Natural History Wanderings

Mt. Rainier National Park reports

Much of the park is past peak bloom, but there are still many tried-and-true wildflowers still blooming! One ubiquitous flower is pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea). Its white “flowers” are actually modified leaves, called bracts. These papery white bracts are more resilient than most petals, so this flower can appear to bloom “everlasting”. The true flower is the yellow core. These flowers are also popular with many pollinators – from butterflies to beetles.

See new reports for Cayuse Pass, Sunrise, Reflection Lakes, Paradise area, Snow Lake, East Lakes Trail, Tolmie Lookout Trail, and Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap as well as photos at https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wildflower-status.htm