Candystick

This not only looks like a candystick, that actually is its common name. It is one of our favorite wildflowers, a plant without chlorophyll and without leaves. The flowers are the tiny clusters of purple along the stem. This plant is just coming into bloom and will continue to grow, reaching a total height of about 18 inches. The old stem from last year is at the bottom of the picture. It was photographed on Whidbey Island near Deception Pass State Park.