As I selectively hand weed beneath the canopy of the forest, I am inspired by the native-plant pioneers naturally regenerating in the ground once smothered in ivy. This post consists of photos of a dozen such pioneering plants, captioned with a few facts or observations.
I prefer the common name “May lily” over “False lily-of-the-valley” for the aggressive Miainthemum dilatum. The Western starflower (Lysimachia latifolia) is hardier than it looks, spreading generously in dry, shady soils.Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) and Pacific bleeding-heart (Dicentra formosa) spread mainly by rhizomes. Bleeding-heart also spreads via its seeds, which (to paraphrase Eileen Stark) are carried by ants to their nests to feed on the seeds’ uniquely-evolved oil-rich appendages, leaving the seeds themselves still viable for germination.Western starflower, Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and May lily — The May lily thrives in soils that stay wet year-round but colonizes drier soils as well. Spreading mainly by rhizome, it produces berries which presumably enable it to pioneer new sites.When just emerging in spring, Mountain sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi) can easily be confused with Foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata). Note the photobombing Shotweed (Cardamine hirsute).Large-leaved avens (Geum macrophyllum), like the sweet-cicely, produces seeds that stick to fur and fabric, making it somewhat annoying while weeding in the summer.Both Large-leaved avens and Henderson’s sedge (Carex hendersonii) spread readily by seed. To quote Clay Antieau (here) about the sedge: “Bold and with evergreen pleated leaves, individual plants tend to be short-lived but always gently seed about—constantly finding shady spots to set up shop.”Fragrant fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) spreads robustly by seed. Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), to quote Arthur Kruckeberg, is “often spontaneous in the wild garden.”When new seedlings have only grown a few leaves, Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) can be mistaken for a young forb.May lily and Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) are both frequent pioneers in cleared ground, easily transplanted to appropriate spots when small.Trailing blackberry, Western starflower and Pathfinder (Adenocaulon bicolor) – When I first began pulling weeds in Forest Park, I fear I may have removed some Pathfinder, mistaking it for Nipplewort or Wall Lettuce. After carefully leaving it alone for a half-dozen years it has become well-established along many of the trails in Forest Park.Trailing blackberry and Foamflower — I first became acquainted with Foamflower growing in soils that were moist year-round. Thus, I’ve been surprised and pleased to find it also colonizing drier soils on slopes and ridges.Close-up photo of the diminutive blossom of the Western starflower.
