Plants on the Fry creek trail

These charming pink and white blooms, known as Calypso Bulbosa or Western Lady Slipper, are a common sight in the forested areas of the BC coastal region. Each plant features a single flower adorned with several pink, twisted sepals and petals that create a crown-like appearance.

The flower showcases a small pink upper lip positioned above a larger lower lip, which is the most prominent part. This lower lip displays deep purple stripes near its base and some purple spots towards the tip, all set against a pink background that gradually transitions to white at the edges. Accompanying the flower is a single basal leaf, which is egg-shaped or elliptical and tapers gently to a point.

This is a Pine tree belonging to the genus Pinus within the Pinaceae family. These trees typically have a tall, straight trunk and feature needle-like leaves that grow in clusters of three, measuring between 5 to 10 inches in length, often found in tufts at the branch tips. The cones of pine trees range from 3 to 6 inches long and have spines that protrude from their scales. Male pine cones, which are significantly smaller than the larger woody female cones, produce pollen that is released as a fine, yellow dust, easily carried by the wind over long distances. Pine pollen is known for its various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal modulatory effects.

Hypomyces lactifluorum, commonly known as the lobster mushroom, is a parasitic fungus that infects specific mushroom species, transforming them into a vibrant reddish-orange hue reminiscent of a cooked lobster’s shell. Despite its name, it is neither a mushroom nor a crustacean. These mushrooms are popular for their culinary uses and are often enjoyed when freshly foraged and prepared. A quick sauté in butter or olive oil is a great way to enhance their flavor, but it’s important to ensure they are fully cooked, just like any other mushroom.

Balsamorhiza sagittata is a flowering plant native to North America, belonging to the Heliantheae tribe within the Asteraceae family. This perennial herb features a taproot and can grow between 20 to 60 centimeters tall, with a hairy, glandular stem. Its branching root system can reach depths of over 2 meters. The basal leaves are silvery-gray and typically triangular, with smooth edges and a hairy texture, especially underneath. In late spring, the entire plant is edible, including the leaves, roots, and seeds, which can be consumed raw or cooked, with the roots often prepared as food. The flavor can be somewhat bitter and reminiscent of pine, while younger leaves may have a hint of citrus.

Morchella, commonly known as true morels, belongs to a group of edible sac fungi that are closely associated with simpler cup fungi in the Pezizales order. These unique fungi are easily recognizable by their honeycomb-like structure, featuring a network of ridges and pits on their caps. Morels are highly regarded for their delightful taste, offering a rich, meaty flavor complemented by subtle mushroom undertones and a creamy, buttery texture. While they shine when battered and fried, they are also delicious when sautéed in butter.

Daphne laureola, known as spurge-laurel, is a shrub belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family. While it thrives in its native habitat of Great Britain, it can become a harmful invasive species elsewhere. This plant flourishes in both sunny and shady environments, making it well-adapted to the understory of temperate forests, where it can quickly spread through seeds and root suckering, often dominating areas and outcompeting local flora. In Washington state, it is classified as a Class B Noxious weed and has already established itself as a weed in native forests in Tasmania and New Zealand.

For small infestations, hand-pulling can be an effective control method, but it’s important to wear gloves to protect against its caustic sap.

Rosa acicularis is a flowering plant belonging to the Rosaceae family, often referred to as the prickly wild rose, prickly rose, bristly rose, wild rose, or Arctic rose. This wild rose species is found in the northern parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Its flower petals serve various purposes, including use in perfumes, culinary dishes, and smoke blends. Additionally, the plant produces vibrant red, pear-shaped rose hips that are rich in vitamin A and provide a winter source of vitamin C. These fleshy, edible hips remain throughout the winter, attracting birds that enjoy feasting on them, and they can also be used to make jelly and tea.

Fomitopsis pinicola is a type of stem decay fungus found on both softwood and hardwood trees. Commonly referred to as the red-belted conk, this fungus plays a role as a small-scale disturbance agent in coastal rainforest ecosystems, affecting the structure and succession of temperate rainforests. It is vital for nutrient cycling within forests and contributes to the formation of stable brown rot residues in coniferous ecosystems. Additionally, studies have shown that these mushrooms possess notable antioxidant properties, although the U.S. Forest Service field guide to Eastern Mushrooms categorizes them as inedible.