Wildflowers blooming in between snows

A few more species of wildflowers have begun to bloom here now despite unseasonably cool weather and a series of weather fronts that have been passing through. There were a few brief periods of sun today before the next weather front is due to arrive tomorrow, bringing up to 8 inches of snow to the higher country especially along the Continental Divide, and I was able to get a few pictures.

Yellow Bell ~ Fritillaria pudica

The species name pudica means “bashful” because it always faces downward. I suspect that its position shelters the pollen from early rains and snows or perhaps because it has a relationship with a special pollonator that finds that convenient.

Shooting Star ~ Dodecatheon pulchellum

I find it interesting that its genus name is from the Greek dodeka (twelve) and theos (God) and is considered to mean “the plant protected by twelve gods”.

Western White Trillium, Pacific Trillium ~ Trillium Ovatum

These have just begun to bud at the Munson Creek trail head.

Dandelion

Despite their being usually considered as a weed, I still find the blossoms very pretty.

Mid May wildflowers

You know it will be a pleasant hike when it starts out like this:

Munson Creek

Oregon Grape ~ Berberis aquifolium

Howell’s Pussytoes ~ Antennaria howellii

A Dandelion was competing with some undergrowth for light and its stem was nearly two feet long.

Lemonweed, Western Gromwell ~ Lithospermum ruderale

This Pacific Trillium is about at the end of its blooming time and has turned pink.

Field Chickweed ~ Cerastium arvense

Heart-leaf Arnica ~ Arnica cordifolia

Arnica bud

Already!

A little practice for wildflower season

In that we didn’t plant these little ones that I found in our front yard today, I will call them “wild”, (and even with its bad reputation, I still think the Dandelion blossom is pretty).

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