Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT)

Erect, loosely branched shrub, to 3 m tall; bark dark brown, checking and eventually flaking off. Leaves opposite, deciduous, short-stalked, oval to egg-shaped, 3-5 cm long, light green, margins essentially smooth but with some teeth on young leaves, three major veins from the leaf base. Flowers white, 2-3 cm broad, fragrant, usually with four petals and numerous stamens, 3-15 in clusters at the end of lateral branches. Fruits oval, woody, four chambered capsules approximately 1 cm long. Vegetative and floral characteristics are extremely variable depending on local ecological conditions (Pojar et al., 1994).

Lewis’ mock-orange, Indian arrow-wood, Indian arrowhead, syringia, mock-orange

Hydrangeaceae

From British Columbia and southwest Alberta southward through Montana and Idaho to northern California (Stickney, 1974). Sub-continental to continental cool temperate and cool semi-arid climates. Occurrence increases with increasing temperatures and decreases with increasing elevation. Scattered occurrence in open-canopied Douglas-fir forests, but most common on water-shedding sites (Klinka et al., 1989). Habitat varies from open forests and forest edges to open brushy communities at low to middle elevations (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). Normally scattered at low densities but sometimes occurs in dense, localized stands (Carey, 1995).

Organic soils on forest sites; rocky soils on brushy, dry sites (Pojat and MacKinnon, 1994).

Nitrogen-medium soils (Klinka et al., 1989).

pH 4.1 to neutral (Klinka et al., 1989).

Moderately dry to moist (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).

Sun loving to moderately shade tolerant (Klinka et al., 1989).

Early to mid-seral species. Often present in seral shrub communities following logging and burning. Top may be killed by fire but the root crown usually survives and produces sprouts (Carey, 1995).

Characteristic of the Garry oak-Douglas-fir community. Associated with indicator plants such as dull Oregon grape and ocean spray (Klinka et al., 1989).

Riparian bank stabilization, adapted to areas of full and partial sun. Suitable for both upland and seasonally inundated areas (SSWC, 1998). Not suitable for compacted clay soils (Crowder and Darris, 1999).

Attracts bees and butterflies (SSWC, 1998). Moderately important winter forage for deer and elk. Seeds eaten by birds and rodents. Dense shrub habitats, particularly along riparian areas, provide good summer and winter wildlife cover (Stickney, 1974; Carey, 1995).

Showy, aromatic flowers. Potential use in both native plant and mixed gardens. Good for hedges and shrub borders. Related garden plant commonly grown in the Pacific Northwest is the European variety P. coronarius (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). Very sensitive to herbicide sprays (Carey, 1995).

The Saanich and Skagit used the wood for bows and arrows; the Lummie and Cowlitz used the wood for combs, netting shuttles and knitting needles. The Snohomish, Cowlitz and others used a lather obtained by bruising and rubbing the leaves and flowers for cleansing the skin (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).

The wood is strong and hard and does not crack or warp when cured properly (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).

Early May to mid-June

Late summer

Mid-September to late October

Annual

7.7 million to 17 million

50 to 65% if stratified for full 8 weeks.

Check during mid-August for seed development and frequently prior to collection to ascertain collection timing. Use cutting test, half-section method to assess developing seeds within capsules. Capsules are best collected from standing plants by hand-picking directly into picking bags (Banerjee et al., 2001). Extract seeds by gently crushing the dried capsules and passing them through an aspirator (Rose, 1998).

No information available

Stratify seeds at 5º C for eight weeks. Germinate at temperatures from 22-26º C. Can also be fall-sown.

For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.