Western Colorado Wildflowers

Must be fall---Gentian in bloom. Parry's Gentian. Grand Mesa, 8-8-20. 10,000 feet near Anderson Reservoir #2

In bloom (6-20-20) around Baron Lake, Grand Mesa Globe Flower (Trollius laxus--white flower). The Elephant Heads (Pedicularis groenlandica) and related species are just starting to bloom and the Jacob's Ladder (Polemoniumpulcherrimum-blue flower with yellow center)

Also blooming on the Grand mesa, alongside the American Pasque Flower at Lands End Observatory---Sugarbowls (Clematis hirsutissima. This one blooms a little later than the Pasque Flower and the blossoms last longer. These should be around for at least another week. The blossoms are about one inch long.

The American Pasque Flower is in bloom on the Grand Mesa. There is only one population--Lands End Observatory--and the blooming period is very short. One or two days remaining at best.

This photo tied for first place in the 2019 Annual Colorado Native Plant Society Convention in the Native Plant category
Phacelia crenulata, Notch-leaf Scorpion-weed, Badger
Wash, Mesa County

Penstemon whippleanus, Grand Mesa, Crag Crest Trailhead 8-10-19. This species also produces flowers that are a very dark purple

The Gunnison Sego Lily is blooming on the Uncompaghre Plateau in Western Colorado. This one was found in the area of the Fruita Reservoirs at 8700 feet, 7-27-19

Another Penstemon---P. mensarum--endemic: found only in the following Colorado counties--Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Pitkin and Montezuma. This one from the Grand Mesa near the entrance to the Spruce Grove Campground 7-20-19

Penstemon rydbergii Meadow Beardtongue July Grand Mesa 9800 feet

These are putting on quite a show along the Lands End Rd approaching the Grand Mesa (about half way up) The blue flower is from Penstemon comarrhenus (Dusty Beardtongue), the yellow round shrub is Eriogonum flavum (Golden Buckwheat and the other yellow one is in the sunflower family, Petradoria pumila (Grassy Rock Golderod.

Mirabilis multiflora var. multiflora Colorado Four O'clock. This one from Western San Luis Valley near La Garita 7-9-19. This species of Mirabilis is also found in the Grand Junction area

Uncompaghre Plateau, Glade Park, Mabie Flats, near Mud Springs Campground, 8200 feet, 6-23-19; Penstemon crandallii,Crandall's Beardtongue (small flowers (15mm); grows low to the ground)

Uncompaghre Plateau, Glade Park, Mabie Flats, near Mud Springs Campground, 8200 feet, 6-23-19 Penstemon strictus, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, flowers almost mature, notice how the flowers appear to be on one side of the stem.

Uncompaghre Plateau, Mabie Flats, near Mud Springs Campground, 8200 feet, 6-23-19 Sedum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum, Lance-Leaf Stonecrop. (Unusual leaf morphology; small plant, this one less than 6 inches high, highly visible)

Uncompaghre Plateau---Fruita Reservoir area/Turkey Flats Trailhead--Amelanchier species(white flower), Serviceberry; Juneberry and Delphinium nuttallianum ( purple flower and leaves, Nuttall's Larkspur

The bloom period is essentially over in the desert/lower elevations around Grand Junction. Time to move up in elevation to see gems like this Penstemon cyanocaulis, Bluestem Penstemon, found around the Black Ridges , 6500', near the Colorado National Monument

Heartleaf Twistflower Streptanthus cordatus Grand Junction, CO Pinjon-Juniper community

The Evening-Primroses and Abronias are blooming in the Grand Junction area. Abronia glabrifolia (Clay Sand-Verbena) and Oenothera caespetosa (Tufted Evening-Primrose)

Amsonia jonesii (Jones' Bluestar)and Phacelia crenulata var corrugata (Notch-Leaf Scorpion-Weed) blooming in the Grand Junction area at 4600 feet--4-23-19. Don't miss the Sego Liliy display in the desert north of Loma/Mack

Happy New Year

Aphrodite Fritillay (Speyeria aphrodite) and Orange Sneezeweed (aka Owl's claws--Hymenoxys hoopesii)

Thistle and Western Tiger Swallowtail---Unaweep Seep

Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida) blooming on the Grand Mesa. This population concentrated in the vicinity of the Lands End Observatory.Also Rothrock's Townsend Daidy (Townsendia rothrockii) and Spindle-Rooted Bluebell (Mertensia fusiformis---depending on who you ask)

Another Yucca this one Y. angustissima (Narrow-Leaf Yucca, Fine-Leaf Yucca) from Badger Wash north of Mack, CO

Yucca baccata Banana Yucca blooming near Unaweep Seep adjacent to the highway