Grass Widows

Yesterday was dry, though mostly overcast, and we decided to take the afternoon off and go see the Grass Widows blooming at Pass Island. Once classified as Sisyrinchium douglasii, the plant, the only one of its genus in North America, is now Olsynium douglasii. It is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in our area and is native to the Pacific Northwest. Why it is called "Grass Widow" I do not know.

The fairly large Pass Island lies between Canoe Pass and Deception Pass in the waterway between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. The island connects the two spans of the Deception Pass Bridge and its maze of trails can be reached from the bridge. It is part of Deception Pass State Park, is uninhabited and is a good place to see some of our native wildflowers.

ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2013/02/pass-island...