Natural History Wanderings

Mt. Rainier National Park reports currently blooming  on August 27, 2017

Currently Blooming – August 27, 2015
A few individuals of certain wildflower species are hanging in there, such as this sole Cascade penstemon (Penstemon serrulatus) spotted still blooming along the Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon. Most wildflowers have gone to seed or berry, and fall colors are starting to come in. There are over a half dozen of penstemon species in the park, with Cascade penstemon being one of the more common. Cascade penstemon has taller unbranched stems (6-24 in/15-60 cm) topped with a cluster of blue-purple tube-shaped flowers. Along the stem are pairs of toothed, lance- to oval-shaped leaves, about 4 inches (10 cm) long. It is found along streams and wetter areas, up to 6,000 feet (1,800m).

Wildflower Reports

• Stevens Canyon: (8/22) late: Cascade penstemon, corn lily, pearly everlasting, fireweed, oceanspray; other: Sitka mountain ash berries, false Solomon’s seal berries
• Paradise: (8/19) sitka mountain ash berries, pearly everlasting, late: cascade aster, corn lily;
• High Lakes Trail/Reflection Lakes: (8/12) mountain bog gentian, pearly everlasting, sitka mountain ash berries; late: fireweed, cascade aster, corn lily; other: huckleberries in fruit, leaves turning color
• Sunrise: (8/6) pearly everlasting, yarrow, few paintbrush, pasqueflower seedheads, cascade asters (late), mountain bog gentians
• SR410/SR123 (8/6): pearly everlasting, fireweed (late), common st. johnswort

See photos at Mt. Rainier National Park.