2026 Wildflower Checklist — Independence Pass Foundation

2026 Wildflower Checklist

Welcome to the wildflowers of 2026! This checklist includes all flora From Difficult Campground to Twin lakes, and all the drainages and peaks in between feeding into the Roaring Fork River and lake creek. This year, the flowers began blooming in late March: earliest ever seen by this observer!

Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens, 3/27/26

Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens, 3/27/26

Three-toothed groundsel x New Mexico groundsel, Packera tridenticulata x. P. neomexicana, 3/27/26

Three-toothed groundsel x New Mexico groundsel, Packera tridenticulata x. P. neomexicana, 3/27/26

Stork's bill, Erodium cicutarium, 3/27/26

Stork's bill, Erodium cicutarium, 3/27/26

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, 3/37/26

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, 3/37/26

Spring beauty, Claytonia lanceolata, 3/27/26

Spring beauty, Claytonia lanceolata, 3/27/26

Sage buttercup, Ranunculus glaberrimus, 3/27/26

Sage buttercup, Ranunculus glaberrimus, 3/27/26

Spring bluebell, Mertensia fusiformis, 3/31/26

Spring bluebell, Mertensia fusiformis, 3/31/26

Oregon grape, Mahonia repens, 3/31/27

Oregon grape, Mahonia repens, 3/31/27

Wild candytuft, Noccaea fendleri, 3/31/27

Wild candytuft, Noccaea fendleri, 3/31/27

Rocky Mountain groundsel, Packera streptantifolia, 4/9/26

Rocky Mountain groundsel, Packera streptantifolia, 4/9/26

Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana, 4/9/26

Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana, 4/9/26

Slender phlox, Microsteris gracilis, 3/31/27

Slender phlox, Microsteris gracilis, 3/31/27

Kinnikinnik, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, 4/9/26

Kinnikinnik, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, 4/9/26

Nodding microseris, Microseris nutans, 4/21/26

Nodding microseris, Microseris nutans, 4/21/26

Small-leaved pussytoes, Antennaria parviflora, 4/9/26

Small-leaved pussytoes, Antennaria parviflora, 4/9/26

Spring larkspur, Delphinium nuttallianum, 4/21/26

Spring larkspur, Delphinium nuttallianum, 4/21/26

Drummond's rockress, Boechera stricta, 4/21/26

Drummond's rockress, Boechera stricta, 4/21/26

Lamb's tongue ragwort, Senecio integerrimus, 4/21/26

Lamb's tongue ragwort, Senecio integerrimus, 4/21/26

Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, 5/8/26

Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, 5/8/26

Oregon boxwood, Paxistima myrsinites, 5/8/26

Oregon boxwood, Paxistima myrsinites, 5/8/26

Wolf's currant, Ribes wolfii, 5/8/26

Wolf's currant, Ribes wolfii, 5/8/26

Blue-eyed Mary, Collinsia parviflora, 5/8/26

Blue-eyed Mary, Collinsia parviflora, 5/8/26

Canada violet, Viola canadensis, 5/8/26

Canada violet, Viola canadensis, 5/8/26

Fairy candelabra, Androsace septentrionalis, 5/8/26

Fairy candelabra, Androsace septentrionalis, 5/8/26

Whiplash daisy, Erigeron flagellaris, 5/8/26

Whiplash daisy, Erigeron flagellaris, 5/8/26

Slender draba, Draba albertina, 5/11/26

Slender draba, Draba albertina, 5/11/26

Graceful buttercup, Ranunculus inamoenus, 5/11/26

Graceful buttercup, Ranunculus inamoenus, 5/11/26

Mountain parsley, Cymopterus lemmonii, 5/11/26

Mountain parsley, Cymopterus lemmonii, 5/11/26

Western wallflower, Erysimum capitatum, 5/11/26

Western wallflower, Erysimum capitatum, 5/11/26

Fairy trumpet, Ipomopsis aggregata, 5/15/26

Fairy trumpet, Ipomopsis aggregata, 5/15/26

Yellow paintbrush, Castilleja septentrionalis, 5/19/26

Yellow paintbrush, Castilleja septentrionalis, 5/19/26

Red paintbrush, Castilleja miniata, 5/19/26

Red paintbrush, Castilleja miniata, 5/19/26

Blue-toothed cinquefoil, Potentilla glaucophylla, 5/19/26

Blue-toothed cinquefoil, Potentilla glaucophylla, 5/19/26

Red columbine, Aquilegia elegantula, 5/19/26

Red columbine, Aquilegia elegantula, 5/19/26

Alpine parsley, Oreoxis alpina, 5/21/26

Alpine parsley, Oreoxis alpina, 5/21/26

Marsh marigold, Caltha chionophila, 5/21/26

Marsh marigold, Caltha chionophila, 5/21/26

Wax currant, Ribes cereum, 5/21/26

Wax currant, Ribes cereum, 5/21/26

Globeflower, Trollius albiflorus, 5/21/26

Globeflower, Trollius albiflorus, 5/21/26

Colorado cinquefoil, Potentilla subjuga, 5/21/26

Colorado cinquefoil, Potentilla subjuga, 5/21/26

Alpine aven, Geum rossii, 5/21/26

Alpine aven, Geum rossii, 5/21/26

Alpine forget-me-not, Eritrichium nanum, 5/21/26

Alpine forget-me-not, Eritrichium nanum, 5/21/26

Dwarf clover, Trifolium nanum, 5/21/26

Dwarf clover, Trifolium nanum, 5/21/26

Alpine smelowskia, Smelowskia americana, 5/21/26

Alpine smelowskia, Smelowskia americana, 5/21/26

Red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa, 5/21/26

Red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa, 5/21/26

Snow cinquefoil, Potentilla nivea, 5/21/26

Snow cinquefoil, Potentilla nivea, 5/21/26

Milkweed TBD, Astragalus sp., 5/21/26

Milkweed TBD, Astragalus sp., 5/21/26

False Solomon's seal, Maianthemum stellatum, 5/21/26

False Solomon's seal, Maianthemum stellatum, 5/21/26

Golden banner, Thermopsis montana, 5/21/26

Golden banner, Thermopsis montana, 5/21/26

Elegant cinquefoil, Potentilla bicrenata, 5/21/26

Elegant cinquefoil, Potentilla bicrenata, 5/21/26

Fairy slipper, Calypso bulbosa, 5/26/26

Fairy slipper, Calypso bulbosa, 5/26/26

Richardson's bitterweed, Hymenoxis richardsonii, 5/21/26

Richardson's bitterweed, Hymenoxis richardsonii, 5/21/26

Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, 5/26/26

Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, 5/26/26

Heart-leaved buttercup, Ranunculus cardiophyllus, 5/26/26

Heart-leaved buttercup, Ranunculus cardiophyllus, 5/26/26

Wild iris, Iris missouriensis, 5/26/26

Wild iris, Iris missouriensis, 5/26/26

Yellow buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum, 5/26/26

Yellow buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum, 5/26/26

Blue violet, Viola adunca, 5/26/26

Blue violet, Viola adunca, 5/26/26

Alpine nailwort, Paronychia pulvinata, 5/26/26

Alpine nailwort, Paronychia pulvinata, 5/26/26

King's crown, Rhodiola integrifolia, 5/26/26

King's crown, Rhodiola integrifolia, 5/26/26

Narcissus anemone, Anemonastrum narcissiflorum, 5/26/26

Narcissus anemone, Anemonastrum narcissiflorum, 5/26/26

Alpine milkvetch, Astragalus alpinus, 5/26/26

Alpine milkvetch, Astragalus alpinus, 5/26/26

Sibbaldia, Sibbaldia procumbens, 5/26/26

Sibbaldia, Sibbaldia procumbens, 5/26/26

Beautiful cinquefoil, Potentilla pulcherrima, 5/27/26

Beautiful cinquefoil, Potentilla pulcherrima, 5/27/26

Desert rockress, Boechera lignifera, 5/27/26

Desert rockress, Boechera lignifera, 5/27/26

Golden smoke, Corydalis aurea, 5/27/26

Golden smoke, Corydalis aurea, 5/27/26

American vetch, Vicia americana, 5/27/26

American vetch, Vicia americana, 5/27/26

Large false Solomon's seal, Maianthemum ampleicaule, 5/27/26

Large false Solomon's seal, Maianthemum ampleicaule, 5/27/26

Fendler's meadowrue (male), Thalictrum fendleri, 5/27/26

Fendler's meadowrue (male), Thalictrum fendleri, 5/27/26

Fendler's meadowrue (female), Thalictrum fendleri, 5/27/26

Fendler's meadowrue (female), Thalictrum fendleri, 5/27/26

Wind anemone, Anemone multifida, 5/28/26

Wind anemone, Anemone multifida, 5/28/26

Jacob's ladder, Polemonium pulcherrimum, 5/28/26

Jacob's ladder, Polemonium pulcherrimum, 5/28/26

Heartleaf arnica, Arnica cordifolia, 5/28/26

Heartleaf arnica, Arnica cordifolia, 5/28/26

Aspen peavine, Lathyrus lanszwertii, 5/28/26

Aspen peavine, Lathyrus lanszwertii, 5/28/26

Heartleaf bittercress, Cardamine cordifolia, 5/28/26

Heartleaf bittercress, Cardamine cordifolia, 5/28/26

Rockslide daisy, Erigeron leiomerus, 5/28/26

Rockslide daisy, Erigeron leiomerus, 5/28/26

Yellow salsify, Tragopogon dubius, 5/29/26

Yellow salsify, Tragopogon dubius, 5/29/26

Featherleaf daisy, Erigeron pinnatisectus, 5/29/26

Featherleaf daisy, Erigeron pinnatisectus, 5/29/26

Richardson's geranium, Geranium richardsonii, 5/29/26

Richardson's geranium, Geranium richardsonii, 5/29/26

Werner's groundsel, Packera wernerifolia, 5/29/26

Werner's groundsel, Packera wernerifolia, 5/29/26

Snowball saxifrage, Micranthes rhomboidea, 5/29/26

Snowball saxifrage, Micranthes rhomboidea, 5/29/26

Lewisia pygmaea Linkins 11,900 6.2.26.jpg

Lloydia serotina Linkins 12,200 6.2.26.jpg

Wild blue flax, Linum lewisii, 5/29/26

Wild blue flax, Linum lewisii, 5/29/26

One-stem daisy, Erigeron simplex, 6/2/26

One-stem daisy, Erigeron simplex, 6/2/26

Rosy paintbrush, Castilleja rhexifolia, 6/2/26

Rosy paintbrush, Castilleja rhexifolia, 6/2/26

Flat-top pussytoes, Antennaria corymbose, 6/2/26

Flat-top pussytoes, Antennaria corymbose, 6/2/26

Red clover, Trifolium pratense, 6/2/26

Red clover, Trifolium pratense, 6/2/26

American bistort, Bistorta bistortoides, 6/2/26

American bistort, Bistorta bistortoides, 6/2/26

Woolly cinquefoil, Potentilla hippiana, 6/2/26

Woolly cinquefoil, Potentilla hippiana, 6/2/26

Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis margartiaceae, 6/2/26

Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis margartiaceae, 6/2/26

Showy draba, Draba spectabilis, 6/2/26

Showy draba, Draba spectabilis, 6/2/26

Rosy pussytoes, Antennaria rosea, 6/2/26

Rosy pussytoes, Antennaria rosea, 6/2/26

Golden draba, Draba aurea, 6/2/26

Golden draba, Draba aurea, 6/2/26

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, 6/2/26

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, 6/2/26

Hoary whitlow-grass, Draba cana, 6/2/26

Hoary whitlow-grass, Draba cana, 6/2/26

Alpine bluebell, Mertensia lanceolata, 6/2/26

Alpine bluebell, Mertensia lanceolata, 6/2/26

Eastwood's podistera, Podistera eastwoodiae, 6/2/26

Eastwood's podistera, Podistera eastwoodiae, 6/2/26

Snowbed draba, Draba crassifolia, 6/2/26

Snowbed draba, Draba crassifolia, 6/2/26

Western stickseed, Hackelia floribunda, 6/4/26

Western stickseed, Hackelia floribunda, 6/4/26

Shrubby cinquefoil, Dasiphora fruticosa, 6/4/26

Shrubby cinquefoil, Dasiphora fruticosa, 6/4/26

White clover, Trifolium repens, 6/4/26

White clover, Trifolium repens, 6/4/26

Meadow salsify, Tragopogon pratensis, 6/4/26

Meadow salsify, Tragopogon pratensis, 6/4/26

Fendler's sandwort, Eremogone fendleri, 6/4/26

Fendler's sandwort, Eremogone fendleri, 6/4/26

Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum, 6/4/26

Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum, 6/4/26

Edible valerian, Valeriana edulis, 6/4/26

Edible valerian, Valeriana edulis, 6/4/26

Parry's primrose, Primula parryi, 6/4/26

Parry's primrose, Primula parryi, 6/4/26

Silky phacelia, Phacelia sericea, 6/4/26

Silky phacelia, Phacelia sericea, 6/4/26

Western yellow paintbrush, Castilleja occidentalis, 6/5/26

Western yellow paintbrush, Castilleja occidentalis, 6/5/26

Dwarf bilberry, Vaccinium cespitosum, 6/5/26

Dwarf bilberry, Vaccinium cespitosum, 6/5/26

Green gentian, Frasera speciosa, 6/5/26

Green gentian, Frasera speciosa, 6/5/26

Alpine clover, Trifolium dasyphyllum, 6/5/26

Alpine clover, Trifolium dasyphyllum, 6/5/26

Mountain tansymustard, Descurainia incisa, 6/5/26

Mountain tansymustard, Descurainia incisa, 6/5/26

Sky pilot, Polemonium viscosum, 6/5/26

Sky pilot, Polemonium viscosum, 6/5/26

Sticky goldenrod, Solidago viscosum, 6/5/26

Sticky goldenrod, Solidago viscosum, 6/5/26

Cherleria obtusiloba, alpine sandwort, 6/5/26

Cherleria obtusiloba, alpine sandwort, 6/5/26

Large-leaved avens. Geum macrophyllum, 6/5/26

Large-leaved avens. Geum macrophyllum, 6/5/26

Mountain bluebells, Merensia ciliata, 6/5/26

Mountain bluebells, Merensia ciliata, 6/5/26

Yellow stonecrop, Sedum lanceolatum, 6/5/26

Yellow stonecrop, Sedum lanceolatum, 6/5/26

Arrowleaf ragwort, Senecio triangularis, 6/5/26

Arrowleaf ragwort, Senecio triangularis, 6/5/26

Blunt-fruited sweet cicely, Osmorhiza depauperata, 6/5/26

Blunt-fruited sweet cicely, Osmorhiza depauperata, 6/5/26

Thickleaf ragwort, Senecio crassulus, 6/5/26

Thickleaf ragwort, Senecio crassulus, 6/5/26

Parry's clover, Trifolium parryi, 6/7/26

Parry's clover, Trifolium parryi, 6/7/26

Beavertip draba, Draba globosa, 6/7/26

Beavertip draba, Draba globosa, 6/7/26

Alpine lousewort, Pedicularis sudetica, 6/7/26

Alpine lousewort, Pedicularis sudetica, 6/7/26

Thickleaf draba, Draba crassa, 6/7/26

Thickleaf draba, Draba crassa, 6/7/26

Alpine primrose, Primula angustifolia, 6/7/26

Alpine primrose, Primula angustifolia, 6/7/26

Alpine spring beauty, Claytonia megarhiza, 6/7/26

Alpine spring beauty, Claytonia megarhiza, 6/7/26

Alpine kittentails, Veronica besseya, 6/7/26

Alpine kittentails, Veronica besseya, 6/7/26

Mountain avens, Dryas octopetala, 6/9/26

Mountain avens, Dryas octopetala, 6/9/26

Alpine laurel, Kalmia microphylla, 6/7/26

Alpine laurel, Kalmia microphylla, 6/7/26

Bog saxifrage, Micranthes oregana, 6/9/26

Bog saxifrage, Micranthes oregana, 6/9/26

Moss campion, Silene acaulis, 6/9/26

Moss campion, Silene acaulis, 6/9/26

Hairy goldenaster, Heterotheca villosa, 6/9/26

Hairy goldenaster, Heterotheca villosa, 6/9/26

Rocky Mountain penstemon, Penstemon strictus, 6/9/26

Rocky Mountain penstemon, Penstemon strictus, 6/9/26