Queencup, Bride's Bonnet

I'm not a gardener. On August 11, 2020, I found a small (approx. 25 square feet) patch of Clintonia Uniflora on the upper portion of the ...Read Morebank of the Skokomish River in the Staircase (Lake Cushman/Hoodsport, Washington) portion of the Olympic National Park, near the "Red Rock" outcrop part of the river. The plants were in a slightly higher, uncleared portion of the river trail, where I had gone to pick up some litter left behind by visitors. I noticed the plants growing in shaded, thick moss because of the bright, shiny medium blue seed on top of each of the short (approx. 6-inch tall) plants. Very beautiful seed that looked like a painted wood bead. I have been off-trail in many of the northern parts of the Olympic Peninsula, and this was the first time I have seen these in seed season. A University of Washington horticulturist provided the identification for me, to which I am very grateful.

Turner (1978)notes that the Queen's cup was not generally recognized by contemporary native peoples.However the leaves were used by the L...Read Moreil'wet'ul as an eye medicine and by the okanagan to stop bleeding.The berries considered unpalatable,although grouse reportedly eat them.This plant is easily grown in a woodland garden ,and the foliage and berries are especially attractive.The beautiful,pure white,cup shaped flower,with it's crown of golden stamens,justly deserves the name "Queen's cup"It is also called blue-bead clintonia and blue eyed lily,refering to the single blue berry.The genus Clintonia is named in memory of New York state Governor and botanist De Witt Clinton (1769-1828).