What do Indian Warrior, poison oak, and miner's lettuce have in common?

@TheHorse (238370)

Walnut Creek, California

January 13, 2016 3:44pm CST

They're all things that grow on and near the Bay Area's Mt. Diablo, and they're all things of interest to the kids I work with. Yesterday, my oldest kid and I hiked in the Black Diamond Mines area, hoping to see whether the Indian Warrior had started blooming. Indian Warrior is a pretty wildflower that grows at the base of Manzanita trees in early Spring. We also wanted to see whether the poison oak (don't touch it!) had started coming in, and whether the miner's lettuce (you can eat it!) was starting yet. What we found was that only the miner's lettuce has poked through the ground. It's small and heart-shaped right now, but should be ready for harvest in a week or two. Then, all too soon, it will be gone. I'll attach a picture of Indian Warrior from last year. They may not be in bloom for another month or so.

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10 responses

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

14 Jan 16

Of the three things you mention I've only heard of poison oak. None of them grow here in England as far as I'm aware.

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@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

14 Jan 16

@TheHorse Oh yes, we have stinging nettles a-plenty! As a child I fell off a pony into a huge patch while I was only wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I was one big red blotch!

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Jan 16

Back East (here in the US) they have poison ivy, which looks a little different. I think the chemical that causes itch for a week or two is similar. Do you have stinging nettles there?

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Jan 16

@jaboUK Did you recover pretty quickly? When nettles get me, I usually start feeling better within half an hour.

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@celticeagle (190011)

• Boise, Idaho

15 Jan 16

That is a pretty plant.

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@celticeagle (190011)

• Boise, Idaho

16 Jan 16

@TheHorse ...Yes, I bet it is.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Jan 16

@celticeagle Of course I had to try a nibble (I didn't tell the kids that). I didn't feel any effects. Perhaps this year I'll brew up a tea.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Jan 16

The Indians used to use the flowers as a sedative. It's interesting stuff.

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Patsie Hatley is Deceased

@Hatley (163772)

• Garden Grove, California

13 Jan 16

h@ TheHorse is Indian Warrior similar to what we called Indian Paintbrush? but the flowers of the I ndian paintbrush a re more red and sort of look lke a paint brush? Im famllar with poison oak of co urse and miners lettu ce.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

13 Jan 16

Before I knew what Indian Warrior was, I used to call it (ironically, in Indian fashion) "pretty red flower that's not Indian Paintbrush." Indian Warrior blooms earlier and has distinctive leaves. Indian Paintbrush comes out (here) in Summer as things are drying up. I'll attach a picture I took of our Indian Paintbrush last year, for contrast.

Patsie Hatley is Deceased

@Hatley (163772)

• Garden Grove, California

13 Jan 16

@TheHorse yes they are two different species for sure boh are so pretty

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

13 Jan 16

@Hatley I enjoy them both. I hadn't known that they bloomed at different times and preferred different locations (our Indian Paintbrush seems to like rocky areas) until a couple of years ago!

@Drosophila (16568)

• Ireland

13 Jan 16

Dude, I thought this was a Jess' poetry challenge! Indian warrior sat on a poison oak.. Looking at you hiding behind that cloak Chewing nonchalantly at the miner's lettuce, Try not to look so jealous

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@Drosophila (16568)

• Ireland

13 Jan 16

@TheHorse hahah! That's prolly because there ain't one on these words.. But it could well be!

@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

13 Jan 16

Poetry challenge? I hadn't heard about that!

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

14 Jan 16

did'ja know my dad could hang out 'n poison oak 'n poison ivy all day 'n not e'en get'n itch?? dunno why that was... 'n ya went hikin' without me'gain. alas, i'm heart broken 's i miss those trips to see what's come to life. reckon i'll've to do with yer tales 'n pics, eh? what a beaut that is! do ya harvest that lettuce? perhaps ya ought to save some fer the ground squirrels ;)

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

15 Jan 16

@TheHorse i dunno neither, hon. sure wish he'd passed that mojo o'er to me though, lol. i can get within 10' 'f the schtuff 'n break out'n welts. 'course, chiggers 'n skeeters ne'er bothered him neither. both see me's quite a tasty snack!

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Jan 16

I wonder why it doesn't bother some people. I'm good at avoiding it, but I got some when we went searching for the airplane that crashed on Mt. Diablo in 1946.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Jan 16

@crazyhorseladycx All them itchy things get me, but they don't bother me that much. I remember the mosquitos up in Michigan when I was at Summer Camp. Oh my.

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@JudyEv (382601)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Jan 16

That's a very pretty flower. Some of the wildflowers around are very attractive. Australia has some beauties too.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Jan 16

@JudyEv We have trees in Montana as well that only regenerate after a fire.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Jan 16

I enjoy the wildflowers on Mt. Diablo. Some only come out after a fire, but I missed those when we had a fire up there a couple of years ago.

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@JudyEv (382601)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Jan 16

@TheHorse A bushfire can cause a sudden influx of little trees and new growth of all sorts.

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@GardenGerty (169585)

• United States

16 Feb 16

This is very pretty, is it a thistle family?

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

I don't think it is, but I'm not 100% sure. We DO have some thistles that bloom later in the Summer, though.

@simone10 (54180)

• Louisville, Kentucky

14 Jan 16

What a very pretty flower. I've never heard of it or the miner's lettuce. Is the lettuce good?

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Jan 16

Miner's lettuce has a very light taste. I'm sure its mostly water. But it's fun to munch while hiking.

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

13 Jan 16

thank you for sharing this with us.Very,very interesting.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

13 Jan 16

I learn new things every year I hike on and around Mt. Diablo.

@PainsOnSlate (21845)

• Canada

14 Jan 16

That is a gorgeous photo, you must love your jog, you are teaching while being outdoors at the Sam time. Those kids will remember these days forever.

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@TheHorse (238370)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Jan 16

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope the remember our hikes and our discussions. I'm trying to "model" being curious about everything, especially nature.

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