Walking through a redwood forest is a humbling experience. The trees are giants, some are 1,500 years old, straight as arrows, and 200 feet tall or more. The bark is thick and deeply grooved. It protects the tree from fire and insulates the living tissue underneath. Tannins in the bark fend off insects and fungi, and help the tree regulate moisture.

More than once I found myself staring up at the canopy and turning 360 degrees trying to take in the massive trees. The trunks rise straight and unwavering, disappearing into the canopy hundreds of feet above. Sunlight filters through the canopy and reaches the forest floor in ever-changing patterns. Beneath the giants and often overlooked there is a bright green plant that resembles clover: rewood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) . In spring, tiny pink and white blossoms appear, adding a quiet beauty to the shaded ground.