A prominent feature on the hills and plains of Steilacoom (in the area of our main village) was a pink flower known as Indian Pink (Lythophragma parviflorum) pictured above. Therefore, among the Puget Sound tribes, the name Steilacoom was taken to mean the people of the Indian Pink area. 'Steilacoom' is actually an anglicization of the Whulshootseed (sometimes spelled 'Lushootseed') word č'tilqwɘbš (pronounced "CH'tilQWubSH"). Today the Steilacoom Flower is also known as smallflower fringecup or small-flowered woodland star.
Although the Steilacoom Flower is no longer common in incorporated areas, efforts are under way to reintroduce and preserve the plant in Steilacoom, Lakewood, and University Place.
Learn more about the 'Steilacoom Flower' at the Burke Museum Herbarium Database.
