Biological diversity is a hallmark of the Columbia River Gorge, which encompasses two natural transitions in its 80-mile length

The first of these is the east to west transition which begins with near-rain-forest conditions in the western Gorge and changes dramatically within a relatively short distance to arid, near-desert conditions in the eastern Gorge. This transition is driven by the "rain shadow" effect of the Cascades. As rain-laden storms from the Pacific Ocean reach the mountains, the air masses gain elevation and become cooler, less able to hold moisture. In short, it rains a lot in the western Gorge. As the storms pass the crest of the Cascades, they lose altitude and become warmer; warm air holds more moisture, and less of it falls as rain. The eastern slopes of the Cascades are much drier as a result.

The second transition is in altitude. The tallest ridgelines of the central Columbia Gorge exceed 4,000 feet above sea level. Just as spring comes later in the season as we approach the poles, it also comes later as we gain elevation (if you miss the annual bloom of a given wildflower at lower elevations, oftentimes you can climb higher to find it still blooming). All these natural variables (rainfall, temperature, sunlight and shade) create a multitude of what ecologists refer to as "microclimates," relatively small regions of unique conditions that encourage the growth of unique species. In the Columbia Gorge, that's particularly true of wildflowers; there are hundreds of species here, many distributed throughout the Gorge but some isolated to limited regions.

There are over 800 species of flowers in the Gorge; fifteen of these are endemic and are not found anywhere else in the world. You can learn a little about each of these "endemics" below.

Please Don't Pick

Barrett's Penstemon

A tall pink penstemon blooming in rocky areas early to mid-May in the eastern Columbia Gorge. Can be found along the cliffs of the old Historic Columbia River Highway.

Barrett's Penstemon
Barrett's Penstemon

Columbia Desert Parsley

With bright pink flowers blooming March to May in the eastern Columbia Gorge.

Columbia Desert Parsley
Columbia Desert Parsley

Columbia Gorge Broad-Leaf Lupine

A lavendar lupine blooming April to May at Rowland Lake, near The Dalles Bridge, and Dalles Mt. Road.

Columbia Gorge Broad-Leaf Lupine
Columbia Gorge Broad-Leaf Lupine

Columbia Gorge Daisy

Blooms mid-June around Oneonta Gorge, Latourell Falls and McCord Creek.

Columbia Gorge Daisy
Columbia Gorge Daisy

Columbia Kittentail

Blooms on shaded banks late March to early April, Wahkeena and Horsetail falls.

Columbia Kittentail
Columbia Kittentail

Hood River Milk-Vetch

With cream-colored flowers blooming late April to early May at Mayer State Park, near the intersection of Washington Highway 14 and 197, White Salmon River, Horsethief Butte, and Hood River Mountain Meadow.

Hood River Milk-Vetch
Hood River Milk-Vetch

Howell's Daisy

Blooms on rocky slopes late May around Multnomah Falls and early July atop Larch Mountain.

Howell's Daisy
Howell's Daisy

Long-Beard Hawkweed

Tightly packed pale yellow flower heads, at the top of wand-like stems. Blooms July through August and can be found at Angel's Rest and McCord Creek Trail.

Long-Beard Hawkweed
Long-Beard Hawkweed

Northern Wormwood

Low-growing (to 30 cm) with leaves and stems covered with fine, silky hairs. Blooms mid-April to mid-June. Most of the suitable habitat was submerged behind Bonneville and The Dalles Dams but the historic range extended along the Columbia River from the mouth of the John Day River to Bingen, Washington.

Northern Wormwood
Northern Wormwood

Poet's Shooting Star

Has pink and yellow blossoms blooming March to April at Tom McCall Nature Preserve and east of Lyle.

Poet's Shooting Star
Poet's Shooting Star

Smooth Desert Parsley

Has pink and yellow blossoms blooming March to April at Tom McCall Nature Preserve and east of Lyle.

Smooth Desert Parsley
Smooth Desert Parsley

Smooth-Leaf Douglasia

Named for pioneer botanist David Douglas. Blooms early April at Mitchell Point, McCord Creek Falls.

Smooth-Leaf Douglasia
Smooth-Leaf Douglasia

Suksdorf's Desert Parsley

Named for Wilhelm Suksdorf, early botanist whose family helped establish the City of Bingen, a yellow, 2-6 foot lomatium blooms late April to early June, and can be found near Chenoweth Road and Nestor Peak.

Suksdorf's Desert Parsley
Suksdorf's Desert Parsley

The Dalles Mountain Buttercup

Named for pioneer botanist David Douglas. Blooms early April at Mitchell Point, McCord Creek Falls.

The Dalles Mountain Buttercup
The Dalles Mountain Buttercup