Did you know that Steelhead Trout are simply Rainbow Trout that choose to completely transform their psyiology? After living in freshwater, these fish opt to head into saltwater for 3 years, where they grow bigger and live longer than their non-anadromous counterparts. In doing so, they become recognized as Steelhead. You read that right. Steelhead Trout and Rainbow Trout are, in fact, one in the same. I love things that aren’t quite what they seem, which is also the case for the Dr. Seuss flowers in the mountains.

I’m in love with the Western Pasqueflower. I’ve seen this shape-shifter for years and never knew the dynamic history. With this year’s wildflower ‘Super Bloom‘, now is an awesome time to go see this Dr. Seuss Truffula Tree in real life.

Here’s what you need to know:

Sometimes called the white pasqueflower, this Dr. Seuss flower-looking plant is a member of the buttercup family. It starts as a short-stemmed flower. The blooms are usually white or soft purple, with a yellow buttercup center.

The Western Pasqueflower blooms briefly in the mid-spring to mid-summer, usually right after the snow has melted, bringing sunshine to the ground for the first time. You can find these beauties in western North America, from British Columbia to California and Washington to Montana. They thrive on gravelly slopes and in moist meadows. They bloom all over the slopes of Tahoma (Mt. Rainier).

As the Dr. Seuss flowers grow, the petals fall off. The existing buttercup grows longer and the plant shoots up to become a seed head, eventually standing 1-2 feet tall. The hair continues to grow, giving these plants the Dr. Seuss Truffula Tree look that we all love.

You can see the entire lifecycle of the pasqueflower on this youtube video. Or go check it out it in person in mid-summer. In my experience, July-August can give you the best pasqueflower viewing. Head to the mountains, specifically at an elevation where the snow has recently melted. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, head to Paradise or Sunrise at Mt. Rainier National Park, or hike Heliotrope Ridge on Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker), to see these in person. Extra bonus points if you dress as a Lorax for your adventure.