On Friday, nine wildflower fans met at the TH for the Enchanted Forest in the Applegate. There was lots of anticipation about the favorites they expected to see and no one was disappointed. As we passed through the gate into the shaded forest, we were immediately in the presence of the red-flowering Indian Warriors (also known as Warrior Plume). The Warriors in their thousands would reappear to greet us in the shady parts of this enchanted park. Along with the Warriors just off the trail were purple Henderson’s Shooting Stars, an upside-down flower always pointed towards earth. These two favorite floral friends often appeared together in the shady areas.
As we moved up the trail and into the sun other flowers were spotted by the group. A “little yellow flower” with shiny petals was identified as the Western Buttercup and nearby we saw the first of many Cat’s Ear or (Tolmie’s Mariposa Lily).
The most prevalent shrubs along the way were what locals call Buckbrush, still with some fragrant white blossoms. Also, known by its Latin name Ceanothus or if you’re from LA it’s the California Lilac. (Some generic names for flowers tend to be regional).
As we continued up the trail we moved into a meadow with full sunlight, another microclimate that promised different flowers. First noticed, from the umbrella-shaped yellow Lomatium (Latin) family is a species called Spring Gold or Desert Parsley.
Down by the creek crossing, we viewed the purple Larkspur Delphinium with the telltale spur growing out the back of the flower. Next came the single-stock white Woodland Star. Then, working hard, the group found a “little white flower” ID’d as the True Baby Star and nearby a pinkish-red variety of the same.
I was called back down the trail as Linda had spotted a small trumpet-like flower, purple with a yellow throat. I suggested from its shape it might be a Penstemon, but the truth was we had our first mystery flower! Fun! Gaylene had brought her flower book and searched it during lunch and Kate said “I think I’ve seen it before” and would look online at home. Later she emailed me with a name for our mystery flower, the parasite one-flowered broomrape (Orobanche uniflora) which taps into the roots of surrounding flowers for its nutrients.
More sun-loving flowers were the Pioneer Violet, Blue Dick, and white Saxifrage.
Then we left the sunny meadow, turned right onto the main trail, and back into a lush forest fed by the creek. The greenery on both sides of the trail included a Clover ground cover. blooming Miner’s Lettuce, Oregon Grape shrubs, clinging Cleaver plant or Bedstraw, Water Leaf Phacelia, and the much anticipated Trillium. Growing in the shade by the creek were more and more of the Giant White Trillium also known as the Wake Robin. Trilliums got their name because they have 3 petals, 3 sepals, and 3 leaves. Keeping the Trillium company were healthy growths of dangling pink to purple Bleeding Hearts.
When we got up to the trail intersection we all found logs to sit on and have our lunch with chocolate-covered Cherries passed around. Thank you, Patricia!
After lunch, Randy and Linda continued up the main trail towards Sabin’s Saddle and over many deadfalls, and the rest of us headed back down content with a full day of wildflowers in just a few hours.
A great day, the sky was blue and the temperature would warm to the 70s by the afternoon.
Thanks to members of the Friday Moderates for joining the walk and welcome back Darryl!…it’s been a long time my friend!

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Randy, Linda