FLORA OF MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK. 
21 
The purple aster, Eucephalus ledophyllus (fig. 16), is frequently 
found here. It has tall leafy stems, leaves pubescent on the under- 
side. The ray flowers are pinkish purple. It grows so abundantly 
that in favored localities the ground is covered with the plants 
Fig. 15. — Shooting star (Dodecatheon jeffreyi). 
Color of flower, pink; height of plant, 6 to 10 inches; blooms July and August. 
Photograph by Asahel Curtis. 
with head touching head, swaying in unison to the least breath of 
wind. 
Here, also, grows the elephant’s trunk, Pedicularis groenlandica 
surrecta. It has pinnately parted leaves, coiled beak, and dull pur¬ 
ple flowers. The peculiar resemblance of its beak to the trunk of 
an elephant gives it its popular name. The chief interest in this 
plant lies in its oddness and not in the brilliancy of its color, like 
those just mentioned. The cotton grass, Eriophorum polystachyon, 
