Natural History Wanderings

Oregon Wildflowers reports on wildflowers of the Columbia River Gorge

Catherine Creek 2/14/16 Now blooming along the Universal Access paved loop: Salt and Pepper (Lomatium piperi), Grass Widows (Olsynium douglasii), Desert Parsley (Lomatium sp.) and Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium columbianum) just starting. Grass Widows are also starting to bloom on the north side of Highway 14, but in less profusion than those on the south side of the highway. I estimate that the Grass Widows should be blooming for at least another two weeks.
Also blooming is a patch of Gold Stars (Crocidium multicaule) along the trail above the arch. There are also many rosettes of Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) leaves, preparing themselves for the bloom in several months (generally late April / early May)

Coyote Wall and Labyrinth 2/13/16  have the following in bloom: Salt and Pepper (Lomatium piperi), Grass Widows (Olsynium douglasii), Desert Parsley (Lomatium sp.), Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium columbianum), and a few Prairie Star (Lithophragma parviflorum).