NOTES: Leaves and stems aye eaten boiled, steamed or raw 

as salad greens. 

160 Vaca c. t. 
APIACEAE (UMBELLI FEREAE) 

Osmorhiza chilensis H . & A. 

Osch 

mountain sweet-cicely 

Osch 

{*I Me e lo 

r.t. 5 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb 3-10dm (1-3ft) tall, from 

well-developed taproot. 

STEMS: Solitary, rather slender. 

LEAVES: Thin, biternately compound, leaflets narrow, 

ovate, coarsely serrate, deeply cut or lobed, 2-7cm 

(1-3in) long; several basal leaves with long petioles; 1-3 

cauline leaves with short petioles. 

FLOWERS: Inconspicuous, greenish-white, 0.3-lmm in loose 

compound umbels; April-June. 

FRUIT: Green (dries to black), hairy schizocarp with 

beaklike apex, which clings to pant legs (1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Osmorhiza purpurea (purple sweetroot), purple flowers, armed fruit; and Osmorhiza 

occidentalis (western sweet-cicely 1, strong licorice smell, 

glabrous fruit, and clustered stems. 

HABITAT: Common in all forested regions of northern 

Idaho. -- NOTES: Roots dug in March and April may be eaten raw 

or cooked . 

rVaca c.t. 161 
Pebr 

A 

SCROPHULARIACEAE 

Pedicularis bracteosa Bent 

Pebr 

bracted lousewort 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial forb, up to lm (3ft) 

tall, coarsely fibrous-rooted often with some tuberousthickened roots. 

LEAVES: Alternate, glabrous, pinnately divided (fernlike), 

doubly serrate, linear-oblong 1 -7cm (<3in) long; basal 

leaves petiolate or missing, cauline leaves sessile or short 

petiolate. 

FLOWERS: Purple or red to yellowish, bilabiate, calyx lobes 

five, 13-21mm long, galea beakless, in crowded spi ke-li ke 

raceme; June-Aug . FRUIT: Capsule. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Pedicularis contorta (white coiled- bea k 

lousewort), long white beak, and narrow pinnate leaves; 

and P. racemosa, p.162, long white beak and simple 

leaves; both have flowers in open racemes. 

NOTES: Pedicularis is an intermediate host for stalactiform 

blister rust. This is only Pedicularis species native to 

Idaho with large, compound cauline leaves. 
Pedicularis cacernosa Dougl . ex Hook. 

Pera 

a" 

leafy lousewort, sickletop lousewol-t 

FORM: Deciduous, glabrous, perennial forb, 15-50cm 

(6-20in) tall, from a woody caudex. 

LEAVES: Simple, alternate, all cauline, short-petiolate, 

linear to lanceolate, doubly serrate, not dissected, 4-10cm 

(2-4in) long, lowest leaves reduced. 

FLOWERS: White, sometimes tinged with yellow or rose, 

bilabiate, calyx lobes 2, galea strongly arched and 

tapering into a down-curved beak,which touches the 

prominent lower lip, in an elongated, lax, spikelike 

raceme; June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Glabrous, flattened, asymmetrical capsule. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Pedicularis contorta, (white coiled-beak 

lousewort) long, white beak, and narrow pinnate leaves; 

and P. bracteosa, p.162, purple beakless flowers, and 

large compound leaves. 

NOTES: Pedicularis is an intermediate host for stalactiform 

blister rust. This is only Pedicularis species native to 

Idaho with simple leaves. 

,lVasch.t. 1 1 

2 

+ 

+ 

Caru 

2h.t. 

Phma 

Caru 

Aruv 

Phma 

h.t. bmst 
Phhe 

FORM: Erect, deciduous biennial or short-lived perennial 

forb from a taproot. 

STEMS: Stout stems, 2-12dm (8-47in) tall; herbage green 

or greyish with short pubescence. 

LEAVES: Greyish with fine hairs, mostly entire but some 

well-developed middle and lower leaves having 1-2 

of lateral lobes or leaflets at base of blade; cauline leaves 

reduced upward; basal leaves longer petiolate 

generally larger- than the upper cauline leaves. 

HYDROPHYLLACEAE '$A ' 

Phacelia heterophylla Pu rsh 

Phhe 

varileaf phacelia, virgate phacelia 

FLOWERS: Dull whitish to occasionally purplish, rotate, 

3-6mm long, in hairy, branched, open cymes; May-July. 

FRUIT: Capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Phacelia hustata (whiteleaf phacelia), 

and P. linearis (tht-eadleaf phacelia). 

164 Vaca c. t. 
Popu 

POLEMON IACEAE 

Polemoniurn pulcherrirnurn Hook . 

Popu 

skun k-leaved polemonium, Jacob's-ladder, sky p~lot 

FORM: Deciduous, perennial forb,. with several loose, erect 

stems, 30-50cm (12-20in) tall from a branched woody 

base. 

LEAVES: Foul mephitic (skunklike) odor, p~nnately 

compound w~th 11-25 oppos~te or offset leaflets; basal 

leaves well-developed and often ti~fted; alternate, caul~nc 

leaves reduced. 

FLOWERS: Showy, blue with a yellow eye, bell-shaped, 

7-13mm long in headlike cymes; May-Aug, 

FRUIT: Capsule. 

HABITAT: Moderate to high eleva3tions 111 the mountains, 

often in moist or shaded places. 

ROSACEAE 

Potentilla gracilis Doug1 . Pog r 

FORM: Deciduous, generally hairy, perenn~al forb, with 

several stout stems, 40-80cm (16-32in) tall from a 

branched caudex. 

LEAVES: Numerous, alternate, mostly basal; blades 

digitate (handlike) with long petioles up to 30cm (12in), 

leaflets 7-9, cuneate or dissected, margins slightly 

revolute, lighter and slightly woolly on underside, 3-8cm 

(1-3in) long; 1-2 cauline leaves. 

FLOWERS: Numerous, yellow, 5-merous; in large, open, 

flat-topped, terminal cymes; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Greenish achene. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Potentilla species. 

cinquefoil 

' Vasc h.t. 

.$~ete c.t. =Vaca c.t. 167 
Prvu 

LAMIACEAE (LABIATAE) 

Prunella vulgaris L. 

Prvu 

self - heal 

-3 

2 

3 

FORM: Deciduous, fibrous-rooted, hairy to glabrous, 

perennial forb 10-50cm (4-20in) long, from a caudex. 

STEMS: Solitary or clustered, erect to prostrate squared 

stems. 

LEAVES: Few, petiolate, basal and opposite cauline; entire 

with lanceolate or elliptic blades 2-9cm (1-4in) long. 

FLOWERS: Purplish-blue, bilabiate, 7-10mm long, crowded 

into short, dense terminal spikes; May-Sept. 

FRUIT: Hard nutlets. 

HABITAT: Moist places or distrubed sites such as logging 

roads and skid trails. 

NOTES: Once a common medicinal herb used now as a 

refreshing beverage. 

168 Vaca c.t. 

Caru 

h. t. 

Phma 

h.t. 

+ 

1 

Caru 

Aruv 

Phma 

Smst ' 
Ptan 

MONOTROPACEAE (ERICACEAE) 

Pterospora andrornedea N utt . Ptan 

pinedrops 

FORM: Perennial, sticky-glandular, parasitic forb, 3-10dm 

(1 -3ft) tall. 

STEMS: Tall, reddish-yellow aging to reddish-bt-own, 

unbranched, glandular-hairy; dried stalks persistent for 

one or more years. 

LEAVES: Alternate scalelike, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate 

reddish-brown bracts. 

FLOWERS: Pale yellow, urn-shaped, each flower on short, 

recurved pedicel in elongate terminal raceme, 1 -5dm 

(4-20in) long; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Depressed-globose, reddish-brown capsule, 8-12mm 

broad. 

HABITAT: Deep humus in coniferous forests. 
Table 15.--PYROLA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es 

Leaves & Lea f 

Page Stems Shape 

Leaf 

Color 

Pyrolaasarifolia 171 numerous pink wintergreen basa l 

Pyas 

obovate shiny green above 

purpl ish-brown below 

not mottled 

Pyrolachlorantha N/A several basal rotund dull dark green 

green pyrola redd i sh-b rown round- not mottled 

Pych stems toothed 

Pyrola picta mostly el l ipt ic dark green with 

N'A ba sa I white vein pyrola thickened margins greyish mottl ing 

PYP i along main veins 

Pyrola secunda 172 numerous leaves ovate light green 

sidebel Is pyrola leafy aerial t o 

Pyse stem elliptic 
Pyas 

PYROLACEAE (ERICACEAE) 

Pyrola asarifolia Mich x . Pyas 

common pink wintergreen, alpine pyrola 

FORM: Evergreen, perennial, t~hizomatous forb; glabrous 

flowering stems 15-40cm (6-16in) tall with 1-3 

inconspicuous bracts below the inflorescence. 

LEAVES: Numerous basal leaves with petioles usually at 

least as long as the blades; simple, entire, circular to 

elliptic, leathery, shiny dark green above, often 

purplish-brown beneath, 3-8cm (1 -3in) wide, no white 

mottling along midveins. 

FLOWERS: Pink to rose or purplish-red, 10-15mm broad, 

with a strongly curved style, 5-8mm long, 10 to 25 

nodding flowers in elongate terminal racemes; June-Sept . 

FRUIT: Capsule, 6-8rnm broad 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Pyrola Conspectus, p.'170. Asarum 

caudaturn, p. 11 6; and Viola orbiculata, p .l95. 
Pyse 

PYROLACEAE (ERICACEAE) 

Pyrola secunda L. 

Pyse 

one-sided wintergreen, sidebells 

FORM: Evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous forb; single aerial 

stem leafy toward the base and often woody, 5-15cm 

(2-6in) tall with 1-2 small bracts. 

LEAVES: Numerous, alternate leaves; crenulate to serrate, 

dark green above, pale below, ovate to ovate-elliptic 

blades, 1-6crn (~2in) long on short petioles. 

FLOWERS: White with straight style, 5-6rnm broad; 6-20 

nodding flowers in one-sided racemes; June-Aug. 

FRUIT: Globose capsule, 5mm in d~ameter 

ENEMIES: Fire: susceptible, regeneration from seed to 

preburn levels within 10 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Pyrola Conspectus, p. 170. 

172 
aUVasc h.t.. ., ete c. t. E33 =Vaca c.t. 

RANUNCULACEAE 

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don in G . Don 

Raun2 

little buttercup 

FORM: Deciduous, annual or perennial; single, erect, 

hairy to glabrous stem, 20-60cm (8-24in) tall. 

LEAVES: Mostly basal, long petiolate blades, simple, 

cordate-reniform, deeply 3-lobed, glabrous above, hairy 

and paler below, 3-8cm (1-3inl long; 1-2 alternate, shortpetiolate cauline leaves. 

FLOWERS: Small, single, yellow, 5-merous, terminal, 2-3mm 

long; May-Aug. 

S lMl LAR SPEC I ES: Trautvetteria caroliniensis, p. 184; 

Trollius Ic~xus (globe flower) ; and other Ranunculus 

species. 
Sest mi 

Phma 

mst h.t. 

FORM: Glabrous, succulent perennial up to 19cm (7in) tall, 

appearing somewhat evergreen. 

LEAVES: Alternate, linear, broadened, 15-25mm (<lin) 

long, strongly keeled (observed mainly on fresh 

material) : persistent on old stems, mostly basal. 

FLOWERS: Yellow, regular, spreading, 5-merous, 8-14mm, 

in tight cymes; late May-July. 

FRUIT: Follicles widely divergent (I), not glandular. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Sedum lanceolatun~ (lance-leaved 

stonecrop), leaves not keeled. 

NOTES: Young leaves can be used in salads, but excessive 

amounts may act as a laxative. 

174 Vaca c.t. 

CRASSULACEAE 

Sedurn stenopetalum Pu rs h 

Sest 

wormleaf stonecrop 
Setr 

ASTERACEAE (COMPOS ITAE) 

Senecio tr.ianyularis Hook. 

Setr 

arrowleaf groundsel 

FORM: Tall, deciduous, perennial forb, 3-15dm (1 -5ft) 

with several stems arising from fibrous roots. 

LEAVES: Numerous, alternate, simple, distinctly triangular 

leaves, 4-20cm (2-8in); basal leaves strongly toothed, 

with long petioles; cauline leaves become reduced, sessile 

and less triangular upwards. 

FLOWERS: Few to numerous yellow heads in flat-topped 

inflorescence; June-Sept. 

FRUIT: Achene 

HABITAT: Seasonally wet or very moist to riparian sites. 
Sime 

CARYOPHY LLACEAE 

Silene menziesii Hook . Sime 

Menzies' silene 

FORM: Low, matted, deciduous, dioecious perennial with 

numerous, hairy, branched stems, 5-30cm (2-12in) long. 

LEAVES: Numerous, opposite, mostly cauline, hairy, 

lanceolate, 2-6cm (1-2in) long, sessile or subsessile. 

FLOWERS: Unisexual, calyx tubular-campanulate, white 

petals, 5-8mm long, clawed but not divided to base( 

several in a leafy, open cyme; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Arenaria macrophylla, p.113. 
Ll Ll ACEAE 

Srnilucina racernoso (L. ) Desf 

Smra 

Smra 

false Solomon's seal 

FORM: Strongly r-hizornatous, deciduous perennial, 3-9dm 

(1 -3ft) tall. 

STEM: Erect, green, leafy flower stem unbranched, stiffy 

arched, ascending, with spreading hairs in the 

inflorescence. 

LEAVES: Alternate, parallel-veined, simple, entire, sessile, 

finely hairy, lanceolate to elliptic, acuminate, 7-20cm 

(3-8in) long. 

FLOWERS: Numerous, small, white flowers, 4-7mm long, in 

a freely branching, terminal panicle, 5-12cm (2-5in) long; 

April-July. 

FRUIT: Globose berry, 5-7mm in diameter-; immature fruit 

mottled green and brown, becoming all red. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Liliaceae Conspectus, p. 129. 

NOTES: Edible but with strong laxative properties. 
Srnst 

Ll Ll ACEAE 

Smilacina stellata ( L . ) Desf 

Srnst 

starry Solomon-seal 

FORM: Rhizomatous perennial, 20-60cm (8-24in) tall 

STEM: Erect, green, flowering stem unbranched, stiffly 

arched and ascending. 

LEAVES: Alternate, sessile, parallel-veined, lanceolate to 

oblong, acuminate, 5-7cm (2-3in) long, glabrous to 

strongly hairy. 

FLOWERS: 5-10 in a terminal raceme, white, 4-7mm long; 

rachis of inflorescence usually zigzag, flower directly 

attached to mainstem; May-June. 

FRUIT: Globose, greenish-yellow berries becoming black; 

immature fruit green with 3 red stripes. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Liliaceae Conspectus, p. 129. 

NOTES: Edible but with strong laxative properties. 
FORM: Slender, herbaceous, deciduous, rhizomatous 

perennial, mostly 6-12dm (2-4ft) tall. 

STEMS: Erect, green, usually branched below middle stem 

LEAVES: Alternate, parallel-veined, glabrous, ovate, 

acuminate, mostly 5-12cm (2-5in) long, sessile with 

cordate clasping bases (1 ). 

FLOWERS: Greenish-white, 3-merous, bell-shaped 9-15mm 

long; solitary or in pairs on twisted stalks beneath each 

leaf along upper part of stem; May-July. 

FRUIT: Inedible, elongated, bright orange berry, slightly 

transluscent, 10-12mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Liliaceae Conspectus, p.129; and 

Streptopus streptopoides (small twisted-stal k), hairy at 

nodes, on Idaho State Watch List, found in Bonner and 

Boundary Counties. 
mountain kittentails evergreen synthyris 

FORM: Perennial from short rhizome. 

Symi: 1-6dm (4-24in) tall. 

Sypl: 1-3dm (4-12in) tall. 

LEAVES: Basal leaves, long-petiolate with cordate blade, 

palmately veined, persistent to 2nd season. 

Syrni: glabrous, deeply cordate, 2-8cm (1-3in) wide. 

Sypl: pubescent, round cordate, bright green, 1 -12crn 

(1-sin) wide; hairy upper surface, glabrous below, 

densely white hairy when young. 

FLOWERS: Corollas subrotate, lobes longer than tube, 

4-merous, borne in dense racemes. 

Syrni: bright bluish-purple, 4-7mm long; April-July. 

Sypl: bluish-violet, petal lobes incised (I), 2-4mm long; 

June-July. 

FRUIT: Syrni: ovate capsule, 5-7mm high, as wide as 

high, shallowly notched (2). 

Sypl: heart-shaped capsule (3), 3-5mm wide, nearly twice 

as wide as high. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Viola orbiculata, p. 193; and Heuchera 

species, p. 145. 

NOTES: Sypl is an endemic of ldaho and Clearwater 

Counties associated with coastal disjunct species, it is 

presently on the ldaho State Watch List. 
Thoc 

d 

RANUNCULACEAE 

Thoc 

western meadowrue 

FORM: Glabrous, deciduous, dioecious perennial, 4-10dm 

(1 -3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Mostly cauline, alternate, 3-4 times ternate, 

leaf lets generally rounded, three-lobed and delicate; leaf 

canopy usually oriented horizontally. 

FLOWERS: Unisexual, inconspicuous, 4-5 rnerous, irregular 

greenish-white to purplish in a panicle; May-July. 

FRUIT: Green-purple achene(1). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Aquileyio species, p. 1 I I, leaves not as 

dissected, individual leaflets larger and fewer. 
Thmo 

FABACEAE (LEGUMI NOSAE) 

Thermopsis montana Nutt. 

Thmo 

Montana golden pea, mountain thermopsis 

FORM: Rhizomatous, deciduous, perennial forb, 5-10dm 

(2-3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Alternate, trifoliolate with large stipules (1 ), 

hairy leaflets broadly ovate, 3-8cm (1-3in) long. 

FLOWERS: Golden-yellow, papilionaceous (pea-flower); 10-60 

in dense to open raceme; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Erect, straight, hairy pods (21, 4-8cm (2-3in) 

long. 

NOTES: Toxic to cattle and humans. Nitrogen fixer easily 

grown from seed, transplanting difficult. pF$] Vaca c. t. 
Titr 

SAX1 FRAGACEAE 

Tiarella trifoliata L. 

Titr 

coolwort foamflower, false mitrewort 

FORM: Perennial, deciduous, rhizomatous forb, flowering 

stems 2-5dm (8-20in) tall. 

LEAVES: 1-7cm (<3in) long. 

var. unifoliata: simple, shallowly to deeply 3-5 lobed 

(1). 

var. trifoliata: compound, trifoliate with 3 petiolate 

leaflets, lobed no more than half their length (2). 

FLOWERS: White, 5-merous, bell-shaped flowers in elongate 

panicles; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Capsule, 7-10mm long. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Mitella Conspectus, p. 156; and Tellima 

grandiflorum (f ringecup) . 

NOTES: Tiarella unlfoliata is now considered T. trifoliata 

va r . unifoliata . 

PRIMULACEAE 

Trientalis lotifolio Hook 

Trla2 

western starflower, Indian potato 

FORM: Rhizomatous, evergreen, perennial forb, 10-?5crri 

(4-loin) tall from short, erect tuber. 

LEAVES: Erect or ascending stem with terminal whorl of 

4-8, entire leaves, 3-10cm ( I -4in) long; inconspicuous 

bracts present on lower stem. 

FLOWERS: Solitary on slender pedicels; 6 or 7-mer-ous, 

pinkish to rose, 6-121nm broad; April-J~rly. 

FRUIT: Valvate capsule. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Cornus canadensis, p. 128. 

NOTES: Occurs In Clearwater and Latah Counties as a 

coastal disjunct, presently on the Idaho State Watch List. 
Ll LIACEAE 

Trillium ovotunl Pu rs h 

T I-ov 

FORM: Glabrol~s, dec~duous, per~eriii~al forb, erect stem 

10-3O~m (-1-l'in) tall, from slior-t, th~ck rh~rornes. 

LEAVES: Sessile, whorl of three, large, simple, entire 

broadly ovate, 5- 15o1ll (?-Gin) long. 

FLOWERS: Solltal.y, t~l.iiiiiial, staiked, 3 white petals 

aging to pink; March-June, later at high elevations. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: T;.illiurn petiolatum (purple tr-~lhum), 

petiolate leaves and sessile, purple flowers. m] Vaca c.t. 
Frl 

2 Phma P ma 

FORM: Robust, deciduous perennial, generally 3-12dm 

(1 -4ft) tall from branched rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Opposite, mainly cauline, mostly 2-5 pairs; lowest 

pairs reduced, the next above well-developed, petiolate, 

odd-pinnately compound, leaflets lance-shaped, coarsely 

toothed, terminal leaflet largest; basal leaves, when 

present, similar to cauline leaves. 

FLOWERS: White, tubular to funnel-shaped flowers, 5-7mm 

long i 11 ball-shaped compact inflorescence; June- Aug. 

FRUIT: Glabrous, mostly ovate or oblong-ovate achene, ( 

3-6mm wide. 

NOTES: Dried powdered roots and leaves were added to 

tobacco as a flavoring by Thompson Indians. 

187 

Sitka valerian, mountain heliotrope 
FORM: Tall, deciduous, perennial forb, 1-2m (3-7ft) tall 

from thick rhizomes. 

STEMS: Narrowing upward, glabrous below, becoming very 

woolly above. 

LEAVES: Numerous, parallel-veined, large, simple, entire, 

alternate. 

Veca: ovate to broadly elliptic, 20-30cm (8-12in) long. 

Vevi: oblong-elliptic, up to 35cm (14in) long. 

FLOWERS: Veca: panicle dense, spreading to ascending, 

erect not drooping, 30-60cm (12-24in) long, flowers white 

or slightly greenish, 10-17mm long; June-Aug. 

Vevi: loose and open panicle, 30-70ciit (12-28in) long, 

drooping, with green flowers, 6-10mm; late June-Sept, 

FRUIT: Veca: glabrous narrowly ovoid, 2-3cm (clin) long 

capsule, seeds broadly winged, straw-colored, 10-15mm 

long. 

Vevi: membranous, glabrous capsule, 2-3cm (<]in) long, 

seeds 8-10mm long. 

NOTES: One of the most violently, poisonous plants; causes 

deformities in lambs. 

188 Vaca c. t. 

, . 

Ll LIACEAE I 

Veratrum californicum Du ra nd Veratrum viride Ait 

Veca Vev i 

California false hellebore American false hellebore 

green false hellebore 
Viam 

FABACEAE (LEGUMINOSAE) 

Vicia americana Mu h I. 

Viarn 

American vetch 

FORM: Deciduous glabrous, perennial forb, 15 

(6-32in) tall. 

STEMS: Weak or trailing, 4-angled stems 

LEAVES: Alternate, pinnately compound with 8-12 

bright green, linear to oval leaflets, variable in 

stipules jagged (I), tendrils simple to branched, 

developed (2). 

FLOWERS: 4-10 bluish-purple, drying blue, 12-25mm 

in loose racemes; May-July. 

FRUIT: Glabrous pods, 3crn long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Vicia species 

-80crn 

thin, 

size; 

welllong 

NOTES: Has nitrogen fixing nodules. 
Table 16.--VIOLA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Flower 

Spec i es Page Rootstock eaves Stem 

Viola adunca 

hook violet 

Viad 

191 s lender rh i zomes ovate variable 

finely toothed caul ine 

leaves 

Viola canadensis n/A short d Canada violet with 

0" v i ca slender stolons 

cordate acute apex 

serrate 

leafy 

near tip 

Viola -glabel la 

pioneer violet 

Vigl 

192 spreading fleshy ren i form to cordate leafy 

rh i zomes acute apex near tip 

without stolons serrate 

Viola orbiculata 193 short erect 

round- leaved violet without stolons 

Vior2 

evergreen leafy 

orbicular nea r base 

rounded apex 

serrate 
Viad 

VIOLACEAE 

Viola adunca Sm. 

Viad 

hook violet 

FORM: Deciduous perennial from slender rhizomes. 

STEMS: Stemless in early spring, maturing to leafy, aerial 

stems, 10cm (4in) long. 

LEAVES: Simple, entire to finely crenate, ovate-lanceolate 

to kidney shaped, usually cordate at base, 1-3cm (<lin) 

wide. 

FLOWERS: Blue or purple to deep violet, 5-15mm long; 

lower 3 petals often whitish based, purplish-violet veined; 

slender spur somewhat hooked, often over half the length 

of the lowest petals; April-Aug. 

FRUIT: Explosively dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Viola Conspectus, p. 190. 

NOTES: Eaten raw or cooked, also used to thicken soup; 

high in vitamin C. 

191 
Vigl 

Viola glabella N utt 

Vigl 

pioneer violet 

FORM: Perenni.11 with leafy, aerial flowering stems, 5-30cm 

(2-12in) tall, several leaves near the tip, from widely 

spreading fleshy rootstocks. 

LEAVES: Blades reniforrn to ovate-cotdate, 2-7cm (1 -3in) 

wide, apex acute, crenate-serrulate, glabr-ous or 

puberulent petiole, 10-20cm long. 

FLOWERS: Bright yellow petals, 8-14mm long with short 

spur borne on upper part of stem, the lower 3 petals 

purple-veined at the base; March-.July. 

FRUIT: Explosively dehiscent capsule. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Viola Conspectus, p. 190. 

NOTES: Eaten raw or cooked, also used to thicken soup; 

high in vitamin C. RJ 

Vaca c. t. 
VI'OLACEAE 

Viola orbiculate Geyer ex. Hook. 

Vior2 

2 

round-leaved violet 

FORM: Erect, deciduous, perennial forb with short, 

nonleafy, aerial stems, 5cm (2in) long, short rootstock, 

without stolons, covered with old petiole bases. 

Caru 

gh.t. 

Phma 

h.t. 

LEAVES: Orbicular-cordate to reniforrn, simple, serrate, 

2-4cm (1-2in) broad, thin in texture, usually glabrous, 

not purplish-mottled; withering but often persistent. 

FLOWERS: Lemon-yellow to gold, 5-15mm long with short, 

saccate spur, lower 3 petals purple-veined at the base, 

lateral pair yellow-bearded; May-Aug. 

Caru 

Aruv 

Phma 

,Smst 

FRUIT: Explosively dehiscerlt capsule. 

' 

+ ' 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Asarurn caudaturn, p. 116; Viola 

Conspectus, p. 190; and Viola sernpervirens (redwoods 

violet), rare coastal disjunct in Clearwater and Kootenai 

Counties, on the Idaho State Watch List. 

NOTES: Eaten raw or cooked, also used to thicken soup; 

high in vitamin C. 
Xete ..I 

Ll LIACEAE 

Xerophyilum tenax (Pu rsh) Nutt . Xete 

beargrass 

FORM: Evergreen, grasslike, rhizomatous perennial forb, 

often growing in dense clumps. 

LEAVES: Basal, rigid, simple, linear with sharp teeth on 

edges; fine, white grooves on underside of leaf extending 

to tip (11, 15-80cm (6-32in) long. 

FLOWERS: Fragrant, 3-merous, cream colored to white, 

borna in a terminal raceme on persistent flowering stems 

(2): up to 15dm (5ft) tall; March-July, occurring 

sporad~cally. 

FRUIT: Capsule, acute, broadly ovoid, about 6mm long. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderate resistance, regeneration from 

thick, woody rootstocks to preburn levels within 5-10 

years. 

NOTES: Plant was utilized by the Indians, using leaves to 

make cloth and baskets and roots for food. 

Table 17.--GRAMINOID CHARACTERISTICS 

LEAF F

GRASSES 

..............

SPIKE INFLORESCENCE SessileSpikelets 

E 1 ymus 7 I aucus 208 P T C F 0 F P ST S 

Elvtrioia s~icata 209 P T C/S F/R 0 F P ST S 

- - 

Cinna /at if01 ia 205 P T S R 0 F - LR 0 

Dactylis glomerata 206 P T S F C F - LR C 

Festuca idahoensis 209 P T C F 0 I - ST 0 

............

PANICLE INFLORESCENCE Pedicelate Spikelets 

Festuca occidentalis 210 P T C F 0 I - ST 0 

Koeleria nitida 211 P M C F 0 F/I - SR C 

d 

(0 

rn 

- -- 

Melica subulata 216 P T C R C F - LR C 

Phleum pratense 217 P T S F 0 F S ST C 

Poa rat ens is 218 P T S R C F - ST 0 

Bromus tectorum 198 A M S F C F SR O

Bromus vulgaris 199 A T S F C F - LT 0 

Calamagrostis canadensis 199 P T S R 0 F - LR 0 

Calamagrostis rubescens 200 P T S R 0' F - LR C 

Trisetum canescens 219 P T S F 0 F - LR C 
SEDGES 

I Carex concinnoides 202 P M S R CF- S

I Carex geyeri 203 P M C/S R CF- S

Carex rossii 204 P S C C CF- S

WOODRUSHES 

1 Luzula campestris 213 P M C F CF- - S 

4 ROOTS 5 SHEATH 6 BLADE 7 AURICLE

F -Fibrous C -Closed F -Flat S -Smal 

R -Rhizomatous 0 -Open I -1nrol led P -Prom

A 

8 LIGULE 9 INFLORESCENCE 10 AWNS 

S -Short 1-3mm C -Closed or narrow panicle S -Shor

L -Long 3mm+ 0 -Open or spreading panicle L -Long 

R -Ragged S -Spike or spikelike B -Bent 

T -Truncate, S -Stra

stra ight 

Luzula hithcockii 214 P M S R CF- -0

Luzula parviflora 215 P M C R CF- - 0 

- = "to" / = ( ) = "can a l so be" 

(D 

'4 1 Ll FE CYCLE 2 SIZE 3 GROWTH 

A -Annua l S -Sma l l=O-30cm (0-12in) C -Caes

P -Perennial M -Medium=3-6dm (12-24in) S -Sing 

T -Tal l=6dm+ (24in+) 
Brte 

\ 

POACEAE (GRAM1 NEAE) Festuceae 

Bromus tectorurn L. 

Brte 

cheatgrass, downy brome 

FORM: Erect annual with fibrous, nonrhizomatous roots, 

30-60cm (1-2ft) tall, with a single hollow culm. Plant 

turns reddish-brown following flowering. 

LEAVES: Blades mostly 2-4mm broad with a blunt tip, 

sheaths closed, blades and sheaths pubescent; auricles 

lacking; ligules jagged (I), 1-3rnm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Large, somewhat compact, often 

drooping, purple-tinged panicle 5-15cm (2-6in) long; 

several large spikelets per slender branch, with several 

florets per spikelet; lemmas have soft awns (2), rarely 

bent, 10-15mm long; April-June. 

HABITAT: Introduced species, readily invades disturbed 

sites. 
(GRAMINEAE) Festuceae 

vulgaris (Hook.) Shear 

columbia brome 

FORM: Robust, hairy, fibrous-rooted perennial, 

nonrhizomatous, culms slender 30-80cm (12-32in) tall, 

never forms bunches. 

LEAVES: Drooping, broad, flat blades 5-10mm wide, 

sheaths closed, usually hairy especially at the throat; 

auricles lacking; membranous ligules with ragged margins 

(I), 3-5mm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Narrow, ,open, often drooping, panicle, 

10-15cm (4-6in) long; more than 2 florets per spikelet; 

lemmas awned (2) 3-8mm long; late June-Aug. 

ENEMIES: Fire: very resistant, regeneration from seed to 

preburn levels within 1-2 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , rhizomatous. 

199 
Caca 

POACEAE (GRAMINEAE) Ay rostideae 

Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx . ) Beauv 

Caca 

bluejoint reedg rass 

Setr h.t. 

Mefe 

Arnu Cl un 

I blefe h. t. 

Xe te 

Xete Mefe 

FORM: A robust, cool season perenn~al from creeplnq 

rhizomes, sometimes form~ng tufts; culrns hollow, 5-lOdm 

(2-3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Numerous, flat, blades, dull bluish-green, rather 

lax, rough to touch, 4-8mm wide, open sheath without 

hairy collar; auricles lacking; finely crliolate hgules I1 1, 

3-8mm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Open, diffuse panicle, drooping with age, 

10-25cm (4-loin) long; mature spikelets have purplish-red 

color, one floret per spikelet and several spikelets per 

panicle branch; straight awn, attached at center- of 

lemma, callus hairs nearly as long as lemma (2); late 

June-Aug. 

HABITAT: Moist, poorly drained, cold sites, generally 

associated with high elevation wet sites. 

200 ':3C? z. ;. 
Caru 

POACEAE (GRAMINEAE) Agrostideae 

Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl . Ca ru 

pinegrass 

FORM: A common, perennial grass 5-10dm (2-3ft) tall, 

from creeping rhizomes; culms slender and hollow, usually 

with reddish bases. 

LEAVES: Mostly basal, narrow, flat, generally lax blades 

2-4mm broad, dull green on upper surface and shiny 

green on lower surface, collar with conspicuous tufts of 

hair (1); sheaths open; auricles lacking; ciliolate ligules, 

1 -5mm long, with ragged margins (2). 

INFLORESCENCE: Narrow, spikelike panicle, pale 

greenish-white to purple, 8-15cm (3-6in) long; one floret 

per spikelet and many spikelets per branch; awn bent 

and twisted, attached near base of lemma, which is 

hidden by long callus hairs (3); seldom flowers, except in 

full sunlight; late June-Aug. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately resistant, regeneration from 

rhizomes to preburn levels within 1-2 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Carex geyeri, p.204. 

NOTES: Widespread grass in northern Rocky Mountains. 

Palatability is improved by burning. 
Table 18.--CAREX SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Pistillate 

Spec i es Paqe FO rm'? Roots Flowers 

Carex concinnoides 203 loose groups creep i ng 

northwestern sedge o f rh i zomes 

Caco single stems 

5- 12 Su

f l owe red lowes

sp

Carex geyeri 204 loose group branching single b

e l ksedge o f rh i zomes f lowered 

Cage single stems 

Carex rossii 

Ross' sedge 

Ca ro 

205 tufted c l ump Of 

many stems 

fibrous 1-4 

f l owe red 

su

ent 
Caru Caru 6 

gh.t. Aruv 

X.~hrna Phma : 

h. t. Smst 

Caco 

FORM: Grasslike perennial with 3-ranked leaves and solid 

triangular culms, 15-35cm (6-14in) tall; loosely tufted 

from strong, creeping, scaly rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Firm, flat blades, 2-5mm wide, generally longer 

than the culm, remaining green through winter, basal 

sheaths reddish-brown to purplish tinged dark brown. 

INFLORESCENCE: Staminate spike terminal (I), sessile and 

solitary; 1-3 pistillate spikes (2), 5-10 sessile flowers, 

with 4 stigmas, borne close together toward end of culm 

with a Icm long bract (3) subtending the lowest pistillate 

spike; culm becomes lax and prostrate as fruit matures; 

April-July. 

FRUIT: Achene, 4-nerved, 2-3mm long; perigynium hairy 

with short beak (4). 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Carex Conspectus, p.202. 
Cage 

CYPERACEAE 

Carex geyeri Boott 

Cage 

elk sedge 

FORM: Strongly rhizomatous, grasslike, perennial with 

3-ranked leaves and solid triangular culms, 20-50cm 

(8-20in) tall, often appearing loosely bunched. 

LEAVES: Flat, evergreen, 1-3mm wide, as long as culms, 

usually with brown tips, reduced to scales at base, 

coarse to the touch, basal sheaths tan to brown. 

INFLORESCENCE: Bractless, solitary, terminal, staminate 

spike (1); 1-3 pistillate flowers with 3 stigmas below (2), 

borne on long erect culm; April-July. 

FRUIT: Large 3-sided achene (3), 4-5mm long 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, regeneration f rom rhizomes to 

preburn levels within 1-2 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Calarnagrostis rubescens, p. 201 ; and 

Carex Conspectus, p. 202. 

10 Caru Caru 1 Aruv h.t. 

4 Phna Phma 

5 Smst h.t. 
Caca 7 

Mefe 

r .t. 

Clun Mefe + 

h.t. Xete 1 

Mefe Xete 

gh.t. Luhi : - 

Caro 

?Stam 

h.t. 

Xete 

h.t. 

FORM: Grasslike perennial with 3-ranked leaves and 

slender, solid, triangular culms, 1-3dm (4-12in) tall, 

densely tuft forming from short ascending rhizomes, culms 

same length or shorter than leaves. 

LEAVES: Blades elongate and lax, 1-4mm wide, often 

longer than culm, basal sheaths reddish. 

INFLORESCENCE: Terminal, solitary, staminate spike (1); 

1-4 short, few-flowered lateral pistillate spikes borne near 

staminate spike, pistillate flowers (2) with 3 stigmas, the 

lowest subtended by a leafy bract (3) which is longer 

than the staminate spike, one or more small pedunculate 

pistillate spikes often hidden near base of culms (4); 

May-Aug. 

FRUIT: 3-sided achene, perigynium (5) finely hairy, 

2-5mm long, beak 1 -2mm long. 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, regeneration from rhizomes to 

preburn levels within 1-2 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Carex Conspectus, p.202. 

Xete 

cooc 

Mefe 

Luhi 

Vagl 

Luhi 1 

1 
POACEAE (GRAM1 NEAE) Agrostideae 

Cinna latifolia (Trev~r. Gr~seb. 

Cila2 

drooping wood reed 

FORM: A cool season, 

culms, 7-20dm (2-7ft) 

rhizomatous 

tall. 

perennial with hollow 

LEAVES: Blades thin and flat, deep green, 7-15mm wide, 

veins very unequal in size, sheaths glabrous and open; 

auricles lacking; ligules (1 ) ragged, membranous, 3-8mm 

long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Loose, green panicle 15-30cm (6-12in) 

long, with spreading or drooping brancl :s; spikelets with 

one floret, 4mm long; lemma awned or awnless; June-Aug. 

HABITAT: Generally associated with moist woods, meadows 

and riparian vegetation. 

Vasc n. t. 

206 
Caru Caru 

Eh.t. Aruv 

2 Phma Phma 

h.t. Smst + 

Dagl 

POACEAE (GRAM1 NEAE) Festuceae ' 

Duct ylis glomerata L. 

Dagl 

orchard grass 

FORM: A tall, strongly, tufted, cool season perennial with 

hollow culms up to 12dm (4ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Blades flat, 3-llmm broad, usually covered by 

short stiff hairs, sheaths closed; auricles lacking; 

membranous ligules (I), 3-1 lmrn long, with ciliolate 

margins. 

INFLORESCENCE: A dense secund panicle with compressed 

spikelets, 3-15cm (1 -6in) long, 3 florets per spi kelet, 

lemma awned from tip (2), Imm long; June-Aug. 

HABITAT: Seeded throughout forested zones, establishes 

well everywhere except very high elevations. 
Elgl 

POACEAE (GRAMINEAE) Triticeae 

Elyrnus glaucus Buc kl . Elgl 

blue wildrye 

FORM: Dense, tufted, cool season, perennial, without 

rhizomes, 5-10dm (2-3ft) tall; leaves usually lax and 

drooping, thus reducing its height. 

LEAVES: Broad, flat, blue-green, blades 5-10mm wide; 

sheaths open, often with purple collar, well-developed 

auricles; short, membranous ligules (1 ) , I mm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Long, dense, erect to nodding spike, 

5-15cm (2-6in) long; 2 sessile spikelets per node and 3-5 

florets per spikelet; lemma awned, 1-3cm (lin) long; 

June-Aug. 

1 P ma 

2 Smst 

+ Asca As ca 

Mefe 

G dr h.t. 

Xete 

Xete 

Lu i h.t. 
Elsp 

POACEAE (GRAMINEAE) Triticeae 

Elytrigia spicata (Pu rsh . ) D. R. Dewey 

previously 

Agropyron spicoturn (Pursh. ) Scribn and Smith 

Elsp 

bluebunch wheatgrass, Agspic 

FORM: A cool season perennial, occurring in rhizomatous 

and large bunch forms, 5-10dm (2-3ft) tall; culms erect, 

slender and hollow with a bluish bloom. 

LEAVES: Erect, bluegreen, flat or loosely inrolled, hairy 

on upper surface, pointed, about 3mm wide and 5-20cm 

(2-8in) long, often twisting when older; sheaths open; 

(1)auricles very small and clawlike; ligule short and 

collarlike (2). 

INFLORESCENCE: Erect, spike with one sessile spikelet 

per node; lemma tipped by a divergent awn (3) about 2crn 

(1 in) long; June-Aug. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately resistant, regeneration from 

seed to preburn levels within 3-7 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Elytrigia species, Loliurn species, 

and Elyrnus species 

NOTES: In northern Idaho this species has two forms: a 

bunchgrass form on hot, dry, steppe vegetation sites, 

and a spreading rhizomatous form on forested sites. It 

also occurs in an awnless form, var. inerme. 
Feid 

1 

FORM: 

POACEAE (G RAM1 NEAE) Festuceae 

Festuca idahoensis Elmer 

Feid 

Idaho fescue 

Erect, cool season, perennial bunchgrass, 

fibrous, nonrhizomatous roots, 3-10dm (1-3ft) tall. 

with 

LEAVES: Numerous, mostly basal and erect, 5-12cm (2-5in) 

long, tightly inrolled, less than 1.5mm broad, green to 

blue-green; open sheaths; without true auricles; small 

ciliolate ligules (I), higher on edges than center; late 

May-July. 

INFLORESCENCE: Narrow panicle, with erect branches 

10-20cm (4-8in) long, one to several spikelets per branch 

with 5-7 florets per spikelet, glumes of unequal length, 

lemma with stout, short awn (21, 2-5mm long. 

ENEMIES: Fire: susceptible to moderately resistant, 

depending on season of burn, regeneration from seed to 

preburn levels within 5-10 years. 

S lMl LAR SPEC I ES: Festuca occidentalis, p. 21 1 ; Festuca 

scabrella (rough fescue); and Festuca rubra (red 

fescue). 

Caru Caru 

4 Aruv h.t. 

1 Phma Phma Z 

Smst h.t. 

Vaca c. t. 
Feoc 

POACEAE (G RAM1 NEAE) Festuceae 

Festuca occidentalis Walt. 

Feoc 

4 

.! 

3 

5 

Caru 

2h.t. 

g'phrna 

h.t. 

western fescue 

Caru 

Aruv 

Phma 

Smst 

FORM: Large, tufted perennial with erect culms, 6-10dm 

(2-3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Blades inrolled, sometimes flat, less than lmm 

wide, rather soft, light green, not bluish; sheaths open; 

auricles lacking; short ligules (I), 0.5mm long, highest 

on sides. 

INFLORESCENCE: Panicle large and open, usually 

drooping, 10-20cm (4-8in) long; few spikelets per panicle, 

3-5 florets per spikelet, glumes of unequal length, lemma 

(2) with flexible 6mm long awn; late May-July. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Festuca idahoensis, 

scabrella (rough fescue). 

p.210 and Festuca 
I 

Pna P.hma 

Smst h.t. 

I 

! 

POACEAE (GRAM1 NEAE) Aveneae 

Koeleria nitida N utt . previously 

Koeleria cristata Pers. 

Kon i 

Junegrass 

: Short, densely tufted, cool season perennial with 

erect, hollow culms, 30-60cm (1 -2ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Blades, generally folded to involute 1-3mm broad, 

prow-shaped tips, hairy margins; auricles lacking; 

membranous ligules (1) with hairy edges, 0.5-2mm, higher 

in front than on sides. 

INFLORESCENCE: Dense, spikeli ke panicle 4-13cm (2-5in) 

long; spikelets 2-4 flowered, lemma awnless or with very 

short awn; May-July. 

ENEMIES: Fire: moderately susceptible to susceptible, 

regeneration from seed to preburn levels within 3-7 

years. 

SIM1LP.R SPECIES: Poa species, Phleum species, and 

Alopecurus species 

HABITAT: Warm, dry sites, all elevations on well drained 

soils. 

21 2 
Table 19.--LUZULA SPECIES CONSPECTUS 

Spec i es Page Form Roots Leaves 

Luzula campestris 214 tufted fibrous cauline leaves 

field woodrush ha i ry 

Luca pa l e green 

!2 Luzula hitchcockii 215 single stemmed rh i zoma tous basal leaves 

smooth woodrush to tufted ha i ry 

Luh i red mottled 

Luzula parviflora 216 densely tufted fibrous non-ha i ry 

mi l let woodrush semi-stoloniferous pale to medium 

Lupa g reen 

s
JUNCACEAE 

L ~~zula cmpestris ( L. ) DC . 

Luca2 

field woodrush 

FORM: Tufted grasslike perennial. 10-50cm (4-20in) tall, 

with round, hollow culms. 

LEAVES: Long, flat, pale green, mostly 2-6mrn wide, 2-4 

cauline leaves and numerous basal leaves, sheaths closed, 

leaf bases and sheaths fringed with slender hairs. 

INFLORESCENCE: Flowers congested into small, erect, 

oblong spikes, grouped in 8-1 5 semi-paniculate clusters; 

perianth pale green to deep chestnut brown, 2-5mrn long; 

April-July. 

FRUIT: Ovoid capsule (I), 1-2rnm long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Luzula Conspectus, p.213. 

Caru Caru 

Aruv h.t. I! 

2 Phna Phma 1 7 Smst h.t. 

Vasc .t. 

Vaca c.t. 
Luhi 

JUNCACEAE 

Luzula hitchcockii Hamet- Ahti 

previousiy 

Luzula glabrota (Hoppe) Desv. 

Luhi 

smooth wood ru s h 

FORM: A short, rhizomatous, grasslike perennial, 15-50cm 

(6-20in) tall, with round, hollow culms 

LEAVES: Shiny, 4-10mm broad and 2-6cm (1-2in) long, 

with flattened, reddish-brown tips; often becoming 

mottled with rusty red in midsummer; basal leaves 

purplish-tinged, usually hairy at base; sheaths closed. 

INFLORESCENCE: Solitary, small flowers, deep brown to 

purplish-brown, borne in open, nodding panicles, 3-8cm 

(1-3in) long; July-Sept. 

FRUIT: Reddish-brown capsule with three seeds (1) 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Luzula Conspectus, p.213. 

HABITAT: High elevation sites with deep late-melting 

snowpack. 
Lupa 

JUNCACEAE 

Luzula parviflora (Ehrh. ) Desv. 

Lupa 

millet woodrush 

FORM: A tufted, grasslike perennial, 20-50cm (8-20in) 

tall; culms hollow, decumbent, and sometimes semistoloniferous. 

LEAVES: 2-4 linear-lanceolate, cau!ine leaves, 3-10mm 

wide, with closed sheaths. 

INFLORESCENCE: Flowers borne singly on nodding 

branches of an open panicle; perianth greenish to purplebrown; May-Aug. 

FRUIT: Greenish, ovoid capsule (I), 1-2mm long 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Luzula Conspectus, p.213. 

21 6 
1 Phma Phma 

Smst 2 

POACEAE (G RAM1 NEAE) Festuceae 

Melica subulata (Griseb. ) Scribn. 

Mes u 

Mesu 

Alaska oniongrass 

FORM: Tufted, perennial grass, 30-80cm (12-32in) tall; 

hollow culms enlarged and bulbous at base (I), attached 

to short rhizomes. 

LEAVES: Very hairy, flat blades, 2-7mm wide, sheaths 

closed to the top; auricles lacking; membranous ligules 

(2), 1-5mm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Narrow panicle 10-20cm (4-8in) long, 

more than 2 florets per spikelet; lemma awnless, finely 

hairy near base; May-July. 

SlMl LAR SPECIES: Bromus vulgaris, p. 199, lemmas awned; 

and Melica bulbosa (onion grass). 
Phpr 

POACEAE (GRAMINEAE) Agrostideae 

Phleurn pratense L. 

Phpr 

timothy mih.t. 1 Xe te h.t. 

FORM: An introduced, tufted, cool season, perennial, with 

hollow culms and a bulblike base, up to Im (3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Blades flat, 4-8mm wide, tending to droop; open 

sheaths; tiny rounded auricles; entire, membranous 

ligules (I), 2-3mrn long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Cylindrical spikelike panicle, 5-10cm 

(2-4in) long; spi kelets 1 -flowered, glumes awned (21, less 

than 2mm long; June-Aug. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Phleum alpinurn (alpine timothy), has 

shorter purplish inflorescence. 

HABITAT: Escaped from cultivation and has been seeded 

throughout forested zone; grows well everywhere except 

high elevations. 

NOTES: Important cultivated hay grass. 

218 Vaca c.t. 
Popr 

Poa pratensii L 

Pop r 

Kentucky bluegrass 

FORM: Introduced, rhizomatous, turf forming, cool season 

perennial of variable height, erect culms may reach lm 

(3ft). 

LEAVES: Soft, flat leaves 2-4mm wide with distinct prowshaped tips; sheaths closed half their length; auricles 

lacking; short and truncate ligules, 2mm long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Purplish-tinged, spreading panicle, 

3-10cm (1 -4in) long, obtaining a nodding appearence when 

mature; lemmas awnless with dense webby hairs at the 

base (1); May-Oct. 

ENEMIES: Fire: resistant, but damage from hot, spring 

burns, regeneration from rhizomes to preburn levels 

within 2-5 years. 

SIMILAR SPECIES: Poa palustris (fowl bluegrass), 

stoloniferous with longer ligules and Poa compressa 

(Canadian bluegrass), culms strongly flattened. 

NOTES: Often dominates heavily grazed dry and moist 

meadows. 
Trca 

3 POACEAE (GRAM1 NEAE) Aveneae 

Trisetum canescens Buc kl . 

Trca 

tall trisetum 

FORM: Tufted perennial, with erect, hollow culms 5-10dm 

(2-3ft) tall. 

LEAVES: Blades flat and hairy, 4-10mm broad; without 

auricles; ligules (1) finely serrate, 1 -4mrn long. 

INFLORESCENCE: Loose, narrow panicle, 10-20cm (4-8in) 

long, spikelets 2-3 flowered; lemma with geniculate awn 

(2) 1&14mm long; long pilose hairs on rachilla (3); late 

May-early July. 

NOTES: Palatable, but not abundant enough to be an 

important forage species. 

Sms t 

Vaca c. t. 
DESCRl PTlVE DRAWINGS 

PLANT PARTS AND TERMINOLOGY 

Flower 

Rachis 

Pedicel 

w- Cauline leaf 

Basal rosette 

Sessile bud - with paired 

scales Leaf scar 

Vascular bundle 

scar 

Vein 

e 
LEAF SHAPES 

Linear 

I' 

Oblanceolate 

Lanceolate Ovate Elliptic Cordate 

Acuminate apex Obtuse apex Acute apex 

Obovate Orbicular 

Rounded apex 

LEAF MARGINS 

Entire Crenate Dentate 

Renif orm 

Spinose Serrate Doubly- Ciliate 

Serrate 
LEAF TYPES 

Simple Simple Pinnately compound Trifoliolate 

Palmately lobed 

LEAF ARRANGEMENT 

Alternate Opposite 

223 

Whorled 
FLOWER PARTS 

Petals 

Petals 

, Reproductiv 

( ) - Sepals 

Pedicel ' 

Regular 

.Disc flowers . 

Ray fl 

Irregular 

(Orchid) 

Involucral 

bracts 

Common receptacle 1 

Head type 

(Composite family only) 
FLOWER SHAPES 

Campanulate 

(bell-shaped) 

Rotate 

(wheel-shaped) 

Urceolate 

(urn-shaped) 

Bilabiate 

(two -lipped) 
INFLORESCENCE TYPES 

Spike Raceme CYme 

Panicle Umbel Corymb 
Lower surface 

of pinnule 

FERN PARTS 

indusium 
GRAMlNOlD PARTS 

throat of sheath 

pal ea 

1 elnma 

rachilla 

second glume 

first glume 

pedicel - 

/ 

keel leaf tip prow-like 
COLLECTING AND PRESSING METHODS 

Collecting and pressing plants is an excellent way to learn the 

various species of an area. We suggest that each Forest Supervis:r's Office 

and Ranger District have a collection of indicator species, similar confuser" 

species, and other common species. Vounted specimens, along with color 

photographs, make ideal visual teaching aids when fresh material is not 

available. Dried specimens and collection site habitat data also serve as a 

source of information about geographical distribution, species variation, 

habitat and miscellaneous information. 

When collecting plants seek the permission of the landowner, 

especially on private property. All National Parks and Monuments require a 

permit. Be discrete with the number of plants you collect; never take the 

only plant, leave a healthy population behind. Rare and endangered plants 

exist in northern ldaho and should NOT be collected. You can learn more 

about northern ldaho species covered under the Endangered Species Act of 

1973 by consulting FWR Bulletin No. 34, Vascular Plant Species of Concern in 

Idaho, 1981. Information on their occurrence and location should be sent to 

the Herbarium Director, Biological Sciences, University of ldaho or any 

member of the Rare and Endangered Plant Technical Committee. 

The following suggestions should aid you in making plant collections. 

Accurate identification of a collected specimen requires careful selection in the 

field. Collect average specimens (not too small or too large) or collect 

several to show variations. Select specimen free of insect or pathological 

damage. Collect plants in flower, fruit, and/or seed (some species require all 

three stages for accurate identification). Collect the entire plant including 

stems, different leaf forms and underground parts. If that is not possible, 

carefully describe the plant, noting pertinent descriptive characteristics. 

Collected plant material should be immediately placed in a plant press. 

Since presses are not standard field gear, a dampened specimen can be kept 

in a plastic bag until it can be placed in a press. The plastic bag should be 

inflated slightly for added protection during travel. 

A plant press is used to quickly dry and preserve fresh material. A 

good press consists of blotters separated by corrugated cardboard sheets, 

held between wooden lattices and tightly bound with straps. The corrugated 

sheets allow for air circulation and permit drying of the plants without 

discoloration or spoilage. A temporary press can be improvised out of, an 

absorptive book e.g., phone book or magazine. 
Care should be taken in placing the collected specimen in the press. 

Several small plants may be placed on one sheet, but crowding should be 

avoided. Flowers and fruits should be clearly visible. Flower color and any 

other characteristics which will be lost in pressing should be noted with the 

site information. Leaves should be laid flat with one or two leaves turned to 

show underside characteristics. A large specimen may need to be pruned to 

avoid overlapping. When pruning an overlapping part, a small piece should 

be left on the specimen to indicate its removal. A neat and careful 

arrangement cannot be overstressed. Poorly pressed specimens require 

additional time to identify, or may not be identifiable. 

Drying time will vary between specimens. After three days, check 

the specimens and replace any moist blotters with dry ones. Exposing the 

press to sun and a breeze will hasten the drying. After a specimen is dried, 

it is ready to be mounted or mailed in a cardboard reinforced envelope to an 

herbarium for identification. Specimens may be sent to the University of 

ldaho Herbarium for identification or verification. 

Herbarium Director 

Biological Science 

University of ldaho 

Moscow, ID 83843 

Accurate and complete site information must be taken at the time of 

collection and recorded in a collection notebook with reference to the specimen 

number. Types of information to record are: 

scientific name (if known) 

locality: place name, legal description, county, State, National 

Forest 

elevation, aspect, slope 

vegetation type, preferably habitat type 

microsite (area around plant) 

abundance and distribution 

soils (parent material, depth, structure, texture, and so forth) 

notes on plant: size, fresh color, inflorescence (if destroyed in 

pressing) 

date of collection 

name of collector 

These data is often instrumental in species identification. It is 

recorded on an herbarium label which is retained with the mounted specimen 

for future reference. The herbarium label in fig. 2 can be used directly or as 

an example for designing special use labels. 
USDA Forest Service 

NORTHERN IDAHO VOUCHER COLLECTION 

Family Herbarium No. 

Scientific Name - 

State County -NF E RD 

Location T. R . Sec. 1/4 

Elevation Slope Aspect Plot No. 

Habitat Type --- Current Vegetation Type 

Microposition -- .- 

Principal Associated Species 

-. - Size: Ht. Dia.-Soil 

Notes : 

-- 

Collected by_--- - -_No: Date: ______. 

Confirmed by : --- 

Figure 2--Northern Idaho herbarium voucher label. 
GLOSSARY 

achene, akene: A dry, indehiscent, one-seeded fruit, p. 107,114,115,166. 

acuminate: Gradually tapering to a narrow tip or sharp point. 

acute: Sharp pointed. 

alternate: Borne singly along a stem, not opposite, p.223. 

annual: A plant that germinates, flowers, and seeds in a single growing 

season or less than one year. 

anthesis: The period during which a flower is fully expanded or fertilization 

takes place. 

aril: A specialized outgrowth or fleshy thickening of the seed coat, p.24,52. 

armed: Provided with spines, prickles, thorns, or sharp hairs. 

association: A special or distinctive combination of two or more plant species 

that develop wherever ecologically equivalent habitats occur. 

auricle: An ear-shaped appendage found on some plant parts, such as on the 

top margin of grass leaf sheaths, p.228. 

awn: Slender, generally terminal bristle, p.228. 

axil: The point of the angle formed by the leaf or petiole with the stem. 

axillary: Located in or arising from an axil. 

axis: The main stem of an inflorescence, especially of a panicle. 

beak: A prominent elongate tip. 

berry: A fleshy fruit developed from a single pistil, fleshy throughout, 

p.34,49,73,104,124,136. 

bi-: Latin prefix, meaning two. 

biennial: A plant that completes its life cycle and dies in two years. 

bilabiate: Two-lipped, p. 162,181,225. 

bipinnate: Twice pinnate, the pinnae again pinnate. 

blade: The expanded part of leaf or petal, p.221,227. 

bloom: A waxy powder covering a surface. 

bract: A very small or modified leaf, usually growing at the base of a flower 

or flower cluster, p. 126,169,203,221. 

branch: A lateral division of the stem. 

boreal: Northern. 

bud: An undeveloped leafy shoot or flower, p.221. 

bulb: A short, vertical, underground shoot that has modified leaves or 

thickened leaf bases developed as food storage organs. 

bunchgrass: A grass that grows in a bunch or clump. 

bush: A low, thick shrub without a distinct trunk. 

caespitose: Growing in dense, low tufts. 

calyx: The outer circle of flower parts made up of sepals. 

campanulate: Bell-shaped, p. 110,130,165,180,225. 

capsule: A dry, dehiscent fruit composed of more than 1 carpel, 

p.42,53,59,70. 

catkin, ament: A scaly, bracted spike of usually unisexual flowers, 

frequently deciduous in one piece, p.33,39,70. 

caudex: A short vertical, often woody, persistent stem at or just beneath 

the ground surface, p.167. 

cauline: Of or pertaining to the stem. 

ciliate: Fringed with hairs on the margin, p.222. 

ciliolate: Diminutive of ciliate. 

clasping (leaf) : Partially surrounding the stem, p. 179. 

cleft: Cut about halfway to the midrib or base, or a little deeper; deeply 

lobed. 

climax: (1 .) A plant community (or a plant species) in a relatively stable 

condition that is able to reproduce indefinitely under existing conditions. 

(2.) A stable community in which there will be no significant change in 
composition unless the environment or surroundings change. (3. ) A 

community in dynamic equilibrium that will not predictably change its 

composition or physiognomy without site disturbance. 

clone: A group of plants derived from a single individual by asexual 

reproduction, all clone members have the same genotype and consequently 

tend to be uniform. 

collar: The outer side of a grass leaf at the juncture of the blade and 

sheath, p.228. 

compound leaf: A leaf with two or more distinct leaflets, p.223. 

cone: (1 .) A fruit with woody, overlapping scales, p.8,20,23. (2.) A 

cluster of sporophylls or ovuliferous scales on an axis, p.10,35,89,91. 

cordate: Shaped like a stylized heart, notched at the base, p.222. 

corm: A short, vertical, underground stem that is thickened as a storage 

organ, p. 120,135. 

cool season: Refers to early flowering or matu ring phenology, particularly 

for grasses, usually from March to June. 

corolla: The inner circle of flowering parts, collectively, all of the petals of 

a flower, p.224. 

corymb: A flat-topped or round-topped flower cluster, the flowers opening 

from the outside inward, p.226. 

corymbose: In a corymb. 

creeping: Running along the ground, prostrate. 

crenate: Provided with rounded teeth; scalloped, p.222. 

crenulate: Diminutive of crenate. 

crown: The upper part of a tree, including the living branches with their 

foliage. 

culm: The aerial stem of a grass, sedge, or other grass like plants, p.228. 

cuneate: Wedge-shaped or triangular, the narrow end at the point of 

attachment. 

cyme: A flat-topped flower cluster, the flowers opening from the center 

outward, p ,226. 

cymose: With the flowers in a cyme. 

deciduous: Falling after completion of the normal function; not persistent. 

decumbent: With a prostrate or curved base and an erect or ascending tip. 

decussate: In pairs alternately crossing at right angles. 

deltoid: Shaped like an equilateral triangle. 

dentate: With spreading pointed teeth, p.222. 

dimorphic: Of two forms. 

disjunct: A segment of a pppulation separated by some distance from the 

main or principal population. 

dioecious: Producing male and female flowers on separate plants. 

dissected: Deeply and often repeatedly divided into numerous smaller or 

slender parts. 

drupe: A fleshy fruit with a solitary seed, p.43,57. 

drupelet: Diminutive of drupe, p.68. 

ecological equivalents: Two or more species with very similar biological 

responses to changing environmental factors. 

ecotone: Transition zone between two plant communities. 

elliptic: Approximately the shape of a geometrical ellipse, p.222. 

endemic: Confined to a particular geographic area; native. 

entire (margin): Not toothed or other-wise cut, p.222. 

evergreen: Remaining green throughout the year, not deciduous. 

exfoliating: Peeling off in thin layers 

exserted: Projecting beyond an envelope, as stamens from a corolla. 

family: A group of related plants. Families are divided into genera, which 

are further divided into species. 

fascicle: Dense cluster or bundle, p. 18,19,2O. 

floret: In grasses, the flower parts with the subtending bracts, p.228. 
foliolate: Having leaflets. 

follicle: Dry fruit of one carpel, which opens along seed-bearing suture at 

maturity, p. lO3,llO, 174,183. 

forb: An herbaceous plant that is not a graminoid. 

frond: A leaf, especially of a fern, p.227. 

galea: The strongly concave or helmetlike upper lip of certain bilabiate 

corollas, p. 103. 

geniculate: Abruply bent or twisted. 

genus (plural: genera): A group of closely related species. The genus is 

designated by the first word in the scientific name of a species and is 

always capitalized. 

glabrate: Nearly glabrous, becoming glabrous. 

glabrous: Smooth, without hairs or glands. 

gland: A spot on the surface of an organ or at the end of a hair that 

produces a sticky or greasy substance. 

glaucous: Covered with a powdery or waxy substance, a whitish bloom easily 

rubbed off. 

globose (globular): Round like a globe. 

glume: One of the two bracts, found at the base of a grass spikelet, p.228. 

graminoid: All grasses (Poaceae) and grasslike plants, including sedges 

(Cyperaceae) and rushes (Juncaceae). 

habit: The general appearance or manner of growth of a plant. 

habitat: The environmental conditions or generalized kind of place in which a 

plant grows. 

habitat type: (1.) Expression oi the biological potential of an area. (2.) 

Collective term for those physical areas (environments) that support or can 

support the same plant association, or did support it prior to its 

destruction or modification by fire, flood, grazing, logging, or epidemics, 

etc. (3.) A taxonomic unit and a mapping unit. 

head: Many flowers joined together in a short, dense, terminal cluster 

(Asteraceae) , p. 224. 

herb: A plant, either annual, biennial, or perennial, with the stems dying 

back to the ground at the end of the growing season. 

herbaceous: Adjectival form of herb; also, leaflike in color or texture, or 

not woody. 

hips (of a rose): A floral cup that usually becomes enlarged and fleshy at 

fruiting time, the true fruits are achenes inside the hip, p.60. 

indicator: A plant species or community, representative of specific 

environmental conditions. 

indusium (plural: indusia): An epidermal outgrowth or reflexed and modified 

leaf margin which covers the sori of many ferns, p.227. 

inflorescence: A flower cluster; the arrangement of the flowers on the axis, 

p.226. 

involucre: A set of bracts surrounding a flower cluster, p.224. 

involute: With edges rolled inward toward the upper surface. 

keel: A sharp or conspicuous longitudinal ridge, p.228; also the two partly 

united lower petals of many Fabaceae, p. 149,183,191 . 

lanceolate: Lance-shaped, broader toward one end and tapering to the other, 

p.222. 

leaflet: One of the small blades of a compound leaf, p.223. 

lemma: One of the two bracts (lemma and palea) subtending the individual 

flowers in grass spikelets; may be awned, p.228. 

lenticel: A slightly raised area in the bark of a stem or root, p.221. 

ligule: Term applied to the flattened part of the ray corolla in the 

Asteraceae and to the appendage on the inner (upper) side of the leaf at 
the junction of blade and sheath in many Poaceae and some Cyperaceae, 

p.228. 

linear: Long and narrow, with parallel edges, p.222. 

lip: The upper or lower petal of many irregular flowers, p.224. 

lobe: A projecting segment of an organ. 

low shrub: A shrub 15-300cm (6-36in) high. 

medium shrub: A shrub 1-2m (3-7ft) high. 

membranaceous, membranous: Thin and flexible, like a membrane. 

-merous: Greek suffix, referring to the parts in each circle of flower 

organs, generally with a numerical prefix, such as 2-rnerous. 

mesic: Moist, neither very wet nor very dry. 

midmontane: Middle elevations in mountains. 

midrib: The central vein of a leaf or leaflet. 

naked: - Lacking various organs or appendages; a naked flower lacks a 

perianth. 

naturalized: Well established, but originally coming from another area. 

nerve: A prominent longitudinal vein of a leaf or other organ. 

node: A place on a stem where a leaf is (or has been) attached. 

nutlet: A very thick-walled achene, p.33. 

ob-: Greek prefix, meaning in a reverse direction. 

oblanceolate: Widest well above midlength, inversely lanceolate, p.222. 

opposite: Situated directly across from each other at the same node; situated 

directly in front of (on the same radius as) another organ, as stamens 

opposite the petals, p.223. 

orbicular: Essentially circular in outline, p.222. 

oval: Broadly elliptic. 

ovate: Egg shaped in outline, p.222. 

ovoid: Solid ovate or solid oval. 

palmate: With three or more lobes, nerves, leaflets, or branches arising from 

a common point, p.32,51,55,223. 

palmately compound: Leaves divided to the base so that all leaflets are 

attached at the same point. 

panicle: A branched, indeterminate inflorescence resembling a raceme whose 

rachis is branched to varying degrees, p.226. 

papilionaceous flower: One with a banner petal, two wing petals, and two 

partly connate keel petals, p. 149,183,191. 

parasite: A plant that derives its food or water chiefly from another plant to 

which it is attached, p.126. 

pedicel: The stalk of an individual flower, p.221,226. 

perennial: A plant capable of living through more than two growing seasons 

and producing seeds for more than one year. 

perianth: Petals and sepals of a flower together, p.224. 

perigynium: A special bract which encloses the achene of Carex species, 

p.203,204. 

persistent: Remaining attached. 

petal: One of the segments of the corolla, generally colored or white and 

serving to attract pollinators, p.224. 

petiolate: With a petiole. 

petiole: A leaf stalk, p.221: 

phase: A subdivision of a plant association or an habitat type representing 

minor differences in climax vegetation or environmental conditions, 

respectively. 

pinna: One of the primary divisions of a pinnately compound leaf, p.227. 

pinnate: Leaflets arranged along each side of the common petiole of a 

compou nd leaf. 
pinnately compound: Leaves divided to the midrib; the leaflets or pinnae 

are arranged like the parts of a feather on the rachis, p.86,87,89. 

pinnule: Diminutive of pinnae; an ultimate leaflet of a leaf that is pinnately 

two or more times compound, p.227. 

pistillate: A flower with one or more pistils, but no stamens. 

pith: The softer, central part of a twig or stem. 

Dome: A fruit with a core, like an apple, p.36,74. 

kind of dry, dehiscent fruit. 

small, sharp, usually slender outgrowth of the young bark, 

pod: Any I 

prickle: A 

p.61,64. 

procumbent: 

prostrate: 

puberulent: 

pubescent: 

: Lying on the ground or trailing, but not rooting at the nodes 

Lying flat on the ground; may root at the nodes. 

Minutely pubescent, usually fine, short, loose hairs. 

Covered with short, soft hairs. 

raceme:- An elongate inflorescence with stalked flowers arranged along a 

central stem, p.226. 

rachilla: Diminutive of rachis; the axis of the spikelet in the grasses and 

sedges, p. 228. 

rachis: A main axis, such as that of a compound leaf, p.221,226. 

reflexed: Bent backward or downward. 

reniform: Kidney-shaped, p. 222. 

revolute: Rolled back from the margin toward bottom surface, p.54. 

rhizomatous: Bearing rhizomes. 

rhizome: A creeping, underground stem, p.227. 

root: Three main types: (1) fibrous--consists of many fine-branched roots; 

(2.) tuberous--few to several roots, all attached at the base of the stem 

and swollen, at least at the base, with stored food; (3.) tap--one main 

vertical root swollen with stored food. 

rootstock: A horizontal, underground stem; same as rhizome. 

rosette: A circular cluster of leaves, usually at ground level, p.221. 

rotate: Flat and circular in outline; saucer-shaped, p.225. 

rotund: Round or rounded. 

rudimentary: Imperfectly developed. 

samara: A dry, indehiscent, generally one-seeded, winged fruit, p.32,39. 

saprophyte: A plant that lives on dead organic matter, neither parasitic nor 

making its own food. 

scale: Any small, thin or flat structure. 

scape: A leafless (or merely bracteate) flowering stem arising from a basal 

rosette, p .I41 . schizocarp: A fruit that splits into separate carpels at maturity, 

p. 108,144,150,155. 

secund: With the flowers or branches all on one side of the axis, p.172: 

seed: A mature reproductive embryo with protective coat, with or without 

internal food (endosperm). 

sepal: One of the segments of the calyx, typically green or greenish and 

leafy in texture, p.224. 

seral: Adjective term applied to any species or plant community primarily 

associated with secondary successional stages. 

series: Group of habitat types with the same climax tree species. A 

taxonomic unit. 

serotinous: Late in bearing or opening. 

serrate: Toothed along the margin with sharp, forward-pointing teeth, 

p.222. 

serrulate: Diminutive of serrate. 

sessile: Attached directly by the base, without a stalk. 

sheath: An organ that partly or wholly surrounds another organ, such as a 

sheath of a grass leaf surrounding the stem, p.228. 
shrub: A woody perennial plant having several flexible, more or less upright 

stems that typically branch near the ground. 

silique: An elongate capsule with two valves that are deciduous from the 

persistent, seed-bearing partition, p. 122. 

simple leaf: A single leaf blade, not compound, p.223. 

sorus (plural: sori): A cluster of sporangia, as in ferns, p.228. 

species: A distinct kind of plant. Each species has a two-word scientific 

Latin name, of which the first word designates the genus and the second 

word the species. 

spicate: Arranged in a spike. 

spike: An elongate flower cluster with sessile flowers arranged along a 

central stem, p.226. 

spine: A firm, slender, sharp-pointed structure, representing a modified leaf 

or stipule, p.51. 

spinulose: Provided with small spines, p.38,222. 

sporangium (plural: sporangia): A case or container for spores. 

spore: A one-celled reproductive structure other than a gamete or zygote. 

sporophyll: A modified leaf which bears or subtends one or more sporangia, 

p.89. 

sporophyte: Produces spores as reproductive bodies. 

spur: A hollow, tubular projection of a flower petal, p.224. 

stamen: The male organ of a flower, consisting of a slender stalk (filament) 

and a knoblike, pollen-bearing tip (anther). 

staminate: A flower with one or more stamens, but no pistil. 

sterile: Unproductive or infertile. 

stipule: A small leaflike growth at the base of a leaf stalk, p.221. 

stipe: A stalk supporting a single organ; the leaf stalk of a fern, p.227. 

stolon: An elongate, creeping stem on or above the surface of the ground, 

p.228. 

stoloniferous: Bearing stolons, p. 136. 

stomata (stoma): Specialized openings in leaf surfaces that allow movement of 

gases. 

sub-: Latin prefix, meaning under, almost, or not quite. 

subshrub: Very small shrub or low woody perennial, generally under 15cm 

(6in) high. 

succulent: Fleshy and juicy. 

succession: The replacement of one community by another, developing toward 

a climax. 

tall shrub: A shrub over 2m (7ft) high, p.118. 

taproot: The primary descending, usually fleshy root. 

tendril: A slender, coiling organ used for climbing or support, p.149,189. 

tepal: A sepal or petal, or member of an undifferentiated perianth. 

terete: Cylindrical; round in cross-section . ternate: In three's. 

thorn: A stiff, woody, modified stem with a sharp point, p.44. 

tomentose: Covered with tangled or matted, woolly hairs. 

trailing: Running along the ground, but not rooting. 

tree: A plant with a woody stem (trunk) that is unbranched for several feet 

above the ground. 

tri-: Latin prefix meaning three. 

tribe: A division of a large plant family; a subfamily. 

trifoliate, trifoliolate: With three leaves; with three leaflets, p.223. 

truncate: With the apex (or base) transversely straight or nearly so, as if 

cut off. 

tuber: A short thickened part of a rhizome, used for food storage (potato). 

tuberous: Thickened like a tuber. 

twig: A small, secondary stem. 
umbel: A flat-topped flower cluster in that all the flower stalks radiate from 

the same point, like the ribs of an umbrella, p.226. 

umbellate: In umbels. 

umbo: A blunt or rounded elevation or protuberance on the end or side of a 

solid organ, as on the scales of pine cones, p. 17. 

urceolate: Urn-shaped or pitcherlike, contracted at or just below the mouth, 

p .SO, 80,225. 

variety: A taxon below species which has consistent morphological variation 

from the species (but not sufficient to be a new species); a variety may 

have the same or (more usually) different geographical distribution. 

vein: A vascular bundle; one of the network of tiny channels in a leaf 

through which the plant's fluids flow. 

venation: System or pattern of veining. 

villous: Pubescent with long, soft, often bent or curved but not matted 

hairs. 

warm season: Refers to normal late flowering or maturing phenology, 

particularly for grasses, usually from late June to Sept. 

weed: A general term for any undesirable or troublesome plant 

species--usually one introduced or out of place--occurs without intentional 

cultivation. 

whorl: Arranged in a circle around a central point, p.223. 

xeric: Characterized or pertaining to conditions of scanty moisture supply. 

Definitions for this glossary were derived from: C.L. Hitchcock and 

Cronquist 1973; Johnson, F. D. 1983; Lee and Pfister 1978; and 

Newcomb 1977. 
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Hitchcock, C. Leo; Cronquist, Arthur. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. 

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240 
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INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES 

Abies grandis ........... 8 

Abies lasiocarpa .......... 9 

Acer glabrum ........... 32 

Achillea millefolium ........ 102 

Aconitum columbianum ..... -103 

Actaea rubra ........... 104 

Adenocaulon bicolor ....... 105 

Adiantum pedatum ........ 85 

Agropyron spicatum ....... 209 

Alnus incana ........... 34 

Alnus rubra ........... 10 

AInus sinuata .......... 35 

Alnus tenuifolia ......... 34 

Arnelanchier alnif olia ....... 36 

Anaphalis margaritacea ...... 106 

Anemone piperi .......... 107 

Angelica arguta ......... 108 

Antennaria racemosa ....... 109 

Apocynum androsaemifolium .... 110 

Aquilegia flavescens ....... 11 1 

Aquilegia formosa ......... 111 

Aralia nudicaulis ......... 1 12 

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ..... 37 

Arenaria macrophylla ....... 113 

Arnica cordifolia ......... 11 4 

Arnica latifolia .......... 115 

Asarum caudatum ......... 1 16 

Aster conspicuus ......... 117 

Athyrium filix- femina ....... 86 

Balsamorhiza sagittata ...... 118 

Berberis aquifolium ........ 38 

Berberis repens ......... 38 

Betula glandulosa ......... 39 

Betula occidentalis ........ 12 

Betula papyrifera ......... 13 

Botrychium virginianum ...... 87 

Bromus tectorum ......... 198 

Bromus vulgaris ......... 199 

Calamagrostis canadensis ..... 200 

Calamagrostis rubescens ..... 201 

Caltha biflora .......... 119 

Calypso bulbosa ......... 120 

Campanula rotundifolia ...... 121 

Cardamine constancei ....... 122 

Carex concinnoides ........ 203 

Carex geyeri .......... -204 

Carex rossii ........... 205 

Ceanothus sanguineus ...... 40 

Ceanothus velutinus ....... 41 

Chimaphila menziesii ....... 42 

Chimaphila umbellata ....... 42 - 

Cinna latifolia .......... 2C6 

Circaea alpina .......... 123 

Clintonia uniflora ......... 124 

Coptis occidentalis ........ 125 

Corallorhiza maculata ....... 127 

Corallorhiza mertensiana ..... 126 

Corallorhiza striata ........ 126 

Cornus canadensis ........ 128 

Cornus stolonifera ........ 43 

Crataegus douglasii ........ 44 

Cystopteris fragilis ........ 88 

Dactylis glornerata ....... -207 

Disporum hookeri ......... 130 

Disporum trachycarpum ...... 131 

Dodecatheon jef freyi ....... 132 

Dryopteris austriaca ....... 89 

Dryopteris f ilix -mas ....... 90 

Elymus glaucus .......... 208 

Elytrigia spicata ......... 209 

Epilobium angustifolium ...... 133 

Equisetum arvense ........ 91 

Erigeron peregrinus ....... 134 

Erythronium grandiflorum ..... 135 

Festuca idahoensis ........ 210 

Festuca occidentalis ....... 211 

Fragaria vesca .......... 136 

Fragaria virginiana ........ 137 

Frasera fastigiata ......... 138 

Galium boreale .......... 139 

Galium triflorum ......... 139 

Gaultheria humifusa ....... 45 

Gaultheria ovatifolia ....... 45 

Geranium viscosissimum ...... 140 

Goodyera oblongifolia ....... 14 1 

Gymnocarpium dryopteris ..... 92 

Habenaria elegans ........ 142 

Habenaria orbiculata ....... 142 

Habenaria saccata ........ 142 

Habenaria unalascensis ...... 143 

Heracleum lanatum ........ 144 

Heuchera cylindrica ....... 145 

Hieracium albertinum ....... 146 

Hieracium albiflorum ....... 147 

Holodiscus discolor ........ 46 

Hypericum perforatum ...... 148 

Koeleria cristata ......... 212 

Koeleria nitida .......... 212 

Larix lyallii ........... 14 

Larix occidentalis ......... 15 

Lathyrus nevadensis ....... 149 

Ledum glandulosum ........ 47 
Ligusticurn canbyi ........ 150 Rosa acicularis .......... 63 

Ligusticurn verticillaturn ...... 15 1 Rosa gyrnnocarpa ......... 64 

Linnaea borealis ......... 48 Rosa nutkona ........... 65 

Listera caurina .......... 152 Rosa woodsii ........... 66 

Lomatiurn dissecturn ........ 153 Rubus idaeus ........... 67 

Lornatiurn triternaturn ....... 154 Rubus nivalis .......... 67 

Lonicera utahensis ........ 49 Rubus parviflorus ........ 68 

Luzula carnpestris ........ 214 Rubus pedatus .......... 69 

Luzula glabrata .......... 215 Rubus ursin~~s .......... 67 

Luzula hitchcockii ........ 215 Salix scouleriana ......... 70 

Luzula parviflora ......... 216 Sarnbucus cerulea ......... 71 

L ycopodiurn annotinurn ...... 93 Sarnbucus racernosa ........ 71 

Melica subulata .......... 2 17 Satureja douglasii .... : ... 72 

Menziesia ferruginea ....... 50 Sedurn stenopetalurn ....... 174 

Mertensia paniculata ....... 155 Senecio triangularis ....... 175 

Mitella breweri .......... 157 Shepherdia canadensis ...... 73 

Mitella caulescens ......... 156 Silene rnenziesii .......... 176 

Mitella pentandra ......... 158 Srnilacina racernosa ........ 177 

Mitella stauropetala ........ 159 Srnilacina stellata ......... 178 

Montia cordifolia ......... 160 Sorbus scopulina ......... 74 

Oplopanax horridurn ....... 51 Sorbus sitchensis ......... 74 

Osrnorhiza chilensis ........ 16 1 Spiraea betulifolia ........ 75 

Pachistirna rnyrsinites ....... 52 Streptopus arnplexifolius ..... 179 

Pedicularis bracteosa ....... 162 Syrnphoricarpos albus ....... 76 

Pedicularis racernosa ....... 163 Syrnphoricarpos rnollis ...... 77 

Phacelia heterophylla ....... 164 Synthyris rnissurica ....... 180 

Philadelphus lewisii ........ 53 Synthyris platycarpa ....... 180 

Phleurn pratense ......... 2 18 Taxus brevifolia ......... 24 .

Ph yllodoce ernpetri forrnis ..... 54 Thalictrurn occidentale ...... 181 

Physocarpus rnalvaceus ...... 55 Therrnopsis montana ........ 182 

Picea engelrnannii ......... 16 Thuja plicata ........... 25 

Pinus albicaulis .......... 17 Tiarella trifoliata ......... 183 

Pinus contorta .......... 18 Trautvetteria caroliniensis .... 184 

Pinus rnonticola .......... 19 Trientalis latifolia ........ 185 

Pinus ponderosa ......... 20 Trillium ovaturn .......... 186 

Poa pratensis ........... 2 19 Triseturn canescens ........ 220 

Polernoniurn pulcherrirnurn ..... 165 Tsuga heterophylla ........ 26 

Polystichurn rnuniturn ....... 94 Tsuga rnertensiana ........ 27 

Populus trernuloides ....... 2 1 Vacciniurn caespitosurn ...... 79 

Populus trichocarpa ....... 22 Vacciniurn globulare ....... 80 

Potentilla glandulosa ....... 166 Vacciniurn rnernbranaceurn ..... 80 

Potentilla gracilis ......... 167 Vacciniurn rnyrtillus ........ 81 

Prunella vulgaris ......... 168 Vacciniurn occidentale ....... 78 

Prunus ernarginata ........ 56 Vacciniurn ovalifolium ....... 78 

Prunus virginiana ........ 57 Vacciniurn oxycoccos ....... 78 

Pseudotsuga rnenziesii ...... 23 Vacciniurn scoparium ....... 82 . Pteridiurn aquilinurn ........ 95 Valeriana sitchensis ....... 187 

Pterospora andrornedea ...... 169 Veratrurn californicurn ...... 188 

Pyrola asarifolia ......... 171 Veratrurn viride ......... 188 

Pyrola chlorantha ......... 170 Vicia arnericana .......... 189 

Pyrola picta ........... 170 Viola adunca ........... 191 

Pyrola secunda .......... 172 Viola canadensis ......... 190 

Pyrola virens ........... 170 Viola glabella ........... 192 

Ranunculus uncinatus ...... 173 Viola orbiculata .......... 193 

Rharnnus alnifolia ......... 58 Woodsia oregana ......... 96 

Rharnnus purshiana ........ 58 Xerophyllum tenax ........ 194 

Rhododendron albiflorum ..... 59 

Ribes cereurn ........... 60 

Ribes hudsonianurn ........ 60 

Ribes lacustre .......... 61 

Ribes viscosissirnurn ....... 62 

243 
INDEX OF COMMON NAMES 

Agspic ....... Alaska oniongrass . Alaska rein-orchid . Alnus Conspectus . alpine circaea ... alpine fir ...... alpine larch .... alpine mitrewort . . alpine pyrola .... American false hellebc 

American vetch ... anemone ...... arrow leaf balsamroot 

arrowleaf grou ndsel 

baldhip rose ........... 64 

baneberry ............ 104 

bearberry ............ 37 

beargrass ............ 194 

Betula Conspectus ........ 11 

big huckleberry ......... 80 

bigleaf sandwort ......... 113 

bittercherry ........... 56 

black cottonwood ......... 22 

black hawthorn .......... 44 

blackberry ............ 67 

blooming Sally .......... 133 

blue elderberry ......... 71 

blue huckleberry ......... 80 

blue wildrye ........... 208 

bluebunch wheatgrass ...... 209 

bluejoint reedgrass ........ 200 

bog birch ............ 39 

bracken fern ........... 95 

bracted lousewort ........ 162 

Brewer's mitrewort ........ 157 

bride's bonnet .......... 124 

brittle bladderfern ........ 88 

broadleaf arnica ......... 115 

broadleaved montia ........ 160 

buckthorn ............ 58 

buffaloberry ........... 73 

bull pine ............. 20 

bunchberry dogwood ....... 128 

California false hellebore ..... 188 

Canada violet ........... 190 

Canby's licorice-root ....... 150 

Carex Conspectus ........ 202 

cascara .............. 58 

cheatgrass ............ 198 

chittam bark ........... 58 

Christmas fern .......... 94 

cinquefoil ............ 167 

clustered frasera ......... 138 

columbia brome .......... 199 

common chokecherry ....... 57 

common horsetail ......... 91 

common pink wintergreen ..... 171 

common snowberry ........ 76 

common St . John's wort ..... 148 

common yarrow .......... 102 

Constance's bittercress ...... 122 

coolwort foamflower ........ 183 

Corallorhiza Conspectus ..... 126 

cow parsnip ........... 144 

creeping Oregon grape ...... 38 

creeping snowberry ....... 77 

cross-shaped mitrewort ...... 159 

Cusick's peavine ......... 149 

desert-parsley .......... 153 

Devil's club ........... 51 

dogtooth-violet .......... 135 

Douglas maple .......... 32 

Douglas-fir ............ 23 

downy brome ........... 198 

drooping wood reed ........ 206 

dwarf bilberry .......... 81 

dwarf enchanter's nightshade ... 123 

dwarf huckleberry ........ 79 

elderberry ............ 71 

elk sedge ............ 204 

Engelmann spruce ........ 16 

evergreen ceanoth us ....... 41 

evergreen synthyris ....... 180 

everlasting ............ 109 

fairy slipper ........... 120 

false bugbane .......... 184 

false mitrewort .......... 183 

false Solomon's seal ........ 177 

fern-leaved lomatium ....... 153 

field horsetail .......... 91 

field woodrush .......... 214 

f i reweed ............. 133 

five-stamened mitrewort ..... 158 

flytrap dogbane ......... liO 

fool's huckleberry ........ 50 

Forb Characteristics ....... 98 
glacier lily ............ 135 mountain kittentails ........ 180 

gland cinquefoil ......... 166 mountain lover .......... 52 

globe huckleberry ........ 80 mountain sweet-cicely ....... 161 

goatweed ............. 148 mountain thermopsis ....... 182 

Graminoid Characteristics ..... 196 mountain woodfern ........ 89 

grand fir .............. 8 mountain-ash ........... 74 

grape fern ............ 87 myrtle boxwood .......... 52 

green false hellebore ....... 188 

grouse whortleberry ....... 82 nine-leaved lomatium ....... 154 

grouseberry ........... 82 ninebark ............. 55 

Nootka rose ........... 65 

Habenaria Conspectus ...... 142 northern bedstraw ........ 139 

heartleaf arnica ......... 114 northwestern sedge ........ 203 

hook violet ............ 191 northwestern twayblade ...... 152 

Hooker fairy-bell ......... 130 

oa k-fern ............. 92 

Idaho fescue ........... 210 ocean-spray ........... 46 

l ndian potato ........... 185 one-sided wintergreen ...... 172 

orchard grass .......... 207 

jack pine ............. 18 Oregon wintergreen ....... 45 

Jacob's-ladder .......... 165 Oregon woodsia .......... 96 

Jeffrey's shooting star ...... 132 

Junegrass ............ 212 pachistima ............ 52 

Pacific coral root ......... 127 

Kentucky bluegrass ....... 219 Pacific yew ............ 24 

KeytoFerns &Friends ..... 84 palefawn-lily .......... 135 

Key to Native Trees ........ 7 panicle bluebells ......... 155 

kinnikinnick ........... 37 paper birch ........... 13 

Klamath weed ........... 148 pathfinder ............ 105 

pearhip rose ........... 66 

Labrador tea ........... 47 pearly everlasting ........ 106 

lady's-thimble .......... 121 pinedrops ............ 169 

ladyfern ............. 86 pinegrass ............ 201 

large coral root ......... 127 pink mountain-heath ....... 54 

lava alumroot ........... 145 pioneer violet .......... 192 

leafy lousewort .......... 163 ponderosa pine .......... 20 

leafy mitrewort .......... 158 prickly currant .......... 61 

Lewis mockorange ........ 53 prickly rose ........... 63 

Liliaceae Conspectus ....... 129 prince's pine ........... 42 

little buttercup .......... 173 pussy-toes ............ 109 

little pipsissewa ......... 42 Pyrola Conspectus ........ 170 

lodgepole pine .......... 18 

Luzula Conspectus ........ 213 quaking aspen .......... 21 

Lyall larch ............ 14 queen cup beadlily ........ 124 

Lyall's angelica .......... 108 

rattlesnake-plantain ....... 141 

maidenhair fern ......... 85 red alder ............. 10 

male fern ............. 90 red columbine .......... 111 

marsh marigold .......... 119 red fir .............. 23 

Menzies' prince's pine ...... 42 red mountain-heath ........ 54 

Menzies' silene .......... 176 red raspberry .......... 67 

millet woodrush .......... 216 red-osier dogwood ........ 43 

Mitella Conspectus ........ 156 redstem ceanothus ........ 40 

mockazalea ........... 50 Ribes Conspectus ......... 60 

mockorange ............ 53 Rocky Mountain maple ...... 32 

monkshood ............ 103 Rosa Conspectus ......... 63 

Montana golden pea ........ 182 Ross sedge ............ 205 

moonwort ............. 87 round-leaved violet ........ 193 

mountain arnica ......... 115 roundleaf alumroot ........ 145 

mountain heliotrope ........ 187 Rubus Conspectus ........ 67 

mountain hemlock ......... 27 

245 
Saskatoon serviceberry ...... 36 

savory .............. 72 

Scotch be1 If lower ......... 121 

Scouler willow .......... 70 

self . heal ............. 168 

serviceberry ........... 36 

sharptooth angelica ........ 108 

shiny-leaf spiraea ........ 75 

shinyleaf ceanothus ........ 41 

shooting star ........... 132 

showy aster ........... 117 

sickletop lousewort ........ 163 

side-flowered mitrewort ...... 159 

sidebells ............. 172 

Sierra fairy-bell ........ 131 

Sitka alder ........... 35 

Sitka columbine .......... 111 

Sitka mountain-ash ........ 74 

Sitka valerian .......... 187 

skunk-leaved palemonium ..... 165 

sky pilot ............. 165 

slender wintergreen ....... 45 

smooth woodrush ......... 215 

snow dewberry .......... 67 

snowbush ............ 41 

soapberry ............ 73 

spiraea .............. 75 

spotted coral ront ........ 127 

spreading dogbane ........ 110 

spreading woodfern ........ 89 

starry Solomon-seal ........ 178 

sticky cinquefoil ......... 156 

sticky currant .......... 62 

sticky purple geranium ...... 140 

stiff club-moss .......... 93 

stinking currant ......... 60 

strawberry ............ 137 

strawberry bramble ........ 69 

subalpine daisy .......... 134 

subalpine fir ............ 9 

subalpine larch .......... 14 

swamp birch ........... 39 

swamp currant .......... 61 

sweetscented bedstraw ...... 139 

syringa ............. 53 

tall bluebells ........... 155 

tall Oregon grape ......... 38 

tall trisetum ........... 220 

tamarack ............. 15 

thin-leaf blueberry ........ 80 

thinleaf alder ........... 34 

timothy .............. 218 

trail-plant ............ 105 

trembling aspen ......... 21 

trillium .............. 186 

twi nf lower ............ 48 

twinflower marsh marigold .... 119 

twisted-stalk ........... 179 

Utah honeysuckle ......... 49 

Vaccinium Conspectus ...... 78 

varileaf phacelia ......... 164 

verticillate licorice.root ...... 151 

Viola Conspectus ......... 190 

virgate phacelia ......... 164 

wandering daisy ......... 134 

wandering fleabane ........ 134 

wartberry fairy-bell ....... 131 

water birch ........... 12 

wax currant ........... 60 

western fescue .......... 211 

western goldthread ........ 125 

western hawkweed ........ 146 

western hemlock ......... 26 

western larch .......... 15 

western meadowrue ........ 181 

western pipsissewa ........ 42 

western rattlesnake-plantain ... 141 

western redcedar ......... 25 

western starflower ........ 185 

western swordfern ........ 94 

western thimbleberry ....... 68 

western twayblade ........ 152 

western wake-robin ........ 186 

western white pine ........ 19 

western wintergreen ....... 45 

western yew ........... 24 

white fir .............. 8 

white marsh marigold ....... 119 

white rhododendron ....... 59 

white trillium ........... 186 

white vein pyrola ......... 170 

white-flowered hawkweed ..... 147 

whitebark pine .......... 17 

wild ginger ............ 116 

wild rose ............. 64 

wild sarsaparilla ......... 112 

windflower ............ 107 

wintergreen ........... 170 

woods strawberry ........ 136 

woodsia ............. 96 

wormleaf stonecrop ........ 174 

yellow columbine ......... 111 

yellow pine ............ 20 

yerba buena ........... 72 

Patterson, Patricia A. ; Neiman, Kenneth E. ; Tonn, Jonalea k. Field 

guide to forest plants of northern Idaho. General Technical Report 

INT-180. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Intermountain Research Station; 1985. 246 p. 

This fie1 d guide--designed for use by people wi th minimal botanical 

training--is an identification aid for nearly 200 plant species having 

ecological indicator value in northern Idaho forest habitat types. It 

contai ns 1 ine drawings; sin~pl ified taxonomic descriptions, characteristics tables, conspectuses, and keys. It emphasizes characteristics 

useful for field identification of mavy common and special interest 

plants. This is not a comprehensive taxonomy of northern Idaho flora. 

KEYWORDS: forest plants, indicator species, habitat types, northern 

Idaho, plant guide, field guide