Vancouveria Hexandra, Inside-Out Flower

Day 249: When fully open, the tiny blooms of Vancouveria hexandra are reflexed, i.e., they sweep backwards to expose the stamens. Six petals form the blossoms' distinctive "inside-out" form and give rise to a most logical common name of "Inside-out Flower." Although the shape is reminiscent of Shooting-star and Cyclamen, Vancouveria is unrelated to either, and in fact is a member of the diverse Barberry family. It is endemic to the low and middle elevations of the Pacific Northwest to northern California, and often forms a dense groundcover when conditions are ideal. Its foliage is attractive, each compound leaf consisting of up to 15 three-lobed leaflets which in shape resemble a duck's webbed foot or a stylized drawing of a tulip.

Vancouveria Hexandra, Inside-Out Flower

Day 244: The flowers of Vancouveria hexandra are fairly small, but well worth a closer look. Its reflexed petals inspired its common name of Inside-Out Flower. Common along moist forest margins, the outline of its individual leaves resemble a child's drawing of a tulip and emerge from opposite points along a wiry, thready stem with a single leaf at the tip. It may establish itself as the dominant groundcover when it is able to out-compete Oxalis in their mutually-preferred environments, or the two may in some cases peacefully coexist. Both enjoy shade or sun-fleck habitats, and the acidic soils of Douglas-fir forests encourage its growth. Despite its visual similarity to a miniature lily, it is a member of the Barberry (Berberidaceae) family.

Penny Perspectives - Inside-Out Flower

Day 232: As lovely as an Avalanche Lily in its own tiny right, aptly named Inside-Out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra) is actually a member of the Barberry family, cousin to the more familiar Vanilla-leaf but not seen as frequently in the Park. When the flower is fully open as shown in this Penny Perspective, its six petals reflex (turn backward) from its tightly clustered stamens. It is easier to spot if you look for the leaves which occur in threes, giving the lie to the old phrase, "Leaves of three, beware of me." A lowland plant, you are most likely to find it just inside the Nisqually Entrance.