Natural History Wanderings

Oregon Wildflowers reports on Camassia Natural Area wildflower bloom

Camassia is always wonderful, but now is a particularly good time to visit!

The namesake flower (Camassia quamash) is blooming everywhere and should reach its peak within a week. Also blooming profusely 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), Bigroot (Marah oreganus), and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Oregon Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) is past peak but there are still some blooms. There are also a few remaining Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) and Large False Solomon`s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum).