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Thickstem Aster (Eurybia integrifolia), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). It is native to the western United States where it occurs in mountainous areas along the Basin and Range Province. Technical information can be found at the website Flora of North America. 
Plant location: Found in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on August 28, 2009. Elevation 7777'. GPS coordinates: N44°26.168 W110°34.548. This species can be found
in the following United States: CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY. 
Bloom period: Late August, early September. -
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Tall Fringed Bluebells -or- Languid Lady -or- Mountain Bluebell (Mertensia ciliata), family Boraginaceae (Borage). Per the website Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: ' Mertensias are also called Lungworts, after a European species with spotted leaves which was believed to be a remedy for lung disease. Similar species differ in the proportions of the corolla.'. End quote. This perennial herb is one of 18 species in the genus Mertensia. A number of uses by native american indians from the Cheyenne tribe are recorded including: 'Infusion of plant used to increase milk flow of mothers; Infusion of powdered roots taken for itching from smallpox; Infusion of leaves used for measles and smallpox. 
Plant
location: Yellowstone National Park on August 28, 2009 at an elevation of 8860'. GPS coordinates: N44°47.468 W110°26.819. It is native to the western United States, where it often grows in moist habitat, such as subalpine meadows and creeksides. This species if found in the following United States: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WY. 
Bloom period: June to August. -
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Many-flowered Stickseed (Hackelia floribunda), family Boraginaceae (Borage). Per WIKIPEDIA is this: 'Hackelia floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name manyflower stickseed. It is native to much of the western half of North America, where it is most often found in areas which are wet during the springtime, such as meadows. This is a lush biennial or perennial herb with hairy stems reaching a maximum height of about a meter. They emerge as a leafy clump, surrounded by many smooth lance-shaped leaves up to 24 centimeters long. There are few leaves at the ends of the stems, which hold cyme inflorescences of blue flowers. Each flower has five lobes with petallike appendages at their bases. The fruit is a tiny, mildly prickly nutlet.' End quote.
Per the website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of the plant; Isleta Drug (Poison) Prickles from fruit caused skin irritation and swelling. Navajo, Ramah Drug (Orthopedic Aid) Root of this or any poisonous plant used for serious injury such as fracture. Navajo, Ramah Drug (Poison) Plant considered poisonous. Navajo, Ramah Other (Good Luck Charm) Leaves and pollen used various ways for good luck in gambling and trading.' End quote. 
Plant location: Found in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, on August 30, 2009. Elevation 10,976'. GPS coordinates: N44°58.147 W109°28.316. Native Habitat: Moist thickets and meadows, generally in coniferous forests. 
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period: June to August, one of 29 species in the genus. -
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Beautiful and profuse Lupine (Lupinus), family Fabaceae (Pea). Lupine is a favorite of ours. It sometimes seems to be everywhere and so is a reliable source of refreshing color on the many hikes we do. The name Lupine is actually common only in North America. Elsewhere in the world the genus is spelled Lupin - they are the same plants. There are 200-600 species in this genus! An interesting factoid from WIKIPEDIA is that most of the plants from the family Fabaceae can 'fix nitrogen' from the air turning it into ammonia which fertilizes the soil for surrounding plants! Certain species of Lupins produce sweet beans which are eaten in a surprising number of countries; Portugal, Egypt, Italy, Brazil, and Spanish Harlem to name a few. In Germany a new variety of Lupin has
been produced that eliminates the need to soak the beans prior to preparation. The beans are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to soy. There is even a lupin tofu! Yum to Lupines! As beautiful as these flowers can be, in New Zealand they have become too much of a good thing. Their numbers are the subject of an effort now to reduce them. However, some enterprising souls in that country are not helping out. There have been some instances of seed packets being sold containing Lupin seed that will supposedly grow into a giant beanstalk!! 
Plant location: This specimen was photographed in the Cle Elum Washington area in early June 2007. 
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season: the bloom season varies greatly depending on the specific flower. The most common we see falls from June to August. -
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Pineywoods Geranium, Geranium caespitosum, family Geraniaceae (Geranium). A lovely geranium, Pineywoods has distinctive pretty bracts interleaved between the flower petals that create a very attractive symmetry for the bloom. This plant is a perennial herb. The genus is large numbering about 422 species, but with only about 30 (both annual and perenial) here in North America. Another common name of members in this genus is cranesbill. The Rocky Mountains and adjacent western areas host EIGHT endemic species. Propagation is by seed-ejection with seeds actively discharged by the explosive recoil of the plant's awn. Per the website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of Geranium caespitosum by Native American tribes: 'Keres, Western Drug (Dermatological Aid) Roots bruised into a paste for sores - Keres, Western Food (Fodder)
Considered good turkey food - Gosiute Drug (Antidiarrheal)
Decoction of roots used for diarrhea - Gosiute Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Plant used as an astringent.' End quote. See more images of Pineywoods Geranium here.
Plant location: Seen headed toward Wolf Creek Pass near the Pagosa Springs Colorado area on September 16, 2009. The elevation was 8413'. GPS coordinates: N37°27.128 W106°52.966. This species is found in only 7 of the United States: AZ , CO , NV , NM , TX , UT , WY. Colors can vary from red to purple. We've even seen some images of almost white flowers.
Bloom period: May to September. -
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Silver-leaved Scorpionweed (Phacelia hastata), family Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf).
Plant location: Yellowstone National Park, sighted on September 1, 2009. The elevation was 8500'. GPS corrdinates: N45°01.784 W109°25.116
Bloom period: May through August. -
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Desert Bells (Phacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis), family Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf). A good discussion on the species (and subspecies) can be found here.
Plant location: Seen on a roadside embankement (Hwy 191) in Wyoming, elevation 6434'. GPS corrdinates: N43°16.758 W110°31.950
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