Phlox mutiflora, Flowery Phlox

Phlox is often associated with sagebrush ecosystems at higher elevations. It blossoms during the late spring and early summer.  If a wet spring occurs phlox does really well and in the early summer it appears as large splashes of white mixed in the sage when viewed from far away. This species grows low to the ground and flowers appear mostly white with some having tints of lavender.  Phlox is often used as a landscape ornamental. Phlox can be found in the western U.S. Rocky Mountains, montane to subalpine. For more information on this species see USDA PLANTS.

Flowers are anything but boring. If the appearance of a flower you’ve seen a hundred times starts to wear on you, I suggest taking a closer look inside the flower or underneath it to observe the life that occurs in and around flowers. I was lucky enough to capture this scene under a Senecio serra, tall ragwort, specimen in a subalpine meadow near Gunnison. There are a few things going on here 1. The flower is infested with aphids 2. The ants are farming the sweet honeydew excrement from the aphids 3. The lady bug is gorging itself on aphids, stealing from the ants! The ant near the lady bug seems to be contemplating whether or not to intervene with the lady bug’s meal to avoid losing the precious aphid honeydew.

Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey, Bottlebrush Squirreltail

A cool-season bunch grass that is commonly seen in sagebrush ecosystems. It is easily identified by dark purple awns up to 3″ long. Upon drying the seed spike turns bleach white and the awns bend at 90 degree angles also making it easy to identify. Squirreltail is palatable to domestic livestock and wildlife prior to the formation of the seed spike. This species can be found in the western US from Canada to New Mexico, plains to subalpine. For more information about this species see  USDA Plants.

Senecio bigelovii, Nodding Ragwort

Is a curious species because the mature flower appears unopened due to a lack or ray flowers. You might come across this plant in a moist swale in the sagebrush steppe or edge of a forest meadow. I find this species in dense clusters as well as solitary. The plant typically grows higher than 2′ and produces multiple flowers at the end of one stock on multiple stems. This species can be found  in the Southern Rocky Mountain of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. For more information see USDA PLANTS.

Ciliaria austromontana, Dotted Saxifrage

At first glance the species doesn’t seem like much. The species form a bright green mat resembling a moss carpet and is typically found in moist areas draped on rocks. If you are lucky enough to catch it when it flowers, mid summer, take a close look and you will be absolutely amazed by the colored spots on the inside petals. I came across this specimen in a side canyon of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The species is found in the Rocky Mountain from BC to New Mexico and portions of the Cascades. For more information about this species see CSU Extension.

Hymenoxys hoopesii, Orange Sneeze Weed, Owls Claw

This vivid orange flower is commonly found in open meadows in forested areas of the Rocky Mountains and the western US . I often find this species growing in large patches and it is a delight to come across! For more information about this species click here.

Hesperostipa comata, Needle & Thread.

Needle & Thread is an abundant gramanoid of sagebrush and prairie ecosystems, it is one of many native needle grass. This species is found in the West, Midwest, and Great Lakes region of the U.S. as well as most of Canada. A good year of moisture will result in vigorous growth of Needle & Thread. The awns of this species can be as long as 4″. They are straight when fresh, however they soon dry and curl into a corkscrew shape. The shape of the dry awn allows the wind to screw the seed down into the soil.  For more information on this species see USDA PLANTS.

Packera crocata, Saffron groundsel.

This is one of the most visually stunning species I have come across. Saffron groundsel occurs in a limited range (Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming) it is found in the subalpine to montane zones of the Rocky Mountains. This species is most often associated with riparian areas and tends to like partial shade. I have mainly found it growing amongst low shrubs such as shrubby cinquifoil  and willow in open areas. The growth form is similar to other Packera species such as Streambank groundsel. You have a short window to catch it as this species blooms from late June through July. For more detailed information about this species see USDA Plants and Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.

* Photo (C) Noah Bates, cannot be used without express written permission

Astragalus drummundii Douglas ex Hook.

This species of locoweed is a common site in the sagebrush shrubsteppe of Colorado. Blooms appear from late spring to early summer and offer a nice splash of white to the silvery green background. The plant offers a larval host to many insects that Gunnison sage-grouse feed on and provides an excellent source for nectar to pollinators.  Many species of locoweed may contain one of  three toxins selenium, miserotoxin and swainsonine that can result in neurological effects on domestic livestock such as hypoxia in cattle and belligerent “crazy” behavior in horses in which chronic exposure often leads to emaciation and death. More information on this species can be found here.

* Photo (C) Noah Bates, cannot be used without express written permission

Juncus Balticus

Juncus balticus, Baltic Rush. A common species found in wetlands and irrigated pastures across North America. I’ve found that this species concentrates in dryer portions of wetland areas where the soil is not always saturated. Referred to as wire grass by ranchers, cattle will eat this species although it’s not their first choice. After a pasture is moderately grazed you’ll often see the patches of baltic rush that remain untouched. When you look over a pasture that contains baltic rush, the patches of rush will stand out as a darker green.  I love this species for the flower it produces in late spring, you have to get close though to see the detail, or you can just look at the picture! More Information on Juncus balticus.

* Photo (C) Noah Bates, cannot be used without express written permission