In spite of a cold spring and below normal rainfall here in western Montana, the wildflowers are blooming, but about two weeks later than usual. This morning there was fresh snow on the mountainsides a thousand feet above the valley floor.
Western Gromwell, Lemonweed ~ Lithospermum ruderale
Western Serviceberry, Saskatoon ~ Amelanchier alnifolia
Field Pepperweed, Field Peppergrass or Pepperwort, Field Cress ~ Lepidium campestre
A little spare time in the late afternoon, a short drive, cool green shade and flowers.
Scarlet Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja miniata
Kinnikinnik, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Howell’s pussytoes, Antennaria howellii
Woodland Strawberry, Fragaria vesca
Yellow Coralroot, Corallorhiza trifida
This encounter made my day! It was the first time that I’ve encountered this saprophytic orchid. Its greenish tinge suggests that it may be capable of manufacturing at least a part of its food to supplement its normal diet of decaying organic material.
