Madia elegans

[amateuranthecologist]

Back in July I wrote about a wonderful SW Oregon native, Madia elegans, in my blog (http://amateuranthecologist.blogspot.com/). I've updated some of the information with my most recent knowledge of this plant and it's ecology, based on my observations. Have a look, here's the link:

http://amateuranthecologist.blogspot.com/2015/07/madia-elegans.html

[Uli Lessnow]

I opened the link and found very nice differnt flowers of Madia elegans.
Oregon must be a beautiful country for plants. I also like the Fritillarias
of the west coast. I hope for more pics.
Uli

[Maggi Young]

Travis' Blog is worth following , Uli. 

[amateuranthecologist]

Yes, Oregon is second only to California for the diversity of wildflowers, notably geophytes. Madia is a primary source of nutrition for native bees in the low elevation drylands. A few flowers continue to open each morning, however most have gone completely to seed. New plants appear in late Winter, photos will follow.

Thanks you two!

[Ed Alverson]

David Douglas was responsible for the "discovery" of Madia elegans and its introduction to British horticulture. See this entry from Edwards' Botanical Magazine from 1831: http://www.botanicus.org/page/239152 . Of course, David Douglas did not actually discover this plant, and it was in fact a culturally important species for many native people, and harvested by them in large quantity from prairie habitats that were maintained by intentionally set fires.

Ed