This daisy doesn't like to be pigeon-holed

Erigeron compositus, June 2, 2021

E. compositus, n.e. of summit, 12,900’, June 23, 2021

Common & scientific name
Cutleaf daisy, Erigeron compositus

Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae

Location
Grottos wall, 9,600’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Cutleaf daisy’s petals—or more properly speaking, its ray flowers, as all individual daisy flowers are composed of multiple ray flowers (the petal-looking parts) and/or disk flowers (which together make up the button-looking part)—can be white, pink, or light blue.  They can also be absent entirely, leaving a head with only yellow disk flowers.

E. compositus, Sayres Ridge, 13,300’, July 2, 2021

First orchid of 2021

Calypso bulbosa, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Fairy slipper, Calypso bulbosa

Family
Orchid, Orchidaceae

Location
Grottos climbing wall area, 9,600’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

This early-blooming, circumboreal orchid was named after the sea nymph Calypso of Homer’s Odyssey. Like Calypso, this delicate beauty prefers secluded forest haunts, where she brings delight to the observant hiker.

King of the genera

Eriogonum umbellatum, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Sulphurflower buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum

Family
Buckwheat, Polygonaceae

Location
Difficult Trail, 8,200’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Widespread in habitat, elevation, and appearance, and according to Janis Huggins in Wild at Heart, its genus Eriogonum is “the largest genus endemic to North America, with more than 300 species, fifty of them occurring in the Rocky Mountains.”

E. umbellatum, Grizzly Creek Trail, 11,000’, July 22, 2021

A pointilist paintbrush

Castilleja linarifolia, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Wyoming paintbrush, Castilleja linarifolia

Family
Broomrape, Orobanchaceae

Location
Roadside below winter gate, 8,400’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

One of five species of paintbrushes found on the Pass, Wyoming paintbrush (so named because it is the state flower of Wyoming) is found at the lowest elevations on the Pass. Typically this species is identified as a late summer flower, but not on the Pass.  C. linarifolia is the tallest and skinniest paintbrush in appearance, due to its mostly linear leaves, and does not have the soft, fuzzy appearance of its red cousin, Castilleja miniata. It occasionally takes on varying shades of yellow and orange, likely through mutation.

This could be the bane of your existence

Actea rubra, June 2, 2021

A. rubra, in fruit, July 15, 2021

Common & scientific name
Baneberry, Actea rubra

Family
Buttercup, Ranunculaceae

Location
Roadside, 9,200’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Let’s be honest: most of us are fascinated by deadly poisonous things.  Especially beautiful deadly poisonous things.  Enter Baneberry.  It begins with a delicate sprig of white flowers, which turn to shiny red or white berries later in the summer—berries that can kill you.  Stop and pay homage to this beautiful, deadly killer!

A. rubra, in fruit, July 15, 2021

A flower looking for a family

Maienthemum racemosum, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Large false Solomon’s seal, Maianthemum racemosum

Family
??? (see below)

Location
Difficult Campground, 8,200’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Loves aspen groves above all, less delicate in its flower than its close relative, Maianthemum stellatum, False Solomon’s seal, and searching for a loving home.  Different authorities place it in no less than four families or subfamilies: (1) Liliaceae, Lily, (2) Convallariaceae, Mayflower, (3) Asparagaceae, Asparagus, and (4) Ruscaceae, Butcher’s Broom. Confused yet?  Give it ten years and the experts will land on one!

M. racemosum close-up, June 8, 2021

All things bright and beautiful

Viola canadensis, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Canada violet, Viola canadensis

Family
Viola, Violaceae

Location
Difficult Trail, 8,700’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Canada violets, found scattered throughout our woods, are unmistakeable.  They have heart-shaped leaves, bright white petals, and purple lines guiding pollinators to their yellow center.  Here they will come into contact with pollen, which will stick to their legs or bodies and be carried to the next flower for cross-pollination.  Cross-pollination allows for the exchange of genetic information among plants, leading to the extraordinary diversity we see on our hikes.

Stars of the forest

Aquilegia elegantula, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific name
Western red columbine, Aquilegia elegantula

Family
Buttercup, Ranunculaceae

Location
Difficult Trail , 8,400’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Nothing lights up a speckled woods like these dazzling red rockets.  They are often found in large groups, and in the same location as fairy slippers.  Look for both in early summer before they’re gone!

A. elegantula, Lackawanna, 10,900’, June 18, 2021

Good day, sunshine

Corydalis aurea, June 2, 2021

Common & scientific names
Golden smoke, Corydalis aurea

Family
Fumitory, Fumariaceae

Location
Difficult Campground, 8,200’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
One of only four species found in Colorado from the Fumitory family, abundant in the east and on the west coast. These unusual flowers are related to Dutchman’s breeches and Bleeding-hearts, and are the yellow cousin of one of Colorado’s most spectacular flowers, Case’s fitweed, Corydalis caseana, found only in wetter areas of Colorado like Marble and Crested Butte.