Identification: Bizarre find in the forest

Discussion in 'Pacific Northwest Native Plants' started by ginsenghamster, Jun 13, 2021.

  1. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Hello All

    I stumbled across a patch of these strange things when on a hike today in old second growth fir in a recovered clear cut. Soils are coarse with a thin layer of humus. At first I thought it was a conifer cone sitting upright, but its firmly attached to terra firma. I wish I saw it in bloom. Looked through Pojar and found nothing remotely similar. Other plants in the vicinity were Douglas fir, Chimaphila umbellata, and Linnaea borealis. I did find another orchid nearby (possibly Corallrhizae mertensiana)
     

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    Last edited: Jun 13, 2021
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  2. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  3. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks! It would have the common name of Ground Cone as that is what it looks like at first glance. I will delve into the world of Boschniakia. This beast was no where near water, but in a dry site despite the moss.
     
  4. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks! Looked at E-flora of BC. It could be B. hookeri
     
  5. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Any salal nearby? These are now Kopsiopsis hookeri - FNA

    I'd have to dig up the reference, but I recall reading it takes 40 years to develop a flowering stalk.
     
  6. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    40 years? I've read the root tuber were eaten raw by the First Nations. I can imagine the odd bear digging them up too. How in the heck could any species requiring a such a time duration for recruitment survive? There were about 5 in the small area I found them in. So if I wanted a snack, that would be it for the reproductive population.
     
  7. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    Plants nearby were Mahonia, pseudotsuaga menziesii, Chimaphila umbellata, and Linnaea borealis. Not much Gaultheria in this spot which was rather scant for vegetation. Mind you if I looked in the thicker growth of Gaultheria nearby, I might have found a few more. I'm going up again next weekend and expand the search area. Besides the Chimaphila were just staring to bloom and I really want to take some nice pics.
     
  8. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Here is (was) a beautiful little spot - just a few acres in Nanoose Bay where the new and old highways diverge. It was full of wonderful native plants including coral root, rattlesnake orchid and the occasional ground cone until a few months ago when the entire property was razed. I can't even look at the site anymore; just so awful to lose treasures like that.

    EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to upload the photo.
     

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    Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
  9. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    It hurts my heart when I hear of such destruction and more so when no conservation groups were contacted to help relocate the plants before the bulldozers moved in.
     
  10. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    I know - that is so upsetting. I did call the realtors and asked if I could get in touch with the developer but never heard anything back.
     
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  11. ginsenghamster

    ginsenghamster Active Member 10 Years

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    At least you tried.
     
  12. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    That is awful news Margot, sadly it is happening everywhere. The trouble is 8 billion and counting.......
     

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