Wildflowers of Big Summit Prairie
As seen on public lands along FS Roads 42
Ochoco National Forest
April 26, 2018
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Two views of Big Summit Prairie 7-10 days after the snow had come off the prairie. Left: A view west across private pasture towards Round Mountain. Right: A view across private pastures in western Big Summit Prairie towards Mt. Pisgah. Both photos taken from the same spot along FS Road 42 in southwestern Big Summit Prairie (Ochoco National Forest).........April 26, 2018. The meadows and forests in the foreground and middle distance are both private land (Do not enter!). Cows have been released on this section of prairie within the past few days. It will be at least 10-14 days before the meadows show much yellow (from slender-fruited desert parsley, Lomatium leptocarpum), and about as long for the white mule's ears (Wyethia helianthoides) to bloom in any numbers.
* indicates the wildflower is currently in bloom.
* Yellow Bells: Fritillaria pudica
* Grass Widows: Olsynium douglasii var. inflatum
* Sagebrush Buttercup: Ranunculus glaberrimus var. glaberrimus
* Spring Whitlow-grass: Draba verna
* Daggerpods: Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides
* Bulblet Prairie Star: Lithophragma bulbifera
* Slender-fruited Desert Parsley: Lomatium leptocarpum - Beginning to bloom.
* Midget Phlox: Microsteris gracilis
Ballhead Waterleaf: Hydrophyllum capitatum var. alpinum
* Longflower Bluebells: Mertensia longiflora
* Small-flowered Blue-eyed Mary: Collinsia parviflora
White-headed Wyethia: Wyethia helianthoides - A few leaves arising from the ground.
Animals Seen Along This Route:
Coyotes -2
Belding Ground Squirrels
Canada Geese
Sandhill Cranes
Common Snipes
Kill Deer
Ravens
Brewer's Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds
Western Meadowlarks
American Robins
Mountain Bluebirds
Cassin's Finches
Red-breasted Nuthatches
Paul Slichter