Serviceberry

Day 229: Alternatively pronounced "SARviceberry," Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) may also be referred to as "Shadbush," a common name which reflects the fact that it blooms concurrently with the start of the shad run in both east and west coast rivers. Native peoples relied on such indicators as a calendar of food-source availability. Serviceberry also provided edible fruit in early to mid-June, berries similar in size and somewhat in taste to blueberries, if not quite as juicy. In Canada, this shrub wears yet another common name "Saskatoon" and in the midwest, it is known as "June-berry." Bushes can grow to 20' in height and can be found from sea level to approximately 4000' altitude.

Oregon Boxwood, Paxistima Myrsinites

Day 226: This shrub has been a puzzlement to me for many (many!) years. I first observed it growing along Skate Creek Road and thought that it was an admirable foliage plant with its toothed leaves. I had never observed it flowering until a few days ago when I was wandering through Longmire Campground. It is quite small, and I took the flowers to be buds in tight clusters, and it was only when I took a sample in to ask our Plant Ecologist for an identification that I got a better look. He identified it immediately as Paxistima myrsinites (Oregon Boxwood), although he was somewhat surprised by its location. I had not gotten a good picture of the flower (not realizing it was in full bloom), so made a second sally over the bridge for a better shot, grateful that I had finally been able to lay to rest a botanical mystery which had been troubling me for ages.