Spring is here in all its glory, bringing bright greens, purples, and yellows to our sagebrush desert! One of the best ways to soak in the colors of the season is to explore the diverse world of Central Oregon wildflowers.
Spring is here in all its glory, bringing bright greens, purples, and yellows to our sagebrush desert! One of the best ways to soak in the colors of the season is to explore the diverse world of Central Oregon wildflowers. May and June are peak wildflower season in the high desert and Cascade foothills and here are ten to watch for.
Arrowleaf balsamroot. Photo: Land Trust.
Arrowleaf balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata. One of our showiest wildflowers lighting up hillsides with sunny, disk-like faces. Grows in clumps with large widely triangular leaves that have heart-shaped bases. Yellow flowers are 2½ -4in wide on 1-3ft stems.
Columbia puccoon. Photo: Joan Amero.
Columbia puccoon, Lithospermum ruderale. Pale yellow flower that blooms on the end of multiple, erect stems with narrow linear leaves. Overall 8-20” tall and is widespread in grasslands, forests, and rocky areas.
Fireweed. Photo: Malcolm Lowery
Fireweed, Chamerion angustifolium. Dense spike of flowers facing outward. Deep pink to magenta petals are ¾-1” wide on 2-5’ stems. Stems are usually reddish with stiff hairs on the upper section. Grows in open and disturbed areas, especially recently burned lands.
Death camas. Photo: MA Willson.
Foothill death camas, Toxicoscordion paniculatum. Delicate, white flowers at the top of a 8-20” tall stem. Poisonous! Found in open grasslands and meadows and is often confused (especially when not blooming) with blue camas, whose bulbs are edible.
Mariposa lily. Photo: Land Trust.
Mariposa lily, Calochortus macrocarpus. A sagebrush jewel that blooms intensely lavender on tall 8-23in stems. Mariposa is ‘butterfly’ in Spanish, and kalo and chortos are Greek for ‘beautiful,’ and ‘grass.’
Red Columbine. Photo: Joan Amero.
Red columbine, Aquilegia formosa. A stunningly delicate native that grows in moist, partly shaded areas. Drooping bright red and yellow flowers grow on stalks up to 4ft tall. Hummingbirds and butterflies love columbine nectar.
Scarlet Gilia. Photo: MA Willson.
Scarlet gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata. Trumpet-shaped, bright red flowers on stems up to 3ft tall. Flower color may vary from scarlet, speckled with white, to pale pink speckled with red. Grows in dry soils in woodland openings and meadows.
Spotted moutain bells. Photo: Land Trust.
Spotted mountain bells, Fritillaria atropurpurea. A beautifully delicate native lily, found in forests near openings. Brownish, bell-shaped flowers have yellow-red spots and grow 5-25” tall. This uncommon lily takes a keen eye to find!
Threadleaf phacelia. Photo: Tim Cotter.
Threadleaf phacelia, Phacelia linearis. Dense cluster of small purple flowers that grow on a stem up to 20” tall. Found in dry sandy soils in our sagebrush meadows. Flowers are ½-¾” across with 5 petals. Leaves are alternate and linear.
Washington lily. Photo: Land Trust.
Washington lily, Lilium washingtonianum. This native lily seems like it came straight from the flower shop with its classic shape, smell, and size! Large white to pink flowers on tall, 2-8ft, stems. Grows in dry forests and is named for Martha Washington.
Help others explore the nature of Central Oregon by sharing this list and leaving the flowers as you found them. Wildflower photography is a great way to relive your experience months after the flowers are gone!
