vCE
THE CLACKAMAS PRINT
February 21,1990
Page 5
)rthwest wildflower
oil is shallow and of a fine
andy composition, moisture
etention is minimal and
'hatever grows here must have
onsiderable drought resis-
ince. This type of habitat is
eferred to as “xeric” or dry-
ind habitat, and is atypical
jr the north Willamette Val-
;y region. In this a typical
abitat one finds atypical
lants.
Misley mentioned that
nong other types of plant
fe, “one will encounter wild
uckwheat, Oregon sunshine,
jlden aster, parsley fern,
ixifrages, and sedums.” A
w gnarled and scrubby trees
ow out of the rock forma-
Dns, mostly garry oak and
adrone.
The non-native
otch broom also grows here
id unfortunately, competes
iite successfully with native
sanothus and kinnikinnik.
lison Oak grows everywhere.
Not all of the islands
e rocky. On part of the main
land there is a small forested
ea comprised mostly of oak,
h.anddouglasfir. There are
so small inlets of water and
wareas ofsilt accumulation
íerc the more usual river-
le vegetation grows.
“This research proj-
ect is a long term study that
will continue for several years.
The resultant information
should do much to influence
the pale larkspur’s status. In
other words, this plant is cur
rently a candidate for listing
as threatened or endangered
under the Federal Endangered
Species Act.” Another proj
ect included in his work on the
island includes a species list of
all seed producing plants. This
part should be concluded by
spring. With a sly and humor
ous intonation, he then added
that he wants to make up a
species list for “dickic birds
and small mammalian types.”
When asked concern
ing the value of preserving the
pale larkspur, Misley stated
that “in nature, extinction is
forever, thus the genetics of a
unique life-form is completely
snuffed out, never to return
again. Even from a standpoint
of pure practicality, who knows
what biochemical substance
that may be unique to a par
ticular species would eventu
ally have been discovered which
would cure cancer or in some
other way have been of a great
benefit to mankind.
One of several rocky Inlets on the Island.
Delphinium leucophaeum
»
Bob Misely evaluates the seed crop of the delphinium and gathers fertility data of
seed production.
Photos provided by Bob Miscty
uthor assists in reviewing notes on local flora.
centimeters
Colors by Muriseli Color Services Lab