Spring in the Pacific Northwest means wildflowers. And two of the crown gems of my area are lupine and Indian paintbrush. Many do not know of these plants’ interesting relationship. Paintbrush is actually parasitic to the lupine, but not enough to kill the plant. Instead it moderates its growth allowing for a more richly diverse plant community. This in turn, creates a healthier environment for the lupine and the paintbrush. This college honors this relationship and includes the words, “Give thanks, blinking in the sun” and “Perennials disappear, reappearing like magic”.