Wetland I.D. Guide - Island County Government

native Vegetation
Common Rush – Juncus effusus
general: Grows in dense clusters with single round spiky stems growing 25-130 cm tall. Fluffy
crowded groups of small greenish/brownish flowers from the top of the stem grow away from
the main stem.
Where Found: Moist to wet fields, pastures, roadsides, ditches, clearings, tideflats, pond
margins, and bogs. Often found in disturbed habitats.
Nootka Rose – Rosa nutkana
general: Up to 3 m tall with pairs of opposing thorns along the length of the stem, as
shown in the left most picture. Characterized by 4-8 cm wide pink flowers and red fruit.
Where Found: Shorelines, meadows, thickets, streamsides, roadsides, and clearings.
Red Alder – Alnus rubra
general: Up to 25 m tall, Red Alders are deciduous trees and have thin grey smooth bark with
white patches of lichens. Alder leaves are 5-15 cm long and remain green until they drop off
in the late fall.
Where Found: Moist woods, stream banks, floodplains, slide tracks, and recently cleared lands.
Red alders often indicate wetlands but are also found in recently cleared non-wetland areas.
15
Field Indicators
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate