[Popcorn Flowers: The Genus Plagiobothrys in the Columbia
River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Scouler's Popcornflower, Scouler's Popcorn Flower
Plagiobothrys scouleri
Synonyms: Allocarya granulata, Allocarya scouleri, Plagiobothrys granulatus, Plagiobothrys reticulatus var. rossianorum, Plagiobothrys scouleri var. scouleri
Scouler's popcornflower blooming in a vernally moist pool near the Catherine Creek parking area, Klickitat County, WA........May 20, 2011. Variety scouleri generally has an ascending or erect growth pattern and flowers that measure 2-4 mm across, which is double those of the prostrate variety penicellatus.
Characteristics:
Scouler's popcorn flower is a small annual wildflower with several
to many prostrate to ascending stems arising from the base. Plants may occasionally
have one stem that is erect. The stems range from 10-30 cm long with leaves
mostly limited to the stems. The lower 1-4 pairs of leaves are opposite and
linear in shape while the upper leaves are oblong-lanceolate and alternate on
the stems. The leaves are up to 6.5 cm long and up to 5 mm wide. The upper leaf
surface is mostly smooth while the lower surfaces are covered with stiff hairs.
The roots are either taproots or fibrous.
The racemes are single (not paired) with small white flowers
on short pedicels (about 1 mm long),, although the lower pedicels may be 5-10
mm long. The petals are only 1-4 mm wide.
Habitat:
Scouler's popcorn flower may be found in moist, poorly drained
sites such as vernal ponds, swales, ditches and lake margins. It is found from
the lowlands to moderate elevations in the mountains.. It seldom occurs in alkaline
habitats.
Range:
Scouler's popcorn flower may be found from British Columbia
south to California and east to Manitoba and New Mexico.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations
of 100'-2800' throughout the length of the gorge.
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Scouler's popcornflower blooming in a riparian area adjacent to upper Swale Creek, Klickitat County.........May 8, 2010. These are young plants that might still form ascending stems. The flowers are about 4 mm wide.
Scouler's popcornflower blooming in a vernally moist pond near Murray's Addition to the northwest of The Dalles, Oregon.........May 14, 2012.
Scouler's popcorn flower from the Columbia
Hills, Columbia River Gorge.........June 1, 1997.
Scouler's popcorn flower is generally seen in vernally moist pools, or along small streams or drainages which dry quickly in spring time as this shallow pool seen near the Catherine Creek parking area, Klickitat County, WA.........May 20, 2011.
Scouler's popcorn flower as seen in a vernally moist pool at the east rim of the Klickitat River near the end of the South Breaks Road, Klickitat Wildlife Area...........May 1, 2014.
Paul Slichter