Scouler's Harebell

Day 266: Delicate Scouler's Harebell is purportedly common in lowland forests, but has been reported in only a handful of locations in Mount Rainier National Park. Over the last couple of years, Team Biota has contributed three new sites to the list, and there is some evidence that the seed is being transported by road equipment. While this isn't a major issue when we're talking about native species, seed dispersal of invasives by vehicles and equipment is a widespread problem. Non-native species such as the Lactucas, Fuller's Teasel, Knapweeds and others "hitchhike" in mud and soil caked in wheel wells and other accumulation pockets on vehicles. When these areas are not washed out properly, the dried material and the seeds it contains can be transported for many miles before dropping off the undercarriage of its own accord. Innocent as it may be of any plans for world domination, Scouler's Harebell might not have spread to the location where this image was taken had it not been for careless cleaning of equipment, growing in abundance around the stem of a new invasive which may have been "planted" by the same piece of machinery. It's food for thought.