I walk up the north side of Palouse Ridge through mud and puddles. Spring makes itself evident on side of the road. I pass Wild Cherry, Nineleaf Biscuitroot, and Common Cowparsnips. At the top of the ridge, the road dries out. I come out of the trees and am greeted by a blanket of purple Larkspur spotted with golden Arrowleaf Balsamroot. After a time, I begin my walk back to the trailhead where I find an old fallen tree bent over a rock, it reminds me of broken bones. In its shade grows Angular Solomon’s Seal. I am not sure if this plant is native or not.
Lying over stone
Old tree trunk bent and fractured
Nourished spring flowers
Note: Paradise Ridge is one of the few remnants of original Palouse prairie. Most of these locations are preserved through land trusts, for which I am grateful. These remnants make up 1% of the Palouse. Most of the remaining 99% is dry farmland. Because there are places where native Palouse prairie exists gives me faith the natural landscape can return; that we can share this land with the native plants and peoples in harmony with our need to grow food.
I like your thoughts on the possibility of widespread return of native plants of the Palouse.