Voacanga africana

Source: www.zimbabweflora.co.zw, photographer BT Wursten

Botanical Name: Voacanga africana
Common Name: Small-fruited Voacanga
Family: Apocynaceae
Type of Plant: Tropical African shrub or small tree
Habit: 
Growth Rate: Slow
10-Year Height: < 6'
Mature Height: 20'
Leaves: Opposite with axillary glands, sessile, broadly elliptic to obovate, apex rather abruptly and distinctly pointed.
Flowers: Yellow or white. In large terminal and axillary heads, strongly and unpleasantly scented. November-December.
Fruit: Asymmetrically ovoid to round, mottled green with brown lenticels, turning pale brown when dry.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: Bark grayish, smooth. Branches have conspicuous lenticels. Milky latex present.
Culture: 
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: 
Additional Information: Critically Endangered. From Wikipedia: "The bark and seeds of the tree are used in Ghana as a poison, stimulant, aphrodisiac, and ceremonial psychedelic. These effects are due to the presence of a complex mixture of iboga alkaloids such as voacangine, voacamine, vobtusine, amataine, akuammidine, tabersonine, coronaridine and vobtusine."
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Tabernanthe iboga

Source: Wikipedia.com, user CiXeL

Botanical Name: Tabernanthe iboga
Common Name: Iboga
Family: Apocynaceae
Type of Plant: Woody rainforest shrub
Habit: Branches occur in pairs.
Growth Rate: Slow
10-Year Height: < 6'
Mature Height: 6'
Leaves: Opposite, small, green. Sepal-like bracts and conspicuous leaf scars.
Flowers: White and pink.
Fruit: The fruit can be either an elongated oval shape, or a round spherical shape, both having an orange color.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: Characterized by milky sap and the occurrence of many useful alkaloids.
Roots: Yellow-colored roots contain a number of indole alkaloids, most notably ibogaine, which is found in the highest concentration in the root-bark. The root material, bitter in taste, causes an anesthetic sensation in the mouth as well as systemic numbness to the skin.
Culture: Part shade. Rich soil and really good drainage.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: 
Additional Information: From Wiki: "Native to western Central Africa. Iboga stimulates the central nervous system when taken in small doses and induces visions in larger doses. In parts of Africa where the plant grows the bark of the root is chewed for various pharmacological or ritualistic purposes. Ibogaine, the active alkaloid, is also used to treat substance abuse disorders and depression. The Iboga tree is the central pillar of the Bwiti spiritual practice in West-Central Africa, mainly Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo, which uses the alkaloid-containing roots of the plant in a number of ceremonies. Iboga is taken in massive doses by initiates of this spiritual practice, and on a more regular basis is eaten in smaller doses in connection with rituals and tribal dances, which are usually performed at night. Bwitists have been subject to persecution by Catholic missionaries, who to this day are thoroughly opposed to the growing spiritual practice of Bwiti. Léon M'ba, before becoming the first President of Gabon in 1960, defended the Bwiti religion and the use of iboga in French colonial courts. On June 6, 2000, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Gabon declared Tabernanthe iboga to be a national treasure."
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Blechnum spicant

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Blechnum spicant
Common Name: Deer Fern
Family: Blechnaceae
Type of Plant: Semi-evergreen fern
Habit: Splaying clump
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: 
Leaves: Low-growing sterile fronds spread horizontally from a basal tuft. The fertile fronds are thin and deciduous and grow erect from the center of the clump.
Flowers: 
Fruit: 
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Part shade to shade. Will grow well in rich moist soils or well-drained locations with occasional summer watering. Will also tolerate sandy and clay soils.
Pruning: Old fronds should be cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Woodland garden
Additional Information: 
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Polystichum munitum

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Polystichum munitum
Common Name: Sword Fern
Family: Polypodiaceae
Type of Plant: Evergreen fern
Habit: 
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: 
Leaves: Fronds (leaves) pinnate, leathery, shiny, stiffly erect, dark green, growing from a dense crown. Fronds cut once, pinnae ("leaflets") alternate, medium texture, on the underside, sori (spore-producing bodies) are uniformly spaced in a single row on either side of the midrib; chaffy petiole covered with scales gradually tapering to a point (acuminate).
Flowers: 
Fruit: 
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Part shade to shade. Grows best in rich soil with organic matter and ample water. Polystichum munitum var. imbricans is a compact version which prefers full sun. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Native planting
Additional Information: Polystichum: poly, many; stichos, rows, referring to the regular row of sori on the underside of the fronds. munitum: armed, with teeth.
Google images of Polystichum munitum

Vitis californica

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Vitis californica
Common Name: Western Wild Grape
Family: Vitaceae
Type of Plant: Deciduous vine.
Habit: Climbing vine or ground cover.
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: Structure dependent.
Leaves: Alternate, large with 3-5 lobes. Turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall.
Flowers: 
Fruit: Bunches of small purple grapes hang from the vines in autumn. Edible, but sour.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Sun or shade. Prefers moist sites but will not survive in standing water.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Native planting, training up structures
Additional Information: Bees are attracted to the flowers and birds to the small purple edible grapes. Most commercially grown grapes have been grafted onto V. californica rootstock.
Google images of Vitis californica

Philadelphus lewisii

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Philadelphus lewisii
Common Name: Wild Mockorange; Lewis Mockorange
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Type of Plant: Deciduous shrub
Habit: Many stemmed, broadly arching.
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: < 6'
Mature Height: 5 - 10'
Leaves: Opposite, simple, broadly ovate to broadly elliptic, entire to serrate-dentate (i.e., spreading, pointed teeth).
Flowers: White, 4(5)-petals, yellow anthers, 3-11 per cluster, fragrant.
Fruit: 4-cell capsule.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Sun to part shade.
Pruning: Prune after flowering.
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Native planting, understory plant.
Additional Information: State flower of Idaho. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.
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Rhododendron macrophyllum

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Rhododendron macrophyllum
Common Name: Western Rhododendron; Pacific Rhododendron
Family: Ericaceae
Type of Plant: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Habit: Erect, compact in the open but long strangling branches when crowded.
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: 6 - 12'
Leaves: Simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong, tapering at both ends, dark green above, paler below but often rusty-colored.
Flowers: 5-lobed, spreading bell-shaped, color varies from pale pink to a rosy purple, rarely white, green/brown spots on the upper lobe, edges crumpled, calyx small, 10 stamens, ovary covered with reddish down. Flower clusters are terminal and may contain 20 or more blooms.
Fruit: 
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Sun to part shade.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: 
Additional Information: State flower of Washington.
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Gaultheria shallon

Source: OSU Department of Horticulture

Botanical Name: Gaultheria shallon
Common Name: Salal
Family: Ericaceae
Type of Plant: Broadleaved evergreen shrub
Habit: Dense, developing into thickets, branches erect.
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: Less than 2' in full sun and poor soil, but 4-10' in shade and good soil.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, oval-rounded, glossy bright green, bristly serrate.
Flowers: Urn-shaped, white or pinkish, borne in late spring.
Fruit: Rounded, black, ripens in summer, edible but bland. Birds attracted to the fruit.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Sun or part shade, acid soils. Hardy to USDA Zone 6.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Good companion for rhododendron and ferns. Native planting. Forest understory shrub.
Additional Information: Gaultheria: after Jean-François Gaulthier (c. 1708-1758), botanist and physician of Quebec. shallon: the native name.
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Myrica californica

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Myrica californica
Common Name: Pacific Wax Myrtle; California Wax Myrtle
Family: Myricaceae
Type of Plant: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Habit: Many upright stems, loose.
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: 30'
Leaves: Simple, alternate, clean looking, 5-11 cm long, narrow, lanceolate, dark green, light green below, dotted with black or yellow glands, regularly toothed.
Flowers: Flowers bloom in spring, small, and in male (staminate) and female (pistillate) catkin-like clusters, may also be bisexual; male and female clusters may be on the same or separate plants, often yellow-green and inconspicuous but may be reddish under good sun exposure. May-June
Fruit: Warty, spherical, green then dark purple to black, usually with a white waxy coating, evident in fall. Birds love the fruit.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Sun to part shade. Withstands damp locations and summer drought. Hardy to USDA Zone 7.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Screen, mixed shrub border.
Additional Information: 
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Achillea millefolium

Source: OSU Department of Horticulture

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Common Name: Yarrow
Family: Asteraceae
Type of Plant: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Upright with a basal rosette of leaves
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: < 1'
Mature Height: up to 3' stems
Leaves: Green to grayish green, usually feathery and finely divided.
Flowers: White, yellow, pink, red. Flat-topped flower clusters on 2-3' stems.
Fruit: 
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: 
Culture: Full sun
Pruning: Cut back after bloom.
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Native garden, cut flowers
Additional Information: 
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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Common Name: Kinnikinnick; Bearberry
Family: Ericaceae
Type of Plant: Evergreen groundcover
Habit: Mat-forming with trailing branches.
Growth Rate: Slow
10-Year Height: < 1'
Mature Height: 6-12"
Leaves: Alternate, simple, obovate-oblong, displayed evenly on stem, lustrous dark green above, lighter below, margins have a fringe of minute hairs (ciliate).
Flowers: Perfect, white-tinged pink, urn-shaped, in terminal nodding racemes. April-May
Fruit: Fleshy fruit (drupe), bright red. Doesn't always fruit.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: Exfoliating bark on older stems.
Culture: Sun or partial shade. Does best in poor, sandy, infertile, acid soils. There are reports that it grows well on limestone rock. Good salt tolerance.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Groundcover. Rockeries. Steep banks. Street median plantings (and other neglected areas).
Additional Information: Often find them on mountaintops. uva-ursi: bear's grape (uva, grape; ursi, bear, in the family Ursidae). "Kinnikinnik" is thought to be an Algonquian term meaning "smoke mixture." The dried leaves were smoked by a number of Native American groups living along the Pacific Ocean over the past two centuries, but there is little evidence of these groups smoking it prior to their contact with Europeans (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). The berries are still used medicinally to treat bladder and kidney disorders.
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Amelanchier alnifolia

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Amelanchier alnifolia
Common Name: Saskatoon Serviceberry
Family: Rosaceae
Type of Plant: Deciduous shrub/tree
Habit: Spreading to erect shrub
Growth Rate: 
10-Year Height: 
Mature Height: 40'
Leaves: Alternate, simple, tough, oval to rounded or nearly 4 sided, from 1/4 to 3/4 of the margin serrate, tomentose beneath when young, soon becoming glabrous, 8-13 paired veins, 2-20 teeth on each side of the blade.
Flowers: Small, white, fragrant, 5-15 in erect racemes. The blooms are reminiscent of the witch hazel.
Fruit: Rounded, purple-black, juicy, edible, sweet.
Buds/New Growth: Imbricate, ovoid, sharp-pointed, 5 to 7 visible scales, reddish brown and glabrous on outer surface, silver hairs protruding from underside, appressed half their length.
Stem/Bark: Moderate, slightly angled, rich brown, epidermal layer gray and peeling, odor of almond extract when bruised. Pith: green, solid.
Culture: Sun or part shade. Extremely hardy.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses:  Can be used for erosion control.
Additional Information: Prairie Indians mixed the fruit with buffalo meat and fat to make pemmican, their principal winter food.

Juniperous scopulorum

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Juniperous scopulorum
Common Name: Common Juniper
Family: Cupressaceae
Type of Plant: Evergreen conifer tree
Habit: Narrow, pyramidal, often with several main stems.
Growth Rate: Slow
10-Year Height: < 6'
Mature Height: 30 - 40'
Leaves: Scale-like, tightly appressed, dark or light bluish green, rhombic-ovate, apex acute or acuminate.
Flowers: Monoecious or dioecious. Male has 6 stamens.
Fruit: Cones ripen the second year, globose, dark blue, glaucous bloomy, pulp sweetish. Seeds 2, triangular, reddish brown, prominently angled, grooved.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: Bark reddish brown or gray, shredding but persistent.
Culture: Full sun. Withstands drought conditions very well.
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Can be used in bonsai. Screens, hedges, backgrounds, foundation plants.
Additional Information: scopulorum: growing on cliffs.

Juniperus communis

Source: www.nwplants.com

Botanical Name: Juniperus communis
Common Name: Common Juniper
Family: Cupressaceae
Type of Plant: Evergreen convifer
Habit: Various forms, from groundcover to shrub.
Growth Rate: Slow
10-Year Height: < 6'
Mature Height: 5 - 10'
Leaves: Only awl-shaped (needles), spreading at a wide angle from the stem, tapering to a spiny point, concave above with a wide white band, often in whorls of 3, persisting for 3 years. Branchlets triangular with projecting ridges.
Flowers: Usually dioecious, staminate yellow.
Fruit: Female cones, solitary, globose, green at first then bluish or black, covered with waxy bloom. Seeds usually 3, elongated ovoid, tri-cornered with depressions between. Fruits used as a diuretic and for flavoring gin.
Buds/New Growth: 
Stem/Bark: Reddish brown, scaling off in papery sheets.
Culture: Full sun
Pruning: 
Pests/Diseases: 
Landscape Uses: Can be handsome groundcover for sandy soils and waste places, useful for undergrowth and naturalized plantings.
Additional Information: