The tall, purplish colored flowers that decorate roadsides and other disturbed locations late in summer is Rocky Mountain beeplant (
Cleome serrulata). Despite its common name, this plant is found throughout most of North America, although in some areas it's considered weedy or invasive. It's a member of the Caper Family (Capparaceae), and also goes by the name bee spiderflower.
Clusters of flowers with four petals and six stamens are found at the end of the stalk. Seed pods are elongated.
Intermixed with the purplish flowers were a few white ones. I'm not sure what causes the color change.
The flowers look exactly the same except for a different color.
For more information about Rocky Mountain beeplant, click
here.
This pretty yellow flower is yellow spiderflower (Cleome lutea), also known as yellow beeplant. Leaflets are in fives, and the plant often grows in groups. It's a member of the Caper Family (Capparaceae).
The seed pods look like capers, hence the family name. A similar plant has purple flowers, Rocky Mountain beeplant, Cleome serrulata.
For more information about yellow spiderflower, click here.
The tall, purplish colored flowers that decorate roadsides and other disturbed locations late in summer is Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata). Despite its common name, this plant is found throughout most of North America, although in some areas it's considered weedy or invasive. It's a member of the Caper Family (Capparaceae), and also goes by the name bee spiderflower. 
Clusters of flowers with four petals and six stamens are found at the end of the stalk. Seed pods are elongated. 
Intermixed with the purplish flowers were a few white ones. I'm not sure what causes the color change.
The flowers look exactly the same except for a different color.
