A Really Unusual Wildflower

[ronaldhanko]

This is the Elephant's Head Lousewort, one of our native wildflowers. Had the opportunity to see and photograph it last summer at Lake Elizabeth in the North Cascades. The reason for the common name is obvious.

[WhiteRabbit]

Very cool!

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, Sonya.

[euplusia]

The name couldn't fit better. You have so many beautiful wildflowers. I've never seen this before.

[ronaldhanko]

It's not the most common thing and likes rather wet areas, so it can be a bit elusive.

[PlantTeeth]

Super neat!

via mobile

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, my friend.

[NYCorchidman]

I found something almost identical, but the bloom was heavier. During my trip in Glacier National Park.

I had no idea what it was called, but I thought it looked like a bunch of tiny pink elephants heads put together. Such an interesting looking flower! wonder of nature, I have to say!

[NYCorchidman]

I found three pictures I took. I wish I had a better camera to record so much nature has to offer during that trip!!!

Ron, did the plant in your picture have a body that looked like the one in my pictures??
They look similar, at least the individual flower shape. maybe very closely related speices or the same species showing regional differences.

The area where I found this plant was one the highest spot in the park, yet, I could only find one along the path were people are allowed to walk around.

[ronaldhanko]

The blooms are often more crowded, especially if they are growing in sunnier areas which mine was not. I'm pretty sure from what I can see that it's the same species. There is a species that's smaller and has more widely spread flowers but it's found only south of us.