McDowell falls and PNW native plants

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McDowell Falls & the Plants That Live There

Linda R. McMahan, Ph.D.Community HorticultureOregon State University Extension [email protected]

Most people come to picnic and play near the taller falls near the western, lower parking lot.The Waterfalls

My personal favorite is the more secluded falls near the upper, more eastern parking lot, accessible from a steep but well- maintained trail with overlooks. The Waterfalls

What really draws me to this special place are the plants, growing lush in the moisture created from the stream and waterfalls—the mist lingers in this canyon at the western edge of the Cascade Mountains.

The Plants

Against the backdrop of the stream, an overhanging branch of vine maple becomes dynamic, never once the same.

Vine Maple, Acer circinnatum

The black veins and stems of the maidenhair fern stand out against the green background. This moisture loving plant is common along the stream banks.Maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatum

The nearly constant moisture fosters the growth of decomposing fungi, these on a fallen log surrounded by sword fern.Sword fern, Polystichum munitum

Flowers of thimbleberry attract bees and other flying insects for pollination. The raspberry-like berries will be medium red.

Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus

Wild bleeding heart is still blooming in late May, but beginning to set its seed pods that seem to grow right out of the flower. The seeds are disseminated by ants. The pollinator is a native butterfly.Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa

Our native wild blackberries remind me of the taste of honey. Notice the bluish white stem, one way to tell them from the invasive introduced blackberries.

Wild blackberry, Rubus ursinus

Named after Fort Vancouver, this elegant and popular groundcover is plentiful in the park. It is deciduous, having bright yellow fall color.Inside-out flower, Vancouveria hexandra

The false solomon’s seal was in full bloom, creating graceful arches against the tall straight trunks of Douglas fir.False soloman’s seal, Smilacina racemosa

The small surprises keep me coming back to see more. Each day, there is something new. Today, it was this emerging bloom of the Western trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera ciliosa, one of our few native vines.

Visit yourself, and see what is blooming now.

Thank you. Photographs by the author and may be used freely for education purposes with acknowledgement. Presentation © Linda McMahan, Oregon State University Extension Service. Contact [email protected] for other uses.