Another early arrival

March 20, 2010

Another early arrival

Filed under: Flowers, Montana, Wildflowers — Tags: "Wildflowers of western Montana", Lithophragma parviflorum, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Small-flowered Woodland Star — montucky @ 6:33 pm

Small-flowered Woodland Star, Lithophragma parviflorum.

The first bloom of this flower that I encountered last year was on April 7th. They are quite small, the flower measuring about 1/4 inch across. They bloom early here and I have found some in bloom all summer long in various areas.

For more information:
The Burke Museum
USDA Plants
Cal Photos database

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Comments (24)

24 Comments »

It really does look like a porcelain star. Pretty.

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Comment by Bo Mackison — March 20, 2010 @ 7:25 pm

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- I’ve always thought this one is well-named. They are so small though, I think that few people notice them.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 20, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
  
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This is gorgeous! The light is just superb.

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Comment by Jessica S. — March 20, 2010 @ 7:31 pm

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- Thanks Jessica! They are an elegant beginning to spring, I think.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 20, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
  
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What unique petals. Sometimes the smallest flowers are the prettiest.

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Comment by kateri — March 21, 2010 @ 4:49 am

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- They are very delicate, but seem to be hardy enough to tolerate the cold spring nights. I think if they were larger they would be a favorite of a lot of folks.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 8:35 am
  
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This is a new flower for me. It reminds me of something, but can’t think what.

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Comment by Sandy — March 21, 2010 @ 8:54 am

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- This is a western plant: it’s distribution is both sides of the Cascade mountains, British Columbia to California, east to the Dakotas and Colorado. It’s a member of the saxifrage family.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 9:22 am
  
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Is a pretty little flower at that.

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Comment by Preston — March 21, 2010 @ 11:21 am

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- It is!
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
  
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What a unique little shape to that flower. Very pretty!!

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Comment by Stacey Dawn — March 21, 2010 @ 2:19 pm

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- They are different. I’m reminded of a snowflake.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 6:49 pm
  
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Looks kind of like it’s making a fist. Pretty, though.

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Comment by Pinhole — March 21, 2010 @ 4:10 pm

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- No, I think it’s pretty much non-violent.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 6:54 pm
  
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Beautiful image and subject Terry, love the light in this !!

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Comment by Bernie Kasper — March 21, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

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- Thanks Bernie.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 21, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
  
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It literally sparkles, how cool!

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Comment by Candace — March 22, 2010 @ 12:37 am

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- They also come in pink, and I will try to get a photo of a pink one too.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 22, 2010 @ 9:22 am
  
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Beautiful, delicate, and definitely star-like in shape and sparkles! That is neat, the little fist-shaped bug too. 🙂

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Comment by Anna Surface — March 22, 2010 @ 5:44 am

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- The only thing that is sad is that it takes some kind of magnification to really see them well.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 22, 2010 @ 9:24 am
  
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It looks to be covered with glitter! Beautiful!

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Comment by Barbara — March 22, 2010 @ 12:54 pm

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- They also shimmer in the faintest breeze.
  
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  Comment by montucky — March 22, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
  
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Been absent -but do not take this as a “return”. 😦 This is exquisite, Terry. Looks like it is sprinkled in sugar.

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Comment by Iona — April 11, 2010 @ 2:29 pm

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- Thanks Iona. They are classy little things, aren’t they!
  
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  Comment by montucky — April 11, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
  
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