Fringecup, Tellima Grandiflora

Day 248: Third time is a charm. Plagued by wind, rain and poor light, I made three trips up Mineral Hill to the site where I found this specimen of Fringecup growing. Three trips! But I wanted it for my "field guide" and none of the rest of them were showing the pink tint typical of the flower as it ages.

Related to the Mitreworts, Fringecup is taller and bears larger blossoms. The cups are approximately 1/2" long. For all of being a rather nondescript plant in the overview, it is quite fragrant. It is only upon closer examination that the details of its deeply fringed petals becomes apparent. Shown here against a spray of cedar, the species prefers a moist forest environment and shady conditions.

In an amusing aside, Pojar and MacKinnon comment that the name "Tellima" is an anagram of "Mitella," the related family of Mitreworts. Could it be that there is humour among taxonomists?