Angelica hendersonii - Seacoast Angelica

A. hendersonii is also known as Sea Watch, alluding to the fact that it grows only within sight of the ocean. It is a member of the Apiaceae, or carrot, family, and is a stout perennial growing from a strong taproot. Its numerous, tiny, white flowers form large clumps atop single stalks that can reach five feet. It blooms from May to July. Its compound leaves are slightly toothed and wooly underneath.

Photo: J. Tsao, 7/22/06, Seal Rock State Park

Erigeron glaucus - Seaside Daisy

It's unfortunate that E. glaucus burns in the inland sun, for its delicate, elliptical leaves and pretty, lavender flowers would certainly create ornamental interest in an urban garden. Instead, it prefers a coastal environment, where it is often found growing in clumps on rocky ledges near the beach.

Photo: J. Tsao, 7/22/06, South Beach State Park

Calyptridium umbellatum - Pussy Paws

C. umbellatum is another species found at high elevations, where it thrives in the sandy, rocky soil of its alpine habitat. It is recognizable by its flat clusters of succulent, spatula-shaped leaves and the dense, terminal clusters of rosy-pink flowers that give it its common name, Pussy Paws.

Photo: J. Tsao, 8/12/06, Timberline Lodge

Lupinus lepidus - Alpine Lupine

As its common name implies, L. lepidus is found at high elevations, where its tolerance of poor soil and preference for full sun make it quite common. Like other species of lupines, it has distinct, palmately compound leaves. It grows in mats close to the ground, getting only about two inches tall (not counting the height of the flowers).

Photo: J. Tsao, 8/12/06, Timberline Lodge

Honkenya peploides - Sea Purslane

H. peploides is often found growing on rocky beaches among driftwood. It is recognizable by its fleshy, elliptical, oppositely arranged leaves. New shoots arise from stolons under the rocks or sand.

Photo: J. Tsao, 7/22/06, South Beach State Park

Erigeron peregrinus - Subalpine Daisy

Subalpine Daisy, also known as Wandering Daisy, is commonly found in subalpine meadows. It grows best in sandy soil in full sun or light shade. It is often confused with Alice Eastwood's daisy (E. aliceae), which is similar but has hairy leaves.

Photo: J. Tsao, 8/12/06, Timberline Lodge

Juncus balticus - Baltic Rush

Baltic rush is found near the coast, along marshes or sand dunes. It is easily recognized by its green, cylindrical stems that spread by underground rhizomes. Near the middle of each stem appears a cluster of small flowers recognizable by their twisted, pink stigmas.

Photo: J. Tsao, 7/22/06, Neahkahnie Beach

Pinus contorta - Shore Pine

The bare, twisted trunks of Shore Pine are a familiar sight along the Oregon Coast. P. contorta is a pioneer tree in that area, meaning that it (along with Red Alder, Alnus rubra) is the first tree to appear after a clear-cut or fire. With time, it eventually gives way to the large trees of the coast: Western Red-Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Sitka Spruce.

P. contorta is a two-needle pine. Its cones are small, pendent, and have distinct, thorny protrusions on the cone scales. In its natural habitat, it loses its lower branches with age (due to the harsh coastal environment). However, when used as an ornamental inland, it will retain these lower limbs and can make an effective noise barrier. Near the beach, its bark is a washed out gray color, but further inland it is darker; even black.

Another variety of P. contorta is Lodgepole Pine, which grows strictly at higher elevations and has reddish bark.

Photo: J. Tsao, 7/22/06, South Beach State Park