Pacific Ninebark, Physocarpus Capitatus

Day 264: Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is aptly named. In Lewis and Clark's day, it was called "Sevenbark," but regardless of which term is employed, twenty or more layers of parchment-thin brownish red bark can be peeled away layer by layer from a mature twig no more than 3/8" in diameter. The wood of the stems is very supple and flexible and was employed by Native peoples in the Pacific Northwest to make fish spears and toy bows for children. The flowers generally appear in rounded umbels and appear in profusion on trees which may grow up to twelve feet in height. It is a medicinal plant; tea made from the bark is a purgative.

Identified as Opulaster opulifolius in older texts, Ninebark is a prime example of the mutability of taxonomy which is the bane of all naturalists.