I got off the bike at the corner of Bryant Drive and Lone Oak Drive.
One of the many upsides of living in Albany is that, even on the bike, you’re never more than a few minutes from the farm fields outside of town.
And with the help of the Internet and Google, lifelong city dwellers can now tell what is growing out there.
On Friday, for example, I took the bike around the Riverside-Bryant Drive loop. I had not been out that way for a while, and I wanted to take advantage of the stiff breeze that was blowing from the west to help me on the way back.
At the corner of Bryant and Lone Oak Lane, I stopped to admire the vast sea of white that was stretching away from the side of the road.
I was pretty sure that this was meadowfoam, but I checked a plant-recognition site on the Internet to make sure.
“What is this plant?” I asked, along with a photo. I had an answer less than a second:
“Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) is a low-growing herbaceous winter annual that is adapted to poorly drained soils. The common name ‘meadowfoam’ is due to the appearance, at full bloom, of the plant’s solid canopy of creamy white flowers that resembles, in the wind, sea foam on the surf. Meadowfoam grows to a height of 10 to 18 inches.”
For more on this crop, let’s see what Oregon State University has to say. From the College of Agricultural Sciences, there is this:
“Meadowfoam produces oil that is highly prized by the cosmetic industry due to its long chain fatty acid chemistry. Currently OSU is researching additional uses for this crop, including fuel additives, lubricants, and pharmaceutical uses. Since commercial development of meadowfoam began in the early 1980’s, OSU has released eight varieties. Meadowfoam has proven to be a great choice for local farmers as it is a good rotation crop for the Willamette Valley grass seed industry. The breeding program is currently operating on a maintenance level until further funding becomes available.”
To see more from that source, you can find it here.
It appears that OSU research on meadowfoam is at standstill. That’s too bad. But at least we can look at fields like this and be glad the crop was developed as far as it was.
Besides offering many practical uses, Limnanthes alba makes for a pretty sight in the spring. (hh)
Can you spot the fly that is checking out one of the meadowfoam flowers?
The waves of meadowfoam stretch to the tree line in the distance.
Thank you Hasso! It seems we all ask, ‘What is that white crop growing in that field?” when we drive by. As to the fly, “Where’s Waldo?” comes to mind. You made me laugh!
First year meadowfoam was planted was 1976 I was one of three to plant it.
Hasso, if you can find it the honey made from Meadowfoam is amazing! A strong vanilla flavor.
OSO honey in south corvallis on 99 by the airport has meadowfoam honey and it is amazing ❤️❤️
Makes for wicked good honey. Wish I could get some.
You might check with Oso Farm, they may ship. It would definitely be worth asking! The most delicious, vanilla and almost marshmallowy flavor!
I remember back in the days of being young.going out on Sunday family drives they would have signs in front of crops telling you what it is. Why don’t they still do that??
Oregon Women for Agriculture and Oregon AgLink still put up those signs. You will see them along major roads.
Farmers Market usually has a truck there from Olsen Honey Farm. The Meadowfoam is outstanding.
Thank you – was just wondering yesterday what that was as I was driving.