The animal featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Sciurus griseus, commonly known as the Western Gray Squirrel. It's primary habitat seems be woodlands and are often seen in city parks and farms that have many old trees. The Western Gray Squirrel is easy to spot as it's tail hairs seem to be more fluffier than other gray squirrels.
The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Poa bulbosa, commonly known as the Bulbous Bluegrass. The photo below was taken near the path in Erratic Rock State Park, north of the town of Sheridan, Oregon. The Bulbous Bluegrass is an introduced species of grass that has purple bulb-like structures instead of spikelets. It is common in disturbed, relatively dry habitats at low elevations, and like most grasses, can be spread into undisturbed ground by animals and the wind carrying the seeds.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that taking plants from state parks is illegal, non-native species like this one are able to spread until they become a problem. If you do see a non-native species on state land and you want to do something about it, it is best to notify the agency that watches over that land. For more information and close-up pictures, I suggest this website: The University of Montana--Missoula: Northern Rockies Natural History Guide
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