Natural History Wanderings

Oregon Wildflowers has a new wildflower report for Camissia Natural Area near Portland

This is a wonderful time to visit Camassia! The namesake flower (Camassia quamash) has opened over the past week and is covering the meadows. It should reach its peak within a week. Also profuse in the meadows are Rosy Plectritis (Plectritis congesta) and Large-flowered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora), with Western Saxifrage (Saxifraga occidentalis) and Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis) filling in the gaps.

Also blooming (primarily within the forest) are Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora), Wood Violets (Viola glabella), Candy Flower Claytonia sibirica), Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Bigroot (Marah oreganus), and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).

Except for a few remaining specimens, Oregon Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) and Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) are finished for the season.