Come with me to explore Oregon's coastal forest! You know there's mushrooms! But what else will we find?

This continues my travels to parts of western Oregon, all through the autumn of 2017. I hope you will join me for the whole series -- especially if you like mushrooms! Earlier posts in this series are: Escape to the Marine Layer - Part 1 and Part 2. I made this trip on September 14, 2017.

Big Trees and Long Time

Forests and time go together. It takes time for trees to grow tall. But sometimes the evidence of time is from the absence of a tree!

The autumn rains haven't returned yet. But in the forests along Oregon's coast, plants are still green and lush -- thanks to regular fog from the ocean. The forest is dense and the trees are tall.

What's going on here, with all these old tree roots above the earth? It seems strange, especially with such a big, old tree right next to it, growing in the usual way.

The view from this other side makes it all clear. The old tree on the right grew from a seed in the forest debris and moss on top of a fallen tree, lying on its side. As the little tree grew, it stretched its roots along the fallen log, looking for a path to the earth. But now that fallen tree is all rotted away, leaving only the shape of the log that once was there.

Think about all that time! The original tree growing from a seed to be so huge. Falling over! Then a little tree sprouting on the fallen log and growing to be big. Then the dead tree rotting away. That all takes a long, long time. That's forest time!

Butt Rot!

As I walked through the forest, thinking about time, I saw them. At the base of a big tree. What did I see? Mushrooms! The autumn rains haven't even started. But here are big mushrooms!

Do you see it? That tan-colored funnel thing?

Here's a bigger one!

They must be getting water somewhere. And they are -- from the roots of the big trees. It's one of the many Butt Rots of the forest. These fungi infect the base of a tree, or a whole group of trees. And eventually break down the carbohydrates and cellulose so much, that the tree falls over.

Which Butt Rot is this one? That yellow-green underside is distinctive. It's the Red-Brown Cubical Butt Rot. Also known as the Dyer's Polypore. They are an important part of the forest -- and good for dyeing wool and other animal fibers. I'll show you more about that in a future post, so stay tuned!

Along the Stream

I kept strolling, to a stream. I saw familiar friends of the forest that like living in the continual dampness and shade of the shoreline along the stream.

Even in September, there's Stinging Nettle that hasn't yet flowered. They are good eating when cooked into greens, for sure. But watch out for the stinging hairs along the stem!

Can you see the Stinging nettle here? There's another great edible plant here, too -- the one with 3 leaves, like a clover. That's one of the Oxalis, or wood-sorrels. They have a nice lemon flavor -- good enough to eat on the spot!

The Stinging nettle and Oxalis are native plants. But even here in the forest, there are invasive intruders. This is one of my least favorite plants -- the Creeping buttercup. It's easy to see how it spreads so far, so fast! It is a scourge! And not for eating. This plant is on the run for new territory to take over.

And here's another invasive exotic -- the English daisy. I enjoy eating their leaves and flowers. Here's a post I wrote about them. They don't take over quite like those Creeping buttercups. But there's no risk of picking too many!

I enjoy hearing the gurgle and babble of the creek. The light and shadows are amazing, especially how reflections on the water light up the ferns and plants hanging over the far shore, in the pool above the little waterfall.

Can you see the dancing light above the far side of the little pool above the waterfall?

A Pleasant Pavilion

I crossed the stream and headed up to a clearing. It's a group campground, closed already for the winter. But nature isn't closed - let's go look around!

I like rustic pavilions! This one looks majestic in the waning sun! Can you imagine tents scattered around the area and kids playing games in the meadow? This must be a lively place in the summer!

There are so many different styles of pavilions. This one has some cool design features. The long buffet table built into the left side probably holds a lot of food when large groups are camping in the meadow! I like the bench seats and table built into the right side of the pavilion. The bottom images show more details. I bet a lot of crafts get made there! And look, someone left a little heart of stone!

Thanks for Walking With Me

In part 2, we'll see what we can find around the meadow. There will be mushrooms and some good wild foraging! I hope you will join me!

In the meantime, here's a mystery. Can you identify this plant just from its leaves? What do you think I will do with this plant?

Thanks to @lyndsaybowes for the #walkwithme tag! And to everyone using that tag! Enjoy your walks!

• What forest is nearest to you?
• Do you like the sound of a babbling stream?
• Have you ever seen a Dyer's Polypore mushroom?
• What do you think my mystery plant is?
• What do you think I will do with that mystery plant?

Plant List

• Dyer's polypore - Phaeolus schweinitzii - not for eating
• Stinging nettle - Urtica dioica
• Wood sorrel - Oxalis spp.
• Creeping buttercup - Ranunculus repens not for eating!
• English daisy - Bellis perrenis

This post is on the Steemit World Map.

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Haphazard Homestead

foraging, gardening, nature, simple living close to the land
All content is 100% Haphazard Homestead!My YouTube channel: Haphazard Homestead