Today I went hiking at Jocelyn Hill, near Prospect Lake (on Vancouver Island). The forest was filled with wildflowers, including Blue Camas lilies, Chocolate Lilies, Fawn Lilies, wild strawberries, Western Trilliums, and Calypso Orchids.

My favorite part of the trail were the rocky bluffs overlooking the ocean. Here, there were many short Arbutus trees in full bloom with small creamy bell-shaped flowers.

Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii), also known as Pacific Madrone, is Canada's only native broadleaf evergreen tree (it keeps its leaves year-round). In 1769, Father Juan Crespi, who was chronicling a Spanish expedition to Monterey Bay, California, named this species "madroño" because of its resemblance to the Mediterranean madroño or strawberry tree. (Arbutus is Latin for strawberry tree.)

Arbutus is unusual because its bark is constantly shedding throughout the year. The reasons for this shedding are unknown but theories include getting rid of pests and diseases, as well as the production of flamable litter contributing to quick, hot fires that kill off the Arbutus' comptetion and allow it to regenerate.

Arbutus is also very medicinal. The Saanich used its bark and leaves as cold and stomach remedies, in a tuberculosis medicine, and for contraception. The bark was also used to colour food.

In BC, Arubutis trees are declining in health. Victoria arborist Don Bottrell says,"Five different stem, leaf and twig pathogens are attacking the Arbutus, as well as two species-specific insects. It's a very serious problem." Destruction of coastal habitat is also putting the Arbutus in jeapardy.

-A