What are the current major plant species of Mt. Saint Helens? Do you know of
any good references pertaining to this question?
Rachel
Dear Rachel,
Most if not all of the plants present in the area prior to the eruption
are still around either having survived as roots and resprouted or
recolonized as seeds. The most abundant post-eruption plants are early
successional species (weeds--abundant, light seeds (usually wind
dispersed)). The most common are fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium),
pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritaceae) and spotted catsear
(Hypochaeris radicata). These thre main colonizing species have
established in profusion just about everywhere.
Peter Frenzen, Monument Scientist
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