I just learned the name of these, am posting them so I can send the link to my friends. Prunella vulgaris, inflorescence with teeny purple flowers (around 5mm), very close to the ground. I have seen these in Vancouver too - I think they are very common. Spiraea douglasii subsp. menziesii. My guess on the subspecies. Common name is hardhack.
According to E-Flora BC, there are 2 subspecies of Prunella vulgaris (Heal-all) in BC. I agree that they are very common. Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris It does have a certain charm but self-seeds enough that I pull it up whenever I find it in my garden. There always seem to be more. As for Spiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii, E-Flora BC talks about 2 subspecies: Spiraea douglasii ssp. douglasii Spiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii I think it is best admired on roadsides rather that incorporated into smaller gardens . . . too buggy in my experience.
Thanks. That would be Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris. I thought it would be that one, but hadn't read far enough to see that it's not native.
A small fun test for you: Describe the similarities, and differences, between Prunella vulgaris and Prunella modularis.
Ha. I did not know there was a Prunella bird. "Prunella montanella is the only member of its family to occur in North America, the Siberian Accentor is a rare but regular fall migrant through western Alaska and occasionally occurs elsewhere in northwestern North America, particularly during the winter"- E-Fauna BC Atlas Page . There has been one sighting in Vancouver. The Dunnock (Prunella modularis) doesn't seem to occur around here.
