BBY020 :: Impatiens glandulifera

Known by many names: policeman’s helmet, bobby tops, copper tops, gnome’s hatstand, Himalayan or Indian balsam, poor man’s orchid. Impatiens glandulifera is a very voracious invasive plant, taking over areas in fields and wetlands. There are programs around Burnaby Lake Park and in Metro Vancouver which enlist volunteers to help eliminate some of these plants.Continue reading “BBY020 :: Impatiens glandulifera”

BBY019 :: Rubus laciniatus

Cutleaf or evergreen blackberry. I started this drawing in June and finished it in September. During that time the berries had ripened and fallen or been eaten. I chose to cover this variety of blackberry before the more prominent Himalayan blackberry (R. armeniacus) just because it’s more interesting and unique, and fun to draw theContinue reading “BBY019 :: Rubus laciniatus”

BBY018 :: Ilex aquifolium

English holly. I was inspired by a recent botanical illustration tutorial from the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver (ISCMV) to draw something quickly and simply. I still don’t have watercolours, but I tried to use watercolour pencils for the pigment here. Holly is an introduced species from Europe. The spiky leaves may be mistakenContinue reading “BBY018 :: Ilex aquifolium”

BBY017 :: Lysimachia terrestris

Swamp candles. This was just a fun art piece on an inspired evening. I tried to complete it all in one night, but had to finish some details the next day. Although I haven’t done any art since then, it was nice to pump out a piece all at once. I feel that the sceneContinue reading “BBY017 :: Lysimachia terrestris”

BBY010 :: Sorghum halepense (?)

This is grass; I know that much! It is possibly johnsongrass, which I learned this week is an invasive introduced species that is not officially listed as present here in BC. However, if johnsongrass has popped across the US border, I wouldn’t be surprised. The plants I observed grow mainly in the marshy areas toContinue reading “BBY010 :: Sorghum halepense (?)”

BBY009 :: Lythrum salicaria

Purple loosestrife. This distinctive flower popped up in a few places along the Burnaby Lake trail. It was easy to identify; although similar to the native fireweed, purple loosestrife’s petals are more pointy. L. salicaria was introduced to North America and has taken over from East to West. More interesting information can be read here.Continue reading “BBY009 :: Lythrum salicaria”

BBY008 :: Fagus grandifolia or sylvatica

American or European beech. I need to see the flowers and the fruit to know for sure which species this is. Being a relatively small tree, it might be too young to show fruit. It may not be a beech since there are no native beeches on the West coast. Another species whose leaves theseContinue reading “BBY008 :: Fagus grandifolia or sylvatica”