FLOWER CONDITIONS

During the last week considerable rain has fallen in the Park and now with the return of warm sunshiny days the wild flower fields are a riot of color.

The Avalanche lily though decadent may still be found in dense patches, the paint-brush was never more beautiful, hillsides are covered with the seedpods of the anemone, the Squaw grass and many others while damp areas are heavy with shooting stars and gentians. Along the fringe of woods white rhododendron is conspicuous and everywhere the heathers, asters, columbines and louseworts are blooming in profusion.

SEED POD OF THE WESTERN ANEMONE

A plant which attracts a great deal of attention at this time of year is the seed pod of the western anemone, that fluffy silver-gray ball of fur standing on a stalk six to ten inches high and growing in such masses near the hotel. The flower itself, (anemone occidentalis) is the only anemone found near the snow. It has large creamy-white blossoms with leaves still in the bud until the floral organs drop off. Then the finely dissected leaves unfold and the plumelike heads develope. It is occasionly found early in the spring growing up through the snow drifts, and although the flowers stay with us only a short time the seed pod which is quite as beautiful remains all season.