In my hikes at Catherine Creek I see a lot of genetic variation in Grass Widow flowers, but this one that I found at Tom McCall Preserve is the first all-white flower I've seen. Grass Widows colors usually range from magenta to magenta-purple. A low evening sun provided dramatic lighting and a conveniently placed rock provided a dark background.
Grass Widows are a very early bloomer in the Columbia River Gorge. I have seen a few blossoms as early as January 15th at Catherine Creek. The main bloom occurs at the end of February and the beginning of March. Grass Widows bloom a few weeks later at Tom McCall Preserve on the shadier Oregon side of the Columbia River.
