Today's photograph is from Galiano Island. On Saturday, I went on the Native Plant Society of BC's field trip to the island's Bluff Park and Bellhouse Provincial Park in search of wildflowers and other interesting plants. In all, our list of identified plants in bloom neared thirty, including this one, Lithophragma parviflorum.
Smallflower woodland-star is a member of the saxifrage family. Its genus, Lithophragma, is exclusively distributed in western North America. Nine (to 12) species are recognized, with the centre of diversity in California. Only three species are found outside of California and Oregon: Lithophragma glabrum, Lithophragma tenellum, and Lithophragma parviflorum. These three can be found throughout western North America. Calphotos provides photographs of most species within the genus.
The Jepson Manual provides a description of Lithophragma parviflorum, as does Montana Plant Life: Lithophragma parviflorum. I'm partial to the species because it grows in a broad range of habitats (e.g., sagebrush desert, open forests, prairies) and it is like seeing a cheery old friend when visiting somewhere new on my travels in the west.
What a friendly little flower! -or am I anthropormorphising?
'smallflower' - just how small is it? It's so daisy-like.
Pidgeon: You are not anthropormorphising at all, as far as I'm concerned. One of the first flowers I ever learned the name of was the little pansy's with faces on them. I adored them, as the different colors were fascinating, and I have never seen one since without saying "Hello!" to it. My aunt had a row on each side of her sidewalt to her house, and they seemed to be giving us an early, special welcome as we went towards the door.
It does look like a 'Howdy' flower.
I-5 has some kind of evergreen along the west side as it passes southwards, past downtown Seattle towards Tacoma. Those trees seem to be waving at us. I have never seen them still. I think it is because the wind of the passing cars keep them moving. Whatever the reason, when I see them, my spirits are lifted a bit.
very petite...very pretty...
It's a nekkid little fella. ;~)
ah well tis another flower fairy
flowers speak to us in many ways
the photo is so clear
your part of the world looks
so diverse and interesting daniel
These Woodland Stars are happy for years in gardens, sun or shade, will slowly naturalize, cause no troubles, have green or purple foliage (depending on exposure), and indeed greet you happily this time of year - Woodland Heroes!
PLEASE - anthropomorphise away - life is too short!
It is so nice to get to enjoy such a lovely little flower.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
I have made a little painting of this flower, it's on my blog, with a link to the original photo.
Thank you very much Carolina. Here's the direct link to the weblog posting you've made. It's very beautiful.
Thank you Daniel, you're so kind :)