Countdown to Spring 2012 – T-Minus 10 Days

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Mar 102012
 

With its bright magenta petals and little yellow “eye,” Parry’s Primrose (Primula parryi) is easy to spot in the subalpine and alpine zones of Colorado’s mountains. This is a plant that likes to get its feet wet, so it will generally be found along streams and in boggy areas. The whole plant is reported to exude a rather unpleasant, skunklike smell.

Parry’s Primrose was named after British-American botantist Charles Christopher Parry, who extensively studied the Colorado mountain flora in the 1860s. Mr. Parry has tons of flowers and trees named after him, as well as Parry Peak, one of Colorado’s 637 “thirteeners.”

Parry's Primrose, Blue Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, August 2011

Parry's Primrose, Blue Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, August 2011

Parry's Primrose, Blue Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, August 2011

Parry's Primrose, Blue Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, August 2011

And as a bonus today, I present the diminutive cousin of Parry’s Primrose, the Fairy or Alpine Primrose (Primula angustifolia), a hardy tundra dweller found only in alpine areas of Colorado and northern New Mexico.
Fairy Primrose, Mount Evans, July 2011

Fairy Primrose, Mount Evans, July 2011

Countdown to Spring 2012 – T-Minus 12 Days

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Mar 082012
 

The Early Larkspur (delphinium nuttallianum) lives up to its name by being one of the first flowers to bloom in the plains and montane zones of Colorado. Also known as the Two-Lobe Larkspur or Nuttall’s Larkspur, many parts of this plant are poisonous, so it would be best to try not to ingest it.

The dried petals and pollen of the Early Larkspur were used by Native American tribes in religious ceremonies and to treat head lice.

Early Larkspur, Roxborough State Park, June 2011

Early Larkspur, Roxborough State Park, June 2011

Early Larkspur Close-Up, Roxborough State Park, June 2011

Early Larkspur Close-Up, Roxborough State Park, June 2011

Mount Evans 2011, Part III

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Jul 102011
 

I mentioned yesterday that the main reason I like to go up to Mount Evans is to see the mountain goats. My second favorite part is the flowers. Above-the-treeline flowers are such amazing, hearty little things. It’s incredible that they can even survive in such a harsh environment, let alone produce such beautiful and colorful blooms. Following are a few of the different type of wildflowers we saw up there:

Alpine Spring Beauty

Alpine Spring Beauty

Alpine Forget Me Nots

Alpine Forget Me Nots

Alpine Spring Beauty close up

Alpine Spring Beauty close up

Fairy Primrose

Fairy Primrose

Marsh Marigold

Marsh Marigold

Purple Fringe

Purple Fringe

Alpine Lily

Alpine Lily

That’s all from this visit to Mount Evans. Click HERE to see the full gallery. I’ve decided to go back up there today, so keep checking back for even MORE Mount Evans photos!

Countdown to Spring – T-Minus 2 Days

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Mar 182011
 

I mentioned this time last year that March is typically the snowiest month in the Denver area. Well, true to form and just two days from the first day of spring, we have snow on the ground again. But it’s all good. We certainly need the moisture.  Otherwise how would all of these pretty wildflowers grow? :)

Today’s Colorado wildflower is the Whipple Penstemon. There are bunches of species of penstemon in Colorado, the common name of which is beardtongue. According to Wikipedia:

The most distinctive feature of the genus is the prominent staminode, an infertile stamen. The staminode takes a variety of forms in the different species; while typically a long straight filament extending to the mouth of the corolla, some are longer and extremely hairy, giving the general appearance of an open mouth with a fuzzy tongue protruding and inspiring the common name beardtongue.

The Whipple Penstemon, aka Dusky Beardtongue, grows only in subalpine and alpine areas of Colorado’s mountains. The flowers can be found in two different shades:  purple and a creamy white.

Purple Dusky Penstemon, Ouzel Falls Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park

Purple Dusky Penstemon, Ouzel Falls Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Creamy white Dusky Penstemon, Lake Isabelle Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

Creamy white Dusky Penstemon, Lake Isabelle Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

Countdown to Spring – T-Minus 10 Days

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Mar 102011
 

I have a special fondness for the family Saxifragaceae, with the spotted saxifrage and the brook saxifrage (Saxifraga odontoloma, below) topping the list of my favorites. The exceptionally lovely brook saxifrage is generally found along streams in the subalpine biotic zone. They are somewhat difficult to photograph, as the blooms tend to droop downward on their stems. They’re definitely worth a close-up look if you happen to see them.

Brook Saxifrage, Butler Gulch trail

Brook Saxifrage, Butler Gulch trail

I love to read the “official” descriptions of flowers. Check out this description of the brook saxifrage:

The inflorescence is found atop the bare stem. It consists of open, cymose panicles with the glandular-haired branches spreading and rising. The calyx is cleft almost its entire length of 1.5-2 mm. The 5 purplish calyx lobes are oblong-ovate or oblong-lanceolate. The 5 white petals are each orbicular in shape and spreading, from 3-4 mm long. The petals may all be equal in size, or 2-3 may be larger than the other 2. The base of each petal is rounded and clawed and bears two yellow dots. The 5 white stamens are about equal in length to the petals. The white filaments are narrowly club-shaped. The ovary is superior with 2 (up to 4) carpels which are fused 1/3-3/5 of their length. The ovary is red to purple in color.

Countdown to Spring – T-Minus 12 Days

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Mar 082011
 

Today’s flower is the Narrow-leaved Puccoon. This plant was very useful to many Native American tribes as a food source and for medicinal purposes. It was used to treat a wide variety a ailments such as colds, kidney problems and stomach aches. It was also used as an incense, a blue dye was made from the roots and the seeds were used as beads. Very useful little plant, yes?

I just like the name. Puccoon. Puccoon. Puccoon. :)

Countdown to Spring – T-Minus 14 Days

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Mar 062011
 

The white and lavender columbine (Aquilegia caerules), more commonly known as the Rocky Mountain columbine or the Colorado columbine, was officially adopted as Colorado’s state flower in 1899.

This photo was taken along the Lake Isabelle trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The hike to Lake Isabelle is one of the best wildflower hikes arouind and is one of my all-time favorite hikes in Colorado.

Lake Isabelle 2010 V

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Aug 052010
 

Having made the decision that pushing for Pawnee Pass with ever-darkening clouds looming above was not a good idea, I began the trek back to the trailhead. I had my doubts, though, and turned back around no fewer than three times before I made my FINAL decision.

Here’s the view to the southeast, which was the direction I was heading:

It wasn’t until I was almost back to my car and started hearing thunder coming from up around the Pawnee Pass area that I finally felt like I had made the right choice. I got rained on just a wee bit on the way back down, but not even enough to break out the rain jacket.

For a little change of scenery on the hike back, I decided to take the Jean Lunning Trail that skirts around the south side of Long Lake. And I was awfully glad I did. I don’t think there are words to describe how incredible the wildflowers were on that side of the lake.

And who knew that Indian Paintbrush could even BE this color!

Tune in tomorrow for what just might be my final blog post for this hike! And MAYBE that wallpaper I’ve been promising you. :)

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