Most of the remaining snow has melted, and the bloom is much more profuse than a week ago (see 3/17 report).<P>
The main varieties blooming at Catherine Creek and Tracy Hill are: grass widows <I>(Olsynium douglasii)</I>, salt and pepper <I>(Lomatium piperi)</I>, and smooth prairie star <I>(Lithophragma glabrum)</I>. There are also many nice patches of gold stars <I>(Crocidium multicaule)</I>, as well as intermittent yellow bells (Fritillaria pudica). The endemic Columbia desert parsley <I>(Lomatium columbianum)</I> is blooming at its perennial location on the `above the arch` trail section, near the seasonal stream. Western Buttercup <I>(Ranunculus occidentalis)</I> and Oaks Toothwort <I>(Cardamine nuttallii </I>var. <I>nuttallii)</I> are blooming in the oaks on the west side of Tracy Hill. Northwestern Saxifrage <I>(Saxifraga integrifolia </I>var. <I>integrifolia)</I> is just starting. Expect <B>MANY</B> more flowers to open within the next several weeks.
Reports