[Wildflower Bloom Reports for Washington & Oregon] [Columbia River Gorge Wildflower Bloom Reports Prior to 2002]

[Wildflower Destinations in the Columbia River Gorge]

Wildflower Bloom in the Columbia River Gorge

April 9, 2005

The photo above shows a close-up sideview of the corolla and calyx of sand-dune penstemon (Penstemon acuminatus) as seen at the site listed below. The photo below shows a close-up frontal view of the flower, including the flattened staminode and anther sacs.
Sand Pit Along Washington Highway 14 at MP 115.6

N 45¾ 44.647' ----- W 120¾ 33.072' ----- Elevation: 472' +/- 22'

 

The soils east of Marhyill are extremely dry. If extra precipitation does not appear soon, many later blooming species will be reduced or perhaps will not bloom at all.

*1. Bicolored Cluster Lily: Brodiaea howellii - Many in bloom.

*2. Miner's Lettuce: Claytonia (Montia) perfoliata - Common.

*3. Pale Wallflower: Erysimum occidentale - Common.

*4. Thick-leaf Thelypody: Thelypodium laciniatum - Common on the sheer, rocky road cuts along SR 14.

*5. Antelope Bitterbrush: Purshia tridentata - Common.

*6. The Dalles Milk-vetch: Astragalus sclerocarpus - Fairly common in sandy areas.

*7. Filaree: Erodium cicutarium - Numerous.

*8. Sand-dune Penstemon: Penstemon acuminatus - A few beginning to bloom.

*9. White Plectritis: Plectritis macrocera - A few still in bloom.

10. Northern Wormwood: Artemisia campestris var. scouleri - Common, but won't bloom until late summer. Nice foliage!

Additional Floral Highlights Along WA SR 14 between Horsethief Butte and Rock Creek:

*1. Columbia Milk-vetch: Astragalus succumbens - Occasionally seen along SR 14 between Avery and Wishram Heights.

*2. Long-leaf Phlox: Phlox longifolia - Sporadic, but individual plants look very nice!

3. Thread-leaf Fleabane: Erigeron filifolius - Many with floral buds well developed. I wouldn't be surprised if this in bloom at Horsethief Butte.

*3. Cushion Fleabane: Erigeron poliospermus var. poliospermus - Some nice tight clusters especially near Chamberlain Goodnoe Rd.

Slichter