Day 270: When a rare plant is located, it is always a good idea to document the environment in which it was found. On my second trip to the Phantom Orchid site, I began cataloguing vascular species: Oxalis, Bedstraw, Violets, Hedge Nettle, Foamflower...wait, what's that leaf? The tiny blossoms which give Foamflower its name appeared to be on a stalk emerging from a distinctively different type of leaf, vegetation I could not recall having ever seen anywhere else. I dutifully took photos, noting two reflexed sepals and glandular seed capsules as I did so, hoping that I could identify it without having to lug Hitchcock's "Flora of the Pacific Northwest" back up the hill. Upon arriving home, I hit the books and discovered that it was Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina), a fairly common plant which, despite its Latin nomenclature, occurs from sea level through the subalpine zone. Undoubtedly, I have seen it before without making particular note of it...little white flowers, so what?...but in this context, it earned my respect as a possible companion species for our precious Phantoms.
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