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Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja), family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape). The extact species of this paintbrush is unknown. Per WIKIPEDIA is the following on the genus: 'Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or Prairie-fire, is a genus of about 200 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants native to the west of the Americas from Alaska south to the Andes, as well as northeast Asia. These plants are classified in the family Orobanchaceae, They are semi-parasitic on the roots of grasses and forbs. Castilleja species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Schinia cupes (which has been recorded on C. exserta) and Schinia pulchripennis (which feeds exclusively on C. exserta), and checkerspot
butterflies such as Euphydryas species. One of the species of this genus, Castilleja linariifolia, was adopted on January 31, 1917 as the state flower of Wyoming. The flowers of Indian paintbrush are edible and sweet, and were consumed in moderation by various American Indian tribes as a condiment with other fresh greens. These plants have a tendency to absorb and concentrate Selenium in their tissues from the soils in which they grow, and can be potentially very toxic if the roots or green parts of the plant are consumed. The Chippewa Indians used a hairwash made from Indian Paintbrush to make their hair glossy and full bodied and as a treatment for rheumatism. The high selenium content of this plant has been cited as the reason for its effectiveness for these purposes. Nevada Indian Tribes used the plant to treat venereal diseases and to enhance the immune system. Various other tribes used the plant as its name suggests -- as a paintbrush. The high Selenium content of this plant makes it potentially toxic
if consumed in large quantities. This plant should be avoided as food if found growing in highly alkaline soils, which will increase the selenium levels in the plants. Indian Paintbrush has similar health benefits to consuming garlic if only the flowers are eaten in small amounts and in moderation.' End quote. 
Plant location: Twisp Washington on July 27, 2007. 
Bloom period: Without the specific species, we are unsure. 
Orange Hawkweed -or- Devil's Paintbrush (Hieracium aurantiacum), Asteraceae (Aster-Sunflower). These brilliantly colored blooms almost evaded our camera. While the color of the petals was a stunning eye-catcher, the flowers were not especially large and on tall slender stalks with little foliage to capture attention. We only noticed the plants off the roadside from our car having been stopped for bison in the roadway. We marked the location and returned early the following morning to photograph the beauties. The petals of every flower were closed for business! Making a point of returning to our campground in the park by the same road to catch the plants on our return route, they were closed that evening as well! Third time was a charm. The plants are native to alpine regions of central and southern Europe. While protected
in some of those regions, in Australia in Tasmania it is quarantined. Controlled as a noxious weed in New Zeland, it is watched closely. It is on the noxious weeds and/or quarantine lists of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington. As that may be, we had never seen these plants and found them stunning to look upon. In the park we saw only a few specimens in the one location. 
Plant location: The fantastic Yellowstone National Park hosted this specimen. We saw it there on August 30, 2009. Elevation 7874'. GPS coordinates N44.34.748 W110.22.787 
Bloom season: June through August -
Orange Daylily, Tawny Daylily, Tiger Daylily, or Ditch Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), family Liliaceae (Lily). Another example of a beautiful plant that has become too much of a good thing in the United States. This plant has been classed as an invasive weed throughout much of the United States and Canada. This species is native to Asia from the Caucas=us east through the Himalaya to China, Japan, Korea, and southeastern Russia. They certainly are striking looking! There are only 6 species in the genus Hemerocallis. Per Flora of North America is this: 'Following an earlier European introduction from Asia, Hemerocallis fulva was brought to North America in the seventeenth century. This commonly cultivated daylily,
the wild type, is distinguished as cultivar 'Europa' Stout and is a self-sterile triploid producing no seed. Essentially, it is a large, complex clone. Plants persist from cultivation or have arisen from root or rhizome fragments, which are capable of plant regeneration. Cultivar 'Kwanso' Regel, another ancient garden selection, persists in many areas along with the wild type and has fully doubled flowers. In eastern Asia, both diploids and triploids occur in the H. fulva complex and have been the basis for extensive breeding and tetraploid cultivar selection'. End quote. 
Plant location: Seen near Brighton Colorado on July 3, 2008. Found on roadsides, waste places, homesteads, open forests, and stream banks which was the case with our sighting. 
Bloom period: Early summer to late autumn. The individual flowers last only one day. -
Scarlet Bugler -or- Golden-beard penstemon, -or- Beardlip penstemon (Penstemon barbatus), family was Scrophulariaceae (Figwort), re-classed to family Plantaginaceae (Plantain). This less showy penstemon was noticeable for it's pretty fire-red color. Per Weber in Colorado Flora Eastern Slope there is only one species of barbatus in Colorado, variety torreyi. See another interesting varient, trichander, recorded by Al Schneider of Southwest Colorado Wildflowers here. The plants are native to the western United States. Recorded uses by Native American are quite a few. Per the website Native American Ethnobotany are these: Navajo, Ramah Drug (Analgesic) Decoction of root taken for menstrual pain and stomachache. Cold infusion or powdered plant applied to burns. Decoction of plant taken for cough. Honey sucked from flower by pregnant woman to keep baby small for easy labor. Simple or compound decoction of root taken for menstrual pain. (Panacea) Decoction of plant taken for internal injuries, a "life medicine." (Veterinary Aid)
Poultice of plant applied to sheep for fractured legs. Apache, White Mountain Drug (Witchcraft Medicine) Plant used as a magic medicine. Zuni Drug (Hunting Medicine) Chewed root rubbed over the rabbit stick to insure success in the hunt. Keres, Western Other (Decorations) Flowers used for bouquets and decorations in dances.
Plant location: Seen in the Mesa Verde National Park on September 13, 2009. The species is supposed to be abundant there but due to the late season we saw few examples. Found in these United States: AZ , CO , NM , TX , UT
Bloom season: Per WIKIPEDIA, The late-summer flowering of Penstemon barbatus coincides with the southern migration of the Rufous hummingbird, and the hummingbirds use the Scarlet buglers as "filling stations" for their long trip south. The plants are perennials. -
Wax Currant (Ribes cereum), family Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry). 
Plant location: Creedmore Lakes on August 31, 2008. 
Bloom season: June to August -
Dwarf Leadplant (Amorpha nana), family Fabaceae (Pea). These lovely 'red pencils' are common to the Boulder Colorado area where we ran across them on a hike. The name is based on superstition, the plants are not toxic!
Plant location: Seen June 3, 2009 - Boulder County Open Space.
Bloom season: May through July. -
Hounds Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), family Boraginaceae (Borage). 
Plant location: Seen in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Colorado state at Hwy 72 and Plainview Road. The date was June 6, 2008. 
Bloom season: Unknown. -
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Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), family Polygonaceae (Knotweed). 
Plant location: Marshall Valley Trail in the Boulder County Open Space on May 16, 2009. 
Bloom season: May to October. -
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Hairy Flax -or- Prairie Flax (Linum puberulum), family Linaceae (Flax). 
Plant location: Seen hiking the excellent Pawne Butte Trail #840 in Weld County Colorado on June 3, 2009. This view of the partially open bloom, and the inset, are in lieu of the plant view. We overlooked it. 
Bloom season: Unknown -
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Western Dock (Rumex aquaticus), family Polygonaceae (Buckwheat). There are numerous recorded uses of Western Dock by Native American indian tribes from the website Native American Ethnobotany: Bella Coola Drug (Analgesic) Leaves used in a sweatbath for pains similar to rheumatism all over body. Poultice of leaves and mashed, roasted roots applied to boils and wounds. Haisla Drug - Plant used as a laxative. Hanaksiala Drug (Dermatological Aid) Roots cooked and inserted into wounds. Kwakiutl Drug (Gastrointestinal Aid) Boiled roots eaten and applied as poultice for stomachaches. Apache, Chiricahua & Mescalero Food (Unspecified) Leaves eaten without preparation or cooked with green chile and meat or animal bones. Bella Coola Food (Vegetable) Young leaves mashed, cooked,
mixed with grease and eaten like spinach. Hanaksiala Food (Beverage) Plant formerly used to make a type of home brew or wine. Also, Plant cooked & stored underground in barrels with stink currants & red elderberries for winter use. Montana Indian Food (Unspecified) Seeds used for food, and spring leaves used for "greens." End quotes. 
Plant location: Another resident of Medicine Bow National Forest, Hwy 130 still in the park headed towards Saratoga. July 22, 2009. Wonderful area! 
Bloom season: The flowering season for this perennial herb is unknown.
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