September's Flower

Day 339: The wildflower season is drawing to a close in the alpine areas of the state, and to bid summer farewell, it is now that the Gentians emerge.

Mountain Bog Gentian (Gentiana calycosa) is September's flower, and I love none better. Legend tells us that the blossom took on its color when a bee carrying a burden of summer sky alighted there and was trapped inside when the blossom furled into its typical minaret shape for the night. Gentian protects its deeply cupped flowers by closing in rainy or heavily dewy conditions, and yes, bees and other insects are often caught inside to be released unharmed in the morning.

Today, not a single one of September's Gentians was open under showery skies, and not a bee was to be seen on the trail to Bench Lake. The only trespasser in the meadow was a slightly sodden photographer searching for a bit of legendary blue summer sky caught in a twisted blossom.