The NatureSpace at Wilshire Park is a 10,000 square foot area landscaped exclusively with plants native to the Portland area. Many had specific uses by the First People living here in the area for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. All contribute importantly to the local ecosystem providing food and shelter for insects, birds and mammals. The list below gives the scientific and, when available, the common names of what is planted. The rock seating is columnar basalt from the Columbia Gorge.
This sign will soon be installed in the NatureSpace to help park visitors learn the names and purposes of each of the plants in this lovely native plant garden.
Understory Shade Mix
Bletchnum spicant (Deer Fern)
Epemedium rubrum (Red Barrenwort)
Mahonia repens (Creeping Oregon Grape)
Mianthemum stellatum (False Solomon Seal)
Vancouveria hexandra (White inside-out flower)
Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
Erythronium oregonum (Oregon fawn-lily)
Ploystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
Oregon oxalis (Three leaf clover)
Dicentra formosa (Bleeding Heart)
Mid-story Shade Mix
Acer cercinatum (Vine Maple)
Aruncus dioicus (Goats Beard)
Bletchnum spicant (Deer Fern)
Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
Oemleria cerasiformis (Osoberry)
Ploystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
Tellima grandiflora (Fringecup)
Vaccinium parviflorum (Red Huckleberry)
Mid-story Sun Mix
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon Sunshine)
Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
Helenium atumnale (Sneezeweed)
Lonicera involucrata (Bearberry honeysuckle)
Lupin latifolius (Broadleaf Lupin)
Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
Physocarpus capitatus (Ninebark)
Ribes sanguineum (Red Currant)
Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry)
Trees
Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine)
Rhamnus purshiana (Cascara)