Species Spotlight: Western or Pacific oak fern (Gymnocarpium disjunctum)

This month, we cast the Species Spotlight on Western oak fern!

Walking through Washington’s forests, it’s hard to miss Western oak fern with its distinct color brightening the understory. In the spring, its fiddleheads unfurl to reveal bright green fronds. In early fall, as they senesce or die back, these fronds fade to pale yellow or even white, adding a beautiful highlight to the autumn landscape. 

Characteristics 

This deciduous, perennial fern typically grows from 23 to 30 cm (8 to 16 in) tall, with broadly triangular fronds measuring 20 to 68 cm (8 to 27 in) long. The genus Gymnocarpium means “naked fruit,” referring to its spores which are not covered with an indusium or protective layer like other fern species. These are found on the underside of the fronds. 

Western oak fern was recently reclassified as G. disjunctum to differentiate it from G. dyopteris, which is also referred to as Western oak fern or Northern oak fern. The two can be difficult to differentiate when young, although Gymnocarpium disjunctum tends to have slightly larger leaves. 

Habitat 

Despite what the name suggests, Western oak fern does not grow on or near oak trees. Rather, it prefers mid to high elevation mixed coniferous forests, relying on plenty of moisture and shade. As a result, it is often found around Douglas fir trees, Western hemlock, and Sitka spruce, along with deciduous trees such as aspen and Bigleaf maple. Gymnocarpium disjunctum also thrives around native understory such as Foamflower, Vanillaleaf, and Redwood sorrel. 

Western oak fern has been documented along the West Coast of the United States stretching from Oregon to Alaska and grows on both sides of the Cascade Range.  

This delicate but hardy fern is also an excellent choice for landscaping, providing lush groundcover for native plant gardens. 

Conservation Status 

Western oak fern is currently listed as a secure plant species in Washington. For all native plants and wildlife, our stewardship work at Nisqually Land Trust aims to establish healthy, biodiverse forests, promoting the habitat that allows these unique species to continue to thrive. 

Species Spotlight: Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

This month, we cast the Species Spotlight on Ghost Pipes!

At first glance, this unique plant might appear to be a fungus. Looking more closely, however, the bright white flowers and stems come into view. While often misidentified, Monotropa uniflora is a flowering plant with distinct physical characteristics — its coloring (or lack thereof) is due to the absence of chlorophyll, the green substance that allows plants to photosynthesize.

Identification

The scientific name Monotropa uniflora hints at the physical traits of this plant. Monotropa is Latin for “one turn”, referring to the sharp curve at the top of the stem. Uniflora, meaning “one-flowered”, lets us know there will be one flower per stem.

Each individual plant grows from 4-8” tall and has small, scale-like leaves. The flowers, although typically white, can occasionally feature hints of pink and/or black specks.

A similar native plant in Washington, Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys), is often confused for Ghost pipes, although Pinesap has more flowers per stem.

Since Ghost pipes do not contain chlorophyll, they are unable to convert energy from the sun into food. As a result, they are considered heterotrophic, meaning they are unable to produce their own sustenance. Instead, they absorb nutrients from surrounding tree roots through mycorrhizal fungi and decaying organic matter in the soil, all without harming the tree.

Habitat

Since Ghost pipes do not depend on sunlight for food, they are able to thrive in dense, deep forests. They grow throughout most of the United States at low-moderate elevations, given there is sufficient moisture, and are often found alongside a variety of interesting fungi.

In Washington, they bloom from June to September, spanning early summer to early fall.

Ghost pipes have also been recorded throughout Asia, notably in Nepal, Japan and Taiwan, as well as Mexico, Colombia, and parts of Central America.

Protection

While Monotropa uniflora is not currently at-risk in Washington, it is threatened in other states due to heavy logging, competition with invasive plants, and human development.

Our stewardship work at Nisqually Land Trust, particularly to plant native trees, remove invasive plants, and protect our forested lands from development, preserves their habitat and ensures they have the conditions necessary to flourish.

Photos by NLT Stewardship Manager Jake Pool

Species Spotlight: Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

This month, we cast the Species Spotlight on the ruffed grouse!

Recently, Land Trust staff and volunteers noticed a curious ruffed grouse along the trails at our Pileated Woodpecker Preserve in McKenna.  

While most grouse are elusive and wary, some are known to approach humans. This grouse has been tagging along with Site Stewards on property visits and following our weekly volunteer crew, taking advantage of them stirring up leaves to find insects and other food in the brush. 

Identification

Bonasa umbellus is roughly the size of a chicken (gallus gallus domesticus), although as the scientific names suggest, the two are not directly related. The grouse’s coloring ranges from brown to gray with white spots, and it can be recognized by its fan-shaped tail with a thick black band along the edge. When displaying, males fan their tail and puff out their long, black neck feathers. They often stand on a stump or log and beat their wings against their body, making a deep drumming sound. Outside of this display, males and females are similar in appearance and can be difficult to distinguish.

Habitat

The ruffed grouse is typically found in woodland habitats at a wide range of elevation, from sea level to over 3,700 meters (12,000 feet), across the United States and Canada. They prefer forested streams with a mix of deciduous trees and conifers, including a lush understory with a variety of insects, seeds, and berries to feed on. The most important native trees for the Bonasa umbellus have been identified as black cottonwood, bigleaf maple, vine maple and sitka spruce, all of which the Land Trust installs on our protected lands.

Although the ruffed grouse is often hidden by thick vegetation, it can be spotted foraging on the forest floor or sitting in dust or on anthills, fluffing its feathers. 

Protection

While Bonasa umbellus is not designated as a vulnerable species, our restoration efforts at Nisqually Land Trust aim to benefit all wildlife in the Nisqually watershed. 

Each observation of wildlife enjoying our protected lands demonstrates that our work to protect and encourage healthy, biodiverse forests with a variety of native trees and shrubs makes a difference, allowing our native wildlife to thrive.  

 

 

 

Species Spotlight: Trillium parviflorum (small-flowered trillium)

This month, we cast the Species Spotlight on small-flowered trillium!

Many of us know and love blooming trilliums as one of our first signs of spring in the Nisqually watershed, but do you know this distinct species? Trillium parviflorum, commonly known as small-flowered trillium, was only formally recognized and named in the 1980s.

Habitat

Small-flowered trillium’s preferred habitat at the edge of native prairie and riparian forest can make it difficult but especially rewarding to find. That said, with adequate moisture and a protective hardwood overstory, this native plant can also be found in other habitats along the West Coast.

Our NLT Stewardship Manager spotted this particular population in the wetlands on our Ohop Valley Protected Lands. The Trillium parviflorum here grows on hummocks, small mounds of mud and sticks created by beavers just above the water. Surrounding deep thickets of ninebark and red osier dogwood create limited light, reducing competition with neighboring plants and allowing these trilliums to thrive.

Physical description

Depending on its geographic location, Trillium parviflorum can vary greatly in appearance. It typically features 3 broad, mottled leaves and a white or slightly pink-purple flower smaller than that of western trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). It usually grows 6 to 12 inches with leaves spreading from 12 to 18 inches wide, adding to its dramatic appearance. As it travels further south, Small-flowered trillium integrates with other species such as Trillium albidum, altering its physical characteristics.

Small-flowered trillium’s scent can range from skunky to a citronella-like smell, or it can have no scent at all. Several pollinators are attracted to its flower, especially ants and wasps which are drawn to a protein pack on the seed. Ants will trail along eating the protein, dropping discarded seed pods as they go. Wasps may be seen perched on a branch, separating out the nutritious pack and dropping the rest.

Protection

Trillium parviflorum is currently listed as a sensitive species in Washington. Our work at the Land Trust to reduce invasive plants, including invasive grasses, protects trilliums and other native plants in the understory and prevents them from being shaded out.

Special plants like these remind us of the great biodiversity of our watershed and emphasize the importance of our work to protect them and build resilient habitats for years to come.

Species Spotlight: Rare Prairie Plants on NLT Lands

This spring and summer, we have discovered some rare prairie plants on Land Trust properties.

On our Upper Ohop Creek protected lands, a site we originally conserved to protect the stream and floodplain wetlands, our Stewardship Manager Jake investigated some adjacent prairie balds and discovered they were covered in checker (chocolate) lilies, white brodiaea, shortspur seablush, and Oregon fawn lilies, among others.

These pockets of thin soil and exposed rock provide a unique habitat for these plants to thrive, preventing trees from growing that would otherwise shade them out. This makes for a striking sight – rare native prairie wildflowers surrounded by towering western redcedar, bigleaf maple, western hemlock and Douglas fir with seeps and streams full of skunk cabbage, devil’s club and corn lily.

When Jake was visiting, a variety of pollinators, including the rare western bumble bee, were busy at work on the balds. He also spotted a couple of bald eagles guarding the prairie balds, fixing up their nest for the season.

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Checker or chocolate lily (Frittillaria affinis)

One of the more well-known prairie plants covering the balds is the checker or chocolate lily. It is known for its downward-facing, spotted, deep purple-red and yellow flowers. Like other lilies, it is a bulbous perennial, dying back each winter and sprouting a new stem from an underground bulb the following spring. Their edible bulbs have also been called “rice root,” as they resemble grains of rice and are an important first food for Pacific Northwest native people.

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White brodiaea (Triteleia hyacinthina)

The site also contained extremely high numbers of white brodiaea, creating a white carpet across the balds. These were found only in open, exposed sunny locations. As the scientific name suggests, Triteleia hyacinthine is known for its hyacinth-like blossoms. These are typically white and grow in clusters of 10 to 40 flowers each.

 

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Shortspur seablush (Plectritis congesta)

Shortspur seablush is excellent when grown as an ornamental for pollinators. This annual wildflower is attractive to many native bees and butterflies, including the endangered Fender’s blue and rare Taylor’s checkerspot. Similar to white brodiaea, its pink flowers bloom in crowded clusters.

 

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Oregon fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum)

Oregon fawn lily prefers partial shade and can be found in the woods on this property, on the edges of the balds. It is recognized by its yellow-white, downward-facing flowers with curved petals and is also a bulbous perennial like the checker lily. It is pollinated by a variety of native bumble bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.

 

We are grateful to protect and steward unique pockets of habitat that allow these rare and important pollinator plants to thrive. While they were not what originally caused us to protect these particular lands, we are committed to protecting all the important native biodiversity of the lands we steward.

Photos by Jake Pool

 

 

Species Spotlight: Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)

This month, we cast the Species Spotlight on the Western Toad!

Photo and Article by Stewardship Manager Jake Pool

Stewarding the land is not only about protecting and improving the land, but also observation. During recent summer work in the Nisqually Land Trust properties in Ashford, WA, known as Mt. Rainier Gateway, larger adult Western toads were found in culverts. If there are adults, there must be a breeding location nearby.  

A closer look at the maps led us to some ponds nearby that seemed like ideal habitat. These ponds are in the Nisqually Community Forest lands, a separate subsidiary non-profit of the Nisqually Land Trust. At first, walking up to the pond surrounded by subalpine meadow flowers and grasses yielded nothing in toads, but lots of pollinators enjoying the flowers. Once we got closer to the moist soil on the edge of ponds, the ground looked like it was moving amongst the foliage. We knelt down along an animal trail, and you could see hundreds of toadlets moving and hopping along the ground. All the ponds in the area had thousands of toadlets that had recently metamorphosed from their aquatic habitat.

Part of our stewardship on these lands is to bring the forest and meadows back to their natural functioning state. Most of the area had been planted densely in single conifer species of trees. Little diversity and low light levels at the forest floor does not produce a quality and diverse habitat for many species of wildlife and plants, which the toads and so many other animals need to do well.  

To restore good conditions, we thin the forest, create openings, and plant a diverse community of plants back in these areas. This important work also helps to ensure better water flow and storage over time into our wetlands, streams, and rivers, and recharges our aquifers when we encourage diverse habitats that benefits not only wildlife, but plants, salmon, and the people of the Nisqually Watershed. 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) would like to have reports of any observations of these Western Toads or other threatened or rare species. To do so, use the ‘At-Risk” wildlife observation form: WDFW Wildlife Observations (arcgis.com) 

Learn more about the Western Toad here: Western toad | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife 

Western Toad Factoids: 

• WDFW was very excited about the recent find. They confirmed this is the 5th known breeding population of Western Toads in Pierce County. 
• Individual females produce approximately 12,000 eggs per clutch on average (estimated counts range 6,000 to 20,000).  
• They spend most of their life in terrestrial habitats, such as prairies, forests, canyon grasslands and ponderosa pine-Oregon oak habitat. They only breed in waterbodies to reproduce, like wetlands, ponds, lakes, reservoir coves, and the still-water off-channel habitats of rivers, as well as river edges.