Tall Silvercrown (Luina nardosmia)
Leavenworth Ski Hill, Leavenworth, WA, 5/2017.
Variously called Luina or Cacaliopsis, this waist-high plain-looking plant’s leaves resemble those of Coltsfoot, with flowers that look somewhat like a Rainiera. Upon close inspection, (more…)
Northern groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
Yakutania Point Trail, Skagway, AK, 7/2017.
We found this odd non-green plant in a couple locations in flood-prone Cottonwood-Alder forests outside of Skagway, Alaska. (more…)
Elkhorns Clarkia (Clarkia pulchella)
Tygh Creek Trail, Badger Creek Wilderness, OR, 6/2017.
After seeing these beauties in books (the latin Pulchella means beautiful), we’d long dreamed of finding them in the wild. (more…)
Large-flowered Collomia (Collomia grandiflora)
Major Creek Road, Columbia Gorge, WA. 5/2017.
This small flower stands out for its unusual salmon color and contrasting blue pollen. It grows in dry sandy soils west of the Continental Divide. (more…)
Small-flowered Godetia (Clarkia purpurea)
Saddle Mountain Trail, Saddle Mountain State Natural Area, OR, 6/2015.
Looking very much like its better know relative Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena), (more…)
Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor)
Hamilton Mountain Trail, Columbia Gorge, WA 6/2016.
This flowering shrub, a mainstay along roads and trailsides throughout the west, begins blooming in June at lower elevations (like our photos here) and peaks in July and August at higher elevations. (more…)
Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
Horsethief Butte, Columbia Hills State Park, Columbia Gorge, WA, 4/2014.
Also known as Antelope Bush, this shrub puts on quite a show in the late spring. (more…)
Mountain Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium montanum)
Badger Creek Trail, Badger Creek Wilderness, OR 5/2016.
This rare orchid is a special treat if you can find it. (more…)
Naked Broomrape (Orobanche uniflora var. purpurea)
Tom McCall Nature Preserve, Columbia Gorge, OR, 3/2015.
Look closely for these tiny flowers, but don’t expect to find any leaves. (more…)
Upland Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum)
Rowena Plateau, Tom McCall Nature Preserve, Columbia Gorge, OR, 3/2015.
If you’re seeing larkspur now (early spring) in the Northwest, chances are that it’s this variety. Also called “Common Larkspur”. (more…)
