Tahoe National Forest Plants
Appearance
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Largest cones of all pines 18-20”
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Blue/green needles
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5 needles per bundle
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Grey/brown bark with deep grooves
Sugar Pine
Facts
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Tallest and largest of all pine species
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Its resin has been used as medicine or sweeteners.
Appearance
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Cones have “mouse tail” bracts that stick out of the cone
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Needles are single, not in bundles
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Thick bark and is deeply furrowed
Douglas Fir
Facts
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Needles are fragrant when crushed
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One of the most important timber species in the world
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It is the second-tallest conifer
Appearance
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Huge leaves up to 12”
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Grey/brown bark, lichen, and moss usually grow on it
Big Leaf Maple
Facts
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The seeds spin like a helicopter when they fall
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Sap can be made into maple syrup
Appearance
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Shiny green leaves that are deeply lobed and have toothed edges
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Long and slender achornes with a shallow cap
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The bark is smooth when the tree is young, but gets dark and furrowed as it ages
California Black Oak
Facts
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It's native to California's foothills and mountains
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Great food supply for wildlife, bears, deer, and birds all eat the acorns
Appearance
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The leaves are pinnate and are a bright green/yellow
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Has clusters of white flowers in the spring
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It produces blue/black berries
ElderBerry
Facts
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When cooked, the berries are edible
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Used for jams and syrups
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It is also a medicinal plant
Appearance
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Feathery/fern-like leaves
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Has flat-topped, clustered flowers that are white or pink
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The stem is tough, upright, and hairy,” fiber-like”
Yarrow
Facts
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Named after Achilles
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Great pollinator plant, it attracts bees and butterflies
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It is edible, used in teas, or salads
Appearance
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Its shape is coiled
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The color is bright green and smooth
Fiddlehead
Facts
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Edible when cooked
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In many cultures, it is a symbol of growth