Bear-Grass, Xerophyllum tenax

Last week I took a hike up Silver Star Mountain, and near the summit the Bear-grass was putting on quite a display.

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Bog Bunchberry, Cornus suecica

This low-growing member of the Dogwood family is growing near the Summit of Silver Star Mountain in SW Washington.

Alpine Aster, Aster alpigenus

Growing along the trail near the summit of Silver Star Mountain, these Asters were just one of many wildflowers that are present on the mountain.

Subalpine Spiraea, Spiraea densiflora

Growing along the trail on the way to the summit of Silver Star Mountain in SW Washington, these low-growing flowers are similar to the more common Hardhack, Spiraea douglasii, whose flowers have a more cone shaped overall appearance as opposed to the Subalpine Spiraea that has a more flat-topped overall appearance.

Immature flower:

Mature flower:

Mountain Sweet-Cicely, Osmorhiza chikensis

Growing near a creek on our property, this native perennial has interesting seeds.  Immature seeds are visible in the first photo even while the flowers are blooming.  The second picture shows more mature seeds and hopefully later in the season I can photograph fully mature seeds that taste somewhat like licorice.

Arrow-Leaved Groundsel, Senecio triangularis

This native perennial is growing along a small un-named creek on Bells Mountain in SW Washington.

Idaho blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium idahoense

I found this native perennial growing adjacent to a logging road on Bells Mountain in SW Washington.  It was very challenging to photograph as the flower was on the end of a long almost horizontal stem and very slight air movement would keep it in motion.

Slender Bog-Orchid, Platanthera stricta

This native perennial inhabits wet areas and a small group was found growing on Bells Mountain in SW Washington.

Varied-leaf Collomia, Collomia heterophylla

This native annual was found growing at an elevation of 1800 feet in full sun in a recently logged area in SW Washington.

Queen's Cup, Clintonia uniflora

This member of the Lily family was found growing on Bells Mountain in SW Washington.  Plants that receive some direct sunlight seemed to have their leaves and flowers quite close to the ground.  Plants in deep shade had their flowers on long stalks as the second picture shows.