The annual kaleidoscopic display at Silver Star Mountain has begun. I estimate that, with the exception of paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), most species are not yet at their peak, and that viewing conditions should be excellent for at least the next two weeks.<P>
Varieties currently blooming along the Ed's Trail loop include: Western bistort <I>(Polygonum bistortoides)</I>, Western columbine <I>(Aquilegia formosa)</I>, Indian paintbrush <I>(Castilleja hispida)</I>, Slender paintbrush <I>(Castilleja miniata)</I>, Beargrass* <I>(Xerophyllum tenax)</I>, Mountain golden-pea <I>(Thermopsis montana)</I>, Long-beaked hawkweed <I>(Hieracium longiberbe)</I>, Nootka Rose <I>(Rosa nutkana)</I>, Oregon sunshine <I>(Eriophyllum lanatum)</I>, Cascade aster <I>(Aster ledophyllus)</I>, Woodland penstemon <I>(Nothochelone nemorosa)</I>, Cardwell's penstemon <I>(Penstemon cardwellii)</I>, Cliff penstemon <I>(Penstemon rupicola)</I>, Nuttall's larkspur <I>(Delphinium nuttallii)</I>, Rosy spiraea <I>(Spiraea splendens)</I>, Sitka valerian <I>(Valeriana sitchensis)</I>, occasional Oregon iris <I>(Iris tenax)</I>, Tiger lily* <I>(Lilium columbianum)</I>, Queen's cup <I>(Clintonia uniflora)</I>, a few Evergreen Violet <I>(Viola sempervirens)</I>, Pacific Bleeding Heart <I>(Dicentra formosa)</I>, Thimbleberry <I>(Rubus parviflorus)</I>, Mountain Wallflower <I>(Erysimum arenicola)</I>, Subalpine mariposa lily <I>(Calochortus subalpinus)</I>, Spreading phlox <I>(Phlox diffusa)</I>, Columbia Lewisia <I>(Lewisia columbiana)</I> in rocky areas, Rusty Saxifrage <I>(Saxifraga ferruginea)</I>, and Coiled-Beak Lousewort <I>(Pedicularis contorta)</I>.
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*Additional Notes:
<UL>
<LI>There is some Clasping Twisted Stalk <I>(Streptopus amplexifolius)</I> blooming along the steep section of trail after the arch and prior to the rock face scramble.</LI>
<LI>There are many, many Explorer's Gentian <I>(Gentiana calycosa)</I> ready to open, but I did not see any in bloom yet.</LI> <LI>Although there are already a fair number of Tiger Lilies currently blooming, there are MANY more on the verge of opening.</LI> <LI>I would not describe this as a "banner year" for Beargrass <I>(Xerophyllum tenax)</i>, but it looks very good particularly along higher elevations of Ed’s Trail (beyond the rock face scramble) and the old road, as well as along the Indian Pits trail.</LI>
<LI>Unfortunately, the vetch prevalent at higher elevations is the non-native Wooly Vetch <LI>(Vicia villosa)</LI></UL>
Reports