May06_2008

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - L-R - Looking north over Skookumchuk Narrows rapids to Eagle Creek Lafarge Cement Company.

The automated light beacon on the rocks at the narrowest part of Skookumchuk Narrows in Sechelt Inlet.

Rocks and turbulent waters racing out toward Jervis Inlet from Skookumchuk Narrows.

Photos - L-R - Ebb tide in the Skookumchuk Narrows thousands of gallons of seawater heading north through the narrows into Jervis Inlet.

Nearby, on a shrub overlooking Skookumchuk Narrows are two distinct crops of Lichen: Usnea Longissima (Methuselah's Beard) hanging in long strands from the branches. This Lichen is easily recognized by it's long, pale yellow-green hanging strands. The whitish central cord is the most recognizable feature but can be easily confused with the Usnea Alectoria lichen (other varieties of the Usnea lichen do not have the central chord). The Methuselah's beard lichen are usually found on trees and shrub of open, well ventilated forest - locally abundant, but infrequent. Most of this lichen is found in old growth areas, and isn't usually associated with second growth areas (with exceptions, but doesn't persist), therefore is becoming more difficult to find. The fibers of this lichen have been used by natives to strain impurities of hot pitch used in medicines or for patching bark canoes. Usnea Wirthii (Blood-spattered Beard) Usnea Wirthii is associated with conifers in low land forest, medium sized, hanging shrub with a central cord.

Photos - L-R - Looking east along the southern shore of Skookumchuk Narrows Park - the back-eddy bay we visit next is just to the right of the white water.

Nereocystis Luetkeana (Bull Kelp) The plant usually found in the upper subtidal zone, grows to about 100 feet long, with the visible section like an inflatable float 6 to 20 feet long. The stipe is anchored with a massive holdfast attached to rock that will withstand most summer storms and tidal jostling but will not withstand winter storms. The massive size is usually attained in one season. The inflated float usually provides a platform for Blue Herons as they fish. The long, rope-like stalks were dried and cured, then spliced and plaited together to make fishing lines, nets, ropes, and harpoon lines by most Coastal Indian groups in the Province. Curing methods varied from alternately soaking in fresh water and drying by smoking over a fire, to drying and soaking in dogfish or whale oil. Kelp lines were dried for storage, but had to be soaked in water before use, or they were extremely brittle. The hollow upper stalks and bulb-like floats were used as storage containers for eulachon grease, fish oil, water, and Molasses. The parts were soaked in fresh water, then dried. The tubes were tied at both ends, to hold the liquids, with one end being untied to release the contents in whatever desired quantity. The tubular containers could be easily coiled and laid in wooden chest or hung in a convenient place for storage.

Cladina Portentosa (Coastal Reindeer) a large outcrop of some rocks above the high tide line. Coastal Reindeer Lichen forms extensive carpets over ground in exposed sites. This lichen is a medium to large sized, upright shrub colored pale yellowish green or whitish gray and intricately branched from larger main stems.

Click here for more photos of Skookumchuk Narrows Park for this day.