Time Out

Desert Boy and I are off for a few days to visit some family, and somehow I just didn't get the Plant a Day posts ready for when we're gone. It's funny how it gets so busy this time of year! Anyway, we'll be back soon, and in the meantime I encourage you to try some of the links in the sidebar.

Flatbud Pricklypoppy-Argemone munita

This long-blooming white flower with the papery thin flower petals and the prickly stems and leaves is flatbud pricklypoppy (Argemone munita), the only member of the Poppy Family (Papaveraceae) in this area. It is native to the western United States and grows often in disturbed areas, such as along roadsides.

 
Nestled among the white petals is a yellow clump of 150-200 stamens, with a maroon stigma appearing right in the middle. 

The flower buds are also prickly.

Here's a closeup of some of those prickles on the stems and leaves. They deter animals from eating this plant.

For more information about flatbud pricklypoppy, click here.

Parry's Primrose-Primula parryi

This striking magenta flower found at higher elevations and often near water is Parry's primrose (Primula parryi), a member of the Primrose Family (Primulaceae). 

Most of them have finished flowering for this year, leaving the leafy vegetation behind.

But I looked all around and managed to find a few flowers still hanging on. This flower lends so much color to the sub-alpine and alpine scenery. It also stands out because it is so large compared to much of the higher elevation vegetation, much of which has shrunken in size to deal with the harsher growing conditions.

For more information about Parry's primrose, click here.

Spiny Milkvetch-Astragalus kentrophyta

This dainty Pea Family (Fabaceae) flower is spiny milkvetch (Astragalus kentrophyta). It grows above 10,000 feet in elevation, and is native to western North America. It has pointy leaves that somewhat resemble spikes.

For more information about spiny milkvetch, click here.

Desert Sweet-Chamaebatiaria millefolium

This beautiful bush growing in limestone areas is desert sweet (Chamaebatiaria millefolium), more commonly called fern bush. It's a member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae) and is native to the western United States.

The flowers look like most other rose-family flowers, with five petals. The leaves are quite fern looking, with many leaflets (hence the species name millefolium).

For more information about desert sweet, click here.

Threenerve Goldenrod-Solidago velutina

Seeing goldenrod in flower is bittersweet--it's one of those flowers that appears at the end of summer, and you know that it won't be too long until the cold creeps in. This species grows in dry areas and is Threenerve Goldenrod (Solidago velutina), a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). It's native to the western United States.

For more information about threenerve goldenrod, click here.

Eaton's Aster-Symphyotrichum eatonii

This showy aster growing in moist places is Eaton's aster (Symphyotrichum eatonii), formerly Aster eatonii. It's a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). It is native to western North America.

The disk flowers are yellow, while the ray flowers are pinkish-whitish.

For more information about Eaton's aster, click here.