Spider ID without pics if possible?

[anirog]

A couple of days ago I was clearing out my dining room where I grow my chillis and other plants.

I moved one of the plants and a small (maybe 0.5") shiny black spider came out. It was shiny black all over and the abdomen was round. It had a yellow pattern on it's back and didn't move too fast. I live in the northwest so am doubting it could be a false widow. Has anyone else found one of these in the north before? I've never seen a spider like this here.

Unfortunately I neither caught or photographed it but will keep an eye out.

[Venger]

Well I'd still check out Steatoda sp, do you have a size on this? or do you remember the pattern?

[anirog]

could have been half an inch or less.

i've looked at some pics of different ones but my spider had black legs and no brown at all.. the markings on it's back are very similar. looks like the right body shape though. i hope a can catch one. It'd be great to get one up north.

thanks!

[anirog]

ah.. just stumbled accross a pic of grossa. that very much looks like the one.