SWORD FERN
The Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) is widely dispersed throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is one of the most abundant ferns in Western North America. The fonds of this fern grow to about 3-4 feet, they usually grow in groups, they are single alternating pinnate fern, and they produce faint yellow spores. These type of ferns do best in low-moist elevations.
LADY FERN
The Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is brightly colored green. Unlike the Sword Fern, the Lady Fern is a broader fond at the base. The Lady does well in damp habitats, the spores are yellow and brown, it is a 3-pinnate fern, and the fonds tend to look as though they branch out more than other ferns. This fern can be identified easily from a Sword Fern just based on the color. Light green versus dark green.
THIMBLEBERRY
The Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is a prominent species at Ravenna Park. As you first enter the park, you will automatically be surrounded by this species. The Thimbleberry is a dense shrub that flowers white. The flower itself can be identified by having five petals and a yellow stamen. Thimbleberries produce an edible fruit during the summer time that is sour and not exactly pleasant to humans. On the other hand, because the berry is so seedy, it makes great feed for birds and squirrels. The berry itself is not considered a true berry but nonetheless, it is still edible. The foliage on this shrub is a deep green with a pale green underside and has large leaves that are palmately-lobed.
SALMONBERRY
The Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is a deciduous shrub that has colonized most of the western part of North America (mainly West of the Cascades). This plant is everywhere at Ravenna Park. Like the Thimbleberry, this shrub also produces a flower. The Salmonberry flower is pink on color, perfect, and usually appear before or with the new growth of the leaves. The leaves themselves are alternately arranged, pinnately compound, serrated, and ovate. The flowers produce a berry which is salmon colored and resembles a blackberry or raspberry. This berry is mostly eaten by birds but is also a main staple for other game which includes bears! It is also edible to humans as well.
TWINBERRY
The Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) is another shrub found deep within Ravenna Park. I have only seen this shrub a few times while at Ravenna but it is a great species of the honeysuckle family. The leaves on this shrub are ovate, elliptic, and hairy along the sides and underbody. The shrub produces a yellow tubular flower that are surrounded by large green bracts. The berry that grows on this shrub is a purple-black berry that grows in pairs. The berry is edible but does not taste good.
BLEEDING HEART
The Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) is native to moist woodlands. This species prefers damp grounds and shade, which is why it is found along most of the streams or swamp areas in Ravenna. The leaves are somewhat divided and the flowering is heart-shaped, light pink-dark pink in color and pod like.
Ravenna Park is composed of a rich variety of plant species. The species within this park are mostly native species with a few invasive species mixed throughout.
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