LEAVES: Flora and Fauna of Vancouver Island

LEAVES Flora and Fauna series of artwork images by artist Dyan Marie explores and collects elements from the District of Metchosin’s West Shore, Vancouver Island's living ecosystem.

1. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) – Needles are flat and soft, arranged around the twig in a spiral, giving a bottle-brush appearance.
2. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) – Leaves are scale-like, flat, and arranged in fan-shaped sprays, giving the tree a feathery texture.
3. Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) – Leaves are large, often over a foot wide, with five deep lobes and a rough, hairy texture on the underside.
4. Red Alder (Alnus rubra) – Leaves are oval with serrated edges, a somewhat leathery texture, and a slightly sticky feel when young.
5. Arbutus (Pacific Madrone) (Arbutus menziesii) – Leaves are evergreen, oval-shaped, and glossy with a leathery feel. The leaves are dark green on top and paler beneath.
6. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) – Needles are short, flat, and arranged randomly along the twigs, creating a soft, drooping look.
7. Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) – Leaves are lobed, dark green, and slightly glossy, with deep, rounded lobes characteristic of oak species.