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Subalpine Arnica -or- Rydberg's Arnica (Arnica rydbergii), family Asteraceae. This perennial herb is one of 30 members in the genus arnica. While some arnica's are known for their medical uses there are none specifically for this species. In general Arnica contains the toxin helenalin, which can be poisonous if large amounts of the plant are eaten, and contact with the plant can also cause skin irritation.
If enough of the material is ingested, the toxin helenalin produces severe gastroenteritis, and internal bleeding of the digestive tract - per WIKIPEDIA. The species Arnica montana, native to Europe, has long been used medicinally, but this use has not been substantiated. For additional photos look here.
Plant location: Seen on Cottonwood Pass (Grandby) Colorado on May 27, 2009. Elevation approximately 8700'. Found in the following United States: CO , ID , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY.
Bloom season: Summer. -
False Dandelion -or- Prairie Dandelion -or- Wavyleaf Dandelion (Nothocalais cuspidata), Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). Nothocalais is a small genus with only four species. They are native to North America. In Illinois the plants are on the endangered list. From the website Prairie Wildflowers of Illinois: 'This is one of many species in the Chicory tribe of the Aster family that have dandelion-like flowerheads and foliage with a milky latex. The most familiar member of this group is the introduced Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), which is a common lawn weed. The Prairie Dandelion can be distinguished from similar species by considering the following characteristics: 1) This is a perennial plant, rather than a biennial or annual, 2) stems with cauline leaves are never produced, 3) there is only one flowerhead per leafless stalk, 4) the flowerheads are at least 1" across, 5) the basal leaves are linear in shape and they lack teeth or lobes, and 6) the margins of the leaves are usually finely crisped and/or downy white.' End quote. For additional photographs of some of these characteristics look here.
FunFacts: This lovely yellow flower is also purple, as it ages. Early pioneers ate the roots as a source of emergency food. A single plant may produce several flowerheads in succession.
Plant location: Bitterbrush Trail, a hike near Lyons Colorado, on May 12, 2009. According to the USDA Plant Database these are found in the following USA states: (AR, CO, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NY, OK, SD, TX, WI, WY), and CANADA: (AB, MB, SK)
Bloom season: April and May. -
Showy Goldeneye (Heliomeris multiflora), family Asteraceae (Sunflower/Aster). This cheerful specimen is one of only 4 species in the genus Heliomeris. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. None were in sight when we were photographing the blooms though, possibly since it was late in the season. The plants need good sun to bloom. A search of the website Native American Ethnobotany yielded an interesting mix of uses of the species by native american tribes: 'Gosiute Food - seeds formerly used for food. Navajo, Ramah Drug (Witchcraft Medicine) - Plant designated as a witchcraft plant. Navajo, Ramah Food (Fodder) Used for sheep and deer feed.' End quote. For more onsite photographs look here. High resolution images are available for inspection on email request. Additional images, offsite, of the species are here.
Plant location: Found on U.S. Hwy 160 near Creede Colorado on September 16, 2009. GPS coordinates: N37°27.128 W106°52.966. Elevation 8413'. Located in the USA: (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, NY, TX, UT, WY)
Bloom season: Flowers from mid to late summer. -
Woolbearing Dandelion -or- Redseed Dandelion (Taraxacum eriophorum), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). The botanical definitions of characteristics of dandelions is not clear. This specimen seems to be most often named eriophorum. It's foliage is distinctly notched but some examples have almost no notching on the leaves. The bracts of the flower are smoothly joined about half the way up then separate into sharply edged 'fingers' with a base of downward curling 'fingers'. See the additional photographs for an example here.
The seeds of dandelions are efficiently dispersed on the wind thanks to tiny discs of radiating threads that act as 'parachutes'!
Plant location: Bitterbrush Trail, a hike near Lyons Colorado, on May 12, 2009. Found in these United States: (AK, CO, ID, MT, WA, WY).
Bloom season: May through September. -
Ragleaf Bahia -or- Yellow Ragweed (Bahia dissecta), family Asteraceae (Sunflower/Aster). This
species is native to the southwestern United States from Wyoming to northern Mexico. The genus is a small one with only 6 species and is an annual/biennial/perennial herb. There are no less than 7 different recorded uses of this species by native american indian tribes from the excellent website Native American Ethnobotany: as follows: 'Keres, Western Drug (Cathartic) Infusion of plant used as a cathartic - Keres, Western Drug (Emetic)
Infusion of plant used as an emetic - Navajo, Ramah Drug (Analgesic) Compound decoction taken for menstrual pain - Navajo, Ramah Drug (Antirheumatic (Internal) Compound decoction of plant taken for arthritis - Navajo, Ramah Drug (Contraceptive) Compound decoction of plant taken as contraceptive - Zuni Drug (Analgesic) Powdered plant rubbed on affected parts for headache - Zuni Drug (Antirheumatic (External) Powdered plant rubbed on affected parts for rheumatism.' End quote.
Plant location: Found on U.S. Hwy 160 near South Fork Colorado on September 16, 2009. GPS coordinates: N37°33.418 W106°46.391. Elevation 9189'. It is present in the following USA states: (AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT, WY).
Bloom season: August and September. -
Annual Mountain Agoseris (Agoseris heterophylla), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). From Calflora taxon report: 'Agoseris heterophylla var. heterophylla, a dicot, is an annual herb that is native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America.' End quote.
Plant location: Seen on Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - August 29, 2009. GPS coordinates: N44°34.722 W110°22.784 - Elevation 7882'.
Bloom season: Summer. -
Hairy Arnica (Arnica mollis), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This species lives up to it's name, especially on it's foliage and stems. Per WIKIPEDIA is this: 'It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in subalpine mountain habitat such as meadows and streambanks.' End quote.
Plant location: Found on a motorcycle ride to Laramie Wyoming on July 26, 2008. Populations are found in the USA: (AK, CA, CO, ID, MT, NH, NV, OR, UT, VT, WA, WY), and CANADA: (AB, BC, NT, YT)
Bloom season: This perennial herb blooms from July to September. -
Stemless Four-Nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This charming little perennial forb/herb is one of 10 species in the genus Tetraneuris. The species consists of 5 varieties altogether. It was formerly in the genus Hymenoxys. See more pictures of this cutie here.
Plant location: Seen hiking Pawnee Butte in Colorado on June 3, 2009. Found in the following United States: CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WY, and Canada: AB, SK. Favors elevations from 4000' to 7000'.
Bloom season: Can bloom almost year round but especially in the spring. For use in cultivated gardens it is recommended to keep dead blossoms pinched off to keep the plant looking fresh. -
Dwarf Golden Aster (Heterotheca pumila), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This low to the ground species is commonly called a dwarf but the blooms are large enough to attract plenty of attention, low they may be. The plants tend to grow in groupings making a delightful show. According to the USDA plant database there are about 20 species in the genus Heterotheca. This one is found in only two of the United States - Colorado and Wyoming. The excellent website by Al Schneider - Southwest Colorado Wildflowers - has an interesting discourse on Heterotheca here.
See the other Heterotheca species on the website: canescens - villosa. For a Bloomin' FunFact mouse click the foliage panel of this species.
Plant location: Seen on Boreas Pass Colorado on September 14, 2008.
Bloom season: A long time to enjoy these bright beauties. They bloom from late spring through fall.
FunFacts: Bloom periods are mostly about attracting pollinators. The plant family that this species belongs to (Asteraceae) is considered to be highly evolved in the plant kingdom. For one, the complex flower heads both attract and provide 'landing platforms' for pollinators. Also, many species in this family offer a 'double payoff' to their visitors, both pollen AND nectar!
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Canadian Lousewort -or- Canada Lousewort -or- Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis), family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) - was Scrophulariaceae (Figwort). A species native to North America, Canada Lousewort is a perennial forb/herb. The number of species belonging in the group varies among botantists. The USDA Plant Database shows 36 species in the genus, while WIKIPEDIA states there are 350-600 species worldwide, quote: 'mostly from the wetter northern temperate zones, as well as from South America. The highest diversity is in eastern Asia, with 352 species accepted in China alone by the Flora of China'. End quote. This graceful specimen captured our fancy greatly with it's symmetrical whorl of odd looking flowers. Some members of the genus are called parrot's beak. From this example it is easy to understand that name. 
USES: Records of uses by Native Americans survive for a number of tribes: Potawatomi Root used as a physic. Root used by Prairie Potawatomi for both internal and external swellings. Cherokee Cooked leaves and stems used for food. Used as an ingredient in cough medicine. Infusion of root rubbed on sores. Infusion of dried roots used for anemic conditions. Iroquois Decoction taken to vomit for stomachaches caused by menstruating women. Infusion of smashed roots taken for heart troubles. Compound decoction of plants used as steam bath for sore legs or knees. Compound infusion of whole plants taken for consumption with bad hemorrhage. Cooked and seasoned with salt, pepper or butter. Menominee Root carried on the person who is contemplating making love advances. (how romantic) ALSO: Root used in food to make estranged married people congenial & a love medicine used to return love. Chopped root added to feed to make pony fat and vicious to all but its owner. Poultice of root applied to tumors. Infusion of leaves taken to induce abortion. (away with the fruits of love). Ojibwa Finely cut root secretly added to another's food as an aphrodisiac. (a different form of love) ALSO - Chopped root added to food as a love charm.
Oddly enough:
From the marvelous book by Janis Lindsey Huggins WILD AT HEART is this: 'If using Louseworts for medicine or food use caution. They can absorb toxins from nearby plants. For example, louseworts growing with Senecio species are known to contain their toxic alkaloids'. End quote. AND, while the genus name Pedicularis means 'little louse' and plants from the group were believed to give animals grazing nearby lice...hair and wigs were long ago powdered with the plant's substance to get rid of lice! Ok then!
See other species from this genus on the site: Fernleaf Lousewort, Elephantheads, and Sickletop Lousewort.
Plant location: Seen on May 16, 2010 at Meyer Open Space in Colorado. We were hiking the Lodgepole Loop Trail. GPS coordinates: N39°32.374 W105°16.759 – Elevation: 8127'. Found in the following United States: (AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV. Colorado is a western-region fringe area where this species is located. The plants are found in the foothills and montane zones.
Bloom season: April and May. -
Hoary False Goldenaster -or- Gray Golden-aster (Heterotheca canescens), family Asteraceae (Sunflower/Aster). This species is another of the roughly 20 species in the genus Heterotheca. This one is documented in Weber and Whittmann's Colorado Flora Eastern Slope but is not shown in Colorado in the USDA Plant database.FunFacts: The Cheyenne boiled the tops and stems and used the resulting extract as a sedative to aid sleep. The plants are a good nectar source for small butterflies.
See additional photographs of this species here. See the other Heterotheca species on the website: villosa - pumila. For a Bloomin' FunFact mouse click the foliage panel of this species.
Plant location: Found along a roadside near Brighton Colorado on July 3, 2008.
Bloom season: July through Setember.
FunFacts: Bloom periods are mostly about attracting pollinators. The plant family that this species belongs to (Asteraceae) is considered to be highly evolved in the plant kingdom. For one, the complex flower heads both attract and provide 'landing platforms' for pollinators. Also, many species in this family offer a 'double payoff' to their visitors, both pollen AND nectar!
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Sanddune Wallflower -or- Prairie-Rocket Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), family Brassicaceae (Mustard). This particular Erysimum comes in a rainbow of colors. Ok maybe not a rainbow but certainly more than just yellow. The specimen pictured here is an example of the species perennial montane/alpine race. Indeed we saw a gorgeous range of colors including a vibrant orange, lovely lavendar and this pretty pale lemon yellow. USES: From Native American Ethnobotany: 'Okanagan-Colville: Poultice of pounded, whole plant applied to open, fresh wounds. Sioux, Teton: Infusion of crushed seed taken and used externally for stomach or bowel cramps. Hopi: Navajo, Ramah: Crushed leaves "smelled" for headache. Whole plant used as a ceremonial emetic. Whole plant chewed and blown over patient to aid in difficult labor. Pulverized pods snuffed to cause sneezing for "congested nose." Poultice of warmed root applied for toothache. Zuni: Infusion of whole plant used for muscle aches. Flower and fruit eaten as an emetic for stomachaches. Infusion of whole plant rubbed over body to prevent sunburn. Plant used ceremonially to insure the coming of rain so that the corn and all vegetation would grow. Infusion of whole plant applied to forehead and temples for headache from heat. Keres, Western: Ground flowers used as yellow paint.
See the other species in the genus Erysimum that we have on the website: Pretty Wallflower - Orange Wallflower - Spreading Wallflower
See the splashy variety of colors that this species produces here.
Plant location: Mt Evans Colorado in the Goliath Nature area on June 23, 2010 GPS coordinates: N39°38.257 W105°35.984 – Elevation: 11,929'. Found in almost all of the United States: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MO, MT, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY.
Bloom season: March through August.