Wildflowers Having Petals in Multiples of 3 (3, 6, 9 etc..) in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington

Barberry Family: 6 petals and 6 sepals. The leaves are alternate, and simple to compound. The leaves do not have parallel veins.

Birthwort Family: The maroon or greenish flowers have 3 long, thin sepals that snake out from the cup-like flower. This one has no petals. The flower is typically on the ground, hidden by the large, evergreen, heart-shaped leaves. The leaves do not have parallel veins.

Buckwheat Family: They are herbs with alternate or basal leaves, sheathing stipules )papery sheath around the swollen node where the leaf attaches to the stem) or involucrate inflorescences. The Corolla is absent though the calyx is often in 2 sets of 3 parts each. The stamens number 3-9. Most members of this family have their flower parts in threes. All have superior ovaries. The fruit is a 3-sided achene.

Iris Family: Flowers either with sepals and petals similarly sized and shaped in a flat circle of 6 (the genus Sisyrinchium) or with each of the 3 narrow petals directly above one of the 3 wide sepals as in our domestic Iris. The leaves are narrow to wide, sword-like, and arising from one another. Leaves with parallel veins.

Lily Family: Sepals and petals similarly colored and shaped, and in multiples of 3's. Stamens 3 or 6. Leaves grass-like, onion-like, or broader in width. Leaves with parallel veins.

Meadow-foam Family: 3-5 sepals and petals (3 of each in our species). Leaves pinnately compound and alternate. Stamens equal to or up to twice as long as the petals. Annuals of moist to wet areas.

Orchid Family: Orchid flowers are irregularly shaped, with petals of different sizes and shapes. The 2 side petals are similar, but the lower lip petal is usually larger. The sepals are similar in shape and size. Leaves with parallel veins.

Waterplantain Family: Marsh and aquatic plants. 3 green sepals and 3 white to pinkish petals. 6 or more stamens and 6 to many carpels are present, forming superior ovaries. Leaves either like arrowheads or like those of plantain.