Glacier Bay Wildflowers

In the poorly drained soils of the muskeg, trees only a few feet high can be hundreds of years old. Here an ancient dead tree frames some muskeg country at Dundas Bay.

In the icy environment close by the glaciers, spring arrives late. These willow catkins (Salix spp.) greet the sun in late June on a wilderness beach near Lamplugh Glacier.

Chocolate lilies—also known as Kamchatka lilies (Fritillaria camschatcensis)—put on quite a show at several locations near Dundas Bay. Native Americans prized them for their edible potato-like tubers.

Dwarf dogwood—also known as bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) —thrives on this stump in the heart of the muskeg.

In a corner of Dundas Bay seldom visited because of the shallow water, we came across this marvel of wildflowers. Shown here is Unalaska paintbrush (Castilleja unalaschcensis). Perhaps a dozen species bloomed together in a half-mile-long profusion. We all photographed happily until the local mosquitoes drove us from their territory.

This white bog orchid (Platanthera dilatata) thrived in the beautiful riot of wildflowers at Dundas Bay.

Scarlet Paintbrush (Castileja miniata) grew in great profusion along Dundas Bay.

Massive skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) grows in profusion throughout Southeast Alaska. With its huge, lush leaves, it seems like this plant would be more at home in a tropical rather than temperate rainforest.