Category Archives: Botanical Meanderings

Solanum pyracanthos or S. pyracanthrum (Gk: pyro = fire, akantha = thorn) is native to tropical Africa and Madagascar.  I came across this lovely specimen in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at the University of Los Angeles.  Prickles develop on the leaves and … Continue reading →

  There are lots of cool trails up at Cypress to check out.             There are lots of great plants to look at along the trail.  Many of the wet, seepy slopes are good places … Continue reading →

Veratrum viride is known as Indian hellebore.  It is not a true hellebore; it belongs to the Melanthiaceae, not Ranunculaceae.  This picture was taken on the road to Rennell Sound on Haida Gwaii.         It is found … Continue reading →

There are lots of monkey puzzle trees around Vancouver.   Araucaria araucana belongs to the Araucariaceae, an ancient lineage of conifer.  It is native to Chile and Argentina (it is the national tree of Chile).  This picture was taken at VanDusen Garden. … Continue reading →

  I am not sure what species of Verbascum this is, but it was really lovely!  Even though the Scrophulariaceae has recently undergone a major downsizing Verbascum remains within the family.           The flowers have 5 … Continue reading →

We have been to Thailand numerous times.  My favourite botanical find was the magnificent flower of Rafflesi kerrii (second to Rafflesia arnoldii as the largest flower in the world).  We were really lucky!  We were told the plant would not … Continue reading →

Van Dusen Garden is fabulous any time of year, but it is really glorious in the spring. Quite the palette as you wander along Rhododendron Walk.  They have over 600 species and a bunch of hybrids. There are a number … Continue reading →

In June I went to Edmonton for a conference.  The University of Alberta campus was lovely as were the trails along the river.  I stumbled across soopalallie in fruit (Shepherdia canadensis) which thrilled me to no end as I have … Continue reading →