by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
Members of the Orchidaceae (Orchid) family, there are several species of Coral roots that grow in our valley. In this article, I will introduce the ones I have seen.
Continue Reading →Coral Roots
Category: Flora
Galls: Growth on Plants
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
Winter is a good time to spot unusual things when the leaves are off and grasses are dry and beaten down by snow. Sometimes it just takes a splash of color that you wouldn’t expect to draw your attention to an unusual growth. The galls in this article all are caused by different insects but are benign, that is, they usually don’t harm the plant they are on.
Continue Reading →A Few More Winter Wonders
by Skip Via
skip@wastvalleynaturalists.org
Pat Jaquith’s lovely Winter Wonders post prompted me to post these images taken on 1/7/21 at the Happy Valley State Trust Lands (see Locations) after a light snow melt on a bluebird afternoon.
ID Me: Lichen
By Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
I was struck by the beautifully intricate pattern on this lichen (or is it a fungus?), spotted 12/19/20 on a nurse log at the Happy Valley State Trust Land (see Locations).
Continue Reading →Lichens
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
One of my passions is wildflowers, but the growing season of wildflowers is pretty short here in the West Valley. I have turned to lichens to help fill the void in colder months; it’s a fascinating venture. Neither plant nor animal, lichens are plentiful around here. One source reports there being 2500 species in the Pacific Northwest. Fossil records date them as long as 400 million years ago. Lichens can be found on the ground, on rocks, and on trees – both decaying and healthy. When you go out looking at lichens, I strongly recommend taking a hand lens because some of their most interesting features are almost microscopic!
Continue Reading →Ancient Plant Forms
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
We are fortunate to have some versions of early plant life here in the West Valley. Ferns were one of the first vascular plants, but we have examples of even earlier plant development. Botrychiums are non-flowering, seedless vascular plants in the family Ophioglossaceae. Here are three that I have seen nearby.
Continue Reading →ID Me: Fungus (answered)
By Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Exceptionally tiny mushrooms, growing under a young spruce tree near the Stillwater River. Any ideas?
Pinedrops’ Three Seasons
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
Pinedrops, perhaps named for the sticky texture of its stem, makes its first appearance in woods and clearings near pine trees after many of the spring ephemerals have gone to seed. Its three stages of growth are so different in appearance it would be easy to overlook the fact that they are all the same plant.
Continue Reading →Calypso Orchids
By Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Although most people think of orchids as tropical plants, Montana is home to 31 species of orchids, almost all of which are found in the western part of the state. In the West Valley area of the Flathead Valley, the orchid you are most likely to encounter is the beautiful Calypso orchid. “Most likely” in this case does not mean common–they’re still a rare treat to encounter on a hike.
Continue Reading →Eye-catchers in the Fall Woods
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
Laetiporus conifericola (Chicken of the Woods) fungus seems to glow in the dark woods in early fall. It’s a real eye-catcher on a gray day!
Continue Reading →Birds and Berries
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
In spring and summer when birds are nesting and raising young, insects are prominent in their diets. The young fledge, and their diets tend more toward fruit, berries, and other high energy foods to fuel their needs for warmth if they’re staying here or energy for migrating.
Continue Reading →June Flowers at Kuhns’ WMA
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
An easy walk of one-half mile will put you in view of a wildflower garden worthy of the trip! These are a few of the flowers you may find:
Continue Reading →Rocky Mountain Beeplant
By Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Rocky Mountain beeplant is native to the valley, although I seem to rarely encounter one. They are annuals, but they can grow up to 5 feet in a season. They are in the cleome family (Cleome serrulata) and are often cultivated in gardens. They are one of the most visually striking wildflowers in the area, as you will see.
Continue Reading →Spotted Coralroot Orchid
By Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
One of the less common—and certainly one of the most unusual—flowering plants you might encounter in the valley is the spotted coralroot orchid. At first glance it may appear to be dead. It has no leaves, and it can be a deep brown color. But look closely and you’ll find an exceptionally beautiful orchid.
Continue Reading →Calochortus in the Valley
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
There are at least six species of Calochortus lilies in Montana, and we are lucky to host at least three in our area! Anyone walking in our woodlands and open hilltops in June/July, 2020, had many opportunities to see some of them.
Continue Reading →