I didn't go out this morning to photograph these lovely little flowers but who could resist such a glorious pink carpet scattered over the sides of Highrock Park. I don't know what they are called but I'll see if I can find out.As usual, Lewis J. Clark's Wild Flowers of British Columbia provides an identification of these flowers. They are a member of the Valerian family called Sea Blush (Plectritis congesta). Clark quotes Archibald Menzies, a naturalist who traveled in this area with Captain George Vancouver in 1792:
"...the rural appearance"...[of Protection Island, in "Juan de Fuca's Streights"] strongly invited us to stretch our limbs after our long confined situation on board & the dreary sameness of a tedious voyage.... We found on landing...the shore was skirted with long grass & a variety of wild flowers in full bloom, but what chiefly dazzled our eyes...was a small species of wild Valerian [now known as Plectritis or Valerianella congesta] with reddish colourd flowers growing behind the beach in large thick patches."
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe had some amazing towering cloud formations today. Hope you happened to catch them.
Yes, it was a beautiful day yesterday - if only it had been about 15 degrees warmer....
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ReplyDeleteWOW I really love this! The contrast is amazing.
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I am really going to have to make it a point to visit Highrock Park next time I'm up there.
ReplyDeleteGreat perspective to capture the carpet.
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