Prairie Thermopsis-Thermopsis rhombifolia

This striking yellow flower in the Pea Family (Fabaceae) growing next to streams is prairie thermopsis (Thermopsis rhombifolia). It is also known as golden pea, golden banner, false lupine, and prairie goldenpea.

Thermopsis means "resembling lupine" and rhombifolia means diamond-shaped, referring to the leaves. Prairie thermopsis has leaves divided like lupine, but only three leaflets, not five.

The yellow flowers are usually grouped with 7-30 on a loose raceme.

For more information about prairie thermopsis, click here.

Longstalk Starwort-Stellaria longipes

This slender member of the Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae) is easily overlooked in a meadow full of other plants. It is Longstalk Starwort (Stellaria longipes), also called mountain chickweed and meadow starwort. Stellaria means "star" and longipes means "long stalked."

Members of the Pink Family have five petals, so at first glance this flower might be confusing. It really does only have five petals, but each is cleaved nearly to the base so it appears to have ten petals. Although some members of the Pink Family have pink flowers, the name "pink" refers to "pinked petals," or those that are lobed or fringed. In this particular case, the petals of longstalk starwort don't appear particularly "pinked." Leaves are narrow and widely spaced along the stem.

For more information about longstalk starwort, click here.

Slender Cinquefoil-Potentilla gracilis

This member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae) is Slender Cinquefoil, also called five-fingered cinquefoil and Northwest cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis). Although there are several different cinquefoils growing in this area, this one is fairly easy to distinguish.

As one of its common names suggests, it has leaves that are palmately divided into five sections. The margins are serrated as is common with Potentillas. This is also one of the taller cinquefoils, growing up to three feet. The stems are often reddish.

For more information about cinquefoil, click here.

Common Yarrow-Achillea millefolium

I finally found my first common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) blooming on 6-4-09. I've seen the feather-like leaves for weeks; the Spanish name for this plant is plumajillo, meaning "little feather" in reference to its leaves. It has also been known as herbal militaris because it was used to staunch blood flow from wounds.

Numerous flowers adorn the top of the stem (hence the species name millefolium, meaning thousand flowers). There are many medicinal uses for yarrow, which can be seen by clicking on the link below.

For a lot more information about common yarrow, click here.

Northern Bog Violet-Viola nephrophylla

This colorful purple flower hidden amongst the green leaves near stream margins and wet places is Northern Bog Violet (Viola nephrophylla), a member of the Violet Family (Violaceae). 

The leaves are broad and heart-shaped, despite the species name nephrophylla, which means kidney-shaped.

Most of the other violets in the area are yellow, making this true-to-the-name violet one stand out even more. 

Photo taken 6-4-09.

For more information about northern bog violet, click here.

Water Wise Plants

As I learn my plants, I'm always looking for great additions to my yard. After all, if it's beautiful out in the wild, wouldn't it be nice to have it growing a little closer to home?

I found this website today that helps me figure out what is likely to grow at a lower elevation--and is also considered water wise, meaning that it takes less water to grow than many of the nonnative ornamentals. 

If you live in the Great Basin, check out this list of Water Wise Plants.

Western Columbine-Aquilegia formosa

This striking red and yellow flower is Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), a member of the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). It's also known as crimson columbine and Sitka columbine. Aquilegia is Latin for eagle and probably refers to the talon-like nectar sacs. Formosa means beautiful.

Western columbine is extremely attractive to hummingbirds and bees. The flower is basically upside down, and each of the five tubular petals end in swollen nectar sacs. The five red sepals flare out like wings. The yellow stamens protrude out of the flower. After pollination, the flowers turn up towards the sky.

The leaves are deeply pinnately-lobed.

To learn more about western columbine, click here.