Colorado Blue Columbine-Aquilegia coerula

This striking flower is Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerula), a member of the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). The flower shape is similar to Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), but the size of the flower is much larger and the color is not red, but rather white or blue or most frequently, a mixture of the two. 

Part of the reason the flower appears so large is that the sepals (the part underneath the flowers) are also brightly colored and protruding.

For more information about the state flower of Colorado, the Colorado blue columbine, click here. 

Littleleaf Pussytoes-Antennaria microphylla

Small clusters of grayish-green leaves on the forest floor might be puzzling at first, but when the flowers emerge, it isn't hard to tell that this plant is Littleleaf Pussytoes (Antennaria microphylla), also called Rosy Pussytoes. It's a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). 

A closeup of the flower shows the pink bracts surrounding the white disk flowers. 

For more information about littleleaf pussytoes, click here. 

Watson's Penstemon-Penstemon watsonii

Watson's Penstemon (Penstemon watsonii) is probably the most abundant penstemon in this area. 

There are several other common blue penstemons: Thickleaf beardtongue (Penstemon pachyphyllus), which has thicker leaves and stalks; and Penstemon leiomerus and Penstemon humilis, both which grow above 9,000 feet (and will be featured in the next few weeks).

Watson's penstemon has hairy stems but smooth corollas (flower tubes).

Penstemons are such interesting looking plants. This genus even has its own fan club: the American Penstemon Society.

For more information about Watson's Penstemon, click here.

Heartleaf Bittercress-Cardamine cordifolia

Growing along stream margins and wet meadows is this one-to-twofoot-tall plant with white flowers. Upon closer inspection you can see that the flowers have four petals, a clue that it's in the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae). The heart-shaped leaves are referred to in both the common and scientific names: Heartleaf Bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia). 

For more information about heartleaf bittercress, click here.

Summer Coralroot-Corallorhiza maculata

The desert is not a place one often associates with orchids, but at least a couple species are present, including summer coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata), also called spotted coralroot.

This is a very interesting plant. As you can see, it is not green at all, and it does not use photosynthesis to produce energy. Instead, it parasitizes nearby fungi. Click the link below to learn more.

Looking closer at the small flowers, you can see it definitely has an orchid appearance. The spots on the lower petal are referred to in the species name "maculata," which means spotted.

For more information about summer coralroot, click here.

Rockslide Yellow Fleabane-Erigeron leiomerus

This high elevation member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) is Rockslide Yellow Fleabane (Erigeron leiomerus), also called Rockslide daisy.

The leaves are simple with a single vein.

For more information about rockslide yellow fleabane, click here.

Balloonpod Milkvetch-Astragalus whitneyi

This tiny milkvetch found above 10,000 feet is balloonpod milkvetch (Astragalus whitneyi). As you might guess by the common name, the seed pods are big and inflated. 

The small flower is 5-petaled, mainly white with a hint of pink or purple with darker lines on the banner.

For more information about balloonpod milkvetch, click here.