Timothy Lake Journal – Spring Flowering Plants

It’s springtime in the Mt. Hood National Forest and I’m discovering lots of plants coming in and out of bloom. Right now, the Pacific Rhododendron is on full display in the forest at our elevation and is stunning!

Some wildflowers that I observed in mid-May are past their prime but I caught them while they were at their best.

The Oregon Anemone is an uncommon plant found in conifer forests of the Pacific NW up to around 5,000 feet. It’s an unassuming little plant that blooms here in mid-May. This plant is similar to the Western Wood Anemone ( Anemone lyallii) – the main difference being the number of stamens. I’m calling this plant an Oregon Anemone due to the fact that it appears to have more than 35 stamens where as the Western Wood Anemone has fewer than 35 stamens. But who’s counting?! 🙂

The Redwood Violet is a tiny little plant and I only found a few small patches of it in and around the South Shore Trail on Timothy Lake. Such a cutey!! It’s name comes from the fact that it is found in redwood forests but it also inhabits other conifer forests, including the predominant Douglas Fir forest here.

The Pacific Trillium thrives in a Douglas Fir forest so I guess that’s why it is so prolific here. There are some incredible specimens of this plant throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest. I just love this plant!!

Stay tuned for more interesting Pacific NW plants!!