Bigelow's Tansyaster
Date: August, 2017
Locatation: Southern Colorado
Native to Southwestern United States
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(Latin) Machaeranthera Bigelovii
Asters are the largest plant family in the world with 23,000 species
There are 17 species in western North America and Mexico, and of those, seven of occur in North America
May be confused with Tahoka Daisy or Colorado Tansyaster
Blue Columbine
Date: August, 2017
Location: Southern Colorado
Also known as the Rocky Mountain Columbine, this flower grows in harsh 11,000 foot conditions. Found in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Montana.
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(Latin) Aquilegia caerules
Colorado state flower
Reaches heights of 1-3 feet with a spread of 2 feet
Somewhat poisonous
Bloom: summer
The nectar-filled spurs can only be reached by long tongues of hummingbirds and some species of moths. (seen below)
(Latin) Helenium Hoopesii
Aster Family
Height 2-4 feet
Bloom: summer
Poisonous to sheep
located in the western half of Colorado
Orange Sneezeweed
Date: August, 2017
Location: Southern Colorado
The common name is reference to the the central orange cone covered it pollen which attracts butterflies
A few bright red Indian Paintbrush mixed in, just off of the Continental Divide Trail near Cumbres, Co.
Giant Red Paintbrush
(Latin) Castilleja Miniata
The most common ‘paintbrush’ in Colorado
Also called scarlet paintbrush
High energy nectar for the hummingbirds in the state
Family: Snapdragon
Date: August, 2017
Location: Southern Colorado
Like most paintbrushes, Giant Red is a partial parasite - absorbing nutrients from the roots of nearby plants
(Latin) Verbascum Thapsus
Common Mullein
Family: Snapdragon
Known for its soft, velvet-like leaves.
Also known as Flannel Plant
During the Victorian Era, women would rub the leaves on their cheeks. The skin irritation would make for a sort of blush.
Early settlers and American Indians placed the soft woolly leaves in footwear for warmth and comfort
Date: August, 2017
Location: Northern New Mexico
The first year the plant grows as a low rosette of large soft leaves; in the second, a tall flower stalk sprouts.
Romans and early miners would dip the dried stalks into oil, Romans, animal tallow, to be used as torches. The dried stalk is often referred to as “Miner’s Candle”
