Pacific Starflower

Description:

Single, erect, unbranched stem with brown glands bearing whorl of 4–7 leaves at top, each 1–3 in. long, broadly oval, with pointed tip, brown glands on upper side. Flower stem from center of leaves shorter than the leaves, with single star-shaped pink flower with 5 pointed petals.

Habitat:

Coastal, West-Side Forest. Usually found In West Gorge, Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Crater Lake NP. This one was spotted on the trail at Pack Forest near Mt. Rainier NP, WA.

Notes:

This lovely wildflower is small (only about 1/2 inch in diameter) and can be overlooked easily, but when you look very closely, you will find its delicate beauty. :-)