Garry Oak Meadow–Late April

Garry Oak Meadow–Late April

May 13, 2020 by · 6 Comments

Fawn lilies, shooting stars, spring gold, prairie stars…don’t you love wildflower names? Their whimsical names fit these charming little beauties. These plants were all in bloom in late April, and some are still blooming, but it took me awhile to finish up the two study pages.

Oregon fawn lily (Erythronium oreganum), sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), Western trillium (Trillium ovatum) and prairie star (Lithophragma parviflorum).
Silvery blue butterflies like to sun themselves in the path through the meadow or on rocks in the seasonal streams. It’s always a delight to see them. The common name ‘silvery blue’ seems obvious and fitting but I wonder about the name ‘fawn lily’…maybe referring to the speckled leaves, like a fawn?
A fawn lily with its windmill petals and speckled leaves, from the top view.
I never would have noticed the naked broomrape (Orobanche uniflora) if a friend hadn’t pointed it out to me. It’s diminutive size makes it easy to overlook, but what a fascinating plant! The blossom reminds me of the phonograph horn in the old RCA ads. The plant has no leaves so can’t photosynthesize on it own, but its roots attach to those of the saxifrage, or a few other plants, so it can feed off of their system of photosynthesis. Okay, it’s a parasite but what a cute one…and its even fuzzy!
I was amazed and charmed to learn that the pollen of the shooting star (Dodecatheon pulchellum) is dislodged by the sound waves of buzzing bumblebees.

I am chronicling the tremendous variety of botanical riches in this rare and endangered ecosystem near the lower Columbia River in Oregon. Once the Willamette Valley and many places along the Columbia River Corridor were characterized by oak savanna. Most of these meadows have been lost to development. This is one of the few left and we are not sure how long it will remain. For more information go here. Thank you for joining me on this journey. More to come soon.

Filed Under: Botanical, Native Plants, Oak Savanna, Sketch, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments

  1. Angela Cox says
    May 13, 2020 at 9:45 am

    These pages are so beautiful and I love the Primula, such a vibrant colour!

    Reply
    • jswalkky says
      June 16, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Angela, I agree–that bright magenta color is amazing! I couldn’t find anything in my palette to match it. I tried to mix that color but it came out too dull, so next time will try layering pure pigments, which seem to come out more vibrant.

      Reply
  2. Gillian Receveur says
    May 14, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    Greetings, I am a member of Botanical arts Society of New Zealand. There are 10/12 of us who do a nature journal exchange. We are just about ready to send out our first page after level 4 of lockdown during Covid 19. Love and admire your work, such great detail.
    Warm regards
    Gillian

    Reply
    • jswalkky says
      June 16, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Hi Gillian, I participate in a nature journal exchange with my local group, Oregon Botanical Artists. My work in these posts isn’t part of that exchange, but its an enjoyable group project, for sure. Best wishes on your endeavors! Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
  3. Larissa Huson says
    June 14, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Gorgeous work! Hard to put into words, how touching it is for me to see these beloved plants that I have spent so much time trying to protect, come to life on paper. Thank you!

    Reply
    • jswalkky says
      June 16, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      Larissa, It means so much to me that my work speaks to you! I feel privileged to contribute in some small way to bringing attention to this beautiful property that should be protected.

      Reply

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