False Bugbane,Tratvetteria caroliniensis var. occidentalis
Family: Ranunculaceae - BUTTERCUP FAMILY
Genus: Tratvetteria after Russian botanist E. R. von Trautvetter (1809 - 1889)
Species: caroliniensis means 'of Carolina'
aka Tassel-Rue. Although lacking petals the flowers are very showy with 50 -70 brillantly white stamens. Fuzzy flat-topped clusters sit atop plants reaching 3' (90 cm) often standing out in a forested backdrop. Attractive palmately lobed leaves are 4" -10" broad. The true bugbane (c. elata) is taller, to 6', and produces an unpleasant order and has been used as a bug repellant. Apparantly the 'bane' to bugs doesn't affect the friendly catepillar shown here. Usually found along streams and in moist forest at between 3000' to 6000' elevation. (ref. Blackwell, Pojar)
Trail Notes:
Trail/Hike: Lake Eleanor/Grand Park
Date: August 23, 2008
Location: along unnamed stream midway between Grand Park and Lake Eleanor
