Letter to Landscape Committee re Native Wildflowers

Triteleia in 2024.

Orchids mowed in 2025.

March 15, 2026

John Bullock
Landscape Committee
Ovation at Oak Tree

 John,
As you know I have had a special interest in our Oak Preserve for several years. In 2022, I started noticing the native wildflowers and have been marking and writing about them as they continue to flourish. I also follow the Washington Native Plant Society and have learned that we have some native plants that are endangered.

My main concern is the mowing and spraying of the trails when the native plants are starting to grow and when they are in bloom. This seems to happen every year and every year I think I should do something to keep that from happening. The problem is I am getting older every year so I would like to form a small group of volunteers who could help monitor our vulnerable native wildflowers in our Preserve.

Since the Landscape committee has oversight of the Preserve, I am asking you for your thoughts on this idea. This group would only be interested in monitoring the care of the native wildflowers at this time.

One example of the native wildflower that was mowed while in bloom is the patch of native Elegant Piperia Orchids that are located behind the “End of Trail” sign. (see pictures) There were about 20 plants in bloom last summer when the mowers mowed them down. There are many orchid plants starting to grow in that same area now and I would like to know how they can be protected this summer. Another vulnerable plant is the hyacinth cluster lily that grows along the trails and is mowed every year. (see picture)

 A plant that has not been seen for 2 years is the Triteleia grandiflora. It bloomed last in 2024, so I assume it succumbed to the weed spraying. It was one-of-a-kind, so it is very sad that it is gone. Oak seedlings and Dwarf Owl-clover are also gone. (see pictures)

 The other people who are interested in helping me are Judith Turner and Pam and Rob Kedenburg. Their properties all back up to the Preserve. I am very thankful for their interest, and more people might show interest if they hear about our concerns. 

I assume you will need to have the HOA Committee look at my proposal. I would be happy to attend a Landscape committee meeting if you would like that.

Thank you for your work on the Landscape committee,
Eleanor Zweigle
9117 Schmitz Ct. SE, 360-561-5940,
eleanorzkf@gmail.com

Pictures of Some of the Vulnerable Plants

Dwarf Owl's-clover
Oak seedlings
Cluster lilies.

Dwarf Owls-clover Information

Patch at entrance to 36th Court in 2023.

Patches on both sides of the steps in 2023.

Triphysaria pusilla
Dwarf Owl's-clover
Stem slender, branched, prostrate, with growing tips turned upward. Leaves tiny, lobed many times, often coated with fine purplish or yellow-brown hairs. Tiny flowers hidden among bracts, reddish purple or sometimes yellow, include 3 shallow pouches below hooked beak. Grows in grasslands at low elevations.

Dwarf owl's-clover (Triphysaria pusilla) is a tiny, native annual herb found in moist, open, grassy areas of Western Washington. This hemiparasitic plant, featuring greenish, reddish, or purple stems up to 20 cm, grows in vernal pools and wet meadows.

Invasive plants are among the greatest threats to our landscape as they displace native species and reduce community diversity. Their removal is often complicated, expensive and sometimes harmful to nature. A team of Czech scientists has now come up with a surprising solution – to use the power of nature against the invaders themselves. A study published in the prestigious Journal of Applied Ecology shows that the native hemiparasitic field cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense) can effectively weaken invasive species without the use of chemicals, achieving long-lasting results. 

Orchids Outside Fence

Lots of orchids along this trail to Marvin Rd.

These were dug up in the trail.

At the base is a corm or bulb, not very distinct.

I took these from in the trail where they were being stepped on.

Planted in moon garden. 

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=47.40.080 

Yes, it is generally illegal to dig up native plants from roadsides, highways, and public parks in Washington State without authorization. RCW 47.40.080 makes it a misdemeanor to remove native trees, shrubs, ferns, or bulbs within 300 feet of the center line of any state or county road.

Shooting Stars Clumps

Six beautiful clumps of shooting stars.

Just inside the trail to the street.

Chocolate Lily Corner

Chocolate lilies on small tree showing.

Many on larger tree all around.

Posted this picture on FB to show chocolate lily corner.

Lots of good response.

Shooting Star??

This is the plant by the stone.

 

Yellow Violets

These tiny baby violets are in the gravel near the yellow violet patch.

They are the first this year!

Found on search. 

Tagged it today.

Took about a dozen and put them in my moon garden.

These were in the gravel.

Daffodils in the Preserve

The daffodils are opening everywhere.

Lots of new bunches all over.

 

Many More Osoberry Bushes - Indian Plum

Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis), or Indian plum, is a fast-growing, deciduous shrub (5–15 ft) native to the Pacific Coast, often the first to bloom in late winter/early spring with fragrant, white flower clusters. It thrives in sun or shade, attracts pollinators and birds with its edible, bitter fruit (female plants only), and is ideal for restoration, erosion control, and wildlife gardens.
Found many along Oakwood, on edge of Preserve by round about and along Marvin by pond.

Common name: Indian Plum, Oso Berry

Native Range: West of the Cascades, in moist to dry wooded settings at low elevation, from southern British Columbia to southern California.

Characteristics: drooping clusters of small white flowers in early spring, blooming as leaves are emerging. Leaves are large and elliptical. On the female plants, small fruits hang down in groups from slender stems, turning from red to blue-black.

Take May 7, 2025.

Found some at the apple tree today - 3/11/26.

Osoberry Flowers Along Colville

Osoberry flowers.

There were about 20 osoberry bushes along the railroad track side of Colville.

Balsamroot Plant

Balsamroot Street Sign.

Chocolate Lily Babies

Excited to find lots of chocolate lily babies in various places.

A large group are in this area by this fallen log. 

Osoberry Blossoms

These osoberry flowers are just starting to open.

Mixed in with blackberries by bocca ball court. 

Saw several blooming on the stub at bottom of trail on east side.

Fungus - Pink

Upper side of this white crust fungus.

Underside is pink. It is on a log by camas field.

Interesting little fungus. 

Honeysuckle Vines - Western Trumpet

This is the one behind the poot.

This is the one on the east powerline trail.

Two honeysuckle vines to watch this summer. 

Shooting Star Plants

These shooting stars are near the triangle.

In my nursery patch, several shooting stars.

These are near this marker.

These are all at the entrance to the trail to Marvin.

I thought they were orchids but see they are shooting stars.