Plant Data Sheet

Species: Inside out flower, Vancouveria hexandra

Range: Oregon, Washington, and California.(4)(5)

Climate, elevation: Moist and Dry forests at elevation below 1500m.Hardy to -15C.(3)

Local occurrence (where, how common): Very common perennial groundcover in the Douglas fir forests. Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Pacific, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties.(2)

Habitat preferences: Moist, shady woods, woodland, shaded rockery. (3,5)

Plant strategy type/successional stage: Dominant understory perennial ground cover in late successional Douglas fir forest. Tolerates some drought in summer.(3,6)

Associated species: A close relative of epimediums. Family Berberidaciae (4)

May be collected as: May be collected as seed in late July, or by division in early spring. (5)

Collection restrictions or guidelines: Information not available.

Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?): Information not available.

Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life): Information not available.

Recommended seed storage conditions: Information not available.

Propagation recommendations: Sow seeds as soon as ripe and division in early spring.(5)

Soil or medium requirements: Humus rich, well-drained soil. It drives in acid soil. (5,1)

Installation form: Good for woodland restoration. It is clumpy at the beginning, but then it spreads out. (1) Cost range from $ 3.00 – $12.00 dollars. (1) Once established, it can tolerate dry spells. (6)

Recommended planting density: Plant 1 1/2 feet apart.(6)

Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.): Side dressing of compost in spring or fall. Requires consistently moist soil; should receive supplemental water for at least the first season while they become established in the garden.(5)

Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan : It spreads by slowly creeping rhizomes. Perennial.(5)

Sources cited:

1. Big dipper farm. Grown on the third planet from the sun.Cited April 9, 2006. Available at http://www.bigdipperfarm.com/cgi-bin/cart/cart.pl?db=stuff.txt&method=all_words&search=Vancouveria%20hexandra

2. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. WTU Image collection. Cited April 8, 2006. Available at http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Vancouveria&Species=hexandra

3. Groothuis, Marianne. Dunedic Botanic Garden. This week at the garden. 20 Dec 2004. Cited April 8, 2006. Available at www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?MIvalObj=bg_pow_20041220&MItypeObj=application/pdf&ext=.pdf

4. USDA plants. Plant Data base. Cited April 9, 2006. Available at http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

5. Rainy Side Gardens in the Pacific North West. Plant Gallery and growing guide. Native plants (internet). Cited April 8, 2006. Available at http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Vancouveria_hexandra.html

6.Van Cleef Linda. Green Gardener. Native ground covers the perfect glove and east bay gardeners. Cited April 8 2006. Available at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2003/06/04/greeng.DTL

Data compiled by:

Mercedes Mijares

April 13, 2006.