Immaculate Kyampeire
Biology 470
Natural History Project
Herbaceous plants in Madrona Woods
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsidana
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Petroselinum
It is a bright green herb with curly leaves. It was found in an open area, where trees and shrubs
were removed.
Parsley is commonly valued by humans as a breath freshner. Also, Parsley enhances mental
alertness, and affects the immune system.
Parsley tea may be used as a diuretic. Chinese and German herbologists recommend
parsley tea to help control high blood pressure, and Cherokee Indians use it as a tonic to
strengthen the bladder { Wikipedia).
Dandelion (Taraxacum). 1
Description:
The plant was found in the open area sorrounded by several othe plant species.
It has notched leaves and two yellow flower heads. Observed on a clear sky day, 11/17/06 at
2:05PM
Classfication (3):
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Taraxacum
Uses (3):Dandelions are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of
Lepidoptera. Also, humans eat this plant cooked or raw in various forms, such as in soup
or salad. As the its leaves grow outward they push down the surrounding vegetation, such
as grass in a lawn, killing the vegetation by cutting off the sunlight. Dandelion root is a
registered drug in Canada, sold as a diuretic.
Indian Thistle (cirsiumbrevistylum)
Description:
Plant was found at higher elevation in the park and it was very close to the trunk of a tree.
It had good access to sunlight because the close to it had lost all its leaves.
Plant has bright green leaves, which are arranged alternately on the stem, with deeply cut
margins and stiff spines on the lobes. Leaves are coarsely hairy on the upper side and
contain softer whitish hairs below. Leaf bases continue down the stem, and are almost 5
inches long. Stems are also hairly. The whole plant is approximately 4 feet high.
Observations made 11/17/2006 at 2:30 PM. It was a clear sky afternoon.
Classification (1):
Family: Compositae
Ecological uses (5): The Root is peeled and eaten raw or cooked.
The flowerheads have been chewed to obtain the nectar (plant for a future).
Tiarella trifoliata ( three-leaf foam flower). 2
Family: Saxifragaceae
Common name: three leaf foamflower
Description:
The plant has trifoliate leaves and the leaflets are deeply divided.
The plant was found mainly on the edge of the green in spaces between rocks in the park.
Wet ground. Observed on a rainy day, 10/16/06 at 2:40PM
Uses[4]: It is used in the treatment of bladder and liver problems and also indigestion
and dyspepsia. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic
Woodland madia (1).
Description:
A plant has a slender stem and hairy, slightly toothed leaves. Has yellowish flowers
which were almost dry. It was found along the edge/path of the park. Observed 10/16/06
at 2:50PM, rainy day.
Classification (5):
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae:
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae- Aster Family
Genus: Madia Molina- Tarweed
Species: Woodland madia
Uses: Its roots are food to cayote and raccoons ( 5).
Agoseris (Agoseris apargioides).2.
Scientific Name: Agoseris apargioides
Common name : Agoseris
Family Name : Asteraceae
Description: plant has leaves somewhat similar to those of dandelion. Leaves slightly
hairly.
Plant was found in the shade and in soft ground with much ground cover.
Observed 11/17/06 at 2:15PM, bright day.
Geum macrophyllum (large leaf avens)
Scientific classification (3)
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Genus: Geum
Species: G. macrophyllum
The plant has pinnate basal leaves, 3 leaflets with irregularly toothed margins. It has
slender stems.
Habitat: Found close to the muddy place/ tiny stream in between two big maple trees.
Some what shady. Oberserved at 3:00PM on a rainy day, 10/ 16/2006
Ecological significance (3): Roots can be boiled to a tea for stomach ailments.
It is a pretty forest wildflower, so it adds beauty to the environment.
Urtica dioicia ssp. Gracillis (stinging nettle) (1).
Classification:
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Urticaceae
Genus: Urtica
Species: U. dioica
The plant has soft green leaves with a strongly serrated margin.
Both the leaves and the stems are covered with somewhat silky hairs. The plant was
found in open area, soft ground amidst several other plants. Observed at 3:25 PM on a
rainy day 10/16/2006.
Ecological uses (3).
It is recommended by the herbalists of many different cultures for a wide variety of
purposes in herbal medicine
Nettles can also be used as cattle fodder; cows appear to find harvested nettles a delicacy.
Big Blue Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
Classification (5):
Superdivision: spermatophyte
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class : Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass Lilidae
Order : Liliales
Family: Liliaceae- Lily family
Genus Liriope Lour – lilyturf
Species: Liriope muscari –big blue lilyturf
Description:
A plant grows as a clump of grass dark green in color . Has long leaves with fairly
smooth surface.
Habitat: Open area and soft ground.
Sun cup (camissonia ovata) (1).
Description:
Plant has bright green leave and all go side ways spreading their wide leaves to the sun.
leaves are arranged in more like a circle. Plant was found in an open area near the path in
the pack. Observed 11/19/06 at 1:47PM; the ground was wet.
Classification:
Scientific Name: Camissonia ovata
COMMON
SUN CUP
NAME:
Family Name:
Onagraceae
Ecological use:
It provides nector to the bees
It has a very nice flower which helps us to learn about plants that rotate
according to the position of the sun
Sources of references
1. Philip A. Munz. 2003. Introduction to wildflowers of California, Oregon, and
Washington. Univeristy of California press, Ltd.
2. Sarah Spear Cooke et. al 1997. A field guide to the common Wetlands of Western
Washington & Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon society.
3. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.[ Accessed 11/18/2006].
4. Plants For A Future: Database Search Results
5. United States Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource conservation services
[Accessed 11/18/06].