Wildflowers in Bloom
Catherine Creek
Columbia River Gorge
Grass widows and gold stars along the eastern slopes above
Catherine Creek............March 10, 2001.
Wildflower bloom at Catherine Creek currently
seems to be about a week behind last season.
* indicates the wildflower is
blooming.
March 10, 2001
*1. Grass
Widow: Sisyrinchium douglasii var. douglasii -Moderate bloom, probably
peeking in 7-10 days at the lower elevations.
*2. Linear-leaf
Montia: Montia linearis - Many in bloom.
*3. Western
Buttercup: Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis -One
or two in bloom........numerous leaves.
*4. Spring
Whitlow-grass: Draba verna var. boerhaavii -Numerous.
*5. Smooth
Prairie Star: Lithophragma glabra -Numerous bloom (showy bloom along
old highway at Major Creek).
*6. Northwestern
Saxifrage: Saxifraga integrifolia var. integrifolia -Not in bloom
but flower heads extending & noticeable.
*7. Western
Saxifrage: Saxifraga occidentalis -Beginning bloom.
*8. Columbia
Desert Parsley: Lomatium columbianum -Numerous plants, mostly flowers
with leaves just beginning to poke out.
*9. Pungent
Desert Parsley: Lomatium grayi -Only in bloom at the base of the
cliffs at the western edge of Catherine Creek.
11. Poet's Shooting
Star: Dodecatheon poeticum -Leaves developing with a few flowers
in bud.
*13. Gold
Stars: Crocidium multicaule -Sparse bloom.
The leaves of the following plants are
well developed. No flowers have appeared yet:
12. Meadow Death-camas:
Zigadenus venonosus var. venonosus -A few plants 3-4 inches high in the
field above the parking lot.
13. Candy Flower:
Claytonia (Montia) sibirica -Many plants at the corral.
14. Bitter Root:
Lewisia rediviva -Many plants, some nibbled by deer. Should be an excellent
bloom in May.
15. Upland Larkspur:
Delphinium nuttallianum -A few well-developed plants seen near the creek.
16. Spreading
(Meadow) Nemophila: Nemophila pedunculata -Many with well developed
leaves near the power lines.
17. False Agoseris:
Microseris troximoides -A few plants seen.
Animals Seen:
1. 2 western meadowlarks
2. 4 western bluebirds
Paul Slichter