Wildflowers Found in Oregon

Pussy Paws

Calyptridium umbellatum - Pink clusters of densely packed flowers at ends of ascending or prostrate stems resemble upturned pads of cat's feet. Flowers have 2 sepals, pale pink, papery and translucent, become larger, to 1/2 in. long; petals 4 quickly withering, pinkish, 1/4 in. long, narrow, in a dense rosette. Flowers May to August. Found in loose soil in coniferous forests. Grows from British Columbia to Baja California; east to Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. Stems often lie on the ground with the relatively heavy "pussy paws" forming a ring around the leaf rosette.