Rolandvue,4th Week of November: Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium? Club Mosses

 We have been watching for an excuse to mention the Oregon-grape, a favorite since it is a long way from home and only scattered in the neighborhood.  The specimen along north side of Rolandvue was probably planted in distant past, the one near the beech end of Wagner may be from seed.  Fellow walkers have suggested it is just a variation of holly.  The name aquifolium does mean holly-like leaves. The first photo shows the bright yellow color just under the bark, said to be typical for Oregon-grape indicative of one of the chemicals produced, berberine .(One reference notes that the bark can be harvested from the same plant for thirty years without damage).

So the Mahonia identification seems fairly certain even though we have not seen the spring flowers or the purple fruit.  There is a fruiting structure growing the last week or two.  The internet does not show this structure very definitively.  There is a variation , Mahonia japonica which produces a winter flower with something like this appearance.  Someone may have this in their garden and the birds have spread the two specimens.  There should be fragrant yellow flowers followed by blue berries.

The berries, though tart can be made into wine or jelly.  Extracts of the roots or the bark are used for medicinal purposes, particularly for GI complaints.  The leaves show signs of stress, nibbles, for a non-native it follows the thought that every leaf tells a tale.  The last photo is a close-up of one element of the inflorescence, now arching but tending toward pendant.  It is more like the japonica.

 The last two photos were taken down by the lake on one of the Friday walks.  No one knew the  seasonal timing of the plant so can not say it tells much about the calendar.  They were about four inches high and looked like miniature xmas trees. The club mosses once were a dominant species as large trees but now are "of minor ecological and economic importance."  There are enthusiasts who grow them for decoration.  They can be added to wreaths.  One species makes a powder which flashes, used in early photography. They are easily missed, prefer moisture and warmth so may be gone in a few days.
The specific identification is difficult but I like the sound of "Selaginella". Another name is resurrection plant, having the ability to roll into a brown ball when dry, returning to a green state with moisture.

possible club mosses,four inches tall

club moss seen near lake Roland,? selaginella