Alaskan Specimens Log

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Flora and Fauna of Alaska





Below, you can see a list of Nome, Alaska’s common specimens from predators to prey to the small, beautiful summer blossoms that can be found across the land.






.:.Playable Species:.


>Human<
We certainly are a most interesting kind, aren’t we?


>Dog<
-playable breeds-
Often called “mans’ best friend” for a reason, these canines are used for many a job in town and about, perhaps the most exciting one being dog sled, as sled racing is a common event in the town.


>Cat<
-playable breeds-
Who doesn’t love these well-spoken felines? While it’s too cold for a cat to be stray and alive, they are often kept for mousing specifically, and are usually welcome on ships and stores in town, as well as stables and farms.


>Foxes<
-playable breeds-
These crafty little beats tend to be quite the nuisance around town, as they go and steal from livestock and even dog gangs, while some would think it’s a clever survival tactic others would say they just do it for the fun of theft! They’re also hunted for their furs, which make warm coats for those who wear them.


>Coyotes<
Living in small packs, the ‘yotes tend to stick closer to town, and just as the foxes, they tend to be a nuisance to farmers and shopkeepers, only they can get more aggressive than their smaller cousins, though they are less common. However, there are some who stick to themselves on the outskirts and cause little trouble in town.


>Wolves<
While they tend to stay in the forested areas North of town, they can sometimes be spotted on the outskirts, though often are chased away or shot. They thrive in packs and tend to be quite shy, but are hunted for their fur and out of fear for livestock and pets. Consist of the Gray Wolf, Yukon Wolf, and Alaskan Wolf breeds.




.:Livestock:.


>Reindeer<
These stocky animals serve like cattle in Nome, they are used for their meat, fur, and for help in labor. Both male and female have antlers, and they usually make up great herds on the outskirts of town. See >Caribou< for information on the wild species.


>Musk Oxen<
Keeping to their herds, these sturdy animals, especially males, tend to be very territorial and will dominate younger and smaller animals. It has an exceptionally thick fur coat with an underlayer that can be spun and used to knit underlayers of clothing. The resulting garments are extremely lightweight and very warm, and so they might be kept as livestock with their fur sold and used.



.:.Predators:.


>Brown Bear<
Typically trying to avoid contact with humans unless a good source or their young are threatened, of which they can turn aggressive. They compete with the polar bear for the title of largest land predator here, and, depending on availability of food, adults can range between  350lbs and 1,500lbs. There are two subspecies known in the area— the coastal brown bear, who live more around Nome, and the inland grizzly, who live further North.


>Black Bear<
One of the most widespread and opportunistic feeders, you may see 'blackies' here around Nome feeding on grass and dandelions today, salmon tomorrow, and perhaps garbage the next day. Because of this, they can be a pest in Nome and are often chased out.


>Polar Bear<
These beasts take the prize when it comes to largest land carnivore. Although some Brown Bears rival them for size, the overall species is a clear winner. They are specially adapted to living and hunting seals on the Arctic ice pack, which provides them a floating home and ready access to the ocean, and so they can be seen on occasion closer to town and the beaches. Young bears feed for at least two and a half years before they are self sufficient, but that doesn’t make an encounter with one much more of a pleasure, especially for hunters and dog sledding.


>Lynx<
These medium-sized cats aren’t called shadows of the forest for no reason— it isn’t often you can see them lurking about, and they tend to avoid being too close to town.


>Marten<
Looking like the mix of a raccoon and a cat, these little guys are very capable, opportunistic hunters, often found hunting smaller animals, though they also will eat fruits and nuts if necessary. They are also hunted for their valuable thick fur.

>Wolverine<
Muscular and stocky animals that live on the edge of the forests. They are very smart, often breaking into food caches and cabins to steal food as well as taking animals out of traps. One can hardly blame them for walking away with a free lunch, but pioneers didn't send much love their way. Even still, trappers try numerous different deterrents and always with limitted success. Wolverines have gained a reputation as ferocious animals that can, and will, kill animals several times their size.


>Least Weasel<
With an agile, long body, these pests are active hunters who tend to get in trouble with farmers for stealing from their stock, as they seem to be able to get past just about any barrier.


>River Otter<
Being semi-aquatic, these otters typically hunt fish and moluscs but have also been known to eat small mammals. They are especially susceptible to pollution and encroachment from development, so seeing them is a marker of a watersheds health.

>Sea Otter<
Found along the coastlines, the sea otter is hunted for its fur, which is said to be the finest and densest of any animal as they take on the frigid waters to feast on clams and oysters, or even fish.

>Pacific White-Sided Dolphin<
Most recognizable by their gray patches and the gray stripe running from their snout to their tail, these friendly animals are often seen a ways off shore, and are an amusement for sailors and tourists who will sometimes go out on boat.

>Risso’s Dolphin<
Risso's Dolphins have strange body proportions with a relatively large head and and 'upper' body that tapers substantially to a small, thin tail. Adults can reach weights of 1,000 lbs and the coloration changes from dark at birth to iterations of whitish-grey as adults that are marked by linear scars that come from social interactions. Like the White-Sided Dolphin, they can be seen further out from the harbor.

>Harbor Porpoise<
Being one of the smallest marine mammals at just 6 ft in length, the Harbor Porpoise can be seen very commonly near the docks, and even in rivers leading from the ocean, though this is much less common! Being in fact one of the most commonly seen marine wildlife, keep an eye out for these friendly beasts!

>Humpback Whale<
Seen commonly in the summer from the harbor, these awe-inspiring creatures give the audience that will gather quite the amazing show with their surprisingly agile acrobatics that bring them out of the water, which is indeed quite the spectacular feat considering their massive size.

>Seal/Sealion<
Not an uncommon sight around the rocks and beaches on Nome’s harbor, or even on the icebergs that float nearby, the seal/sealion has always been a staple for specifically natives and traders. Their fur and meat serve as this staple, and so it’s a common job to have hunters go out and bring in some. They tend to either be obnoxious or entertaining with their ways, and predators will usually keep their distance from the colonies unless they want to face the easily angered males. Common species are the Harbor seal, Spotted seal, Northern Fur seal, and Stellar’s Sea Lion. Less common ones are the Elephant Seal, the Ribbon seal, and the Walrus.

>Narwhal<
Seen year-round when they make visits to the surface of the water, these odd creatures are an interesting sight to say in the least. They give some competition for fishers as they feast on halibut, cod and squid.

>Short-Finned Pilot Whale<
With an oddly shaped snub nose that looks like the beasts ran into some brick wall at full speed, this pilot whale, like most coastal visitors, can be found more commonly out from the coast by fishers.

>Orca<
This beast has been given the second title of “killer whale” for a reason— they’re proven apex predators, their diet made up a large portion of seals and sea lions, and even other whales. Nonetheless, many find them to be awe-inspiring creatures.

>Salmon Shark<
Salmon sharks on an apex predator that feeds on salmon, squid, and other similarly sided fish. They are known to reach nearly 1,000 lbs and a maximum of 10 ft. While this species isn't heavily pursued as a game fish in Alaska, sometimes one is caught and it always causes a stir when brought onto the docks. They are fierce predators of their primary prey but haven't as of yet caused much concern for ocean goers here in Nome. They are known for a unique ability to control their body temperature.



.:.Prey:.


>Beaver<
Being the second largest rodent in the world, beavers are primarily nocturnal animals, though they can occasionally be seen cruising around in their self-made ponds or nearby lakes.


>Caribou<
Also known as reindeer when tamed, the caribou’s primary diet consists of lichens, which they digest in a series of four stomachs, but they also browse on other ready plant sources and have even been known to eat lemmings, arctic char, and bird eggs. Caribou sometimes travel alone but it is much more common to see them in group that range from just a few to several thousand. If you chance to see a caribou close-up, listen closely for the characteristic popping that is produces by tendons sliding over its leg joints.

>Musk Oxen<
Keeping to their herds, these sturdy animals, especially males, tend to be very territorial and will dominate younger and smaller animals. It has an exceptionally thick fur coat with an underlayer that can be spun and used to knit underlayers of clothing. The resulting garments are extremely lightweight and very warm, and so they might be kept as livestock with their fur sold and used.


>Deer<
The Sitka Blacktail Deer, which is actually a subspecies of the mule deer more common in the western states, is a common prey for predators who hunt their herds. They are adept swimmers, and can even be seen crossing to other islands across ocean channels.


>Mountain Goat<
Surefooted and wary, mountain goats are usually seen on rocky slopes or perched on seemingly inaccessible ledges that provide protection from predators. They can make a good meal for a hungry wolf, but can be tough to catch.


>Dall Sheep<
With the males sporting large, curled horns, these sheep can make a formidable challenge when trying to catch one. Those who do make the effort can’t help but be jealous of the bald eagles that swoop in and snatch lambs if given half a chance.


>Woodchuck<
Also known as groundhogs, woodchucks are a large rodent that can be found common in the area. They live in burrows that are usually located in bushy or forested areas. Woodchucks are herbivores and can survive in both urban and natural environments. They are great swimmers and tree climbers, but usually only do these activities if threatened. They have sharp claws and teeth that are their primary defense in the event of an attack on their burrow, but overall they are a pretty even tempered animal.


>Ground Squirrel<
As the name suggests, these little animals live in colonies below ground, and mainly inhabits the more open land around Nome. They are very social creatures, and interestingly enough are able to give distinct calls for both air and ground attacks.


>Hare<
The Snowshoe and Tundra Hare, also known as the Alaskan Hare, is a common sight in the area. They make a good meal for one or two stomachs, but you have to be quick on your feet! They also tend to change fur color during the change of seasons.


>Alaska Marmot<
Being hardy creatures, the marmots usually stick to more open areas, staying in dens during the winter where they have one entrance that they block with vegetation. They make a good meal, and hunters, specifically natives, hunt them for their fur and meat.


>Red Squirrel<
Quite a widespread species in the area, these rust-colored squirrels can sometimes be caught on the ground trying to find seeds and fresh shoots to eat off of, though they also eat nuts, bark and even the occasional bird egg.


>Brown Lemming<
One of several species of lemming that live in Alaska. They are a small rodent that lives in primarilly grassy, open country. They don't hibernate and thus spend the winters eating stored grasses and burrowing through the snow in search of edibile roots and greens, and can be a small meal for a predator. Contrary to popular belief, the Lemming is not a stupid animal, prone to marching off of cliffs. Population spikes do sometimes cause mass migrations during which some individuals perish in river crossings and likely from falls, but they don't jump off of cliffs. So, the next time somebody tells you to quit being a Lemming, you may ask them what's wrong with being a cool, smart rodent that cruises around minding its own business.


>Muskrat<
A semi-aquatic, medium-sized rodent that is widespread in Alaska. You'll usually spot them near wetlands as they forage for edibles or swimming in streams and lakes. Their bodies are less sensitive than most other mammals to the build-up of carbon dioxide, which allows them to be under water for up to 17 minutes. They have also been a continuous supply of food and meat for those who hunt them in the area.


>Moose<
Being knobby-kneed giants of the North, and with antlers than can grow to be massive, for a moose it requires copious amounts of energy that forces them to be eating almost none-stop to keep them up and going. While they are remarkable creatures, and possible prey for a pack of wolves, bulls and mothers can turn aggressive quickly, and they tend to be a danger for dog-sledding and should be watched carefully should you get on their bad side.

>Porcupine<
This slow moving, poky creature is a common mammal of Alaska. As cute as they are, their armour coating of sharp quills should be given a wide birth - just ask local mushers and dog owners. Occasionally hungry wolves or bears will take an interest, but a few spikes in the nose tends to be enough deterrent to send them packing. Porcupines eat bark and other vegetation, and can be found in trees and on the ground.

>Salmon<
Certainly a common sight with their many species, the salmon in Nome is a staple for food, especially for natives. They’re especially common in rivers and streams, however one has to be careful should the fish draw other predators as well. Common specimens are the Silver Salmon (Coho), Pink Salmon (Humpies), King Salmon (Chinook), Sockeye Salmon (Red), as well as the Chum Salmon (also called Dog, Keta or Calico), which salmon snobs will day is only good for dog food.

>Rainbow Trout/Steelhead<
Another staple to the Alaskan diet, these colorful game fish are often caught with great sport in the rivers, streams and lakes around Nome.

>Arctic Grayling<
Both beautiful and delicate, the Grayling sports vibrant colors and an extremely large dorsal fin that makes them easy to identify.

>Sheefish<
Usually silver in color with a green, blue, or brown back, the Sheefish is found in lakes, rivers, and brackish estuaries throughout Alaska. Their meat is white, flaky, and somewhat oily and prized by many. They can weigh up to 50 lbs although the average is much smaller than that. Alaska Natives tend to rely heavily on the Sheefish in addition to other protiens they procure.

>Dolly Varden<
Dolly vardens are a delicate fish that is usually referred to as a trout but is actually of the char family. They tend to stick to the ocean, and so are a common catch for those who go out on boat.

>Arctic Char<
Arctic Char are closely related to both Trout and Salmon although they are heartier in that they seem to better withstand colder waters. Their flesh color ranges from pale pink to bright red and their outer coloring is a dark upper body, light lower body, and pink to red spots speckling most of its frame. They are similar in appearance to Salmon and can reach up to 20 lbs.

>Ling Cod<
The Lingcod is neither a Ling nor a Cod, but it resembles both of these species so its name hase become a derivative of its lookalikes. It has been observed up to 60 inches long and 130 lbs but as a general rule Lingcod are usually half or a quarter that size. Their meat is often a blue-green color before it is cooked and is prized by many anglers. Its looks are somewhat prehistoric with bulging eyes, a large toothy head, and muddy coloration that give it the appearance of belonging to another world.

>Halibut<
Halibut are a large flatfish that can reach several hundred pounds. They begin life looking like most 'normal' fish but as they mature both eyes migrate to the same side of their body and they turn onto their sides. As adults their upper side is dark brown and their bottom side is a bright white color. They are a very popular deep see sport fish and are also an important source of income on a commercial basis. They are opportunists and will eat just about anything that they can fit in their mouths.



.:Trees:.

>Black Spruce<
A hearty, slow-growing spruce that is a predominant specie in the area.

>Black Cottonwood<
Black Cottonwoods are used for both timber and ornamentation. In the wild they usually grow in groups and gain heights of 150ft. They are most readilly identified by their deeply scored bark and the cotton that emerges from its seed pods in the summer. Sometimes enough of the cotton takes fight at the sime time that the ground looks like it has been dusted with fresh snow. The bark of this particular tree gets so hard that it can cause sparks when cut with a chainsaw.

>Paper Birch<
The Paper Birch is a handsome tree that may reach as much as 60ft tall. It is deciduous and most recognized for its white, flaky bark that often peels in large, paper-like strips. The wood makes an excellent heating source and the bark will readilly burn, even when wet.

>Quaking Aspens<
You'll find Quaking Aspens commonly the deeper into the mountains and forest behind Nome that you go. This unique name derives from the motion of the leaves on this deciduous beauty. In even light winds the leaves flutter back and forth giving the tree an appearance of 'quaking'. Leaves on a mature tree can be nearly round and the bark varies from gray to bright white.

>White Spruce<
Most common in the more open areas around Nome, its abundance and quick growth make this tree ideal for use in paper and other products.

>Alder<
The American green Alder, Sitka Alder, Red Alder, and Thinleaf Alder are considered very important to the ecosystem. Known as pioneering species for their inclination to grow in recently deglaciated terrain, rocky hillsides, and other recently deforested or flooded areas, the tree is a common sight around Nome. Alders work together with a nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil to sequester both nitrogen and carbon from the atmoshphere which is then deposited in the soil in a process that enriches weak or damaged soils and eventually allows other species to estabish in the same areas.

>Balsam Poplar<
Balsam Poplars comprise a group of 10 subspecies, many of which can be found in Alaska. They are large, deciduous trees that can reach 150ft or more in height and are recognizable by their leaves that are rounded at the base, pointed on the tip, and have a whitish, waxy coating on their underside. The name actually originates from the pleasant balsam smell that new leaves and buds give off in the spring. In Alaska you'll see the Balsam Poplar used as an ornamental tree and also in lumber production, although this second use not nearly as common as it is in the lower states.


.:Flowers, Plants & Lichens:.

>Devil’s Matchstick<
A pale gray- green and granular. Erect stalks protrude from this lichen and end with shiny, black spherical apothecia. Contains cyanobacteria, and can be found on rock surfaces in open habitats at all elevations.

>Yellow Map<
Bearing yellow bumps with black apothecia tucked between the bumps, yellow map lichen is found on rock surfaces in open, cold alpin habitats and near glaciers. It is used in estimating the ages of recent geomorphic exposures, particularly glacial moraines.

>Orange Boulder<
Found commonly in splash zones alone the harbors of Nome, the orange boulder lichen is a bright orange color, spotting occasional  gray patches.

>Fairy Barf<
Found on old stumps and logs, this oddly named lichen is a pale to grey-green color with pink to brown apothecia.

>Bull’s Eye<
A pinkish-white to yellowish-brown color, and often turning pale green at the edges when wet, has large brown spots containing the cyanobacteria are almost always present near the center of the round thallus. Scattered apothecia are pink to brown disks with a white rim, and they are typically found on rock in open areas. Often a primary invader of newly exposed rock surfaces like roadsides and glacial areas.

>Methusula’s Beard<
Commonly seen draped over the trees around Nome, this lichen is made up of long pale, greenish strands that hang freely from one long, main “branch” of this beard-like plant.

>Foam Lichen<
Medium-sized; pale gray to white branch-like stalks with tiny, frilly lobules and pink or brown wart-like structures that contain cyanobacteria. Stalks of some species may be tipped with black or brown apothecia. Found on soil and rocks in open habitats, the lichen is an important pioneer species in disturbed areas.

>Coral Lichen<
Varying in color from cream (shady habitats) to copper brown (exposes habitats), the coral lichen is well named for its similar appearance to a coral plant. Found in forested areas on bark and wood.

>Waterfingers<
Made up of white, dented stalks, and mostly unbranched, in dense clumps, this specimen is found in soil or mud in sun-exposed seeps. Sometimes it can even be found submerged in water.

>Dotted Ramalina<
Found on conifers, hardwoods, and shrubs in the forest, and sometimes on rocks in sheltered areas.

>Gray Reindeer Lichen<
With main stems and side branches commonly occuring in twos and threes, sometimes fours, the gray reindeer lichen is found on the ground in open habitats around Nome, growing among mosses and other lichens. True to its name, it’s a principle winter food for caribou/reindeer. It branches out to an almost tree-like form, and is white to silver-gray in color, with an occasional brown on the tips.

>Smooth Cladonia<
Found on the ground and rocks in exposed habitats, it’s a small lichen with green frilly loves containing variable sized, erect, branch-like stems.

>Toy Soldiers<
Made up of pale, yellow-green and frilly lobes. Contains small, erect, branch- like stems ending in cup-shaped tips rimmed with bright red apothecia, it can be found commonly on rotting stumps and logs, bare soil, and among mosses in the open and in all forested habitats.

>Gray Horsehair Lichen<
Long and pale gray to dark smokey brown in color, the horsehair lichen hangs in clumps, with slender strands containing long narrow slits on the surface. It can be found in old-growth forest habitats and forested peatlands on conifers and hardwoods, and is an important genus for wildlife forage and nesting material.

>Witch’s Hair<
Long, hanging loosely and often twisted in what can be somewhat flattened strands, the lichen is a pale greenish color with small, raised white ridges on its surface. Grows just about everywhere on the trees in the forests, and seems to be an important food for blackmail deer..

>Rock Tripe<
Found on rock in the more open areas, it’s small, flat, and wrinkled, circular in shape; turns brownish-gray and brittle when dry, and gets greenish-black and rubbery when wet.

>Cabbage Lungwort<
Seemingly a favorite of the goats for winter forage, this green-hued lungwort grows on lower trees in shady areas.

>Ostrich Fern<
Also known as Shuttlecock Fern, the Ostrich Fern has deciduous green fronds that grow almost vertical up to 55" tall and 12" wide. They are widest in their midsection - tapering slowly to the base but short-tapering to the tip, so that they resemble ostrich plumes, hence the name. The fertile fronds are shorter, half as long, and brown when ripe and they persist erect over the winter and release their spores in early spring. When the ferns first begin growing in early spring the still rolled fronds, called fiddleheads, are collected and used in salads and other dishes.

>Prickly Rose<
Known for its aromatic perfume, this shrub is used by many resident in Nome and about to make jellies, syrups, and a great source of vitamin C. Many miners will use it to fight off ‘scurvy’ during the long winter months. Blooming time is June to early July.

>High Bush Cranberry<
Every Fall season, the little red clusters of edible (though sour) berries on this shrub seem to add a lovely touch of color to the forest, and an strangely pungent aroma to the air. Blooming time is June to early July.

>Horsetail<
Horsetail is a fairly bushy perennial with that have both sterile and fertile stems, the sterile stems beginning growth after the fertile stems have wilted. Each segment of this unique plant contains one set of whorled, slender, erect branches each. Some stems can have as many as 20 segments and be as tall as 24". Blooming time is Spring.

>Common Harebell<
Bluebells, as the Common Harebell is better known, are a native to Alaska and are widely distributed. The plant has basal leaves that are rounded to heart-shaped, usually slightly toothed, and a tendency to wither early. The flowers are pollinated by bees, but interestingly they can also self-pollinate. Blooming time is July and August.

>Alaskan Monkshood<
Alaskan Monkshood is a compact plant of about 3'. The flowers are an intense purplish blue to indigo that sprout from upright spikes. The flowers are unique with an upper helmet-like hood that covers a lower lealike flower - thus the imprssion of a hooded monk. The leaves are dark gree and deeply lobed and divided. The entire plant is highly toxic so steer clear! Blooming time is June and early July.

>Fireweed<
Fireweed is a tall plant with thin, long leaves that grow off of a tall central stalk. It often reaches 5-6 ft tall and the top fourth is covered in quarter-sized, pink flowers. Its name comes from its ability to mass produce on recently burned over areas. Fireweed requires lots of sunlight to grow so once larger species take this away the plant dies. However, its seeds stay in the soil and are viable for years so the next time a fire burns over the area and sunlight is restored to the forest floor, fireweed appears once again.

>Northern Yarrow<
Growing at low or high altitudes and commonly flowers from May through June. It's a frequent component in butterfly gardens and in the wild is frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests. Is commonly used to stop blood flow from wounds. Blooming time is July through August.

>Nootka Lupine<
The Nootka Lupine is a perennial herb with an tall flowering stem that reaches up to 3 feet tall. You can spot this widespread flower growing in bunches along highways, on hillsides, and in high grassy valleys. The fruits are hairy pods that look like a peapod and in the fall they dry out and rattle in the wind.

>Dwarf Dogwood<
Dwarf Dogwood grows about 7-10" tall and bears tiny flowers a few millimetres across that form an inflorescence at the center of four white, petal-like bracts 1-1.5" in diameter. Each flower has very elastic petals that flip backward, releasing springy filaments that are cocked underneath the petals. When the filaments snap upward they fling pollen out of containers that are hinged to the filaments. This motion takes place in less than half a millisecond and the pollen undergoes 800 times the acceleration that the Space Shuttle does during liftoff. The fruits are edible with a mild apple-like flavour, and are an important forage plant for mule deer, black-tailed deer and moose. Blooming time is June.

>Devil’s Club<
Found more commonly around moist and warmer areas around Nome, this brilliantly green plant is a perennial shrub that is erect at times but also can grow along the ground like a vine before sending shoots upwards again. The stems are 1-2" in diameter and thickly covered with yellow spines that are ferocious. Tangling with a spine - or 20 - can be a painful proposition because they are very delicate and have a tendency to break off under the skin. The Devil's Club leaves are maple-leaf shaped, toothed, up to 2' wide, and have spines on their underside and on the leaf-stalks. The plant puts out flowers that are tiny, white, and in compact clusters at the tops of the stems. These flowers give way to bright red berries that are a favorite of black bears.

>Goat’s Beard<
Goat's Beard, or Wild Spirea, is an enormous and showy native Alaskan perennial that can grow up to six' and looks like a bush. The large compound leaves are deep green and have serrated edges. In early autumn, the plants come into bloom, producing many dramatic plumes composed of tiny, white flowers. The plants are prized for bringing color to the garden after most other flowers have already bloomed. Blooming time takes place in July.

>Chocolate Lily<
An herb with a somewhat lax to erect stem that grows up to 2' tall, the lily’s leaves are lance-shaped, arranged in whorls that are widely spaced along the stem. The flowers are bell-shaped, about 1.5" long, and have 6 brown to purplish-black petals. Its roots look like a dense ball of rice and are important for fixing nitrogen in the soil. The bulbs can be cooked and eaten, though they may taste a little bitter, and are often used by the Natives, who also like to trade them.

>Wild Celery<
Contrary to what one would expect from its name, Wild Celery bears little to no resemblance to the celery used as a vegetable. It grows under water and is consumed by various animals, which may eat the entire plant (both the leaves and the underground tubers). The plants themselves are long, limp, flat, and varying colors of green. Blooming time occurs in late June and July.

>Common Wormwood<
Common Wormwood, and Alaska native, is a tall perennial herb growing up to 7' tall with an erect stem that often has a red-purplish tinge. The leaves are up to 8" long, dark green, and covered with dense white hairs on their underside. The rather small flowers (1.5" long) are radially symmetrical with many yellow or dark red petals. The narrow and numerous flower heads spread out widely. It is commonly used for various digestion problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, gall bladder disease, and intestinal spasms. Wormwood is also used to treat fever, liver disease, depression, muscle pain, memory loss and worm infectionsBlooming time is July and August.

>Red Currant<
The Red Currant is a deciduous shrub that normally reaches 3-4.5' tall. It has five-lobed leaves that are arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are yellow-green so they are harder to spot until they mature into bright red translucent edible berries about the size of a kernel of corn, with 3-10 berries on each grape-like bunch. An established bush can produce 9-12 lbs of berries from mid to late summer. Blooming time is mid May to June.

>Villous Cinquefoil<
Commonly found around Nome’s beach areas in cracks and cliff faces, the flowers of the Cinquefoil are showy with 5 yellow petals and occur in groups of 2 or more flowers at the top of leafy stalks.

>Bog Rosemary<
Bog Rosemary is a tall, spindly evergreen shrub that grows to 10" tall. It's leaves alternate along the main stem and are leathery with rolled-under edges that sport a distinct web-like vein pattern above and a powdery white beneath. The flowers are pink and urn-shaped. You'll find the Bog Rosemary most commonly around the more wet areas near the beaches. Unlike the common rosemary herb used in cooking, Bog Rosemary is poisonous.

>White Bog-Orchid<
The White Bog-Orchid gets its name from very fragrant flowers that are orchid-shaped, waxy-white, and arranged in dense cylindrical cluster on the upper third of the stem. Most common in wet meadows and around the beaches and fields around Nome, the White Bog-Orchid reaches 2' tall and has an erect, unbranched stem with lance-shaped leaves that sheathe around the stem.

>Yellow Pondlily<
Yellow Pondlily is an aquatic perennial that is widely found in ponds throughout Alaska. It's fleshy leaves mostly float on the surface of the water, are oval to pear-shaped, and reach 6-12" across. The flowers also float, are about 4" across and each has about 10 fleshy yellow petals. Sometimes you'll also spot fruit, which is a large many-seeded capsule.

>Scarlet Paintbrush<
The Scarlet Paintbrush wears "flowers" that, as the name suggests, are scarlet and they are clustered on the upper portion of the stem. The "flowers" are actually modified leaves enveloping the inconspicuousm green true flower. You'll find these "flowers" on each of a number of clustered stems that are erect and up to 32" tall. The leaves are lance-shaped and attach at intervals along each stem. The Scarlet Paintbrush is most commonly found in upper beach meadows where both drainage and sunlight are good.

>Common Butterwort<
A perennial herb, roughly 7" tall, with leaves and a leafless stem arising from plant's base. Its leaves are smooth and broad, yellow-green, and somewhat slimy with rolled margins. You'll find Common Butterwort Growing on wet substates, rock faces, and beach meadows among other locations. Is effective as a cough remedy, specifically the whooping cough, as well as helping with an irritated throat and skin.

>Stream Violet<
Stream Violets are common in forest edges and along streams and roads. One of the first plants to bloom in the spring, this small herb only reaches about 6" tall.

>Jeffrey’s Shooting Star<
Jeffrey's Shooting Star grows to 18" tall. It has leaves and flowering stems that frow from the plant's base. The leaves are lance to spoon-shaped, blunt, and have smooth margins. The flowers are showy and sit on top of the leafless stem in few-flowered clusters that display deep-pink petals, which sweep back from the white and dark center. Some believe that these flowers bring good luck, and they’ve even been used as love charms and amulets.

>Trailing Raspberry<
Traily Raspberries produce delicious fruit with 104 deep red drupelets (individual spheres of a raspberry-like fruit). Abundant in forests throughout Alaska, the Trailing Raspberry is a deciduous creeping herb that only grows to 6" tall.

>Canada Goldenrod<
Canada Goldenrod is usually found in disturbed areas and meadows at low to middle elevations. Its flowers are small, numerous, and clustered on the upper portion of the stem, which is erect and reaches 30" tall.

>Beach Peas<
Beach Peas are a climbing, trailing, perennial herb with stems that are up to 5' long. Angled in cross sections, the leaves have 6-12 broadly elliptic leaflets with curling tendril at the tip. The flowers grow in loose clusters, are pea-like, and purple. The fruits lend this plant its name because they look like small dark pea-pods. The peas and young pods are edible, however, the seeds can become toxic if too many are consumed, leading to symptoms such as paralysis and convulsions.

>Single Delight<
Single Delight has a solitary, waxy white, nodding flower of about 3/4" across that is on a leafless stem and the fruit it produces is a dry capsule. You'll find it most commonly in open forests.

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dogstoof's avatar
Can I ask how foxes would feel about sled dogs, and wolves/wolfdogs?