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The Purple Flood

In the Olympic Mountains lowlands, Indian Plum began its lovely flowering among the evergreens in January.   But up in the mountains, the show is just getting started. As the snow starts to melt, the spring “ephemerals” begin to emerge. Spring ephemerals are plants that pop up quickly in the spring and, as quickly, die back to their underground parts after a short growth/reproduction phase.   One of the stars of the opening act is Grass Widow Olsynium douglasii (or Purple-eyed Grass, or Satin Flower). These bright purple flowers with grass-like leaves belong to the Iris family.   Around mid-May, the freshly exposed meadows near Deer Park flood with Satin Flower (this common name comes from its “satiny” appearance that sparkles in the spring sun.) Deer Park meadows seem to be the perfect place for a flower whose habitat preference is vernal-wet places, that dry hard later in spring.  


The peak bloom happens before the road up to Deer Park opens, which means you can only witness this spectacle, if you walk your way up!    During a typical spring (without virus restrictions) you can drive up to Hurricane Ridge to view wildflowers as they come out. However, you won’t find Satin Flower there. In the Olympic Mountains, this species is specific to the Deer Park area. Why is that?   The weather, soils, topography and elevation gradients vary across the Olympics, creating a wide variety of habitats and has a profound influence on flora.    Perhaps Deer Park is located within the perfect zone of the Olympic Mountain rainshadow? Perhaps the hillsides are oriented in the perfect direction that provides just the right amount of sun and drainage? Maybe it is the way the wind blows that makes the snow melt out quicker?   Sometimes, part of the beauty is in the mystery 😊