The photo at right shows a close-up sideview of the calyx. Note the spreading hairs covering the calyx as well as the pinkish tinge to the newly opening petals. Photographed in the author's garden in Gresham, OR..........May 18, 2008.
Salmon Polemonium is a handsome wildflower for use in the wildflower garden. It exists as a loose cluster of leafy stems from a woody rhizome, partly laying on the ground and at the stem apex, arising to the air. Plants may grow from 30 to 100 cm tall. The leaves are compound pinnate, with from 11 to 19 lanceolate, ovate, or elliptic leaflets. These range from 15 to 45 mm in length and 6 to 23 mm wide, the 3 terminal leaflets somewhat joined. The basal leaves are long petioled, while those on the stems are less so. The stem leaves are reduced in size towards the upper end of the stem.
The long petioled flowers are five-petaled, salmon or flesh-colored, occasionally yellow or lavender in coloration. The inflorescence is an open, loose, terminal cluster of perhaps a half dozen flowers. The flowers are 18 to 28 mm long, with the lobes being longer than the tube.
Salmon Polemonium inhabits woodland and forest openings from sea level to moderate elevation in the mountains.
Salmon Polemonium is found from the Olympic Peninsula south to Grays Harbor in Washington, through the Columbia River Gorge to Skamania County, in Washington, south through the Oregon Cascades to southwestern Oregon, with populations being reported near Tillamook, OR and San Francisco, CA.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 1200'-2000' from above Angel's Rest and Multnomah Falls and near Prindle Mt. and McCloskey Creek.
