Verna Pratt flowers

A photo of the Twin Flower

The Twin Flower (or the specific epithet, Linnaea Borealis meaning "northern") is part of the honeysuckle family. The plant was named by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. He was responsible for putting names to over 8000 plants, often naming aesthetically pleasing plants after his supporters and unattractive plants after his detractors. Linnaea Borealis was Linnaeus's favorite plant and named it after his close friend and teacher.[1] This flower is seen in woods and other dry areas including on mountains, they bloom Mid-June to early August.[2] The flower features a long shrub with evergreen leaves that are rounded and light green, these leaves are placed opposite of the stems. The flowering stems have 1-2 sets of leaves that include pink/white bell-shaped flowers that are carried on 3-6 Y-shaped stalks. The pink to white flowers grow in pairs which is why the common name is "Twin Flower." The flowers have a strong smell that lasts about 7 days after blooming. [1] The Twin Flower isn't just seen in Alaska, it can also be found in northern Europe, Asia and parts of North America, however, the plant is slowly becoming endangered as its occurrence in these areas have dropped 50% since 1970.[3][4]

A photo of the Actaea Rubra (Baneberry)

The Baneberry or Snakeberry (or the specific epithet Actaea Rubra) is part of the crowfoot/ranunculaceae family. The first form of the plant Baneberry has red berries while the other form Snakeberry has white berries.[5] This plant can be found in cool, moist forests in North America, specifically in Alaska and the Yukon, but it also occurs in aboriginal areas in the North.[6] The long-lasting plant in 18-30 inches long with 3-5 toothed leaves that grows from the flower stalk. The red or white berries are high above the leaves and they ripen a few weeks after they bloom, around mid-July through August. However, the berries are very poisonous, the digestion of six berries can kill a child. In Alaska, you can find these plants along mountainsides or pull-offs along highways. [2]

A photo of Sorbus Sitchensis

The Mountain Ash (or the specific epithet Sorbus Sitchensis) is part of the Rose/Rosaceae family.[2] This is a native plant that reaches up 4-9 feet tall, there is also a rare small tree variant that is up to 20 feet tall. The plant grows in the woods, low alpine meadows, and slopes on high elevation mountains over at the southeast and coastal Southcenter of Alaska.[7] The twigs have small brown-colored hairs, the leaves are divided into small 7-11 notched leaflets, the flowers have 5 petals and are round with flat clusters at the end of the branches. The flowers can grow large, red/orange berries that bloom in the fall, the berries are safe to eat but are bitter until they've been frozen and thawed a few times.[7]

The flower propagates with seeds. After the plant reaches 15 years of age, it starts producing a seed crop every year. The seeds are transported by birds like the bohemian waxwing who also eat the berries. The seeds themselves are firm but regularly damaged by deer.[2][7]