Woods Lake Botanizing

[lupinusbicolor]

Perhaps one day I'll actually go on that botany tour, because HOT DAMN the woods lake area in alpine county is full of botanical sights to see. If ever I do go on the tour, I'll be sure to bring a real camera instead of my shitty phone camera too, lol. Anyway! Here's what I saw!

      

These aren't ALL that I saw, of course, only the ones I really wanted to document. I don't get to see many alpine Lupinus species often! If you can't read the descriptive text, from left to right we have:

• Viratrum californicum, an extremely toxic plant commonly known as a corn lily; it's not related to corn or lilies, but it's a fun name regardless. You can see it almost everywhere west of the Rockies in cooler areas around streams, lakes, or wet meadows.
• Some fleabane flowers in the Erigeron genus. Don't ask me what species specifically, I know next to nothing about the Asteraceae family. Sorry  to the guy from crime pays but botany doesn't, i've learned nothing.
• What I can only assume is Lupinus brewerii, but take that with a grain of salt because I didn't have my field ID guide with me. I'm trying to hone my Lupinus identification skills here so I can live up to my namesake LOL.
• Lilium parvum! The sierra tiger lily! Always lovely, always gorgeous, show-stopping, etc etc.
• Aquilegia formosa! I was honestly hoping to see more of these on this little jaunt in the woods but the few that I did see looked about finished for the season. But oh how lovely this specimen was! Can't get enough of the good ol' western columbine.
• Lupinus meionanthus! AKA the tahoe lupine, this one's kind of sad looking because it's so late in the season, but still gorgeous regardless. I apologize for my dirty looking hands in that photo btw, I was digging for diorite right before I took it LOL.
• Lupinus latifolius, the broadleaf lupine! This one's actually native to this area but I see hybridized forms in gardens so often it's kind of lost its appeal for me. I guess I can see why it's a garden favorite, it IS beautiful.
• And lastly, Orthilia secunda! This is a wintergreen species I don't think I've ever seen before, but I shouldn't be surprised cause this is a hotspot for 'em. It's a member of the blueberry family, and also the only species in its genus! That being said, however, I don't think the berries are edible or really palatable, but you can make a tea from the leaves.

Okay that's all! The little jaunt up to woods lake was a delight as always. I love seeing what grows up in those high mountain riparian areas <3