May06_2008

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Over to the back eddy Bay just to the east of Skookumchuk Narrows view point after a four kilometer walk from the parking lot at Egmont Village.

Photos - Frames left and right: Cucumaria Miniatas (Red Sea Cucumber) Letting all of it's filaments hang out in the flowing tidal waters in a back eddy on the southern shore of Sechelt Inlet. The whole bay at the observation lookout is peppered with these red bodied creatures that like to cling between rocks and put out their feelers in search of dinner. This red, cucumber shaped creature grows to about 10 inches long and has variations of body color from bright orange, to brick red and sometimes purple. It is long and rounded, tapered at the rear, smooth and tough. I has 10 highly branched, orange red, retractable tentacles at the mouth end and five rows of tube feet. It is usually found nestled in crevices and under rocks near the low tide line and below to shallow depths from Alaska coastline to Central California.

Center frame: Alaria Spp (Winged Kelp) holding fast to rocks partially submerged in the narrows. Alaria sometimes called ribbon Kelp is olive-brown to rich brown with a prominent linear blade on the stem. Smaller, wing-like blades (Sporophylls) are attached to the base of the midrib or stipe, forming a cluster. These produce spores. Usually found in rocky areas, often in places with exposed to high surf in the low intertidal to upper subtidal zones from Alaska to California. Winged Kelp has been used in a variety of ways from dried leaves to be used in soups and stews, and has been deep-fried to be eaten like potato chips. The midrib can be eaten fresh with salad or added to spaghetti sauce.

Photos - Frames left and right: Pycnopodia Helianthoides (Sunflower Star) flattened out, clinging to a rock frame left, and clinging in a group at frame right, looking more like an octopus than a star fish. Called Sunflower Star because of its many arms, this rocky shore loving creature can grow up to 26 inches radius. It usually can be found on rocky shores or soft bottoms from the low tide levels to water 1435 feet deep from Alaska to Southern California. This is the largest and most active starfish on the Pacific Coast and can have as many as 15,000 tube feet to coordinate movements.

Center frame: Pisaster Ochraceus (Common Starfish, Ochre Sea Star) Common Starfish or also known as Ochre Sea Star are usually found on wave-washed rocky shores, well above low-tide line, sometimes below. Coloration varies from yellow, orange, rusty, brown to purple and has small white spines on upper surface of its 5 arms and body.

Photos - Frames left and right: I found this interesting worm upside down between a rock and a hard place (frame right) - It is a Kaburakia Excelsa (Large Leaf Worm) The color ranges from reddish orange to dark brown. It is tough, firm, with an oval shaped body and has 2 short retractable tentacles, each with an eyespot near the brain. Usually found in the intertidal zone near mussel beds or seaweed and under rocks from Alaska to California. I found this one lodged in a crevice between rocks turned belly up. I turned it over on top of that rock for a photo before tossing it into the out going tide.

Center frame: Patiria Miniata (Bat Star, Sea Bat) stranded on a rock while the tide rushes out to Jervis Inlet. The Sea Bat frequents rocks, surfgrass and rocky/sandy sea bottoms from low tide line to 960 feet. Small, reddish orange, variable pattern, usually 5 arms, but can have 4 to 9 broad, short arms - lacks spines and pincers.

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