Mt. Rainier Wildflowers

It looks like the summer has finally arrived in western Washington! Heading outdoors and basking in the sun is on all of our minds lately, and the Burke has been getting asked:

When is the best time to view wildflowers on Mt. Rainier and what kinds of flowers could I see?

This chilly summer has delayed the breathtaking wildflower blooms on Mt. Rainier. Usually blooming during July and August, snow still covers much of Mt. Rainier National Park’s Paradise area and the snow is starting to melt at Sunrise. As the sun returns to the Pacific Northwest, wildflowers will make a belated appearance that should stretch from early to late-August.

Once these amazing flowers bloom, the sight is breathtaking. To help hikers and other nature-lovers identify the blossoms, the Burke Museum’s Herbarium has just published Alpine Flowers of Mt. Rainier, a color-coded identification guide with photos and descriptions of 90 common wildflower species found above the tree line at Mt. Rainier National Park. Here are a couple of the many flowers you may see.

One of the unique wildflowers found on Mt. Rainier is the Mt. Rainier Lousewort, Pedicularis rainierensis. This flower is endemic to the park and can grow up to 16 inches high.

In naturally disturbed areas like streamsides and burned areas, you may see Fireweed, Chamerion angustifolium. This colony-forming plant has a striking pink bloom with four petals.

For those interested in wildflower excursions on Mt. Rainier, Alpine Flowers of Mt. Rainier is available at the Burke Museum shop, Mt. Rainier National Park gift shops, Seattle Audobon, Discover Your Northwest, Metsker Maps, and Third Place Books. Proceeds from the guide will support the Burke Museum Herbarium’s educational outreach and field research activities. 

Photos courtesy of Donovan Tracy, co-author and photographer of Alpine Flowers of Mt. Rainier guide.

What are some Washington Plants that have Medicinal Uses?

For thousands of years, indigenous Washington peoples have been using plants in a variety of ways. From building houses to clothing to food, native plants are still being utilized by many who live in our state. Some of these species have been used to treat common ailments, but how helpful any of these species are for treating common ailments is unknown.

What are some Washington State plants that have medicinal uses?

 These are just a few examples of native plants that are used medicinally. Please consult your physician before starting any medical treatments and to find the best resources on taking medicinal plants.

Parsley Fern, Cryptogramma acrostichoides

Image © Rod Gilbert, 2006

The roots from this plant have been used to treat colds. Found in rocky habitats, they commonly grow on cliff faces and talus lopes. If you’d like to plant them yourself, they do best in rock gardens.

Broadleaf Stonecrop, Sedum spathulifolium

These plants also do well in rockeries and are found along coastal cliffs and ledges. Broadleaf stonecrops have been used by local Native Americans as a styptic poultice. In other words, when the plant is ground into a paste, it may help control bleeding.

Licorice fern, Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Image copyrighted Clayton J. Antieau



Licorice ferns have been used for sore throats and are found in moist ground and on tree trunks. These thrive in gardens with moist banks and logs.

Native plants are good for your land and provide habitat and food for local wildlife. Help protect local wild habitats by not buying or collecting any wild-dug plants.

Want to learn more about traditional uses for local plants? Spend a nice day outside at the Burke’s Erna Gunther Ethnobotanical Garden, located at the entrance to the Burke Museum on the UW campus.

How do you use native Washington plants?  Post your comments below!


The Burke Museum partners with the Seattle PI's Big Blog to answer commonly asked questions about the natural and cultural history of our region. This post originally appeared on the Big Blog on June 12.

Got a question for next time? Send it here!



How to beat the heat: have a weeding party!

A weeding party to "beat the heat"? Doesn't that seem counter productive? No, as it turns out, not when it is 97 degrees outside, your offices are not air-conditioned, and the weeding can be done in the shade. This week Seattle has been having nearly record-breaking heat, but that didn't stop about a dozen Burke staff and board members from getting down and dirty in the Erna Gunther Ethnobotanical Garden for a weeding party. We made quite a lot of progress and actually had some fun in the process. The garden looks so much better now!

Posted by: Julia Swan, Communications