Eastern Mojave Vegetation Field Notes (Continued)  
 

Tom Schweich  

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Contents
Literature Cited
   When I first read the field notes of Annie Alexander and Louise Kellogg, I was fascinated by the descriptions they wrote about the places they went and the plants and animals they found there. By publishing my field notes on the Internet I hope to follow a little bit in their tradition.

 

 

   

 

2017

 

 

   

 

February, 2017

 

 

 

Locations: South Table Mountain.
Full Size ImageQuarry on South Table Mountain
Full Size ImageView from north rim of South Table Mountain.  

 

Tuesday, February 7th

Hiked South Table Mountain, from Quaker Street to North Rim.

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Rounded cobbles on top of South Table Mountain

 

 

Other articles:
• Golden Cliffs Trail:   at rim;

Locations: North Table Mountain.
Full Size ImageFront Range Climbing Stewards trailer at top of Golden Cliffs Trail  

 

Friday, February 10th

North Table Mountain, Golden Cliffs Trail over the top and back by way of the Climbing Access Trail.

Other articles:
• Golden Cliffs Trail:   along trail;
• Field Notes:   Coll. No. 1319, 4 May 2016;
Full Size ImageRibes aureum in winter.
Full Size ImageTwigs of Ribes aureum in winter.  

1319    The same Ribes aureum from which I made Coll. No. 1319.

Other articles:
• Golden Cliffs Trail:   along trail;
Full Size ImageLocation where Munroa squarrosa was found
Full Size ImageMunroa squarrosa “False Buffalo Grass”  

 

Looked for Munroa squarrosa.

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Location where Munroa squarrosa was found

Full Size ImageLittle unknown grass.
Full Size ImageAnother little unknown grass.  
  Two other little grasses found while looking for Munroa squarrosa.

 

 

Other articles:
• Arapahoe Street:   near 2nd;   near 4th;
• Ford Street:   at bend in road;
• Social Trail (N. Ford to Jackson):   at Ford;   near trl jct;   at trl jct;
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   near trl jct;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageAbandoned vehicle on Arapahoe Street.  

 

Monday, February 27th

Walk through Mesa Meadows and down through social trail.

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"For Sale" van stored on street for months.
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North end of social trail off N. Ford Street.
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Social trail.
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Social trail west across open space.
This was the first time I walked through the City of Golden open space between Washington Avenue and North Ford Street.

 

   

 

March, 2017

 

 

 

Other articles:
• Golden Cliffs Trail:   along trail;
• Social Trail:   near stream;   at spring;
Full Size ImageSouth Table Mountain Fire on north slope of South Table Mountain
Full Size ImageEphemeral stream crosses trail  

 

Friday, March 10th

Hiked the City of Golden North Table Mountain Trail from the Peery Parkway trailhead to the Golden Cliffs Trailhead and a little beyond.

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Ephemeral stream crosses trail

 

 

Other articles:
• Social Trail:   at spring;

Locations: North Table Mountain.
Full Size ImageDeer above spring, southwest slopes of North Table Mountain.  

 

Thursday, March 16th

North Table Mountain and Park.

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Spring improvements, plastic pipe south down the hill.
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Spring improvements (steel drum set in watercourse).
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Downhill view from the spring.
From the stream crossing on the City of Golden trail, climbed up the slope to find the spring. It is at the top of the second run, and at the base of a thicket. The spring has been “improved” in two locations. One has a 1 inch black plastic pipe coming out ot a small thicket. Presumably there was a small spring box that is now overgrown. The other improvement is a small metal drum that has been cut open and laid sideways in the watercourse. This probably ensured a small pool of water for wildlife to drink. The drum is now filled with rocks. Above the spring is the head scarp of a large landslide on which the surface is level to sloped back toward the mountain.

From the head scarp I went north to the North Table Mountain Trail, then up the social trail to the top of the mesa. I checked the spoils pile for Astragalus, then returned by way of the Golden Cliffs Trail, stopping to verify the location of Munroa squarrosa.

 

 

Other articles:
• Rooney Road Sports Complex Road:   at end;
• Tin Cup Ridge (social trail):   at start of trail;   at monument;   in quarry;   in pines;   at saddle;
Full Size ImageA gate and hiker pass-thru has been added to the fence.
Full Size ImageSurvey monument just off-trail.  

 

Monday, March 20th

Tin Cup Ridge. Part way then down the side of the hill.

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Ripple marks on the bottom of sandstone strata.
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Ponderosa pine along trail which has been partially felled by a hatchet or axe.
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Sink hole above a closed mine.

Other articles:
• Tin Cup Ridge (social trail):   at Coll. 1567;  

1567    Field identification: Claytonia rosea. Just a few in bloom, open east-facing slope, in grasses and forbs, below mountain mahogany growing along the ridge line.

Claytonia rosea Rydb. Rocky Mountain Springbeauty.

Tin Cup Ridge, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northern part of ridge, both sides of social trail, open east-facing slope in grasses and forbs, below mountain mahogany lining the top of the ridge, 4.6 km south southeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7157°N, 105.2066°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1900 m.

 

 

Other articles:
• Arapahoe Street:   near 2nd;
• Cheyenne Street:   in the alley;
Full Size ImageMyrtle Spurge on Arapahoe Street.
Full Size ImageMyrtle spurge in the alley.  

 

Wednesday, March 22nd

Myrtle spurge around a neighborhood loop.

 

 

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:   up. wash.;
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   at top;
• Washington Avenue:   near Rubey;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageView south toward N. Rubey Drive.  

 

Saturday March 25th

Walked up various alleys to the small open space above Washington Avenue.

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View west to North Table Mountain.
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View south to Castle Rock.

 

   

 

Monday, March 27th

City of Golden open space above upper Washington Avenue.

Other articles:
• Social Trail (N. Ford to Jackson):   n. e. corner;
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   behind Cannonball;   at tree;   at path;   at tree;   at Leu. mon.;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageEast end of open space.  

 
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Leucocrinum montanum on south-facing slope.
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Last year's fruit on Prunus virginiana
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Prunus virginiana
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Small bench under tree.
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Escobaria vivipara with fruit.
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Social trail between housing development and Cannonball Brewery.
 

 

   

 

April, 2017

 

 

 

Other articles:
• Social Trail (Parfet Estates Drive to Landing Zone):  90000;  

 

Monday, April 3rd

Parfet Estates Drive through Landing Zone.

Other articles:
• Chimney Gulch Trail:   at curve;
• Parfet Estates Drive:   at CoG parcel;
• Social Trail (Parfet Estates Drive to Landing Zone):  80000;
Full Size ImageAccess to City of Golden parcel on Parfet Estates Drive
Full Size ImageEuphorbiaceae myrsinites “Myrtle Spurge”  

 
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North Golden from outcrop on Lookout Mountain.
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View from outcrop.
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Chimney Gulch Trail
 

Other articles:
• Social Trail (Parfet Estates Drive to Landing Zone):   along trail;
Full Size ImageHabitat of Coll. No. 1568, Carex inops var. heliophila
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1568, Carex inops var. heliophila  

1568   
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Finished vouchers of Coll. No. 1568, Carex inops ssp. heliophila
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Crown of Coll. No. 1568, Carex inops ssp. heliophila sewed to voucher.
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Coll. No. 1568, Carex inops var. heliophylla
Field identification: Carex inops var. heliophila.

Carex inops L.H. Bailey ssp. heliophila (Mack.) Crins. Sun Sedge.

Landing Zone, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lowest slopes of Mount Zion, below Windy Saddle Park, 1.25 km southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7489°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1792 m. Grassy east-facing slope, most other plants still dormant or just beginning to grow.

 

   

 

Thursday, April 6th

 

Literature Cited:
- Houck, Karen J., Martin G. Lockley, Megan Caldwell, and Brandon Clark, 2010.
- Lockley, Martin, Karen Chin, Masaki Matsukawa, and Reiji Kukihara, 2009.

Other articles:
• CO Hwy 93:  city limits;

Locations: Cressmans Gulch (lower). Dakota Ridge.  

 
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Colorado Highway 93 and North Table Mountain.
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Trench on east side of hogback.
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Golden from hogback north of town.
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North Table Mountain from an unnamed hogback to the west.
 

 

   

 

April 8th – “Project Flambeau”

 

Literature Cited:
- Countryman, Clive M., 1969.
- Fox, Douglas, 2017.
- Palmer, Thomas Y., 1969.

Other articles:
• Mono Lake Basin Flora:   at Deep Cañon;  

 
“In the wrinkled, sage-covered mountains of Nevada near the California border, 30 miles east of Mono Lake, there is a meadow that seems to lie in shadow even on sunny days. Spread across it are hundreds of dark patches, where the soil is mixed with charcoal. These spots lay row upon row, like the ghostly foundations of a dead city. In a sense, that is exactly what they are.

“In 1967, workers with the Forest Service and the Department of Defense stacked 342 piles of juniper and piñon logs in this place — 20 tons of wood per pile, spaced 25 feet apart. Then, at 8 a.m. on Sept. 29, they set fire to them.

“Project Flambeau comprised some two-dozen experiments like this one, meant to simulate an American suburb under nuclear attack … (Fox, 2017)”

 

   

 

Tuesday, April 11th

Golden, CO to Green River, UT.

Other articles:
• CO-133:   n of Bears Gl;   at Bears Gl;   s of Bears Gl;

Locations: Bears Gulch.
Full Size ImageNorth on Colorado State Highway 133.  

 

Along Colorado State Highway 133 near Bears Gulch.

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Waterfall at Bears Gulch
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South on Colorado State Highway 133

Other articles:
• Interstate 70:  132610;

Locations: Green River.
Full Size ImageSunset across the Green River  

 

Dinner in Green River.

 

   

 

Wednesday, April 12th

 

Other articles:
• Interstate 70:   at The Squeeze;

Locations: San Rafael Swell. Spotted Wolf Canyon. The Squeeze.
Full Size ImageEntrance to Spotted Wolf Canyon on Interstate 70  

 

Crossing the San Rafael Swell.

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Eastern edge of San Rafael Swell.
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Eastern edge of San Rafael Swell.
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Allium seen at The Squeeze Rest Stop.

Other articles:
• Interstate 70:   at Black Dragon Cyn;

Locations: Black Dragon Wash.
Full Size ImageBlack Dragon Canyon on east slope of San Rafael Swell.  

  Black Dragon Canyon Overlook for westbound travelers.

Other articles:
• Interstate 70:   at Eagle Cyn O'look;

Locations: Eagle Canyon.
Full Size ImageEagle Canyon from the associated overlook.  

  Eagle Canyon Overlook.

Locations: Miller Canyon.
Full Size ImageEmery, Utah, from mesa to the southeast.
Full Size ImageCell phone tower on mesa near Miller Canyon.  

  Looking for Frasera albomarginata on the mesa above Miller Canyon.

 

Other articles:
• Interstate 70:  Fremont Indian State Park and Museum;

Locations: Fremont Indian State Park.
Full Size ImageView of Five Finger Ridge across US I-70.  

 

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

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Petroglyph panel at Fremont Indian State Park.
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Petroglyph panel at Fremont Indian State Park.
 

 

   

 

Thursday, April 13th

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Other articles:
• Nevada State Route 159:   at o'look;

Locations: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Red Rock Dedication Site.
Full Size ImageView from Red Rock Overlook  

 
Full Size Image
View from Red Rock Overlook
Red Rock Overlook (Dedication Site).

Other articles:
• Scenic Loop Drive:   at visitor ctr;

Locations: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Full Size ImageView from Visitor Center  

  Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center.

Other articles:
• Scenic Loop Drive:   at o'look;

Locations: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Full Size ImageView from High Point Overlook.  

  High Point Overlook.

 

Other articles:
• Rocky Gap Road:   at Willow Sprs;

Locations: Willow Spring.
Full Size ImageHikers above Willow Springs Picnic Area.  

 

Willow Springs Picnic Area

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Cercis, probably C. occidentalis at Willow Spring.
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Cercis, probably C. occidentalis at Willow Spring.
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Fossiliferous limestone in the wash.
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Petroglyphs at Willow Spring.
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Willow Spring Picnic Area
 

 

   

 

Sunday, April 16th

 

Other articles:
• California Highway 127:   at Silver Lake spillway;

Locations: Avawatz Mountains. Silver Lake.
Full Size ImageLower spillway from Silver Lake, with Avawatz Mountains in distance.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-1-1. Outlet of Lake Mojave and tectonics of the Silurian Valley and Avawatz Mountains.

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Dave Miller leads field discussion of the outlet of Lake Mojave and the tectonics of the Silurian Valley and Avawatz Mountains.

Other articles:
• 4WD Road:   at pkg;
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-1-2, Folds and restraining and releasing stepovers in the Soda-Avawatz fault zone.
Full Size ImageImbricated alluvial fan gravels.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-1-2, Folds and restraining and releasing stepovers in the Soda-Avawatz fault zone.

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Fan surfaces differentially affected by a minor fault.

Other articles:
• Basin Road:   at tracks;

Locations: Basin.
Full Size ImageCrossing the Union Pacific tracks at Basin.  

 

Our route was quite circuitous since the railroad crossing at Crucero is now closed.

Other articles:
• Union Pacific Maintenance Road:   near Crucero;
• Tonopah & Tidewater:  Crucero;

Locations: Crucero.
Full Size ImageUnion Pacific tracks at Crucero, looking toward Kelso.  

 

Missed the old telegraph road, stopped here, changed flat tires.

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East end of Crucero on the Union Pacific tracks.
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Milling around, wondering what's next?

 

Other articles:
• Crucero Road:  34000;   at megaphone;
• Tonopah & Tidewater:  Mesquite;

Locations: Mesquite Spring.
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-1-4, Mesquite Spring.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-1-4, Mesquite Spring.

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Field Trip Stop 2017-1-4, Mesquite Spring.
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The Mojave Megaphone
 

 

Other articles:
• Crucero Road:  66000;
• Tonopah & Tidewater:   on Broadwell Lake;

Locations: Broadwell Lake.
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-1-5.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-1-5. Broadwell Lake fissures and views of Broadwell Mesa and Cady Faults.

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Vegetation in Broadwell Lake fissures.
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Field Trip Stop 2017-1-5.
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Tonopah and Tidewater roadbed north on Broadwell Lake
 

 

   

 

Monday, April 17th

2017 Desert Symposium, Field Trip Day 2.

 

Other articles:
• Zzyzx Road:   on shore of Soda Lake;

Locations: Soda Lake.
Full Size ImageAnemopsis californica “Yerba Mansa” beside Zzyzx Road.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-2-1. Spring history along Soda Lake.

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Field Trip Stop 2017-2-1
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Driving on Soda Lake not recommended.
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Field Trip Stop 2017-2-1
 

 

Other articles:
• Power Line Road:   at Stop 2017-2-2;

Locations: Cave Mountain. Mojave Valley.
Full Size ImageHesperocallis undulata “Desert Ajo Lily”  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-2-2. Cave Mountain Fault.

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Hesperocallis undulata “Desert Ajo Lily”
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Field Trip Stop 2017-2-2. Cave Mountain Fault.
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Brassica tournefortii “Sahara Mustard”
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Cave Mountain as seen from Field Trip Stop 2017-2-2.
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View toward Mojave Valley from Field Trip Stop 2017-2-2.
 

 

Other articles:
• Dunn Road:   at Stop 2017-2-3;
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-2-3. Splay of the Cave Mountain fault.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-2-3. Splay of the Cave Mountain fault.

 

Other articles:
• Dunn Road:   at dacite dome;
Full Size ImageDacite dome of unknown age.  

 

Small part of a dacite dome of unknown age. It may be part of a larger dome to the east that lies on metamorphic rocks (Walker et al., 1990).

Other articles:
• BLM 8344:   at Stop 2017-2-5;   near Dunn Road;
• Dunn Road:   at BLM 8344;
Full Size ImageRoute to Field Trip Stop 2017-2-5.
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-2-5. Pliocene sediment derived from sources to the west.  

 

Field Trip Stop 2017-2-5. Pliocene sediment derived from sources to the west.

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Field Trip Stop 2017-2-5. Pliocene sediment derived from sources to the west.

 

Other articles:
• Power Line Road #2 (Middle):   at Stop 2017-2-7;
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop 2017-2-7. Goldstone gravel and overview of Miocene strata of Alvord Mountain.
Full Size ImageLooking southeast across Mojave Valley to the Cady Mountains.  

 

Desert Symposium Field Trip Stop 2017-2-7.

Goldstone gravel and overview of Miocene strata of Alvord Mountain.

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Southwest view along the power lines.
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Field Trip Stop 2017-2-7. Goldstone gravel and overview of Miocene strata of Alvord Mountain.

Other articles:
• Daggett-Yermo Road:   at Mojave Rd;
Full Size ImageWagon at Daggett Historical Museum.  

 

Daggett Historical Museum.

 

   

 

Tuesday, April 18th

Shadow Valley to Mesquite Mountains.

Other articles:
• Kingston Wash Road:  25400;
Full Size ImageThe gate at the wilderness boundary.
Full Size ImageJoshua tree and creosote bush in Shadow Valley.  

 

On Kingston Wash Road, at the gate to the wilderness. Location of collections 1569-1574.

Full Size Image
Kingston Wash Road in Shadow Valley
  1569    Field identification: Calycoseris wrightii

Rafinesquia californica Nutt. California Chicory.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6094°N, 115.7382°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 953 m. Location of my collections 1569 to 1578.

Coll. No. 1569, 18 April 2017, characters observed while keying: Annual herb, to 35 cm.; Stem, glabrous, branching various, from base to distal ½; Leaves, basal and cauline, alternate, length 7.5 cm. × 2.5 cm. wide, much reduced above, lanceolate, deeply pinnately divided; Inflorescence, heads enclosed by an involucre, overtopping the leaves; Involucre, near cylindric, 22 mm.; Phyllaries, unequal, in 3+ graduated series, 8-22 mm., margins flat, chartaceous, centers green; Receptacle, epaleate; Flowers, rays only, surpassing phyllaries by 5-10 mm., Pappus, many well-developed plumose bristles, ±equal; Fruit, 6 mm., light brown, beak 4 mm.

  1570    Field identification: Larrea tridentata

Larrea tridentata (DC) Cov. Creosote Bush.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6094°N, 115.7383°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 961 m. Location of my collections 1569 to 1578.

  1570.1    Field identification: Indian Rice Grass.

Stipa hymenoides Roem. & Schult. Indian Rice Grass.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6094°N, 115.7383°E. Elev. 961 m.

Other articles:
• Excelsior Mine Road:   at dirt road;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1570.2, Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens  

1570.2    Field identification: Red Brome.

Bromus madritensis L. ssp. rubens (L.) Husn. Red Brome.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6094°N, 115.7383°E. WGS 1984 Elev. 961 m.

Coll. No. 1570.2, 18 April 2017, charcters observed: Annual grass, to 20 cm.; Inflorescence, 50 mm.; Spikelets, 40 mm., similar; Compression, lateral (looks strongly lateral to me, but this will send you down the wrong path); Glumes, lower, 7 mm., slightly keeled, few hairs, veins, 1, upper, 10 mm., rounded, veins, 3; Florets, 6+; Lemma, 13 mm. × 2.3 mm. wide, veins, 3, tip, bifid, awns, 1, 11 mm., attached to back; Palea, 9 mm., margin sparsely ciliate; Grain, 9 mm. × 1.3 mm. wide, flattened.

Literature Cited:
- Baldwin, Bruce G., Donald W. Kyhos, Scott N. Martins, Frank C. Vasek, and Bridget L. Wessa, 1996.

Other articles:
• Excelsior Mine Road:   at dirt road;
Full Size ImageMix of staminate and pistillate flowers in inflorescence of Ambrosia dumosa  

1571   
Full Size Image
Overview of Coll. No. 1571, Ambrosia dumosa
Field identification: Ambrosia dumosa

Ambrosia dumosa (A. Gray) W. W. Payne. White Bur-Sage, Burroweed.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6093°N, 115.7381°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 959 m. Location of my collections 1569 to 1578.

Coll. No. 1571, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Perennial shrub, to 40 cm.; Stem, woody, densely short strigose when young; Leaves, petiole 10 mm., blade 16 mm × 13 mm. wide, pinnately lobed, short strigose; Phyllaries (staminate flowers), fused at base, in 1 series, #7, eglandular, tip acute; Flowers, 2 kinds in different heads, staminate flowers, #15, pistilate flowers, #2; Pappus, 0; Style, 2-branched, fused(?); Fruit, bur, 6 mm. × 6 mm. wide, ±spheric, spines, #15, 2 mm.

Other articles:
• Excelsior Mine Road:   at dirt road;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1572, Schismus barbatus  

1572    Field identification: grass, revised 4/30/2017: Schismus barbatus.

Schismus barbatus (L.) Thell. Mediterranean Grass.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6093°N, 115.7381°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 958 m. Location of my collections 1569 to 1574.

Coll. No. 1572, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual grass, 12-15 cm.; Ligule, finely hairy inside and out; Inflorescence, exceeding leaves, panicle; Spikelets, many, 1 per node; Glumes, 2, 5 mm., lower slightly > upper, veins, 5, keeled, scabrous; Florets, 2+ florets per spikelet; Lemma, lower, 1.7-1.8 mm., teeth widely triangular; Anther, small, 0.2-0.3 mm.; Achene, 0.8 mm., translucent.

Other articles:
• Excelsior Mine Road:   at dirt road;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1573, Ephedra nevadensis  

1573    Field identification: Ephedra nevadensis

Ephedra nevadensis S. Watson. Nevada Ephedra.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6094°N, 115.7382°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 959 m. Staminate plant, no pistillate plants in immediate area. Location of my collections 1569 to 1574.

Literature Cited:
- Lamson-Scribner, F., 1898.

Other articles:
• Excelsior Mine Road:   at dirt road;
Full Size ImageExample inflorescences of Coll. No. 1574, Hilaria rigida  

1574   
Full Size Image
Coll. No. 1574, Hilaria rigida
Field identification: Hilaria rigida.

Hilaria rigida (Thurb.) Scribn. Big Galleta.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. On the now closed road to Kingston Wash, 12.6 miles north on Cima Road, Kingston Road, and then Excelsior Mine Road from the intersection of US Interstate 15 and Cima Road, then 0.4 miles west to the gate at the Kingston Range Wilderness. 35.6095°N, 115.7383°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 959 m. Location of my collections 1569 to 1574.

Coll. No. 1574, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, 50-60 cm., rhizomatous; Roots, stout; Stem, herbaceous; Internodes, solid, fluted, sparse soft long crinkly hairs (sparsely tomentose?); Leaves, blade and sheath differentiated, soft; Sheath, open; Ligule, membraneous, 1 mm., ciliate fringe (?) or laciniate (?); Inflorescence, 1 per culm, > leaves, 75-80 mm., spike, cylindric; Spikelets arranged in wedge-shaped clusters of 1 central spikelet and 2 lateral spikelets, on alternate sides of the rachis; Rachis, short hairy, not extended beyond upper spikelet; Spikelets, many, subtended by long silky hairs but < spikelet, similar, 3 per node, sessile, 8 mm.; Central spikelet, 1 bisexual floret; Lateral spikelet, 2 staminate florets; Glumes, present, rounded, veins 3-9, 6 mm., ± equal, awns, many (7 obs.); Lemma, 6 mm, ±glumes, membraneous, veins, 3, prominent, glabrous, parallel, tip, truncate, awns, 2 mm., straight, attached end; Anthers, 3.8 mm., lt. green with purple; Stigma, #2.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   along road;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1575, Yucca schidigera  

1575    Field identification: Yucca schidigera.

Yucca schidigera K. E. Ortgies. Mohave Yucca.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. Along Kingston Road, 13.4 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, and 0.9 miles northeast of the intersection of Kingston Road and Excelsior Mine Road. 35.6216°N, 115.7266°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 981 m. Also collected here, Coll. No. 1576, Ambrosia salsola.

Literature Cited:
- Baldwin, Bruce G., Donald W. Kyhos, Scott N. Martins, Frank C. Vasek, and Bridget L. Wessa, 1996.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:   20 Apr 2004;  

1576    Field identification: Hymenoclea salsola.

Ambrosia salsola (A. Gray) Strother & B. G. Baldwin. Cheesebush.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. Along Kingston Road, 13.4 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, and 0.9 miles northeast of the intersection of Kingston Road and Excelsior Mine Road. 35.6217°N, 115.7269°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 980 m. Also collected here, Coll. No. 1575, Yucca schidigera salsola.

Species Lists: Salvia dorrii  

1577    Field identification: Salvia dorrii.

Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams var. pilosa (A. Gray) J. L. Strachan & Rev. Purple Sage.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. Along Kingston Road, 17.2 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, and 4.6 miles northeast of the intersection of Kingston Road and Excelsior Mine Road. 35.6736°N, 115.7081°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1123 m. Collected with Coll. No. 1578, Sphaeralcea ambigua.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   s. of Winters Pass;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1578, Sphaeralcea ambigua  

1578    Field identification: Sphaeralcea ambigua.

Sphaeralcea ambigua A. Gray var. ambigua. Apricot Mallow.

Shadow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. Along Kingston Road, 17.2 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, and 4.6 miles northeast of the intersection of Kingston Road and Excelsior Mine Road. 35.6738°N, 115.7079°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1127 m. Collected with Coll. No. 1577, Salvia dorrii.

Coll. No. 1578, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 50 cm.; Hairs, stellate; Bractlets, #2-3; Calyx, 10 mm., fused at base; Flower, 17 mm. × 28 mm wide, showy, orange, fading pink; Anthers, near top of filament tube, not organized in concentric series, i.e., not Sidalcea Stigmas, head-like; Fruit, separate segments; Seeds, seeds per segment unknown.

Fruit needed to key to genus from family, not available in this collection.

Also with stellate hairs: some Brassicaceae, and Elaeagnus angustifolia “Russian Olive.”

  1579    Field identification: unknown, white flower.

Lepidium fremontii S. Watson. Desert Pepperweed.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1162 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

  1580    Field identification: little yellow composite.

Eriophyllum wallacei (A. Gray) A. Gray. Woolly Easter Bonnets.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7088°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1157 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1581, Ericameria linearifolia  

1581    Field identification: Ericameria sp.

Ericameria linearifolia (DC.) Urb. & J. Wussow. Narrowleaf Goldenbush.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1155 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1581, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Low-growing perennial subshrub, to 15 cm., woody at base; Twigs, green-striate, glandular-punctate, becoming white-scaly with age; Leaves, alternate, subsessile, 20 mm. × 2 mm. wide, margins rolled, glandular punctate, few white hairs, becoming white-scaly in age; Inflorescence, heads borne singly; Involucre, 10 mm. × 15 mm wide; Phyllaries, 2+ series, graduated, 6-10 mm. × 1.5-1.8 mm wide, base thick, center green, mid-vein prominent, short-stalked glandular, margin variously chartaceous entire to irregularly small-toothed; Receptacle, epaleate; Pappus, 1 series of bristles, 6 mm.; Rays, fertile, #6-8, tube 5 mm. + blade 12 mm. × 3.6 mm. wide, yellow; Disc flowers, #18-20, yellow; Style, stigma 0.7 mm., appendage 1.0 mm.; Cypsela, 4 mm., hairy. The phyllaries of this collection vary from the Jepson (2012) key and description by virtue of being graduated in size and much variation in the phyllary margins. I don't see any reason to think this might be a hybrid with E. cooperi.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1582, Eremogone macradenia var. macradenia  

1582    Field identification: Arenaria sp.

Eremogone macradenia (S. Watson) Ikonn. var. macradenia. Desert Sandwort.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.7161°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1163 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1582, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 22 cm.; Leaves, opposite, ascending, 12 mm. × 1 mm. wide, widest at base, tapered throughout length, tip sharp-pointed; Inflorescence, open cyme; Sepals, acute (barely acuminate), 6 mm. × 2 mm. wide. Stem and leaves short relative to typical descriptions, but not likely to be E. kingii var. glabrescens.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1583, Xylorhiza tortifolia  

1583    Field identification: Xylorhiza tortifolia

Xylorhiza tortifolia (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene var. tortifolia. Mojave Woody Aster.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7086°N, 115.7161°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1170 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1584, Chylismia claviformis  

1584    Field identification: Camissonia sp.

Chylismia claviformis (Torr. & Frém.) A. A. Heller. Browneyes.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7086°N, 115.7163°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1160 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590. Very similar to my Coll. No. 447 (UCR241432) which has been determined Chylismia claviformis × brevipes.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1585, Salazaria mexicana  

1585    Field identification: Salazaria mexicana

Salazaria mexicana Torrey. Mexican Bladder Sage.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.7162°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1157 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageLeaf of Coll. No. 1586, Phacelia vallis-mortae
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1586, Phacelia vallis-mortae  

1586    Field identification: Phacelia sp.

Phacelia vallis-mortae J. W. Voss. Death Valley Phacelia.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.7159°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1162 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1587, Pholistoma membranaceum  

1587    Field identification: Other stuff, maybe a Galium sp.

Pholistoma membranaceum (Benth.) Constance. White Fiestaflower.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.7159°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1162 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1587, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 40 cm., sparsely prickly throughout; Stem, weak, tangled (reminiscent of a Galium); Leaf, alternate, petiole winged, 30 mm. × 30 mm. wide, tip rounded, most with 2 pinnate lobes ±= tip, some with 2nd pair of pinnate lobes; Inflorescence, open cyme; Calyx, lobes, #5, 1.5 mm. × 1 mm. wide; Corolla, petals #5, united at base 1.5 mm. + lobes 1.5 mm., white; Stamens, #5; Style, #1, 2-lobed distally; Fruit, 3 mm. × 3 mm. wide, sparsely prickly.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1588, Cryptantha utahensis
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1588, Cryptantha utahensis  

1588    Field identification: Plagiobothrys sp.

Cryptantha utahensis (A. Gray) Greene. Fragrant Forget-Me-Not.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7089°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1160 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1588, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual, 18-25 cm., taller than wide, pustulate appressed hairy throughout; Leaves, cauline, alternate, sessile, 20 mm. × 3 mm. wide, margin entire; Inflorescence, not bracteate; Pedicel, 0 mm.; Calyx, rounded at base, 2.7 mm. × 1.7 mm. wide, 3 mm. in fruit, hairs straight (not hooked) throughout; Corolla, limb 2.6 mm., white; Nutlets, generally #1, ventral groove central, margin sharp but not flattened or wing-like, papillate with few small spines. Keyed with Simpson & Hasenstab (2009).

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1588.5, Cryptantha or Plagiobothrys  

1588.5    Field identification: Boraginaceae

Undetermined, Cryptantha or Plagiobothrys sp. Borage Family.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7089°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1160 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1588.5, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 20 cm.; Stem, decumbent to ascending, stiff white hairy; Leaves, cauline, alternate, 75 mm. × 17 mm. wide, reduced above, elliptical, entire, pustular white hairy; Corolla, tubular, 9 mm. × 5.5 mm. wide, yellow; Ovary, deep-lobed, style base hidden within lobes; Nutlets, ±erect, but otherwise immature and characters indistinct.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:   at cherry stem;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1589, Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens  

1589    Field identification: Red brome.

Bromus madritensis L. ssp. rubens (L.) Husn. Red Brome.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7087°N, 115.7161°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1163 m. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1589, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual grass, to 25 cm., soft hairy throughout; Sheath (... looks open to me ...) Ligule, membraneous, 4 mm., laciniate; Inflorescence, panicle; Compression, lateral; Spikelets, 1 per node, 27 mm., axis mostly glabrous; Glumes, lower, 7 mm., upper, 9 mm., veins 5, keeled (IMHO); Florets, #4-6; Lemma, 13 mm., veins 3, tip bifid, awn, #1, 9 mm., attached to back; Palea, 9 mm., margin ciliate; Grain, 8 mm., flattened, brown.

  1590    Field identification: Mentzelia, sprawling, weak stem.

Mentzelia cf. M. nitens Greene. Shining Blazing Star.

Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. 19.6 miles north of US Interstate 15 on Kingston Road, then 1.1 miles west on an unnamed cherry stem road into the North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness (road is 1.3 miles north of Wilson Pass). 35.7088°N, 115.716°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1160 m. Sprawling, weak stem. Location of my collections Coll. No. 1579 to 1590.

Coll. No. 1590, 18 April 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 40 cm.; Stem, weak, sprawling; Leaves, 95 mm. × 37 mm. wide, lanceolate, pinnately lobed below, reduced, entire above; Bracts, green, entire; Sepals, 5 mm. × 1.5 mm., wide, green fading yellow; Petals, 8.5-9.0 mm., obovate, yellow; Style, 5 mm.; Fruit, 25-29 mm. × 1.5-2.5 mm., obconic, immature; Seed, immature. Petals are larger than expected for M. albiaculis. Sepals, style small. Bract too wide for M. jonesii. Also considered and rejected: M. obscura, M. oreophila, and M. polita. Otherwise seed immature and unavailable for keying.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road:  34000;

Locations: Mesquite Lake.
Full Size ImageDust blown off the surface of Mesquite Lake.  

  Very windy today. Dust being blown off the surface of Mesquite Lake.

 

   

 

Wednesday, April 19th

Las Vegas, Nevada to Monument Valley, Arizona.

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:   at hiway pullout;
Full Size ImageView of Shinarump Cliffs from US Highway 89A
Full Size ImageView of Shinarump Cliffs and Muggins Flat from US Highway 89A  

 

Crowbar Point above Johnson Run.

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:   at scenic view;

Locations: House Rock. House Rock Valley. Vermilion Cliffs.
Full Size ImageVermilion Cliffs and House Rock Valley.  

 

House Rock Valley Scenic View.

Full Size Image
House Rock and ranch.
Full Size Image
Coyote Valley between Buckskin Mountain on the left (west) and the Paria Plateau on the right (east).

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:   at House Rock;
Full Size ImageCalochortus flexuosus at House Rock  

 

House Rock. No sign of any rock that looks like a house, or could provide shelter.

We did find many of this pretty Calochortus, probably C. flexuosus along the road.

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:   at Buffalo Rch Rd;
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel at Buffalo Ranch Road.  

 

Wildlife Kiosk Interpretive Site.

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:  near Marble Canyon;

Locations: Vermilion Cliffs.
Full Size ImageVermilion Cliffs beside US Highway 89A (Smart Phone).  

 
Full Size Image
Vermilion Cliffs beside US Highway 89A (Digital SLR).
 

 

Other articles:
• US Highway Alternate 89:  Navajo Bridge;

Locations: Navajo Bridge.
Full Size ImageVisitor Center for Navajo Bridge.  

 

Navajo Bridge

Full Size Image
The old bridge (now pedestrian access only) at Navajo Bridge.
Full Size Image
Colorado River upstream of the Navajo Bridge.
Full Size Image
Male of condor pair incubates egg while mate is out hunting.
 

Other articles:
• U. S. Hwy 89:   at scenic view;
Full Size ImageMarble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs.
Full Size ImageBitter Springs from the scenic viewpoint.  

 

Scenic View of Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs.

 

   

 

Thursday, April 20th

 

Other articles:
• US Highway 163:   in Monument Valley;

Locations: Monument Valley.
Full Size ImageJohn Ford Point.  

 

Tour of Monument Valley.

Full Size Image
The View Hotel at Monument Valley.
Full Size Image
Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) in bloom at Monument Valley.
Full Size Image
Egg Arch in Monument Valley
Full Size Image
“Diablo,” the Navajo horse.
Full Size Image
East and West Mitten, and Merrick Butte; the view from our hotel room.

Other articles:
• US Highway 163:   at the rock;   edge of town;

Locations: Mexican Hat Rock.
Full Size ImageMexican Hat Rock, from the edge of town.  

 

Mexican Hat Rock.

Full Size Image
Mexican Hat Rock, just north of the town of Mexican Hat.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 261:   near top;   about 2/3;   near US Hwy 163;

Locations: Moki Dugway. Valley of the Gods.
Full Size ImageCedar Mesa above Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway circled.  

 

Ascent and descent of the Moki Dugway.

Full Size Image
Valley of the Gods from Cedar Mesa at the top of the Moki Dugway
Full Size Image
Valley of the Gods from the Moki Dugway.
Full Size Image
About 2/3 of the way to the top.

Other articles:
• US Highway 163:   at San Juan R;

Locations: San Juan River.
Full Size ImageSan Juan River in Mexican Hat.  

   

 

   

 

Friday, April 21st

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 184:  Anasazi Heritage Center;

Locations: Mesa Verde. Sleeping Ute Mountain.
Full Size ImageAnasazi pueblo.  

 

Anasazi Heritage Center.

Full Size Image
Anasazi pueblo.
Full Size Image
Mesa Verde from Anasazi Heritage Center.
Full Size Image
Sleeping Ute Mountain from the Anasazi Heritage Center.
Full Size Image
San Juan Mountains from Anasazi Heritage Center.

Other articles:
• US Highway 160:  Pagosa Springs;

Locations: Pagosa Springs.  

  Spent this night in Pagosa Springs.

 

   

 

Saturday, April 22nd

 

 

   

 

May, 2017

 

 

   

 

Tuesday, May 2nd

North Washington Open Space. Schweich Hill

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1591, Lonicera tatarica
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1591, Lonicera tatarica  

1591    Field Identification: unknown, woody perennial, garden escapee, maybe Caprifoliaceae, same as Coll. No. 1705.

Lonicera tatarica L. Tatarian Honeysuckle.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Hughway 93 and Washington Avenue. Several plants near the east end of the parcel, close to North Ford Street. 39.7688°N, 105.2313°W. Elev. 1795 m. Attractive upright shrub, pink flowers. Probable garden escapee.

Coll. No. 1591, 2 May 2017, characters observed: Shrub to small tree, 2 m.; Leaves, opposite, 24 mm. × 17 mm. wide, simple, entire, petiole, 1.5 mm.; Peduncle, 10-13 mm.; Flowers, in pairs, subtended by bracts, bisexual; Bracts, small, at base of calyx; Calyx, tube 2.0 mm. + lobes 0.5-1.0 mm.; Corolla, tube 12.5 mm. + lobes 12 mm., pink, hairy inside; Ovary, inferior; Stamens, #5, exserted, versatile; Style, #1, exserted, hairy; Stigma, capitate. Disturbed places, native to Siberia, sporadic escapee from cultivation, berries possibly toxic.

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1540, Opuntia macrorhiza  

  Field identification: Lithospermum incisum.

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1540, Opuntia macrorhiza  

  Field identification: Opuntia, probably O. macrorhiza.
  1592    Field identification: Leucocrinum montanum.

Leucocrinum montanum Nutt. ex A. Gray. Star Lily. North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Hughway 93 and Washington Avenue. At the top of the hill with Opuntia, Commandra, Castilleja, and Linaria. 39.7687°N, 105.2334°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1810 m.

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageHabitat of Coll. No. 1593, Viola nuttallii  

1593    Field identification: Viola nuttallii.

Viola nuttallii Pursh. Nuttall's Violet.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. On the west slope, near top of hill. 39.7685°N, 105.2335°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1819 m.

  1594    Field identification: Colutea arborescens

Colutea arborescens L. Bladder Senna.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. North-central area near fence with neighbor's discarded yard waste. 39.7688°N, 105.2327°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1810 m.

Literature Cited:
- Nazaire, Mare, and Larry Hufford, 2012.
Full Size ImageInterior of flower of Coll. No. 1595, Mertensia lanceolata  

1595    Field identification: Mertensia lanceolata.

Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. Prairie Bluebells.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. North-central portion of open space on northeast slopes. 39.7687°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1812 m.

The associated image is intended to show that the filaments are as long as the anthers and attached near the throat of the corolla tube at the level of the fornices, and there is a ring of hairs at the base of the corolla tube.

  1596    Field identification: Muscari botryoides.

Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. Common Grape Hyacinth.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. North-central area, near neighbor's fences. 39.7688°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m.

 

   

 

Thursday, May 5th

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space

  1597    Field identification: Alyssum simplex.

Alyssum simplex Rudolphi. European Madwort.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, then 0.9 miles north on Plain View Road, to an old ranch road. Roadside and among short grasses, older terrace of Coal Creek. 39.8843°N, 105.2612°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1910 m. Some sepals persistent and some filaments winged.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1598, Prunus americana
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1598, Prunus americana  
1598    Field identification: Prunus americana.

Prunus americana Marshall. American Plum.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.9 miles north on Plainview Road, then 300 meters east on an old ranch road to the lower terrace of Coal Creek. 39.8839°N, 105.2588°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1925 m. Blooms first, then leafs out, white flowers.

  1599    Field identification: Brassicaceae, annual, glabrous.

 

   

 

Monday, May 8th

 

Other articles:
• Social Trail:   along trail;

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.
Full Size ImageColuber constrictor mormon “Western yellow-bellied racer” on North Table Mountain  

 

North Table Mountain, by way of social trail at Easley Road and Hwy 58, to the top of the mesa on North Table Loop.

Full Size Image
Coluber constrictor mormon “Western yellow-bellied racer” on North Table Mountain
    Lithospermum incisum, one plant seen beside game trail.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Cynoglossum officinale;
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1552, Cynoglossum officinale
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1552, Cynoglossum officinale  

  Field identification: Cynoglossum officinale L. Gypsyflower.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   below rim;
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1553, Escobaria vivipara  

  Field identification: Escobaria vivipara
  1600    Field identification: Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. Virginia Creeper.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Unnamed canyon on south side of North Table Mountain, 1.8 km. north northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. In the creek bed below North Table Loop trail. 39.7704°N, 105.2125°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1844 m. Current year tendrils undeveloped, previous year tendrils appear to have adhesive pads.

  1601    Field identification: Galium aparine.

Galium aparine L. Sticky Willy, Cleavers.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Unnamed canyon on south side of North Table Mountain, 1.8 km. north northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. In the creek bed below North Table Loop trail. 39.7705°N, 105.2127°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1859 m. Annual, cotyledons still attached. Four petals, white.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   near creek;  

1602    Field identification: Eleocharis, maybe E. palustris.

Eleocharis R. Br. Spikerush.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Southern portion of North Table Mountain just above a break in slope above an unnamed canyon draining into Clear Creek, 1.85 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7716°N, 105.215°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1920 m. Running water.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   near creek;  

1602.1    Field identification: Veronica, maybe V. arvensis.

Veronica arvensis L. Corn Speedwell.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Southern portion of North Table Mountain just above a break in slope above an unnamed canyon draining into Clear Creek, 1.85 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7716°N, 105.215°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1920 m. See also my collection 1344, 13 May 2016, at the same location.

Coll. No. 1602.1, 8 May 2017, characters observed: Annual, 12 cm., growing in standing water; Stem, erect, some branched at base and decumbent to ascending, unevenly spreading multicellular hairy; Leaves, cauline, opposite, 10 mm. × 7 mm. wide, ovate, margin serrate, appressed hairy; Inflorescence, elongated terminal raceme; Pedicels, 1.0-1.2 mm.; Corolla, limb 3 mm.; Petals, 2 mm. × 1.5 mm. wide, color blue; Style, 0.5 mm., < notch; Fruit, 3.5 mm. × 3.2 mm wide, notch, 0.7 mm., margin glandular hairy.

 

   

 

Saturday, May 13th

 

Locations: Colorado School of Mines Survey Field. Windy Saddle Park.
Full Size ImageColorado School of Mines Survey Field from the northwest corver.
Full Size ImageColorado School of Mines Survey Field from the northwest corver.  

  Colorado School of Mines and lowest Windy Saddle Park.

Letters: Thursday, July 25, 2019.  

1603   

Field identification: Lithospermum incisum.

Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. Prairie Bluebells.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.90 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7396°N, 105.229°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1873 m. Uncommon but widespread, many have broken stems from snow earlier in week. North bank of gulch.

Revised label sent to Tim Hogan at COLO.

Native and Naturalized Flora of the Golden Area, Jefferson County, Colorado
Boraginaceae

Lithospermum incisum Lehm.  Narrowleaf Stoneseed.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.90 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7396°N, 105.229°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1873 m. Uncommon but widespread, many have broken stems from snow earlier in week. North bank of gulch.

Collected by permit: Colorado School of Mines, 2017, issued: Apr 1, 2017, to: Tom Schweich.

Tom Schweich 1603. 13-May-2017

  1604    Field identification: Rubus deliciousus.

Rubus deliciosus Torr. Delicious raspberry.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.9 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7397°N, 105.2296°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1870 m. Growing with Ribes cereum.

  1605    Field identification: Ribes cereum.

Ribes cereum Douglas. Wax Currant.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.9 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7394°N, 105.2297°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1874 m. Growing with Rubus deliciosus.

  1606    Field identification:Juniperus communis.

Juniperus communis L. var. depressa. Common Juniper.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.95 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7392°N, 105.2297°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1880 m. Shoulder of small gulch.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Lepidium campestre;
Full Size ImageFruit of Coll. No. 1607, Lepidium campestre
Full Size ImageAuriculate leaf of Coll. No. 1607, Lepidium campestre  

1607    Field identification: Brassicaceae.

Lepidium campestre (L.) W. T. Aiton. Field Pepperweed.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.95 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7392°N, 105.2296°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1879 m. Annual, small white flowers. Growing at edges of Juniperus communis.

Literature Cited:
- Nazaire, Mare, and Larry Hufford, 2012.  

1608    Field identification: Mertensia lanceolata.

Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. Prairie Bluebells.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.95 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7392°N, 105.2299°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1877 m.

  1609    Field identification: Prunus virginiana.

Prunus virginiana L. Chokecherry.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains at the lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, northwest corner of the Survey Field, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.95 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7391°N, 105.2301°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1887 m. Small, heavily browsed shrubs. North bank of gulch.

  1610    Field identification: Cerastium arvense L. ssp. strictum Gaudin

Cerastium arvense L. ssp. strictum Gaudin. Field Chickweed.

Windy Saddle Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain, just above highest plains, western edge of Windy Saddle Park, near Lookout Mountain Road, 1.95 km. southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7393°N, 105.2321°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1917 m.

 

   

 

Monday, May 15th

 

Other articles:
• Social Trail (N. Ford to Jackson):   n. e. corner;
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   near top;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageArea mowed by neighbors in the public open space.  

 

North Washington Open Space Schweich Hill

Full Size Image
High density of Echinocereus viridiflorus

Other articles:
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   at tree;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1611, Prunus virginiana, below an, as yet, unidentified small tree.  

1611    Field identification: Prunus virginiana.

Prunus virginiana L. Chokecherry.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7684°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Shrubs below an undetermined small tree, probably a hackberry, per the leaf galls.

  1612    Field identification: Erigeron, probably not E. flagillaris.

Erigeron tracyi Greene. Running Fleabane.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7684°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1817 m. South side of hill, near the informal “bench.”

  1613    Field identification: Alyssum simplex.

Alyssum simplex Rudolphi. European Madwort.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2327°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. East-facing slope.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  251140;  Notes on Castilleja integra;
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):   near top;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1614, Castilleja integra, along the top of the North Washington Open Space.  

1614    Field identification: Castilleja, likely C. integra.

Castilleja integra A. Gray. Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. Top of hill in the remnant short-grass prairie found there.

Bracts, 31 mm. × 7 mm. wide, entire or lobed near tip, lowest green, becoming increasingly red-orange from distal end of bractm and toward the distal inflorescence.

  1615    Field identification: Oxytropis lambertii.

Oxytropis lambertii Pursh. Purple Locoweed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2332°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1820 m. Southwest slope near top of hill.

  1616    Field identification: Tragopogon dubius.

Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow Salsify.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2331°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1817 m. Common, scattered throughout parcel; these from top of hill.

  1617    Field identification: Lithospermum incisum.

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. Narrowleaf Stoneseed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Uncommon, scattered throughout parcel; these from top of hill.

  1618    Field identification: Ribes cereum.

Ribes cereum Douglas. Wax Currant.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7689°N, 105.2332°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1815 m. In a weedy area near the fence north-central portion of parcel.

  1619    Field identification: Prunus, maybe P. domestica. … Nope!

Prunus pensylvanica L. f. Pin Cherry.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7688°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1812 m. Near fence, north edge of parcel.

Coll. No. 1619, 15 May 2017, characters observed: Small tree to 1.5 m., partially leafed out while in bloom; Branches, thorn-less, peeling white, dotted; Leaves, simple, 25 mm. × 23 mm. wide, ovate, pinnately veined, serrate, small glands on distal edge of each tooth, petioles, 7 mm., some have a pair of glands at base of leaf, very sparse short hairs; Inflorescence, flowers in clusters of #5±; Hypanthium, 3.5 mm × 3 mm. wide; Sepals, 1.5 mm., glabrous; Petals, 4.5 mm, white; Stamens, many, #25±; Styles, #1.

  1620    Field identification: Comandra umbellata.

Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. ssp. pallida (A. DC.) Piehl. Pale Bastard Toadflax.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7688°N, 105.2336°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Uncommon, but widespread where not crowded out by invasive exotics.

  1621    Field identification: Astragalus drummondii.

Astragalus drummondii Dougl. ex Hook. Drummond's Milkvetch.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2339°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Western portion, southwest slope. Expected because it is native to Golden, but collected in an area possibly revegetated following adjacent home construction 2006-2007.

  1622    Field identification: Erodium cicutarium.

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Her. ex Aiton. Redstem Stork's Bill.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2339°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Scattered around the parcel, in areas where the native or exotic vegetation is not too thick. Colorado Noxious Weed list C.

  1623    Field identification: Scorzonera laciniata.

Scorzonera laciniata L. Cutleaf Vipergrass.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7687°N, 105.2339°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1813 m. Western section of parcel, which has possibly been revegetated after adjacent home construction.

 

   

 

Monday, May 22nd

 

Other articles:
• Mesa Top Trail:   below switchback;

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.
Full Size ImageColor variation in Tradescantia occidentalis.  

 

North Table Mountain, from Easley Road, Lithic Trail, North Table Loop, and old road to Mesa Top Trail.

Full Size Image
Spray-painted graffiti on North Table Mountain.
Full Size Image
Small stream on east side of North Table Mountain.
Full Size Image
Mesa Top Trail, on east side of North Table Mountain.
Full Size Image
Old road on the side of North Table Mountain.
Full Size Image
North Table Loop from the Mesa Top Trail

Full Size ImageFruit of Astragalus crassicarpus
Full Size ImageHabitat of Astragalus crassicarpus on North Table Mountain.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1624, Astragalus crassicarpus  
1624    Field identification: Astragalus, maybe A. crassicarpus.

Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. Groundplum Milkvetch.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. East side of North Table Mountain, near the Easley Road trailhead, on an old abanconed road just above North Table Loop. 39.7805°N, 105.1928°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1787 m. In fruit, no flowers, glabrous pods, turning reddish-brown.

  1625    Field identification: Astragalus, flower only, no fruit.

Astragalus flexuosus G. Don. Flexible Milkvetch.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. East side of North Table Mountain, near the Easley Road trailhead, on an old abanconed road just above North Table Loop, 3.7 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7805°N, 105.1928°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1787 m. Flower only, no fruit.

  1626    Field identification: grass, maybe Poa secunda.

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky Bluegrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. East side of North Table Mountain, near the Easley Road trailhead, on an old abanconed road just above North Table Loop, 3.7 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7805°N, 105.1927°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1796 m. At base of southeast-facing boulder.


Full Size ImageGrassy habitat of Coll. No. 1627, Toxicoscordion paniculatum  
1627    Field identification: Zigadenus sp.

Zigadenus paniculatus (Nutt.) S. Watson var. gramineus (Rydb.) Ackerfield. Grassy Death Camas.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. East side of North Table Mountain, near the Easley Road trailhead, on an old abandoned road above North Table Loop, 3.8 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7834°N, 105.1961°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1854 m. Steep, northeast slope.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1628, Delphinium nuttallianum  
1628    Field identification: Delphinium, likely D. nuttallianum.

Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz. Twolobe Larkspur.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. East side of North Table Mountain, near the Easley Road trailhead, on an old abandoned road above North Table Loop, 3.8 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7838°N, 105.1968°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1852 m. One blue, one lavender, in a thicket of Prunus virginiana on a game trail.

 

   

 

Thursday, May 25th

 

Locations: Colorado School of Mines Survey Field.  

  Southern end of Survey Field.
  1629    Field identification: Lithospermum incisum.

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. Narrowleaf Stoneseed.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 80 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.5 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.733°N, 105.2184°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1866 m. In short grass on alluvial mesa.

  1630    Field identification: definitely Poa, maybe P. pratensis.

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky Bluegrass.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 175 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, about 2.4 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7339°N, 105.2189°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1825 m. Among short grasses on alluvial mesa.


Full Size ImageLocation of Coll. No. 1631, Scutellaria brittonii
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1631, Scutellaria brittonii  
1631    Field identification: Scutellaria brittonii.

Scutellaria brittonii Porter. Britton's Skullcap.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 225 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.38 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7341°N, 105.2195°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. Edge of borrow pit in reddish soil.

  1632    Field identification: Veronica, maybe V. serpyllifolia.

Veronica arvensis L. Corn Speedwell.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 265 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.37 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. Beside a small creek tributary to Deadman Gulch. 39.7342°N, 105.22°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1813 m. Annual, flowers blue.


Full Size ImageLocation of Coll. Nos. 1632-4.
Full Size ImageLocation of Coll. Nos. 1632-4.  
1633    Field identification: Brassicaceae, annual, white flowers.

Lepidium campestre (L.) W. T. Aiton. Field Pepperweed.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 265 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.37 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. Beside a small creek tributary to Deadman Gulch.. 39.7342°N, 105.22°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1814 m. Annual, white flowers. Fruit winged apically.

  1634    Field identification: Brassicaceae, yellow flowers.

Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Garden Yellowrocket.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 265 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.37 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. Beside a small creek tributary to Deadman Gulch.. 39.7341°N, 105.22°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1815 m. Flowers yellow.

    Thlaspi arvense L. Field Penny Cress.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), about 265 meters northwest of the intersection of Fox Hollow Lane with Eagle Ridge Drive, 2.37 km. south of the GNIS location of Golden. Beside a small creek tributary to Deadman Gulch. 39.7341°N, 105.22°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1815 m.

  1635    Field identification: Astragalus drummondii

Astragalus drummondii Dougl. ex Hook. Drummond's Milkvetch.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains below Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), 2.36 km. south south southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7343°N, 105.2229°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1839 m. Grassy field. Large group of about 50 plants here.

  1636    Field identification: Lupinus argenteus.

Lupinus argenteus Pursh var. argenteus. Loosely Flowered Silver Lupine.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. Southern portion of Survey Field, highest plains at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front Range (lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain), 2.45 km. south southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7336°N, 105.2247°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1870 m. Recovering from being browsed, i.e., early stems were bitten off.

  1637    Field identification: Packera, maybe P. plattensis.

Packera plattensis (Nuttall) W. A. Weber & Á. Löve. Prairie Groundsel.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. Southwestern part of Survey Field, lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), 2.56 km. south southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7327°N, 105.2253°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1875 m. North-facing slope, above a small stream.


Full Size ImageHabitat of Coll. No. 1638, Erysimum capitatum  
1638    Field identification: Erysimum capitatum.

Erysimum capitatum (Hook.) Greene. Sanddune Wallflower.

Colorado School of Mines Survey Field, Jefferson County, Colorado. Southwestern part of Survey Field, lowest slopes of Lookout Mountain (Rocky Mountain Front Range), 2.56 km. south southwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7329°N, 105.2194°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1841 m. Grassy alluvial terrace under power lines.

 

   

 

Tuesday, May 30th

 

Other articles:
• Social Trail (N. Wash. OS):  west of top;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageGeneral view looking east across the top of the hill.  

 
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Sprinkler and plastic landscape netting in the western section.
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One of two irrigation pipes on the west slope.
North Washington Open Space.

Full Size ImageColl. No. 1639, Penstemon secundiflorus
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1639, Penstemon secundiflorus  
1639    Field identification: Penstemon secundiflorus.

Penstemon secundiflorus Benth. Sidebells Penstemon.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Common in less-disturbed and less-invaded areas near the top of hill.


Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1640, Penstemon virens  
1640    Field identification: Penstemon virens

Penstemon virens Pennell ex Rydb. Front Range Beardtongue.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Common in less-disturbed and less-invaded areas near the top of hill.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Linaria dalmatica;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1641, Linaria dalmatica  

1641    Field identification: Linaria dalmatica.

Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. Dalmatian ToadFlax.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1821 m. Top of hill, among best area of native vegetation. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

  1642    Field identification: Physaria montana.

Physaria montana (A. Gray) Greene. Mountain Bladderpod.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. Top of hill, among most intact area of native vegetation.


Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1643, Packera tridenticulata
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1643, Packera tridenticulata  
1643    Field identification: Senecio or Solidago.

Packera tridenticulata (Rydb.) W.A. Weber & Á. Löve. Three-Tooth Ragwort.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1817 m. Top of hill, among most intact area of native vegetation.

Coll. No. 1643, 30 May 2017, characters observed: Perennial, to 25 cm., densely tomentose below, thinning above; Leaves, mostly basal, petiole 40 mm. + blade 24 mm. × 7 mm. wide, sparsely shallowly toothed, few cauline, tomentose in the axils, petiole 20 mm. + blade 24 mm. × 4 mm. wide, sparsely shallowly toothed, a few are 3-lobed at tip; Inflorescence, corymbiform, heads #12±, flowers of 2 kinds; Involucre, 6 mm. × 11 mm. wide, bowl-shaped; Phyllaries, 1 series (with little overlap), 4 mm. × 1.2 mm. wide, mostly green, 2+ veins, 1 margin chartaceous; Receptacle, epaleate; Rays, #11±, fertile, tube 2.5 mm. + blade 5.5 mm. × 2 mm. wide, yellow; Disc flowers, yellow; Pappus, capillary bristles, 4.5 mm.; Cypsela, 2.5 mm., glabrous.

  1644    Field identification: Bromus tectorum.

Bromus tectorum L. Cheat Grass.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. Top of hill. Colorado Noxious Weed List C.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Elaeagnus angustifolia;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1645, Elaeagnus angustifolia  

1645    Field identification: Elaeagnus angustifolia.

Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Russian Olive.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7689°N, 105.2335°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Along the north fence. Spreading, one mature plant, one young plant to the west. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

  1646    Field identification: Medicago sativa.

Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2344°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1805 m. Western section of parcel, which appears to have been revegetated following residential constriction in 2006-2007.

 

   

 

June, 2017

 

 

   

 

Thursday, June 1st

 

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.  

  North Table Mountain, from Mesa Spur trailhead on W. 58th Avenue, around the northeast side.
    Field identification: Campanula rotundifolia, many plants in bud, four open flowers, around the base of the boulder.

Full Size ImageObs. No. 1564, Undetermined
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1564, Undetermined
Full Size ImageObs. No. 1564, Undetermined  
  Obs. No. 1564, Field identification: Undetermined, Leaves basal, stipules 10 mm., 2×pinnate, margins revolute; few flowers on a bare scape.
    Field identification: Tall robust grass, not Big Blue Stem.
  1647    Field identification: Astragalus flexuousus.

Astragalus flexuosus G. Don. Flexible Milkvetch.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lowest slopes of North Table Mountain, along the Mesa Spur Trail, below power line, 460 m. south of W. 58th Avenue, 4.77 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden 39.7979°N, 105.2117°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1788 m. Moderately disturbed mixed grass prairie.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   along trail;
Full Size ImageLeaf of Coll. No. 1648, Ulmus americana (?).
Full Size ImageUlmus americana beside North Table Loop.  

1648    Field identification: Unknown tree on northeast side of North Table Mountain, no reproductive structures visible, nothing that even looks like a bud. Last visited 29 Jul 2016.

Plants of Jefferson County Open Space
Jefferson County, Colorado
Betulaceae

Corylus cornuta Marshall.   Determination tentative.  Beaked Hazelnut.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northeast slope of North Table Mountain. along the North Table Loop, almost directly downslope of the GNIS location of North Table Mountain, 4.56 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden 39.7923°N, 105.1973°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1829 m. Tree, no reproductive structures, nothing that even looks like a bud.

Collected by permit: Jefferson County Open Space, 2017, issued: Mar 1, 2017, to: Tom Schweich.

Tom Schweich 1648. 1-Jun-2017

  1649    Field identification: Sphaeralcea coccinea.

Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. Scarlet Globemallow.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lower northeast slopes of North Table Mountain, on North Table Loop, near the Neighborhood Access Trail on West 53rd Drive. 39.7937°N, 105.1984°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1831 m.

  1650    Field identification: Potentilla fissa.

Potentilla fissa Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray. Bigflower Cinquefoil.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lower northeast slopes of North Table Mountain, near North Table Loop and the Neighborhood Access Trail off West 53rd Drive, among rocks in a minor gulley. 39.7945°N, 105.1994°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1832 m.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Poa bulbosa;  

1651    Field identification: Poa bulbosa.

Poa bulbosa L. Bulbous Bluegrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lower northeast slopes of North Table Mountain, near North Table Loop and the Neighborhood Access Trail off West 53rd Drive, among rocks in a minor gulley. 39.7945°N, 105.1994°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1833 m. Also seen along the Mesa Spur Trail. Colorado Noxious Weed List C.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   near W 53rd Dr;
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1652, Nassella viridula  

1652    Field identification: Nasella viridula.

Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth. Green Needlegrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Lower northeast slopes of North Table Mountain, near North Table Loop and the Neighborhood Access Trail off West 53rd Drive. 39.7951°N, 105.2008°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1841 m.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:   near Metz parcel;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1653, Phlox multiflora  

1653    Field identification:Phlox, maybe P. longifolia.

Phlox multiflora A. Nelson. Mountain Phlox.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. North slopes of North Table Mountain, at the base of the steepest slopes, near North Table Loop trail, 4.7 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7954°N, 105.2022°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1843 m. Trailing down a break in slope. In retrospect, this also appears to be at the mouth of a small watercourse.

Coll. No. 1653, 1 Jun 2011, characters observed: Perennial, tufted, decumbent to ascending, 7-10 cm.; Internodes, 8-9 mm.; Leaves, cauline, opposite, 23 mm. × 2 mm. wide, ±linear, sharp-pointed; Flowers, solitary at ends of stems, pedicels, 12 mm., hairy, calyx, tube 5 mm. + lobes 6 mm., sparsely hairy, hyaline membranes flat; corolla, tube 14 mm + lobes 11 mm. × 7 mm. wide, color (not recorded), fading blue.

Other articles:
• North Table Loop:  s. of williams parcel;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1654, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius  

1654    Field identification: Symphoricarpos sp.

Symphoricarpos rotundifolius A. Gray. Roundleaf Snowberry.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. North slopes of North Table Mountain, at the base of the steepest slopes, near North Table Loop trail, 4.7 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7956°N, 105.2034°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1844 m. Long floral tube, ochroleucus, among deep grasses in a small swale.

Coll. No. 1654, 1 Jun 2017, characters observed: Shrub, to 70 cm.; Leaves, opposite, 12 mm. × 9 mm. wide, ovate, margin entire; Inflorescence, terminal racemes on short branches; Calyx, 1.5 mm.; Corolla, tube 10 mm. + lobes 1.7 mm., color ochroleucus, few hairs near base of tube (around the style); Stamens, #5; Filaments, free 2 mm.; Ovary, inferior; Style, 3.5 mm., glabrous; Fruit, berry, white.

 

   

 

Monday, June 5th

 

Full Size ImageSome things that can be seen from North Table Mountain.  
  Slopes on northwest side of North Table Mountain.

Full Size ImageObs. No. 1567, Orobanche fasciculata  
  Obs. No. 1567, field identification: Orobanche fasciculata

Full Size ImageColl. No. 1655, Heuchera parvifolia  
1655    Field identification: Unknown forb, leaves basal, petioled, palmate veined, simple, Infl scapose panicle, calyx 5s, petals 5-6, small white, style 2; maybe Heuchera parvifolia.

Heuchera parvifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray. Littleleaf Alumroot.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Western section of North Table Mountain, on a terrace beside a northward draining unnamed watercourse, 3.2 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7845°N, 105.2226°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1901 m. Forb, leaves basal, petioled, palmate veined, simple, Inflorescence scapose panicle, calyx 5s, petals 5-6, small white, style 2.

  1656    Field identification: Oenothera suffrutescens.

Oenothera suffrutescens (Ser.) W. L. Wagner & Hoch. Linda Tarde.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest section of North Table Mountain, on a lobe of the mountain that is formed by the lowest lava flow embedded within the Denver Formation, 3.28 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7849°N, 105.2246°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1913 . Short grass with Cercocarpus montanus, Artemisia frigida, and A. ludoviciana.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Euphorbia esula;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1657, Euphorbia esula  

1657    Field identification: Euphorbia esula.

Euphorbia esula L. Leafy Spurge.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest section of North Table Mountain, on a lobe of the mountain that is formed by the lowest lava flow embedded within the Denver Formation, 3.25 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7847°N, 105.2249°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1911 m. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Physocarpus monogynus;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1658, Physocarpus monogynus  

1658    Field identification: Physocarpus monogynus.

Physocarpus monogynus (Torr.) J.M. Coult. Mountain Ninebark.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Steep north slope, northwest section of North Table Mountain, just below a lobe of the mountain that is formed by the lowest lava flow embedded within the Denver Formation, 3.32 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7852°N, 105.2261°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1890 m.

 

   

 

Thursday, June 8th

 

Other articles:
• North Table Mountain Trail:   at social trail;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageNorth Washington Open Space as seen from North Table Mountain  

 
Full Size Image
Open Space from North Table Mountain.
Full Size Image
Woodsia in a crevice on west side of North Table Mountain.
North Table Mountain, west side, mostly a pre-walk of upcoming field trips.
  1659    Field identification: Paronychia jamesii.

Paronychia jamesii Torr. & A. Gray. James' Nailwort.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Top of North Table Mountain, near Golden Cliffs Trail, 1.70 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7709°N, 105.2199°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1941 m. Very thin vegetation with patches of bare mesa caprock.

 

   

 

Saturday, June 10

 

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.
Full Size ImagePhemeranthus parviflorus on top of North Table Mountain.  

  North Table Mountain field trip for Colorado Native Plant Society.

 

   

 

Friday, June 16th

 

Locations: Schweich Hill.  

  North Washington Open Space.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  smooth brome;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1660, Bromus inermis  

1660    Field identification: Bromus inermis.

Bromus inermis Leyss. Smooth Brome.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7687°N, 105.2316°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1792 m. Northeast corner of the parcel, where there is nearly a monoculture of smooth brome with a few Canada thistle. Some of the neighbors have taken to mowing this area.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1661, Delphinium carolinianum subsp. virescens  
1661    Field identification: Delphinium virescens.

Delphinium carolinianum Walter ssp. virescens (Nutt.) R.E. Brooks. Carolina Laskspur.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2331°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1821 m. Top of hill where there is less disturbance and fewer invasive weeds.

  1662    Field identification: Tradescantia occidentalis.

Tradescantia occidentalis (Britton) Smyth. Prairie Spiderwort.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1827 m. In a slightly more exposed area on the south side of the hill.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1663, Hymenopappus filifolius var. polycephalus  
1663    Field identification: looks familiar, maybe Hymenopappus filifolia

Hymenopappus filifolius Hook. var. polycephalus (Osterh.) B.L. Turner. Many-Headed Fine-Leaved Wooly-White.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.2331°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1817 m. Finely divided leaves. In a slightly more exposed area on the south side of the hill where there are fewer non-natives and less disturbance.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1664, Heterotheca villosa  
1664    Field identification: Heterotheca villosa.

Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners. Hairy False Goldenaster.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m. Top of hill, center of parcel. Somewhat ambiguous as to var. minor vs. var. nana.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1665, Gaillardia aristata  
1665    Field identification: Gaillardia aristata.

Gaillardia aristata Pursh. Blanketflower.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2332°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1819 m. Top of hill, center of parcel.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 1710, 14 Jul 2017;  

1666    Field identification: Total mystery at first, no flowers open, but now I think it is Gypsophila paniculata, Baby's Breath.

Literature Cited:
- Barkworth, Mary E., Laurel K. Anderton, Kathleen M. Capels, Sandy Long, and Michael B. Piep, 2007.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1667, Festuca saximontana
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1667, Festuca saximontana  

1667    Field identification: Grass.

Festuca saximontana Rydb. Rocky Mountain Fescue.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7687°N, 105.2334°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1819 m. Western edge of hill, adjacent to social trail.

Coll. No. 1667, 16 Jun 2017, characters observed: Perennial, to 30 cm.; Rhizomes, 0; Culm, very sparse scabrous below inflorescence; Leaves, sheath, open, ligule, membraneous, 0.2 mm., auricles, 0.5 mm., short hairy distally, blades, revolute; Inflorescence, panicle, 50 mm. × 9 mm. wide; Spikelets, 1 per node; Disarticulation, between florets; Florets, #6±, 9 mm. × 3.5 mm. wide; Glumes, #2, pubescent only on distal veins and margins, lower, 2.5 mm., veins 1; upper, 3.5 mm., veins 2, tip mucronate; Lemma, 4 mm., veins 5, obscure but best seen at base, awn, #1, 1.5 mm., from tip of lemma; Palea, ≥lemma, veins green, tip bifid; Anthers, 1.8-2.0 mm.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1668, Erigeron divergens  
1668    Field identification: Erigeron with long trailing branches, maybe E. flagellaris.

Erigeron divergens Torr. & A. Gray. Spreading Fleabane.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2335°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. West-central part of hill, southwest slope.

  1669    Field identification: Bromus japonicus.

Bromus japonicus Thunb. Japanese Cheat Grass.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7687°N, 105.2344°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1799 m. Far western, revegetated, part of parcel.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1670, Rosa arkansana
Full Size ImageNew growth of Coll. No. 1670, Rosa arkansana  
1670    Field identification: Rosa arkansana.

Rosa arkansana Porter. Prairie Rose.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7684°N, 105.2329°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1813 m. Armament of new growth quite variable. South side, near top of hill, scattered among grasses.

  1671    Field identification: Oenothera suffrutescens.

Oenothera suffrutescens (Ser.) W. L. Wagner & Hoch. Linda Tarde.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. West side of hill, on the edge of a path that the neighbors have mowed into the smooth brome.

  1672    Field identification: Convolvulus arvensis -- Bind weed!!

Convolvulus arvensis L. Field Bindweed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7688°N, 105.232°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1806 m. Colorado Noxious Weed List C.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Buchloe dactyloides;  Notes on Buffalo Grass;
Full Size ImageStaminate inflorescence of Coll. No. 1673, Buchloe dactyloides
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1673, Buchloe dactyloides  

1673    Field identification: Buchloë dactyloides.

Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. Buffalo Grass.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7688°N, 105.232°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1803 m. Pistillate plants only. Northeast section where the neighbors have mowed the smooth brome.

 

   

 

Monday, June 19th

 

Locations: Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park.  

  Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space, with Anthony Massaro and Jerry Bader.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Notes on Buffalo Grass;  

1674    Field identification: Buchloë dactyloides

Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. Buffalo Grass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.1 mile north on Plainview Road, then 120 m. northeast on an old ranch road now used as a service road. 39.8885°N, 105.2604°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1916 m. In a somewhat elevated drier location between the tracks of an old road.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1675, Lupinus caudatus var. argophyllus  
1675    Field identification: Lupinus, whitish flowers, robust, and less hairy than the typical L. argentea.

Lupinus caudatus Kellogg var. argophyllus (A. Gray) S.L. Welsh. Kellogg's Spurred Lupine.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.1 mile north on Plainview Road, then 580 m. east northeast to the lowest terrace of Coal Creek. 39.8894°N, 105.2548°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1907 m. Among deep grasses and near the mouth of a minor ephemeral creek.

Coll. No. 1675, 19 Jun 2018, characters observed: Perennial, to 1 m.; Leaves, cauline, petiole 35-40 mm., palmately compound, 44 mm. × 70 mm. wide, leaflets, 7-9, 36 mm. × 9 mm. wide, oblanceolate, veins 1, adaxial glabrate, abaxial appressed hairy; Inflorescence, well above the leaves, 25 cm. × 3.5 mm. wide; Pedicel, 3.5 mm., recurved, silky hairy; Calyx, silky hairy, lower lobe, 9 mm., upper lobe, 6 mm., spur, more a bump, ≤1 mm.; Banner, 9 mm., reflexed 2.5 mm from tip, folded tightly over wings, back hairy inside folds; Wing, 10 mm. × 5.5 mm. wide, claw, 1.5 mm. × 1 mm. wide; Keel, 10 mm., hairy on bottom, tip dark, recurved <3 mm. giving closed appearance; Style, glabrous; Stigma, small, 4-lobed.


Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1676, Oxalis stricta
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1676, Oxalis stricta  
1676    Field identification: Spurge???

Oxalis stricta L. Common Yellow Oxalis.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.1 mile north on Plainview Road, then 550 m. east northeast to Coal Creek. 39.8879°N, 105.255°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1907 m. On a gravel and sand bar in Coal Creek.

Literature Cited:
- Greene, Edward Lee, 1902a.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Notes on Erigeron tracyi, Greene 1902;  

  ?
ERIGERON COMMIXTUS. With the habit of E. flagellaris, smaller, less stoloniferous, the leaves relatively broader, some entire, others with one or more conspicuous lobes at base of the blade, the whole plant almost hoary with a stiffly hirsute pubescence, this spreading on the leaves and petioles, retrorse on the stems and peduncles : heads, rays, achenes, etc., much as in E. flagellaris.

Canon of the Limpia, mountains of western Texas, 26 April, 1902, S. M. Tracy and F. S. Earle; also collected by the present writer, in the same general region, namely, in the mountains near Silver City, New Mexico, 18 May, 1880, and distributed for E. flagellaris. The species last named has a rather obscure, fine closely appressed hairiness. That of the new one is so extremely different, that were the plants of the size of a Sunflower or Goldenrod, no botanist would confuse them as one species, were the pubescence the only character. I may remark that true E. flagellaris reaches the mountains of even southern New Mexico, where, however, it occurs only in a more elevated biological zone.

We now treat E. commixtus as a synonym of E. tracyi.

ERIGERON TRACYI. Allied to the last but dwarf, only 2 or 3 inches high, densely leafy at base and with no stolons (at least at flowering time): petioles of the spatulate-lanceolate entire leaves shorter than the blade or obsolete; the whole herbage silvery-hoary with a fine dense strigulose pubescence, or this more sparse and spreading on the solitary scapiform peduncle: involucre hispidulous: outer pappus very conspicuous though consisting of only shorter and setiform hairs, the inner of a few very delicate capillary ones.

Davis Mountains, western Texas, Tracy and Earle, 28 April, 1902.

Literature Cited:
- Gray, Asa, 1849.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Gray, 1849, publication details;  Notes on Erigeron flagellaris, Gray, 1849;  

 
? 334. E. FLAGELLARE (sp. nov.): bienne ? striguloso-puberulum, pumilum; caulibus gracillimis e basi ramosis, floriferis seu primariis simplicibus superne aphyllis monocephalis, sterilibus patentibus flagelliformibus; foliis spathulatis mucronulatis inferioribus in petiolum gracilem attenuatis integris seu radicalibus parce inciso-lobatis, ramealibus parvulis sublinearibus sessilibus; ligulis numerosis gracilibus (albis purpureo tinctis) involucrum hirsutum duplo superantibus; pappo radii et disci conformi duplici, exteriore coroniformi-squamellato conspicuo, interiore e setis sub-20 fragilibus. — Low, moist places, along Santa Fe Creek; May, June. (381.) -- Root slender. Flowering stems 5 to 7 inches high, very slender, few-leaved below the middle, naked and pedunculiform above; the head rather smaller than in the preceding species; the involucre, &c., similar. Lower leaves one to two inches long, including the slender petiole; those of the runner-like sterile branches decreasing to 2 or 3 lines in length. This species should rank next to the foregoing.

The “foregoing” was Erigeron cinereum (sp. nov.), now treated as a synonym of E. tracyi Greene. The head was described as “… as large as those on Bellis perennis …” and the involucre was described as “… hirsutum duplo superantibus …” [… coarse erect or ascending hairs doubly … ??? ]

Literature Cited:
- Torrey, John, and Asa Gray, 1841.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Notes on Erigeron divergens, Torrey & Gray, 1841-3;  

  Torrey & Gray (1841, p. 175) in Flora of North America proposed Erigeron divergens for the small fleabane that was previously illegimately published by Nuttall as E. divaricatuum.
?26. E. divergens: somewhat hoary with a minute hirsute pubescence, diffusely branched from the base; leaves small, entire, acute; the radical somewhat spatulate, narrowed into a short petiole; the cauline scattered, sessile, linear, narrowed at the base; heads (small) mostly solitary terminating the naked branchlets or peduncles; rays very narrow and numerous, twice the length of the hirsute involucre; inner pappus of few (8-12) very slender and deciduous bristles. —Erigeron (Oligotrichium) divaricatuum, Nutt.! in trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. (n. ser.) 7. p. 311, not of Michx.

Rocky Mountains, and plains of the interior of Oregon, Nuttall ! —(? Stems about a foot high, diffuse, ascending, slender, at length much branched. Leaves half an inch to an inch long, 1 to 2 lines wide. mucronate-acute. Heads rather smaller than in E. tenue; the rays (white, Nutt.) nearly similar; the exterior pappus shorter.

 

   

 

Wednesday, June 28th

 

Locations: Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park.  

  Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Poa compressa;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1677, Poa compressa  

1677    Field identification: Poa, rhizomatous.

Poa compressa L. Canada Bluegrass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. 1.7 miles west of Colorado Highway 93 on Colorado Highway 72 (Coal Creek Canyon Road), 1.2 miles north on Plainview Road, then 67 meters east into the open field. 39.889°N, 105.2608°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1923 m. Relatively short stature, in drier areas.

Coll. No. 1677, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, 35-40 cm.; Rhizomes, numerous; Culms, compressed; Nodes, compressed; Leaves, sheath 40-55 mm., open top ¾, ligule, membraneous, 1 mm., blade, 40-55 mm., folded; Inflorescence, panicle, contracted, 45 mm. × 12 mm. wide; Spikelets, 4 mm. × 1.5 mm. wide; Disarticulation, above the glumes, between the florets; Glumes, #2, lower, 2 mm., veins #3, upper, 2.2 mm.; Florets, 5 per spikelet, at least some bisexual; Lemma, 2 mm., keeled, few hairs near base, veins, #5, neither equally spaced nor prominent, tip, obtuse, awns, 0; Palea, 2 mm., veins, green, sparsely scabrous, purple between; Anthers, 1.6 mm.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1678, Apocynum x-floribundum  
1678    Field identification: Apocynum, likely the hybrid.

Apocynum ×floribundum Greene. Dogbane.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.3 miles north on Plainview Road, then 20 meters east into open prairie. 39.8904°N, 105.2616°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1947 m. Along old road in the direction of the original homestead.

Coll. No. 1678, 28 Jun 2017, characters observed: Perennial, 45-50 cm., in open prairie; Leaves, 40-57 mm. × 15-25 mm. wide, ovate, lanceolate, and oblong; Calyx, lobes, 1.4-1.6 mm.; Corolla, lobes, 2.5-3.0 mm., erect to spreading in distal ⅓, faded to thin pink veins and various blotches of pinkish color; Corolla lobes 1.56-2.14 times as long as the calyx lobes.

  1679    Field identification: Erigeron flagellaris, stem hairs antrorsely appressed.

Erigeron flagellaris A. Gray. Trailing Fleabane.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.3 miles north on Plainview Road, then 20 meters east into open prairie. 39.8904°N, 105.2616°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1952 m. Stem hairs appressed antrorsely. Along old road in the direction of the original homestead.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Potentilla recta;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1680, Potentilla recta  

1680    Field identification: Potentilla recta.

Potentilla recta L. Sulphur Cinquefoil.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 210 meters east northeast into open prairie. 39.8923°N, 105.2597°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1942 m. Along a faint old ranch road that goes in the general direction of the original homestead. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

Coll. No. 1680, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 50 cm., hairy throughout, short (0.3 mm.) hairs glandular, long (4 mm.) hairs straight spreading eglandular; Leaves, stem, 7-8 per stem, alternate, stipules, to 20 mm., lobed, petioles, to 80 mm., blade, palmately compound, leaflets, #5, 45 mm. × 14 mm. wide, lobed ½ to mid-rib, progressively reduced above; Calyx, 9 mm. × 9 mm. wide, flattened at base; Petals, 8 mm., yellow; Style, 1.3 mm., tapered throughout, not appearing warty; Achene, 1 mm., attached laterally, reticulate in color, but not texture.

“The long, stiff, spreading, tubercle-based hairs on stems and petioles of P. recta, overtopping a layer of short hairs and glands, also serve to distinguish this aggressive species from native P. gracilis at any stage of the life cycle (FNANM).”

Literature Cited:
- Barkworth, Mary, 1978.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1681, Hesperostipa spartea
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1681, Hesperostipa spartea  

1681    Field identification: Achnatherum sp.

Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth. Porcupine Grass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 205 meters east northeast into open prairie. 39.8923°N, 105.2598°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1940 m. Along a faint old ranch road that goes in the general direction of the original homestead. "Rare and relictual in tall grass prairie along the base of the Front Range (Weber & Wittman, 2012)."

Coll. No. 1681, 28 June 2017; Perennial, to 80 cm., clumped; Stem, herbaceous; Leaves, blade and sheath differentiated, soft; Sheath, open; Ligule, membraneous, 5 mm., forked, auricles, 2.5, 5.0 mm.; Blade, flat, glabrous, sparsely scabrous; Inflorescence, 1 per culm, 25 cm., panicle, branching evident, >leaves; Rachis, glabrous, not extended beyond upper spikelet; Spikelets, many, similar, 1 per node; Compression, unremarkable; Disarticulation, above the glumes; Florets, 1 per spikelet, bisexual; Glumes, both present, ±equal, 25 mm., rounded, veins #5, awns 0, tip somewhat awn-like, margins entire; Callus, sharp, 2.5 mm.; Lemma, 11-14 mm., < glumes, tough, rolled, color, medium brown, veins ≥5, hairs, to 2 mm proximally to glabrous distally, color dark brown, awns, #1, 9.5 cm., twisted, attached, end; Palea, ±lemma, glabrous;

Other articles:
• Glossary:  vestiture;  

1682    Field identification: Potentilla norvegica.

This turned out to be a mixed collection of similar taxa in Potentilla Sect. Rivales. FNANM shed some light on this section:

The North American representatives of sect. Rivales are morphologically distinctive in being annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials (especially in cold regions) with very short, conic-tapered styles. Plants grow primarily in wet habitats, especially where periodically inundated. These distinctions led E. L. Greene (1906c) to adopt Tridophyllum. However, the gross morphological cohesiveness is not matched by molecular monophyly. Instead, chloroplast data scatter Potentilla norvegica, P. rivalis, and P. supina among the core Potentilla, while P. biennis is sister species to the monophyletic Ivesia-Horkelia-Horkeliella clade (C. Dobeš and J. Paule 2010; M. H. Töpel et al. 2011). Nuclear markers, on the other hand, place P. norvegica as sister to the Ivesia-Horkelia-Horkeliella clade (Töpel et al.), suggesting a possible hybrid origin and/or multiple origins of the biennial habit.

Existing herbarium annotations of Potentilla biennis, P. norvegica, and P. rivalis are not reliable, but the three species can be readily distinguished by vestiture of proximal petioles and stems. Only P. biennis has prominently septate gland-tipped trichomes; P. norvegica is characterized by relatively stiff, spreading, tubercle-based hairs to 3 mm, resembling those of P. recta. In addition, the tiny, smooth, pale achenes of P. biennis and P. rivalis contrast sharply with the larger, darker, strongly ridged ones of P. norvegica.

Other articles:
• Glossary:  ternate;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1682.1, Potentilla rivalis
Full Size ImageTernate leaf of Coll. No. 1682.1, Potentilla rivalis  

1682.1    Potentilla rivalis Nutt. Brook Cinquefoil.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to the original homestead location. 39.8947°N, 105.2583°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1915 m. Very wet, water from an open running well.

Coll. No. 1682.1, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 60 cm., in very wet places; Stem, erect and branched at base decumbent to ascending, proximal hairs weak, 1 mm., eglandular; Leaves, compound, palmate and ternate, petiole 0-62 mm. + blade 37 mm. × 40 mm. wide, leaflets, 3-5, both sides, green, sericeous, hairs weak; Sepals, 3 mm., green; Petals, 4 mm. × 2.5 mm. wide, yellow; Style, 0.7 mm.; Achene, 0.9 mm., light greenish-brown, smooth, maybe very minutely pappilate.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1682.2, Potentilla supina ssp. paradoxa
Full Size ImagePinnately compound leaf of Coll. No. 1682.2, Potentilla supina ssp. paradoxa  
1682.2    Potentilla supina L. ssp. paradoxa (Nuttall) Sojak. Bushy Cinquefoil.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to the original homestead location. 39.8947°N, 105.2583°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1915 m. Very wet, water from an open running well.

Coll. No. 1682.2, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Perennial herbs, to 50 cm., in very wet places, not stoloniferous; Leaves, petiole 20 mm. + blade 42 mm. × 23 mm., pinnately compound, leaflets, 9, 15 mm. × 6 mm. wide, margins flat; Sepals, 4 mm., green; Petals, 4 mm. × 2.5 mm. wide, ±=sepals, yellow; Style, 0.6 mm., tapered, Achene, 1 mm., brown, large white protuberance.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1683, Trifolium hybridum  
1683    Field identification: Trifolium “Clover”

Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike Clover.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to the original homestead location. 39.8947°N, 105.2584°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1908 m.

Coll. No. 1683, 28 Jun 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 50 cm., sprawling-ascending; Leaves, cauline, petiole to 90+ mm., stipules, to 25 mm., entire, acute, leaf compound, ternate, leaflets, 3, 20 mm. × 16 mm. wide, attached at a single point, margin serrate, generally glabrous, scant hairs along distal margins; Inflorescence, flowers in heads, peduncles, 55-95 mm., heads 22 mm. diameter, many flowers, bracts inconspicuous (1 mm.); Calyx, tube 1 mm. + lobes 2 mm.; Corolla, 7 mm.

  1684    Field identification: Verbena bracteata.

Verbena bracteata Lag. & Rodr. Large Bract Vervain.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to the original homestead location. 39.8947°N, 105.2584°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1908 m. Collected around a concrete foundation, perhaps of a former ranch house.

  1685    Field identification: Cirsium arvense.

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada Thistle.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to the original homestead location. 39.8946°N, 105.2584°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1916 m.

  1686    Field identification: Medicago sativa.

Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to a location just southeast of the original homestead. 39.8944°N, 105.258°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1915 m.


Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1687, Melilotus officinalis  
1687    Field identification: Melilotus officinalis.

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. Yellow Sweet Clover.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on CO Highway 72 from CO Highway 93, 1.4 miles north on Plainview Road, then 450 meters east northeast to a location just southeast of the original homestead. 39.8943°N, 105.258°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1916 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1688, Erythranthe floribunda
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1688, Erythranthe sp.  
1688    Field identification: Erythranthe sp.

Erythranthe floribunda (Douglas ex Lindl.) G. L. Nesom. Many Flowered Monkey Flower.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8872°N, 105.2572°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Margins of calyx teeth glandular-pubescent. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.

Coll. No. 1688, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 45 mm.; Stems, gland-tipped hairs; Leaves, cauline, opposite, petiole, an indistinct 0.4-0.7 mm. to a distinct 1.5 mm., blade, 8 mm. × 4.5 mm. wide, palmately veined, margin, entire to few-toothed; Calyx, tube 3.5 mm., + lobes 0.5 mm., uppermost lobe not longer, more like bottom two lobes are shorter, margins sparsely ciliate; Pedicels, 15-16 mm., glandular; Corolla, 6 mm. × 2 mm. dia., throat open, lobes, 1 mm., upper lobe ±=others, limb 3.7 mm., yellow.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689, Crassula aquatica  
1689    Field identification: Crassula, maybe C. aquatica.

Crassula aquatica (L.) Schoenl. Water Pygmy Weed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.

Coll. No. 1689, 28 June 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 22 mm.; Stem, rooting, ascending; Leaves, cauline, opposite, bases conjoined, 4 mm. × 0.5 mm. wide; Flowers, borne singly in axils; Petals, #4, 1 mm. × 1.2 mm. wide; Seeds, #12, 0.4 mm., oblong, lines longitudinal.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.1, Phemeranthus parviflorus  
1689.1    Field identification: Phemeranthus parviflorus.

Phemeranthus parviflorus (Nutt.) Kiger. Sunbright.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.

Literature Cited:
- Simpson, Michael G., C. Matt Guilliams, Kristin E. Hasenstab-Lehman, Makenzie E. Mabry, & Lee Ripma, 2017.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.2, Plagiobothrys scouleri  

1689.2    Field identification: Plagiobothrys scouleri.

Plagiobothrys scouleri (Hook. & Arn.) I.M. Johnst. var. hispidulus (Greene) Dorn. Scouler's Popcornflower.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 1917, 3 Jun 2018;
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1689.3, Alopecurus carolinianus
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.3, Alopecurus carolinianus  

1689.3   
Full Size Image
Coll. No. 1689.3, Alopecurus carolinianus
Field identification: Alopecurus geniculatus.

Alopecurus carolinianus Walter. Carolina Foxtail.
   Det. by Janet Wingate, 1/24/2018.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.4, Juncus bufonius and Coll. No. 1689.6, Limosella aquatica.  
1689.4    Field identification: Juncus bufonius.

Juncus bufonius L. Toad Rush.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.5, Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis  
1689.5    Field identification: Veronica peregrina.

Veronica peregrina L. ssp. xalapensis (Kunth) Pennell. Neckweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1689.4, Juncus bufonius and Coll. No. 1689.6, Limosella aquatica.  
1689.6    Field identification: Limosella aquatica.

Limosella aquatica L. Water Mudwort.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.0 mile north on Plainview Road, then 350 m. east to a terrace overlooking Coal Creek. 39.8874°N, 105.2567°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1926 m. Muddy flat with sheet flow water.

 

   

 

Thursday, June 29th

 

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.  

  North Table Mountain, from Dunraven Circle, to the radio tower and pond, then down by bushwhacking.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Notes on Buffalo Grass;  

1690    Field identification: Buchloë dactyloides.

Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. Buffalo Grass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. North side of North Table Mountain, in short vegetation on road to Table Rock water tank, 3.6 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7882°N, 105.2219°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1836 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1691, Pascopyrum smithii
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1691, Pascopyrum smithii  
1691    Field identification: Pascopyron smithii.

Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve. Western Wheatgrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. North side of North Table Mountain, in short vegetation on road to Table Rock water tank, 3.6 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7882°N, 105.2218°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1850 m.

Coll. No. 1691, 28 Jun 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, to 75 cm., rhizomes, not seen; Leaves, ligule, short membraneous, auricles, 0, blade revolute; Inflorescence, bilateral spike; Rachis, internodes 6 mm.; Spikelets, 17 mm. × 10 mm. wide × 2 mm., not in capitate clusters, 1 per node, not oriented edgewise to rachis; Glumes, < lowest floret, narrowly lanceolate, slightly asymmetric, lower, 9.5 mm., upper, 10.6 mm.; Florets, #6±; Lemma, 11 mm., awns, 0; Palea, 9 mm.; Anthers, 4.5 mm.

  1692    Field identification: Achnatherum sp.

Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth. Green Needlegrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest quadrant of North Table Mountain, interior canyon, below Mesa Top trail, 3.4 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden 39.786°N, 105.222°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1894 m. West-facing hillslope, open grassy vegetation, non-rhizomatous.

  1693    Field identification: grass.

Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve. Western Wheatgrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Front Range, northwest quadrant of North Table Mountain, interior canyon, below Mesa Top trail, 3.4 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden 39.786°N, 105.222°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1897 m. Tight, compact head, rhizomatous. Same as Coll. No. 1691, but this one is clearly rhizomatous.

  1694    Field identification: Melilotus officinalis.

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. Yellow Sweet Clover.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Front Range, northwest quadrant of North Table Mountain, a lava-capped mesa of Denver Formation, along the side of Mesa Top Trail also the road to the radio towers, 3.3 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7848°N, 105.2188°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1933 m.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Eriogonum arcuatum;  Notes on Eriogonum arcuatum;
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1695, Eriogonum arcuatum
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1695, Eriogonum arcuatum  

1695    Field identification: Eriogonum, maybe E. flavum.

Eriogonum arcuatum Greene. Baker's Buckwheat.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Front Range, northwest quadrant of North Table Mountain, a lava-capped mesa of Denver Formation, 210 m. east of radio tower, 3.3 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7846°N, 105.2135°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1974 m. Rooted in thin soils and fractures of exposed caprock of mesa.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1696, Limosella aquatica  
1696    Field identification: Limosella aquatica.

Limosella aquatica L. Water Mudwort.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Front Range, center of North Table Mountain, a lava-capped mesa of Denver Formation, along Tilting Mesa Trail near Mesa Top Trail, 3.3 km. north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7853°N, 105.2111°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1969 m. Drying muddy watercourse with Erythranthe sp. and Plagiobothrys scouleri.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1697, Monarda fistulosa
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1697, Monarda fistulosa  
1697    Field identification: Monarda fistulosa.

Monarda fistulosa L. Wild Bergamot.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Front Range, north slope of North Table Mountain, a lava-capped mesa of Denver Formation, just below the rim, 3.7 km north northeast of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7878°N, 105.2111°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1961 m.

 

   

 

July, 2017

 

 

   

 

Friday, July 7th

 
    Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space, as a pre-walk for my field trip tomorrow.
  1698    Field identification: Nassella viridula

Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth. Green Needlegrass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.3 miles north on Plainview Road, then 60 meters east. 39.8908°N, 105.2612°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1900 m. On an old ranch road that heads in the direction of the original homestead.

Coll. No. 1698, 7 July 2017: Perennial, to 70 cm., clumped, non-rhizomatous; Stem, herbaceous; Inflorescence, 25 cm., 1 per culm, panicle; Rachis, lightly scabrous, not extended beyond upper spikelet; Compression, unremarkable; Spikelets, 1 per node; Florets, 1 per spikelet, bisexual; Glumes, both present, upper 8 mm., lower 9 mm., rounded, membraneous, veins, #3; Callus, short; Lemma, 5 mm., <glumes, tough, hairy, <1 mm., awns, #1, 25 mm., bent, short hairy (±0.2 mm.) Palea, 1.5 mm., <lemma, membraneous, glabrous; Stamens, #3.

Other articles:
• Plainview Road:   near coll loc west;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1699, Elymus canadensis  

1699    Field identification: Elymus canadensis.

Elymus canadensis L. Canadian Wildrye.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.2 miles north on Plainview Road, west side of road. 39.8897°N, 105.262°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1935 m. Non-rhizomatous. Gravelly stream terrace.

Coll. No. 1699, 7 Jul 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, to 75 cm., non-rhizomatous; Culm, cauline nodes hidden by sheath; Inflorescence, 200 mm. × 15 mm. wide, ±erect to curved; Rachis, mostly glabrous, internodes, 5 mm.; Spikelets, 2 per node, sessile; Glumes, #2, 21-24 mm., indistinct body 8 mm + awn 14 mm., nearly subulate, flattened and slightly broadened above base; Lemma, body 10 mm. + awn 35 mm., curving.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1700, Ceanothus fendleri  
1700    Field identification: Rhamnaceae, maybe Ceanothus fendleri.

Ceanothus fendleri A. Gray. Fendler's Ceanothus.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 2.2 miles north on Plainview Road, then 250 m. west northwest into the northwest corner of Ranson/Edwards Homestead OS. 39.8973°N, 105.2754°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 2024 m. Somewhat sheltered little draw near base of a hogback.

 

   

 

Friday, July 14th

 

Locations: Schweich Hill.  

  North Washington Open Space.
  1701    Field identification: Cirsium arvense.

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada Thistle.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7687°N, 105.2317°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1766 m. East end of parcel amid a dense infestation of smooth brome.

  1702    Field identification: Ratibida columnifera.

Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. Upright Prairie Coneflower.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2317°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1789 m. Base becoming woody. Southeast corner of parcel, between social trails.

  1703    Field identification: Pediomelum tenuiflorum.

Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Pursh) Rydb. Slimflower Scurfpea.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7684°N, 105.2322°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1799 m. Southeast edge, in the approximate location of the city water line.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1704, Helianthus pumilus  
1704    Field identification: Helianthus pumila.

Helianthus pumilus Nutt. Little Sunflower.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2326°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. East-facing slope near center of parcel.

Coll. No. 1704, 14 Jul 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 40 cm.; Leaves, cauline, alternate, occasionally opposite, then bases conjoined, petiole 10 mm. + blade 55 mm. × 22 mm. wide, lanceolate, flat (not folded), margin, entire to lightly toothed, pustular multicellular white strigose, glandular; Inflorescence, single to few heads on peduncles to 100 mm.; Involucre, 9 mm. × 16 mm. wide; Phyllaries, in 2+ series, 8 mm. × 4 mm wide, green, abaxial strigose; Receptacle, paleate, flat to hemispheric; Rays, 20 mm. × 3.3 mm. wide, yellow, sterile; Disk, tube 4 mm. + lobes 1 mm., yellow; Pappus, scales, to 4 mm.; Cypsela, 3.5 mm. × 1.4 mm. wide, quadrangular, black.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1705, Lonicera tatarica  
1705    Field identification: Horticultural Caprifoliaceae, same as Coll. No. 1591.

Full Size ImageColl. No. 1706, Parthenocissus vitacea  
1706    Field identification: Parthenocissus vitacea.

Parthenocissus vitacea (Knerr) Hitchcock. Woodbine, thicket creeper.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Hughway 93 and Washington Avenue. Several plants near the east end of the parcel, close to North Ford Street. 39.7688°N, 105.2326°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1808 m. Tendrils without adhesive pads.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1707, Thelesperma megapotamicum  
1707    Field identification: Thelesperma megapotamicum.

Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntze. Hopi Tea Greenthread.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Center of parcel, top of hill. 39.7685°N, 105.2326°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1814 m.

  1708    Field identification: Eriogonum arcuatum.

Eriogonum arcuatum Greene. Baker's Buckwheat.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Center of parcel, top of hill. 39.7686°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1818 m.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Thinopyrum intermedium;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1709, Thinopyrum intermedium  

1709    Field identification:Thinopyrum intermedium.

Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey. Intermediate Wheatgrass.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. North central part of parcel, just off the top of the hill. 39.7687°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1815 m. Rhizomatous.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Gypsophila paniculata;
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 1666, 16 Jun 2017;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1710, Gypsophila paniculata  

1710    Field identification: Gypsophila paniculata.

Gypsophila paniculata L. Baby's Breath.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Northwest central part of parcel, off the top of the hill, getting close to the neighbors' fences. 39.7688°N, 105.2334°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Colorado Noxious Weed Watch List.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Carduus nutans;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1711, Carduus nutans  

1711    Field identification: Carduus nutans.

Carduus nutans L. Nodding Plumeless Thistle.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Southwestern slope, probably in the revegetated zone. 39.7684°N, 105.2337°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

  1712   

Native and Naturalized Flora of the Golden Area, Jefferson County, Colorado
Asteraceae

Symphyotrichum falcatum (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom.  White Prairie Aster.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Mid-slope in southwestern section, probably not in the revegetated zone. 39.7683°N, 105.2334°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1810 m. See also my Coll. No. 1760.

Collected by permit: City of Golden, 2017, issued: Feb 6, 2017, to: Tom Schweich.

Tom Schweich 1712. 14-Jul-2017

Field identification: Symphyotrichum sp.

 

   

 

Friday, July 28th

 

Other articles:
• Plainview Road:   at old ranch rd;

Locations: Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park.  

  Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space.
  1713    Field identification: Grass, multiple infl. per culm, spikelets tightly appressed, Aegilops cylindrica ???

Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash. Little Bluestem.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 120 meters west into open prairie. 39.8847°N, 105.2638°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1950 m. When immature, appressed spikelets of multiple inflorescenses per culm look similar to Aegilops cylindrica.

Other articles:
• Plainview Road:   at old ranch rd;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1714, Sporobolus heterolepis  

1714    Field identification: Sporobolus heterolepis.

Sporobolus heterolepis (A. Gray) A. Gray. Prairie Drop-seed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 120 meters west into open prairie. 39.8847°N, 105.2638°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1954 m. Within an arm's length of Coll. No. 1713, Schizachyrium scoparium. Collected a little early in the season for this C4, warm season grass.

Coll. No. 1714, 28 July 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, to 40 cm., caespitose; Leaves, mostly basal, ≥inflorescence; Inflorescence, (immature) 10 cm. × 2 cm. wide, open panicle; Spikelets, 1 per node, 4-5 mm.; Florets, 1 per spikelet; Glumes, #2, awns 0, lower, 4 mm., <lemma, upper, 5 mm., ≥lemma; Lemma, 4 mm., veins 1, awn 0.

Other articles:
• Plainview Road:   at old ranch rd;
Full Size ImageComparison of involucres of two taxa of Helianthus  

1715    Field identification: Sunflower, Helianthus? long, stiff, coarse hairs.

Helianthus pumilus Nutt. Little Sunflower.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 360 meters west into open prairie. 39.8854°N, 105.2664°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1976 m. Sunflower, long coarse hairs, a few disc flowers have reddish lobes.

  1716    Field identification: Stiff Sunflower, Helianthus pauciflorus var. subrhiomboideus.

Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydb.) O. Spring & E. Schilling. Stiff Sunflower.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 385 meters west into open prairie. 39.8853°N, 105.2667°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1978 m.

Other articles:
• Plainview Road:   at old ranch rd;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1717, Elymus elymoides  

1717    Field identification: Grass, Squirrel Tail(?)

Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey. Squirreltail Grass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 395 meters west into open prairie. 39.8853°N, 105.2669°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1984 m.

Coll. No. 1717, 28 July 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass to 50 cm., clumped; Inflorescence, bilateral spike; Rachis, internodes, 6.4 mm., breaking apart when mature; Spikelets, 2 per node; Glumes, #2, subulate, 62-65 mm.; Florets, #3, lowest 2 fertile, upper sterile; Lemma, 10 mm. + awn 50 mm., veins, #5, converging; Palea, 9 mm., 1 of 2 veins slightly extended as bristle. Variety brevifolius if infraspecific names are to be applied.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1718, Polygonum douglasii
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1718, Polygonum douglasii  
1718    Field identification: Epilobium or Gayophytum --- Nope, definitely not those …

Polygonum douglasii Greene. Douglas Knotweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 500 meters west into open prairie. 39.8857°N, 105.268°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1994 m. At base of Prunus virginiana with Symphoricarpos and Potentilla recta.

Coll. No. 1718, 28 Jul 2017, characters observed: Annual, to 35-40 cm., generally glabrous; Leaves, cauline, alternate, some sort of papery tissue at base of leaf that could be an ocrea, 20 mm. × 1 mm. wide, linear to narrowly lanceolate, adaxial sparsely pitted, margins revolute; Inflorescence, flowers borne singly in axils; Flowers, stipe-like base; Perianth, 2 series of 3, 2.5 mm. × 1 mm. wide, outer, greenish with pink margins, inner, pink with green mid-vein; Stamens, #6, 1.4 mm.; Filaments, winged below; Ovary, superior, 1 mm. × 0.6 mm. wide; Styles, #3, 0.3 mm.; Stigmas, 1 per style; Fruit, 2.5 mm., black.

FNANM treat P. douglasii and P. majus as distinct while noting that P. majus is sometimes treated as a synonym of P. douglasii. Reading the descriptions of both, I lean toward P. majus for this collection. However, Ackerfield (2015) does not list P. majus for Colorado. Nearly all collections for Colorado are determined as P. douglasii, except for two Hall and Harbour collections at F. Weber & Wittmann (2012) explicitly list P. majus as a synonym for P. douglasii. For this collection, I will use P. douglasii, file it at JCOS and KHD, and then let the “Polygonistas” (or is it “Polygonarians?”) sort it out.

  1719    Field identification: Oenothera elata.

Oenothera villosa Thunb. Hairy Evening Primrose.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 865 meters west into open prairie, nearly to the railroad tracks. 39.8869°N, 105.2719°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 2035 m. with Asclepias speciosa, Rosa arkansana, Solidago, and Phleum. Probably var. strigosa if infra-specific names are to be applied.

  1720    Field indentifcation: Eriogonum arcuatum.

Eriogonum arcuatum Greene. Baker's Buckwheat.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 915 meters a little north of west into open prairie, nearly to the railroad tracks. 39.8877°N, 105.2723°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 2035 m. Rocky elevated bench.

  1721    Field identification: Lycopus americanus.

Lycopus americanus W. P. C. Barton. American Bugleweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 655 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8869°N, 105.2694°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 2005 m. Streamside.


Full Size ImageColl. No 1721.1, Galium boreale
Full Size ImageMature Inflorescence of Coll. No 1721.1, Galium boreale  
1721.1    Mixed up my count. Wrote that Coll. No. 1723 was Galium boreale in my field notes, then discovered that Coll. No. 1723 was something else.

Galium boreale S. Watson. Bedstraw.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 610 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8868°N, 105.2689°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1997 m.

  1722    Field identification: Mentha arvensis.

Mentha arvensis L. Wild Mint.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 610 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8867°N, 105.2688°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1997 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1723, Lysimachia ciliata  
1723    Field identification: Galium, with a stiff stem. -- Nope, the Galium turned out to be Coll. No. 1721.1.

Lysimachia ciliata L. Fringed Loosestrife.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 610 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8868°N, 105.2689°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 2003 m. In the bank of a small stream.

Coll. No. 1723, 28 Jul 2018, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 40 cm.; Leaves, cauline, opposite, petiole, 12 mm., sparsely long ciliate, blade, 72 mm. × 26 mm. wide, lanceolate, glabrous, margin minutely ciliate; Inflorescence, axillary, flowers borne singly on long pedicels; Pedicel, 30 mm.; Sepals, #5, 4 mm.; Petals, #5, 7 mm. × 6 mm. wide, free ≥½length, yellow; Stamens, #5, alternate; Filaments, 2 mm., attached near base; Anthers, 2 mm.; Ovary, superior; Style, #1, 3 mm., lengthening to 4 mm. at maturity; Fruit, 3 mm. × 3 mm. dia., globose, bluish.

  1724    Field identification: Ranunculus, maybe R. macounii.

Ranunculus pensylvanicus L. f. Pennsylvania Buttercup.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 555 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8867°N, 105.2682°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1990 m. In the bottom on an ephemeral stream.

Coll. No. 1723, 28 Jul 2018, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 40 cm.; Leaves, cauline, opposite, petiole, 12 mm., sparsely long ciliate, blade, 72 mm. × 26 mm. wide, lanceolate, glabrous, margin minutely ciliate; Inflorescence, axillary, flowers borne singly on long pedicels; Pedicel, 30 mm.; Sepals, #5, 4 mm.; Petals, #5, 7 mm. × 6 mm. wide, free ≥½length, yellow; Stamens, #5, alternate; Filaments, 2 mm., attached near base; Anthers, 2 mm.; Ovary, superior; Style, #1, 3 mm., lengthening to 4 mm. at maturity; Fruit, 3 mm. × 3 mm. dia., globose, bluish.

  1725    Field identification: Geranium caespitosum.

Geranium caespitosum James. Pineywoods Geranium.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 555 meters a little north of west along a small ephemeral stream. 39.8867°N, 105.2682°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1993 m. Basal leaves withered, very red stem. On the bank of a small ephemeral stream (that was running on this particular day).

  1726    Field identification: Schoenoplectus, maybe S. acutus.

Scirpus pallidus (Britt.) Fern. Cloaked Bulrush.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 360 meters northwest to a small ephemeral stream. 39.8866°N, 105.2655°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1868 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1727, Alisma trivale  
1727    Field identification: Alisma triviale, based upon a similar collection across the highway at Rocky Flats.

Alisma triviale Pursh. Northern Water Plantain.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 280 meters northwest to a small reservoir on an ephemeral stream. 39.8865°N, 105.2644°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1958 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1728, Eleocharis palustris  
1728    Field identification: Eleocharis sp.

Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult. Common Spikerush.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 280 meters northwest to a small reservoir on an ephemeral stream. 39.8865°N, 105.2644°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1958 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1729, Gratiola neglecta  
1729    Field identification: Some kind of Scroph, maybe Gratiola neglecta.

Gratiola neglecta Torr. Clammy Hedge Hyssop.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 280 meters northwest to a small reservoir on an ephemeral stream. 39.8865°N, 105.2644°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1950 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1730, Persicaria pensylvanicum  
1730    Field identification: Some kind of knotweed, quickly settling on Polygonum pennsylvanicum while looking at photos.

Persicaria pensylvanicum (L.) M. Gómez. Pennsylvania smartweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 miles west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 0.8 miles north on Plainview Road, then 265 meters northwest to a small ephemeral stream below a reservoir. 39.8864°N, 105.2642°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1955 m.

  1731    Field identification: definitely Mentzelia, maybe M. nuda.

Mentzelia nuda (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray. Bractless Blazing Star.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue. Top of Hill, center of parcel. 39.7685°N, 105.233°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1810 m. Flowers mostly closed at 6:30 AM. Few plants here.

 

   

 

August, 2017

 

 

   

 

Tuesday, August 15th

 

Locations: North Table Mountain Park.  

  North Table Mountain, northwest side, off trail.

Full Size ImageColl. No. 1732, Solidago missouriensis at North Table Mountain.  
1732    Field identification: Solidago, probably S. missouriensis.

Solidago missouriensis Nutt. Missouri Goldenrod.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Westernmost slope of North Table Mountain, near North Table Loop, just north of parking lot and trailhead, 3.2 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7834°N, 105.2295°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1835 m. With Bromus inermis, Andropogon gerardii, Liatris punctata in bud, Linum lewisii in seed.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1733, Euphorbia esula  
1733    Field identification: Euphorbia, past flowering, probably E. esula.

Euphorbia esula L. Leafy Spurge.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Western slope of North Table Mountain, just below a break in slope formed by the lowest basalt flow embedded in the Denver Formation, 3.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7833°N, 105.2273°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1883 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1734, Woodsia oregana ssp. cathcartiana  
1734    Field identification: Fern, maybe Woodsia oregana.

Woodsia oregana D.C. Eaton ssp. cathcartiana (B.L. Rob.) Windham. Rocky Mountain Woodsia.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Western slope of North Table Mountain, in boulders of the break in slope formed by the lowest basalt flow embedded in the Denver Formation, 3.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7833°N, 105.2272°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1889 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1735, Schizachyrium scoparium  
1735    Field identification: Grass, maybe Schizachyrium scoparium.

Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash. Little Bluestem.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. About half way up the western slope of North Table Mountain, in rim rocks of oldest basalt flow embedded in the Denver Formation, 3.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7833°N, 105.2269°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1905 m. Plants smaller than those typically seen.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1736, Liatris punctata  
1736    Field identification: Liatris punctata.

Liatris punctata Hook. Dotted Blazing Star.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest corner of North Table Mountain, lower elevation lobe of the mesa, formed on top of the oldest basalt flow embedded in the Denver Formation, 3.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7832°N, 105.2257°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1916 m. Grassy gentle slope, this plant is an early bloomer among its species here.

  1737    Field identification: Grindelia squarrosa.

Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. Curlycup Gumweed.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest corner of North Table Mountain, lower elevation lobe of the mesa, formed on top of the oldest basalt flow embedded in the Denver Formation, 3.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7831°N, 105.2253°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1923 m. Gentle grassy slope above oldest lava flow.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Acer glabrum;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1738, Acer glabrum  

1738    Field identification: Rocky Mountain Maple, Acer glabrum.

Acer glabrum Torr. Rocky Mountain Maple.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest side of North Table Mountain, in a small gulch just below the rim of the mesa formed by the highest lava flow in the Denver Formation. 39.7824°N, 105.222°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1954 m. One of several quintessential Jefferson County taxa, as the type was collected in Platte Canyon by Dr. Edwin James of the Major Stephen H. Long expedition of 1820.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1739, Physocarpus monogynus
Full Size ImageFruit of Coll. No. 1739, Physocarpus monogynus  
1739    Field identification: Physocarpus monogynus, in fruit.

Physocarpus monogynus (Torr.) J.M. Coult. Mountain Ninebark.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northwest side of North Table Mountain, in a small gulch just below the rim of the mesa formed by the highest lava flow in the Denver Formation. 39.7822°N, 105.222°W. wgs 1984 Elev. 1956 m. Collected for fruit, most often of 2 follicles. One of several quintessential Jefferson County taxa, as the type was collected in Platte Canyon by Dr. Edwin James of the Major Stephen H. Long expedition of 1820.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Eriocoma robusta;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1740, Achnatherum Eriocoma robustum  

1740    Field identification: First thought was an unusual Stipae, but probably Nassella viridula.

Achnatherum robustum (Vasey) Barkworth. Sleepygrass.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Top of North Table Mountain, in mixed grasses near areas of bare basalt, 150 m. northwest of Lichen Peak, 2.7 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7798°N, 105.2218°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1993 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1741, Aliciella pinnatifida  
1741    Field identification: Some sort of Gilia s. l.

Aliciella pinnatifida (Nutt. ex A.Gray) J.M.Porter. Sticky Gilia.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Top of North Table Mountain, on volcanic gravel plain near areas of bare basalt, 150 m. northwest of Lichen Peak, 2.6 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7794°N, 105.2223°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1993 m. Volcanic gravel plain, also seen on floor of basalt quarry.

  1742    Field identification: Mentzelia sp.

Mentzelia. Blazing Star.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. Top of North Table Mountain, in basalt quary on west side, 2.1 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7747°N, 105.2232°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1980 m. On an artificial slope inside the basalt quarry.

  1743    Field identification: Bouncingbet.

Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncingbet.

North Table Mountain Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. West side of North Table Mountain, beside the former quarry road now forming a part of North Table Loop, 2.8 km. north of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7802°N, 105.2281°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1871 m. Colorado Noxious Weed List B.

 

   

 

Wednesday, August 23rd

 

Other articles:
• Cheyenne Street:   near 4th;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1743.5, Symphyotrichum ericoides  

1743.5    Field identification: Symphyotrichum sp.

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Linnaeus) G. L. Nesom. White Heath Aster.

Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado. Edge of the yard on Cheyenne Street at 908 4th Street, 1 km northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7614°N, 105.2301°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 5785 ft. Native to the area, but ruderal in this location, as sometimes also observed with Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens and Senecio spartioides.

Perennial, woody at base, stems ascending, to 40 cm., spreading vegetatively, short hairy and minutely glandular throughout; Leaves, alternate, sessile, narrowly lanceolate or oblong, 7-9 mm. × 1.5 mm. wide, entire, strigose, tip, small white spine; Heads, borne singly along stem, occasionally 2 per stem, on leafy pedicels; Flowers, of 2 kinds; Involucre, 4 mm. × 5 mm. wide, bell-shaped; Phyllaries, 2+ series, 3-4 mm. × 0.7-0.8 mm. wide, white below with 1 brown or green vein, rhomboid green above, tip with very small spine; Receptacle, epaleate; Rays, corolla, white, tube 2 mm + ligule 5.0-6.5 mm., fertile; Disc flowers, corolla, yellow, tube 3.5 mm. + lobes 0.5 mm., (some?) lobes reddish; Pappus, bristles, fine, barbelate, 4 mm.; Cypsela, 1 mm. (Described from Coll. No. 1558, 3 September 2016 and Coll. No. 1743.5, 23 August 2017).

 

   

 

Thursday, August 31st

 

Locations: Schweich Hill.  

  North Washington Open Space.
  1744    Field identification: Bouteloua gracilis.

Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths. Blue Grama.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northeast corner of parcels, in an area of much smooth brome that has been mowed by neighbors to the north. 39.7688°N, 105.2321°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1800 m. In bloom in mowed area.

  1745    Field identification: Euphorbia myrsinites.

Euphorbia myrsinites L. Myrtle Spurge.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Northeast corner of parcels, in an area of much smooth brome that has been mowed by neighbors to the north. 39.7688°N, 105.2321°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1804 m. In mowed area of smooth brome.

  1746    Field identification: Malva neglecta.

Malva neglecta Wallr. Common Mallow.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. Northeast corner of parcels. 39.7688°N, 105.2322°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1804 m. Large plant at the edge of the area mowed by neighbors.

  1747    Field identification: Liatris punctata.

Liatris punctata Hook. Dotted Blazing Star.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7688°N, 105.2323°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1806 m. Northeast section, in deep grasses (mostly smooth brome) and other weeds.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1748, Ambrosia psilostachya  
1748    Field identification: Ambrosia psilostachya.

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Western Ragweed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7689°N, 105.2322°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1807 m. Northeast sector, just west of the mowed area, among smooth brome.

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Lactuca serriola;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1749, Lactuca serriola  

1749    Field identification: Lactuca, probably L. serriola.

Lactuca serriola L. Prickly Lettuce.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7689°N, 105.2322°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1809 m. Large, against neighbor's fence, maybe getting watered with neighbor's landscaping.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1750, Chenopodium album
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1750, Chenopodium album  
1750    Field identification: Chenopodium album.

Chenopodium album L. Lambsquarters.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2319°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1807 m. East end of parcels, adjacent to social trail over top of hill. Var. album if infraspecific names are to be applied.

  1751    Field identification: Gutierrezia sarothrae.

Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby. Broom Snakeweed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2325°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1811 m. Eastern half of parcel, east slope at edge of smooth brome infestation.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 1759, 31 Aug 2017;  

1752    Field identification: Solidago, maybe S. missouriensis.

Solidago missouriensis Nutt. Missouri Goldenrod.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2325°W. WGS 1984 Eastern half of parcel, east slope at edge of smooth brome infestation.

  1753    Field identification: Artemisia ludoviciana.

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Silver Wormwood.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.2325°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1809 m. Var. ludoviciana if infraspecific names are to be applied.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1754, Artemisia dracunculus
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1754, Artemisia dracunculus  
1754    Field identification: Artemisia dracunculus.

Artemisia dracunculus L. Tarragon, Dragon Wort.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.2324°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1807 m. Eastern slope adjacent to social trail over the top of the hill.

  1755    Field identification: Senecio spartioides.

Senecio spartioides Torr. & A. Gray. Broomlike Ragwort.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.2328°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1812 m. Near top of hill, in some of the least-disturbed native vegetation.

  1756    Field identification: Eriogonum effusum.

Eriogonum effusum Nutt. Spreading Buckwheat.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7685°N, 105.2331°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Center of parcel, slight southwest slope. (Most of the flowers will be found in the fragment packets.)

Other articles:
• Golden Checklist Flora:  Sporobolus cryptandrus;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1757, Sporobolus cryptandrus
Full Size ImageLeaf collar of Coll. No. 1757, Sporobolus cryptandrus  

1757    Field identification: grass.

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray. Sand Drop-seed.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7686°N, 105.2331°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1816 m. Top of hill, adjacent to social trail. Native to Colorado, but also commonly used in revegetation projects.

Described by Torrey from a collection by Dr. Edwin James, botanist on the Long Expedition of 1820.

Coll. No. 1757, 31 Aug 2017, characters observed: Perennial grass, to 50 cm., caespitose; Leaves, cauline, sheath, 45 mm., overlapping about ½, open, ciliate distally; ligule, hairy, 0.5 mm., collar of hairs to 3 mm., blade, 150 mm. × 3.5 mm. wide, rolled to flat; Inflorescence, open panicle, 120 mm, × 45 mm. wide, lower branches included in sheath; Spikelets, 2 mm. × 0.5 mm. wide, crowded on panicle branches, glabrous throughout; Florets, 1 per spikelet, bisexual; Glumes, #2, awns 0, lower, 0.7 mm., upper, 1.8 mm.; Lemma, 2.0 mm., veins, 1, prominent green, awns, 0; Palea, 1.9 mm.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1758, Brickellia eupatorioides
Full Size ImageFlower head of Coll. No. 1758, Brickellia eupatorioides  
1758    Field identification: Brickellia eupatorioides.

Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners. False Boneset.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7681°N, 105.2336°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1802 m. On a bank that was formerly cut, unknown whether it was intentionally regevetated or not.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 1752, 31 Aug 2017;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 1759, Solidago nana  

1759    Field identification: Solidago, maybe S. nana, compare to Coll. No. 1752.

Solidago nana Nutt. Baby Goldenrod.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7682°N, 105.2337°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1805 m. On a bank that was formerly cut, unknown whether it was intentionally regevetated or not.

  1760    Field identification: Erigeron, maybe Symphyotrichum falcatum like found at Tin Cup Ridge.

Symphyotrichum falcatum (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom. White Prairie Aster.

North Washington Open Space, Jefferson County, Colorado. Small (4 acre) fallow city-owned parcel in northern Golden, near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and Washington Avenue, 1.75 km. northwest of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7681°N, 105.2333°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1806 m. South-central portion of parcel, but still above the most disturbed areas.

 

   

 

September, 2017

 

 

   

 

Friday, September 1st

 
    Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space
  1761    Field identification: Gentiana affinis.

Gentiana affinis Griseb. Pleated or Rocky Mountain Gentian..

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 35 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8928°N, 105.2662°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1953 m. Flowers just beginning to open.

  1762    Field identification: Sorghastrum nutans.

Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash. Yellow Indian Grass.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 35 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8928°N, 105.2662°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1971 m.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1763, Ambrosia psilostachya  
1763    Field identification: Ambrosia psilostachya.

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Western Ragweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 35 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8928°N, 105.2662°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1972 m.

  1764    Field identification: Schizachyrium scoparium.

Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash. Little Bluestem.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 35 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8928°N, 105.2662°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1972 m. Smallish plants.

  1765    Field identification: Grindelia squarrosa.

Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. Curlycup Gumweed.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 35 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8927°N, 105.2661°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1970 m.

  1766    Field identification: Bouteloua curtipendula.

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. Sideoats Grama.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 100 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8923°N, 105.2668°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1979 m. Few plants in a small area.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1767, Artemisia campestris
Full Size ImageInflorescence of Coll. No. 1767, Artemisia campestris  
1767    Field identification: Artemisia campestris.

Artemisia campestris L. Field Sagewort.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 250 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8911°N, 105.2674°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1994 m. Rocky alluvial ridge. Somewhat ambiguous as to variety, but most like var. pacifica if infraspecific names are to be applied.

Coll. No. 1767, 1 Sep 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, to 60 cm., longer lived than biennial; Stem, 4± per caudex, reddish; Leaves, basal mostly withered, cauline, 8 mm. × 0.6 mm. wide, narrowly oblanceolate, tomentose; Inflorescence, 130 mm. × 20 mm. wide; Heads, many, 2 mm. × 2 mm. wide; Phyllaries, 2+ series, 1.5 mm. × 1 mm. wide, green to scarious; Receptacle, naked.


Full Size ImageColl. No. 1768, Solidago speciosa var. pallida
Full Size ImageBasal leaf and inflorescence of Coll. No. 1768, Solidago speciosa var. pallida  
1768    Field identification: Solidago, elongated inflorescence, rosettes of leaves growing from caudex, likely S. missouriensis.

Solidago speciosa Nutt. var. pallida Porter. Pale Showy Goldenrod.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 260 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.891°N, 105.2674°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1993 m. Elongated inflorescence, new rosettes growing from caudex while in flower.

Coll. No. 1768, 1 Sep 2017, characters observed: Perennial herb, 50-55 cm., new rosette growing from caudex while flowering from adjacent stem; Stem, glabrous, reddish; Leaves, new rosette of basal leaves, petiole 38-55 mm., blade 80 mm. × 25 mm. wide, pinnately veined, glabrous, margin minutely ciliate, basal leaves of flowering stem, withered, cauline leaves, reduced, not clasping, short petioled 18-0 mm. distally, glabrate, turning reddish, margin ciliate; Inflorescence, panicle-like (only 1° and 2° branches), minutely glandular among heads; Heads, many, 6 mm. × 2.3 mm. wide; Peduncles, 2 mm.; Involucre, 3.5 mm. × 2.5 mm. wide; Phyllaries, 3+ graduated series, 1.7-3.0 mm. × 0.7 mm. wide, vein, 1, tip, obtuse, ciliate; Receptacle, epaleate; Flowers, 2 kinds; Rays, few (#2), tube 2 mm. + blade 2 mm., yellow, fertile; Disc flowers, #10-12, tube 3 mm. + lobes 1 mm., yellow; Pappus, bristles, 3 mm.; Cypsela, 1 mm., glabrous (sparse small hairs).

Other articles:
• Glossary:  corymbiform;
Full Size ImageCorymbiform inflorescence of Coll. No. 1769, Solidago rigida var. humilis  

1769    Field identification: Solidago, maybe S. rigida var. humilis.

Solidago rigida L. var. humilis Porter. Stiff Goldenrod.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 270 meters southwest on the slope above the road. 39.8909°N, 105.2675°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1993 m.

  1770    Field identification: Symphyotrichum porteri.

Symphyotrichum porteri (A. Gray) G.L. Nesom. Smooth White Aster.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 210 meters southwest on the slope above the road and near a small group of Ponderosa pines. 39.8918°N, 105.2679°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1997 m. Glabrous throughout, leaves and phyllaries with a white spinulose tip, ray flowers white. Growing with Coll. No. 1771, Symphyotrichum ericoides.

  1771    Field identification: Symphyotrichum, either S. ericoides or S. falcatum.

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Linnaeus) G. L. Nesom. White Heath Aster.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 210 meters southwest on the slope above the road and near a small group of Ponderosa pines. 39.8919°N, 105.2679°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1997 m. Short hairy throughout, leaves with spinulose tip, heads secund, ray flowers white.

  1772    Field identification: Epilobium brachycarpum.

Epilobium brachycarpum C. Presl. Autumn Willow Herb.

Ranson/Edwards Homestead Open Space Park, Jefferson County, Colorado. High plains above Rocky Flats, 1.7 mi. west on Colorado Highway 72 from Colorado Highway 93, 1.6 mi. north on Plainview Road, then 100 meters west in a small watercourse above the road. 39.8931°N, 105.2673°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1980 m.

 

   

 

Saturday, September 9th

 

 

   

 

Sunday, September 10th

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 115:  Cheyenne Mountain State Park;

Locations: Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Full Size ImageCheyenne Montain from the state park.  

   

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 105:  72000;

Locations: Palmer Lake.
Full Size ImagePalmer Lake  

  Palmer Lake

 

   

 

Sunday, September 17th

Golden to Buena Vista

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 50:  Cañon City;

Locations: Cañon City.
Full Size ImageA former railroad depot in Canon City  

 

Cañon City

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Fremont Cattlemen's Association Brand Board
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Two old buildings on Main Street, Canon City

 

Other articles:
• County Road 3A:  Royal Gorge Bridge and Park;  Royal Gorge;

Locations: Royal Gorge. Royal Gorge Bridge.
Full Size ImageDRGW 499 on display at Royal Gorge.  

 

Royal Gorge Bridge

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Royal Gorge Bridge
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Interpretive panel for Royal Gorge Bridge
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Looking down into the gorge from the bridge
Royal Gorge

Lt. Zebulon Pike and his men, who traveled through this area in November and December 1806, were the first American explorers to view the Arkansas River canyon now known as the Royal Gorge. A small party from the Maj. Stephen H. Long expedition visited the mouth of the canyon in 1820, as did members of Lt. John C. Fremont's expedition in 1845.

In 1878 a right of way through the Royal Gorge became the focal point of a bitter struggle between the Denver and Rio Grande and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroads, with the D and RG eventually winning the route through court action. Congress ceded the land comprising the Royal Gorge Park to Cañon City in 1906, and the world's highest suspension bridge spanning the Arkansas River 1053 feet below was built in 1929.

Elevation 6,626 feet.

Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado

 

   

 

Monday, September 18th

Salida to Creede

Locations: Methodist Mountain.
Full Size ImageMethodist Mountain from Salida in the early morning  

  Methodist Mountain from our hotel room.

 

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 50:  91960;

Locations: Maysville.
Full Size ImageMaysville School  

 

Maysville

 

 

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 50:  91920;

Locations: Monarch (historical).
Full Size ImageMining area at Monarch  

 

Monarch

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Turning aspens at Monarch.
 

 

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 50:   at Monarch Pass;

Locations: Monarch Pass.
Full Size ImageMonarch Pass, 11,306 ft.  

 

Monarch Pass

 

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   near Powderhorn;

Locations: Powderhorn.
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel for Powderhorn Valley.  

 

Powderhorn

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View southwest to the populated place of Powderhorn
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Horses grazing in Powderhorn Valley
Powderhorn Valley

Powderhorn Valley was named by mountain men and fur trappers because the shape of the valley resembles a bison horn that would have been used to keep gunpowder dry.

The Post Office in Powderhorn Valley was established in 1876 when the valley was settled by ranch families looking for lush grassland to support cattle. In the early years, Powderhorn Valley supplied beef and potatoes that fed the hungry miners and most of the hay for the horses, mules, and burros that worked in the mines in the mountains above Lake City.

For years, families shopped at Youman's store. Everything in the store was behind the counter and customers had to ask for needed items. Household goods, including fabric, nails, flour, and seed were available only in bulk and needed to tbe measured or weighed at the time goods were sold.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:  Gateview;

Locations: Gateview.
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel for the Old Spanish Trail  

 

Gateview

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Interpretive panel “Lost in a Blizzard”
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Looking downstream on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River
The Old Spanish Trail 1829-1848

Between 1829 and 1848 woolen goods were transported by mule caravans from the Mexican outpost of Santa Fe to the Missions of Southern California on the Old Spanish Trail.

Annual mule pack caravans traveled the historic Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Traders from Santa Fe headed to San Gabriel Mission as a welcome destination. They brought woolen goods from New Mexico and returned with highly prized California mules and horses. Following ancient Native American trails, the trade route went into central Utah during Spanish Colonial days and continued as an emigrant trail during the Mexican period. Anglo trappers and military expeditions, including John Fremont, Kit Carson, and John Gunnison used various routes of what is now recognized as the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.

In June 1853, Lieutenant Edward Beale, accompanied by Gwinn Harris Heap detailed their travel route through this area. Head wrote “ … we crossed the two forks of the Jaroso (Cebolla Creek and Powderhorn Creek) … we rested for the night by a small shallow brook, very marshy, and swarming with mosquitos … Numbers of deer and antelopes were seen; indeed, these sheltered calleys seem expressly intended as coverts for those gentle animals … Traders from Abiquiu come by it into these mountains to barter for peltries with the Utahs (Ute Indians).”

Lost in a Blizzard

“In the Colorado Rockies where the snow is deep and cold … a man afoot can starve to death unless he's brave and bold.” -- Ballad of Alferd Packer

What is now recognized as one of the most notorious events in Colorado's history -- cannibalism by Alferd Packer -- unfolded in the valley below you. If was here that Alferd Packer and his men made a most disastrous mistake, then missed a turn in the trail and became hopelessly lost in the San Juan Mountains.

On that fateful day in February 1874, Alferd Packer became lost in a severe snow storm while guiding five men from Salt Lake City ti the Los Piños Indian Agency, located south of what is now Gunnison. At the time, the Old Spanish Trail was a well worn trail that continued on to Taos and Santa Fe. Unfortunately, snow covered the trail in the valley below and the hapless men continued to the south instead of remaining in the trail to the east.

Cannibalism in the high country could have been averted had they remained on the correct trail towards Cohetopa Pass.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at The Gate;

Locations: The Gate.
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel at The Gate  

 

The Gate

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The walls of The Gate
Keeping the Peace

The trail is well worn, and the peeled trees show that the valley has been much frequented by (Ute) Indians.

Gold was discovered in the San Juan Mountains in the late 1860s leading to a rush of miners. Tension rose between the miners seeking gold and the Ute Indians who lived and hunted in the mountains. As a result, the U. S. Government negotiated the Brunot Treaty in 1873 with Chief Ouray and the Weminuche Ute.

At this point we passed the Great Gate, a rift in a spar sweeping around from range to range across the calley.” -- Lt. E. H. Ruffner, Corps of Engineers, Reconnaissance in the Ute Country, 1873

That same year, the military sent Lt. E. H. Ruffner into the San Juan Mountains to document mining operations in Southern Colorado and evaluate the effectiveness of the Brunot Treaty. Ruffner noted, “While at Camp 47 we were visited by many western Utes, mostly well armed, well mounted, and well dressed; uncommonly clean, smiling and civil; short men, with broad muscular shoulders.”

Literature Cited:
- Pitblado, Bonnie L., 2015.

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at interp. stop;

Locations: Lake City.  

 

Roadside interpretive stop.

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Hazy view of turning aspens
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Interpretive panel for Early Holocene Encampment
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Interpretive panel for Lake City Caldera
A Volcanic History

Twenty million years ago this entire region was geologically active as massive volcanoes changed the face of the landscape.

If you were here 23 million years ago, you would be standing on the northern edge of that is now called the Lake City Caldera. As the magma chamber emptied from this massive volcano it could no longer hold its shape. The volcano collapsed and fell into itself. This formed the landscape we see today. Most of the rocks surrounding the caldera including granite, obsidian, basalt, tuff and pumice are direct evidence of this region's violent volcanic past.

A caldera is a caldron-like feature formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption. With the collapse of the Lake City and Silverton calderas, a volcanic soup of minerals was injected into the surrounding rock. This produced a rich intrusion of silver, gold, lead, copper, tellurium, and iron. For millions of years, these deposits remained untouched until discovered by prospectors in the 1860s and 1870s.

Early Holocene Encampment

Nearly 10,000 years ago, archaic hunters and gatherers camped along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Here they hunted wild game such as bighorn sheep and elk in these alpine valleys.

At the end of the last Ice Age, Archaic big game hunters skillfully hunted animals such as elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and a now extinct variety of bison (Bison taylori). Archaeological evidence indicates that these hunters camped along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Stone tools found in these emcampments include bifaces, drills, scrapers, projectile points, and point fragments.

Near the end of the Ice Age, during a colder and wetter period of time, Archaic hunters lived in small bands. Indications are that they did not stay in any one place very long, but moved often in search of game animals.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:  Lake City;

Locations: Lake City.
Full Size ImageHinsdale County Court House  

 

Lake City

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Turning aspens above Lake City
 

 

Literature Cited:
- Anonymous, 2015.

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at massacre site;

Locations: Alferd Packer Massacre Site.  

 

Alferd Packer Massacre Site

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Interpretive panel at Alferd Packer massacre site.
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Plaque at Alferd Packer massacre site.
Alferd Packer

You man eating son of a … There was seven Democrats in Hinsdale County and you ate five of them.” -- Quote attributed to saloon keeper Larry Dolan after Alferd Packer's first trial.

In February 1874, Alferd Packer became lost in a severe snow storm while guiding five men from Salt Lake City to the Los Piños Agency , (south of Gunnison). In mid-April, Packer arrived at the Los Piños Agency -- alone. Upon interrogation, he claimed that as each person died the other men ate the flesh of the dead. Packer said he killed only one person, but only in self-defense. That summer, five bodies were discovered at this site. Each person's head had been crushed. Alferd Packer was arrested and accused of murder and cannabalism. Before his trial, however, he fled Colorado.

Nine years later, Packer was captured in Wyoming and was returned to Colorado. He was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to prison for forty years. After serving fifteen years he was paroled in 1901. Until his death in 1907, Packer maintained his innocence in one of the most notorious events in Colorado's history.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at overlook;

Locations: Lake San Cristobal. Slumgullion Earthflow.
Full Size ImageSlumgullion Earthflow from Lake San Cristobal Overlook  

 

Lake San Cristobal

This is the best place along Colorado Highway 149 to view the Slumgullion Earthflow.

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Lower end of Lake San Cristobal
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Upper end of Lake San Cristobal

 

Literature Cited:
- Varnes, D. J., and W. Z. Savage, eds.,, 1996.

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at overlook;

Locations: Slumgullion Earthflow.  

 

Slumgullion Earthflow Overlook

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View of Slumgullion from the official viewpoint
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Interpretive panel for Slumgullion Earthflow
Slumgullion Earthflow

The Slumgullion Earthflow was listed on the Natural Registry of Natural Landmarks in 1965 and designated a Colorado Natural Area in 1983.

Imagine what it must have looked like as a massive block of rock, dirt, and forest broke away from Mesa Seco and an enormous earthflow oozed into the valley below. About 850 years ago, during a very wet period of time, a series of slow-moving landslides occurred. the largest landslide dropped over 3,000 feet in elevation and extended downhill more than four miles. What is now called the Slumgullion Earth flow altered the landscape on over 1,000 acres and created Lake San Cristobal.

The story, however, is not over. About 350 years ago, the most recent earthflow began to descend. This flow covered half of the older flows and is still active today. Geologists estimate that in places it is still moving downhill about twenty feet per year.

Slumgullion is a mining word used to describe the muddy clay left in the bottom of a sluice box. However, miners often cooked a hearty and colorful stew that resembles the color of the Slumgullion Earthflow.

Slumgullion Stew


1½ lb. stew meat
1 sliced onion
1 bunch carrots
3 red potatoes
1 bell pepper
1 can black-eyed peas
4-6 cups water
Add leftover cabbage, corn, green beans, etc.
Add salt, pepper, and thyme to taste.
Thicken broth with flour.
Add ½ cup of macaroni in the last ½ hour of cooking.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at meadow;   at overlook;

Locations: Slumgullion Earthflow. Uncompahgre Peak. Windy Point Overlook.
Full Size ImageBeetle-killed trees on Slumgullion Summit  

 

Windy Point Overlook

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Head scarp of the Smulgullion Earthflow
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Interpretive panel at Windy Point Overlook
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Uncompahgre Peak in the San Juan Mountains
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Meadow below Windy Point Overlook
I Felt the Earth Move

A massive portion of Mesa Seco gave way about 850 Years ago. This resulted in the Slumgullion Earthflow, one of the most visible examples of “mass wasting” in the United States.

About 850 years ago, thousands of tons of water-saturated, earthen material broke away from Mesa Seco and slid nearly four miles into the valley below. The Slumgullion Earthflow dammed the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and formed Lake San Cristobal -- the second largest natural lake in Colorado.

About 350 years ago, another portion of Mesa Seco began to slowly ooze down the hillside. Riding above the older slide, this flow covered about 2.5 miles of the older flow. Geologists estimate that it is still moving downhill approximately twenty feet per year.

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at Slumgullion Pass;

Locations: Slumgullion Pass.
Full Size ImageSlumgullion Summit  

 

Slumgullion Summit

 

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at Spring Creek Pass;

Locations: Spring Creek Pass.
Full Size ImageSpring Creek Pass, Continental Divide, 10,898 ft.  

 

Spring Creek Pass

 

 

Literature Cited:
- Lipman, Peter W., 2006.

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at FR 510;

Locations: North Clear Creek Falls.  

 

North Clear Creek Falls

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North Clear Creek Falls
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View southwest from North Clear Creek Falls
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Clear Creek Graben
 

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at CR 18;

Locations: Rio Grande.
Full Size ImageThe Rio Grande River exits from the San Juan Mountains  

 

Rio Grande River

Drove out on Forest Road 520.21 to the bridge over the Rio Grande River.

 

   

 

Tuesday, September 19th

 

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:  Creede;

Locations: Creede.
Full Size ImageThe Mac Mine, the only restaurant open for business on an off-season Tuesday morning  

 

Creede

Walked around Creede.

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The former D&RGW depot, now the history museum

 

Literature Cited:
- Steven, Thomas A., and Peter W. Lipman, 1976.

Locations: Creede.
Full Size ImageCreede Mining District  

 

Creede Mining District

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The Equity Mine
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Bachelor City
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Town of Creede
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Looking upstream toward sources of the Rio Grande River
Bachelor City

When gold and silver were discovered in the nearby mountains, these meadows at 10,500 feet in elevation became home to nearly 1,200 people. Between 1892 and 1896, this was the bustling community of Bachelor City. In January 1892, an eighty-acre town site was surveyed into twenty-four blocks with twelve streets. By March of 1892, nearly 100 ramshackle houses had been hastily constructed.

In its heyday, Bachelor City had a dozen saloons, four hotels, five grocery stores, a meat market, two barber shops, two bakeries, several restaurants, a school, a jail, city hall and a Catholic Church with a parsonage. Bachelor City had a doctor and a dentist and the town newspaper, the “Teller Topics.”

“The camp was a bustling one, and its citizens composed … of the rougher reckless types of Westerners, men who neither feared nor shunned danger, and to whom 'knockdown and dragout' fights were merely ordinary recreation. Brawls and pistol-play were a nightly occurrence in the numerous saloons and gambling dens that infested the place … the character of Bachelor remained tough.” -- Bachelor City - 1892

 

   

 

Wednesday, September 20th

 

 

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   at Wagon Wheel Gap;

Locations: Goose Creek. Wagon Wheel Gap. Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs.
Full Size ImageLooking upstream from Wagon Wheel Gap  

 

Wagon Wheel Gap

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Interpretive panel for Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout at Wagon Wheel Gap
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Interpretive panel at Wagon Wheel Gap
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Interpretive panel at Wagon Wheel Gap
Wagon Wheel Gap -- The Early Years

In the early part of the twentieth century, railroad passengers, tourists, and health seekers boarded wagons at Wagon Wheel Gap and ventured to the Hot Springs Hotel to partake in the rejuvenating water.

The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad touted the healing qualities of the hot springs located near Wagon Wheel Gap. These springs soom became a destination for health seekers.

In December, 1848, John Fremont led an expedition into the San Juan Mountains to find a route for the transcontinental railroad. The ill-fated expedition may have traveled up Embargo Creek, (to the east of Wagon Wheel Gap), where they encountered a vicious winter storm. With ten feet of snow and deteriorating conditions, Fremont abandoned his expedition and each man fended for himself. All told, ten of Fremonts men died of cold or starvation in the San Juan Mountains.

In 1863, Charles Baker led a group of prospectors into the San Juan Mountains. While returning to New Mexico for the winter, then abandoned a damaged wagon near the “gap” where the Rio Grande carved a small canyon. In the 1870s, a wagon wheel was discovered in this area and it was believed to be a remnant from the Baker party. Miners referred to this area as “the gap where the wagon wheel was found.” Over time this area became known as Wagon Wheel Gap.

Wheeler Geologic Area was named in honor of George M. Wheeler, who surveyed much of Colorado in 1874. The area was designated a National Monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt in part to protect the highly erodible spires, hoodoos, and geologic formations. Due to its isolated location and diffifult access, the area was delisted as a National Monument in 1933. Wheeler Geologic Monument is now managed by the Rio Grande National Forest.

 

Literature Cited:
- Jessen, Kenneth, 2012.

Other articles:
• Colorado State Highway 149:   in South Fork;

Locations: South Fork.  

 

South Fork

Saw some railroad equipment south of the highway while coming into town

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Ex-Southern Pacific GE B30-7 7863 in South Fork, CO
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South Fork depot
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Locomotive No. 1
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Ex-Utah Central GE 44-ton locomotive
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Denver and Rio Grande, something, not quite a goose, maybe a mudhen.

 

Other articles:
• County Road 38A:   at CR 40G;
• County Road 40G:   at end;
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel for Penitente Canyon
Full Size ImageVirgin of Guadalupe in Penitente Canyon  

 

Penitente Canyon

The BGN gives no name for this canyon, which seems to carry a local name of “Penitente Canyon.”

Full Size Image
Virgin of Guadalupe in Penitente Canyon
Penitente Canyon: Special Recreation Management Area
A place of solitude ... a place of mystery .. a place with a spirit of its own ... Penitente Canyon
In the mid-1980s, rock climbers discovered the Penitente canyonlands. Today the BLM manages the area primarily for climbing, though mountain bikers, hikers and people drawn to its sense of peace and history also make their way to the canyons.
History

Ancestors of the Utes, Jicarilla Apaches and Puebloans have all left evidence of time spent hunting and camping here, along with explorers and trappers. The valley's first settlers were Hispanic farmers and sheepherders who migrated from northern New Mexico.

Virgin of Guadalupe

It's said that in the mid-20th century a few men from the local community painted the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe that's still visible today. Local legend has it that they sat in tires and were lowered over the cliff on ropes to complete the painting. The words above the Virgin read “Consuelo y Spiritu” or “Comfort and Spirit.”

Ecology

Penitente Canyon is home to many varieties of plants including chokecherry, wild rose, fringed sage and aspen; and wildlife including black bear, mountain lion, raptors, various lizards and prairie rattlesnakes.

Snakes

Always watch where you are stepping or reaching; don't reach where you can't see. If you encounter a snake, leave it alone and back away. Parents should always keep a close eye on their children in snake country.

Stay Safe

Safety is your responsibility. Know your limits and come prepared for the area's changing weather. All recreational activity is at your own risk.

 

   

 

October, 2017

 

 

   

 

Saturday, October 7th

Golden, CO, to Green River, UT

Other articles:
• Cisco Road:   at RR Xing;
• Utah Highway 128:   at Cisco Rd;

Locations: Cisco.
Full Size ImageEast end of Cisco siding, near Cisco, Grand County, Utah.  

 
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Interpretive panel for the Dinosaur Diamond
 

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 128:   near Dewey Bridge;

Locations: Dewey.
Full Size ImagePoint of rocks along the Colorado River.  

 
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Highway 128 near Dewey, Colorado
Near Dewey Bridge.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 128:   near Richardson Amphitheater;   near Fisher Towers;   at Rocky Rapid;

Locations: Fisher Towers. Rocky Rapids.
Full Size ImageLa Sal Mountains from the side of Highway 128  

 
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Fisher Towers from Utah Highway 128
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Unnamed butte near Rocky Rapids.
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Stand Up Paddleboards in Rocky Rapids.
Near and in the Richardson Amphitheater.

Other articles:
• US Highway 191:   near Crescent Junction;

Locations: Book Cliffs. La Sal Mountains.
Full Size ImageBook Cliffs near Crescent Junction.  

 
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The La Sal Mountains south of Crescent Junction.
Moab to Green River, Utah.

 

   

 

Sunday, October 8th

Green River, Utah, to Saint George, Utah.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 24:   near The Notch;
• Utah Highway 95:   in Hanksville;

Locations: Hanksville. The Notch.
Full Size ImageHollow Mountain Gas Station  

 
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View across Well Draw in the direction of Capitol Reef and Boulder Mountain.
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Rocks near The Notch
Green River to Hanksville.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 24:  bet. Hanksville & Cainville;
Full Size ImageCapitol Reef with Boulder Mountain in the background  

  Capitol Reef.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 24:   in Capitol Reef NP;
Full Size ImageCanyon in Capitol Reef National Park along Utah Highway 24
Full Size ImageCanyon in Capitol Reef National Park along Utah Highway 24  

 
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Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park along Utah Highway 24
in Capitol Reef National Park

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 24:   at Capitol Reef Nat'l Pk;

Locations: Capitol Reef National Park.
Full Size ImageNear Park Headquarters.  

  Capitol Reef National Park Headquarters.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 24:   at Capitol Reef Nat'l Pk;
Full Size ImageCliffs at Panorama Point
Full Size ImageSmall mesa near Panorama point.  

 
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Small mesa near Panorama point.
At Panorama Point.

 

Literature Cited:
- Smith, Beatrice Scheer, 1994.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   at Larb Hollow Olook;
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel at Larb Hollow Overlook.  

 

Larb Hollow Overlook

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Turning aspens at Larb Hollow Overlook
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View across Waterpocket Fold to San Rafael Desert

Early Explorers: Filling in the Blanks

Ellen Thompson, Expedition Botanist

Ellen Thompson, wife of A. H. Thompson and sister of John Wesley Powell, served as botanist on the sedond Powell Expedition. She collected hundreds of plants, many of them new to science. Several were named in her honor, including Thompson's Penstemon (Penstemon thompsoniae) and Thompson's Woolly Locoweed (Astragalus mollissimum var. thompsoniae). Mount Ellen, in the Henry Mountains, is also named for her.

“I never felt more exultant in my life ... I was looking on the most wonderful scenery I ever beheld.”

Andrus Expedition, 1866

“... as far as the Eye can see a naked barren plain of red and white Sandstone crossed in all directions by innumerable gorges ...” -- Franklin B. Woolley, Andrus Expedition, 1866.

Several years before the Powell Expedition, the Andrus military expedition patrolled the Aquarius Plateau region, providing the first written descriptions of this area.

Mapping the Last Uncharted Lands

By 1870, the continental United States had been mapped and surveyed, except for one area -- the vast region that surrounds you. From the Colorado River to the Aquarius Plateau, and from the Virgin River to the Green, this rugged landscape was uncharted territory.

Though the Fremont Expedition passed through Capitol Reef during the winter of 1853-54, they were desperately low on provisions and did not linger to survey the region. In 1872, John Wesley Powell launched his second expedition down thw Green and Colorado Rivers to chart the Rivers and surrounding lands. Over the next four years, his brother-in-law, Almon H. Thompson, led the land survey of southern Utah, during which he explored and charted Boulder Mountain and the rest of the Aquarius Plateau. The expedition also named and mapped the Escalante River and the Henry Mountains, respectively the last-mapped river and mountain range in the lower 48 states.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   along highway;
Full Size ImageTurning aspens on Boulder Mountain  

  Wide spot in road

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   along highway;

Locations: Point Lookout.
Full Size ImageView south from Boulder Mountain  

 
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Interpretive panel
Viewpoint, south slope of Boulder Mountain.

Lay of the Land: Across a Vast Horizon

“To a life that accepts Nature's hand in sculpting an individual expression – Nothing is exempt.

From the mellifluous rhythm and tome of the wid chime, to the transitional form of the cloud – Nothing exists alone.

All things thrive and whither in confluence with one another.

So it is; the paradox of our divinity.”

– Dave Buschow

Waterpocket Fold

The 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold forms the backbone of Capitol Reef National Park. Here, geologic rock layers drape over a steeply dipping fault plane. Over millennia, water and wind have eroded the soft layers, sculpting the Waterpocket Fold's intricate contours. Along the Fold, water collects in sandstone basins, forming “waterpockets.”

Circle Cliffs

Within this section of Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument lie huge petrified wood logs, some nearly 90 feet long. These rocks formed from trees that grew some 210 million years ago. The logs were buried in river sediments and became “petrified” as silica from volcanic ash gradually replaced organic cell tissue.

The Heart of the Escalante

“The Aquarius should be described in blank verse and illustrated upon canvas. The explorer who sits upon the brink of its parapet looking off into the southern and eastern haze, who skirts its lava cap or clambers up and down its vast ravines, who builds his camp fire by the borders of its snow-fed lakes or stretches himself beneath its giant pines and spruces, forgets that he is a geologist and feels himself a poet.”

– Clarence Dutton, 1880

The wild heart of the Escalante River drainage spreads before you – a labyrinth of canyons, mesas, and rolling slickrock. Remote peaks grace the horizon. On the far left lie the Henry Mountains, the last-named mountain range in the continental United States and home to one of the country's few free-roaming bison herds. Follow the horizon south, and you'll reach the rounded dome of Navajo Mountain on the Utah-Arizona border.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   near Calf Creek;

Locations: The Hogback.
Full Size ImageBoulder Creek below Utah Highway 12  

  Utah Highway 12 traverses the New Home Bench and then the Hogback on the way to crossing Calf Creek.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   in Escalante;
Full Size ImageEscalante Outfitters, supplies and food
Full Size ImageWestern end of Escalante  

  Lunch in Escalante at the Outfitters.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   on UT Hwy12;

Locations: Powell Point.
Full Size ImagePowell Point from Utah Highway 12 (2017)  

 
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Interpretive plaque on the Second Powell Expedition
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Interpretive plaque about the Kaiparowits Formation
Powell Point.

Second Powell Expedition: Charting New Territory

Powell Point Recollections

“We still keep Table Mountain (Pink Point) to our left … this singular mountain suggests a monster melon, sliced and standing on end. It is exactly the color of a ripe, red core; the pines that grow on ledges and benches, black specks at this distance, look like weeds.”

– Walter Clement Powell, member of the Second Powell Expedition of 1871, describing their ascent of the Blues Formation to the base of Powell Point.

The Topmost Stair

Powell Point reveals the topmost layer of the Colorado Plateau's Grand Staircase. This brilliantly colored layer, known as the Pink Cliffs or Claron Formation, is the same geologic layer that forms the spectacular, pinnacled landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park and Red Canyon, farther west on Highway 12.

Last Blank Spot on the Map

In 1871, this region was part of the last uncharted territory in the continental United States. That year, Major John Wesley Powell launched the Second Powell Expedition to explore and map this frontier, continuing the work he had begun three years earlier. Powell led the expedition safely through the wild waters of the Green and Colorado Rivers to the Paria River. He then instructed his brother-in-law Almon H. Thompson to lead the expedition overland to map what they called “the unknown country.” In 1872, expedition members climbed the slippery slopes of the badlands on which you now stand. Thompson then scaled the brilliant pink formation above you to view the surrounding country. Over the next four years, Thompson's explorations filled in this last blank spot on the U. S. map. In 1879, surveyor Clarence Dutton named this spectacular landmark “Powell Point,” in honor of Major Powell. Highway 12 now follows the 2nd Powell Expedition's exact route from Henrieville all the way to Head of the Rocks, east of Escalante.

Digging for Dinosaurs: Treasure in These Hills

Why Here?

The Kaiparowits Formation's stunning fossil record results from a perfect combination of circumstances. First, during the Late Cretaceous, this region was a lush, subtropical, coastal plain where an enormous number and variety of animals lived. Second, abundant rivers and coastal storms moved great volumes of sand and mud, so animals that died were sometimes buried quickly, preserving their remains. Lastly, uplifting of the Colorado Plateau over the past 60 million years has brought this deeply buried treasure to the surface.

Scientific Frontier

In a region famed for once being the last unmapped frontier in the continental United States, the Kaiparowits Formation remains a largely unexplored frontier. By protecting the fossils of this formation through proper collection and study, Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument conserves a vast storehouse of knowledge available nowhere else on earth.

Kaiparowits Fossil Bonanza

There's treasure beneath your feet. Not of the gold-and-rubies variety, but rather a treasure of fossilized bones, eggshells, and other paleontological gems, buried in these gray rock formations some 73-77 million years ago. Known as the Kaiparowits Formation, these sedimentary rock layers lie at the top of what is perhaps the best and most continuous record of Late Cretaceous terrestrial life in the world.

Forty-foot long crocodiles, rhinoceros-like horned dinosaurs. tyrannosaurs, and velociraptors – all lived here. Scientists have surveyed only a small fraction of the Kaiparowits Formation, and have unearthed more than one hundred species of vertebrates. Excavations are revealing a long-lost ecosystem inhabited by a fantastic array of animals, including some of the earliest marsupial and placental mammals ever found. These disoveries are helping to explain the origins of our present world.

Other articles:
• Utah Highway 12:   in Tropic;
Full Size ImagePowell Point from the roadside near Tropic  

  Stop near Tropic for a photo of Powell Point.
    Monday, October 9th.

Saint George, Utah, to Laguna Hills, California

    Tuesday, October 10th.

Laguna Hills, California

 

   

 

Wednesday, October 11th

Laguna Hills, California.

Other articles:
• Alta Laguna Boulevard:  Alta Laguna Park;

Locations: Alta Laguna Park.
Full Size ImageView from Alta Laguna Park  

 
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Laguna Canyon, Laguna Beach, and the Pacific Ocean
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We're the Heckawii!
Drive to Laguna Beach, Alta Laguna Park, and Niks for dinner.

 

   

 

Thursday, October 12th

Laguna Hills to San Luis Obispo.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 101:   at rest stop;
Full Size ImageGaviota Rest Stop  

  Drive to San Luis Obispo from Laguna Hills. Stopped for coffee in Oxnard, and at the rest stop in Gaviota Pass.

Locations: San Luis Obispo.
Full Size ImageHouse I lived in while attending Cal Poly
Full Size ImageMarket where I worked, formerly called the New Park Grocery  

  Places in San Luis Obispo.

Locations: San Luis Obispo.
Full Size ImageLine for F. McLintocks barbeque at the Farmer's Market
Full Size ImageOne reason the SLO Farmer's Market was so pleasant  

  San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market
    Friday, October 13th.

San Luis Obispo.

 

   

 

Saturday, October 14th

San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo High School 55th Year Reunion.

Locations: Port San Luis.
Full Size ImagePort San Luis after lunch  

  Lunch in Port San Luis

Locations: San Luis Obispo.
Full Size ImageStill functional 50+ years later  

  Dinner at the Madonna Inn.

 

   

 

Sunday, October 15th

San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles, and Duckies in Cayucos for late lunch/early dinner.

Other articles:
• California Highway 41:  83900;

Locations: Atascadero Pine Mountain Cemetery.
Full Size ImageGrave marker of Paul Schweich  

 
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View from Atascadero Cemetery
Atascadero Cemetery

Other articles:
• Adelaida Road:   at cemetery;

Locations: Adelaida Cemetery.
Full Size ImageGrave marker in Adelaida Cemetery  

 
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Adelaida Cemetery
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Grave marker in Adelaida Cemetery
Adelaida Cemetery to find grave of Kathy Thompson.

 

   

 

Monday, October 16th

San Luis Obispo to Gualala, by way of Hayward and Alameda.

Full Size ImageGrave of Jacob Schweich  
  Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward.

Other articles:
• Fairview Avenue:   near Southwood;
Full Size ImageThe Old House  

  Drove by the ol' house and got a burrito at Taqueria Ramiro & Sons.

Other articles:
• California Highway 1:   in Gualala;

Locations: Gualala.
Full Size ImageEstuary of the Gualala River in Gualala  

 
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Schoenoplectus, perhaps S. californicus in the estuary of the Gualala River
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A sunset I was forced to watch in Gualala
Stayed the night in Gualala. The SurfsInn was a little disappointing.

 

   

 

Tuesday, October 17th

Gualala, California, to Gold Beach, Oregon.

Other articles:
• California Highway 1:   in Fort Bragg;

Locations: Fort Bragg.
Full Size ImageThe Emerald City out back of Egghead Omelettes Restaurant  

  Breakfast at Egghead Omelettes Restaurant in Fort Bragg.

Other articles:
• Bald Hills Road:   at Lady Bird Johnson Grove;

Locations: Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
Full Size ImageLooking up through the trees  

 
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Interpretive panel for “Saving the Redwoods”
Full Size Image
Backlit view of redwood forest.
Visit to Lady Bird Johnson Grove of redwoods.

Saving the Redwoods

As spectacular as these redwood forests are, their protection was slow to gain broader support.

One of the earliest organized efforts to save the redwoods was led by the Sempervirens Club. In 1902, they convinced the California legislature to appropriate funds for the purchase of the first state redwood park. Congressman William Kent also joined the effort. He personally bought and donated 295 acres of redwoods outside San Francisco to the federal government. His gift led to the creation of the Muir Woods National Monument in 1908.

Save the Redwoods League was founded in 1918 to purchase redwoods and convert the land to public trust. Numerous groves were protected and redwood state parks created through the League's efforts, including Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks.

A renewed effort to establish a national redwood park began in the early 1960s. These efforts were augmented in 1963 when a National Geographic survey team discovered several trees along Redwood Creek that were taller than any previously known. This discovery helped lead to the establishment of Redwood National Park in October of 1968.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 101:   at Bandon;

Locations: Bandon.
Full Size ImageTsunami Evacuation Map for Bandon, Oregon  

 
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Face Rock
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Location code for use in case of emergency
Face Rock State Park in Bandon, Oregon
    Wednesday, October 18th.

Gold Beach to Albany.

    Thursday, October 19th.

Albany, Oregon

    Friday, October 20th.

Albany, Oregon, to Boise, Idaho.

Other articles:
• US I-84:   at Rooster Rock;

Locations: Rooster Rock (historical).
Full Size ImageInterpretive panel at Rooster Rock State Park  

 
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Rooster Rock
Rooster Rock and State Park.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Rooster Rock

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the two great American explorers who made secure the claim of the United States for the Oregon country, passed along this stretch of the Columbia River with their Corps of Discovery on their way to the Pacific Ocean on October 31 -- November 2, 1805. They brought their boats through the “Great Shute” (now covered by the waters of Bonneville Dam) and recorded “a remarkable high detached rock stands in a bottom on the stard side ... [it is] 800 feet high and 400 paces around, we call [it] the beaten rock.” A later journal entry called it Beacon Rock.

The captains described “great numbers of sea otters” and “a high clift of black rocks” (Cape Horn) on the north shore. Clark wrote “here the river widens to near a mile, and the bottoms are more extensive and thickly timbered, as also the high mountains on each side ... passed a rock near the middle of the river, about 100 feet high and 80 feet diameter [Phoca Rock] ... we encamped under a high projecting rock on the lard [Rooster Rock].”

The expedition camped in this area April 6-9, 1806, on their return journey. They noted that Beacon Rock “may be esteemed the head of tidewater.”

 

   

 

Saturday, October 21st

Boise, Idaho, to Rock Creek, Wyoming.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 91:   bet. Zenda and Red Rock Pass;
Full Size ImageView south to Red Rock Pass
Full Size ImageLooking north towards Zenda (in the trees)  

  Between Zenda and Red Rock Pass.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 91:  Red Rock Pass;

Locations: Red Rock Pass.
Full Size ImageHill with monument  

 
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Interpretive Panel for Red Rock Pass
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Interpretive Panel for Red Rock Pass
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Memorial plaque to Captain Jefferson Hunt
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View from top of hill

Red Rock Pass Geological Site

About 14,500 years ago, ancient Lake Bonneville overflowed at this site. A dam of alluvial fans between Oxford Mountain to the west and the Portneuf Range to the east suddenly eroded releasing Lake Bonneville from the Great Basin into the Snake River system. The Peak flow was about one million cubic meters per second at the pass, or about 500 times the maximum discharge on the Snake River at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ancient “bathtub ring” shorelines up to 1,000 feet above the valley floor are readily visible in the Salt Lake Valley. Evidence of the flood is visible thoughout southern Idaho with areas of scoured bare bedrock (“scabland”) and deposits of boulders (“melon gravel”) marking the flood path. After about 11,000 years, Lake Bonneville receded to become the Great Salt Lake. Highly saline and only 40 feet deep, it is but a shadow of giant fresh-water Lake Bonneville.

Red Rock Pass is the geographic northern extremity of the Bonneville drainage basin, and was also designated by the early Latter-day Saint leaders as the northern edge of the proposed State of Deseret. North of here, water flows to the Snake, Salmon, and Columbia rivers, on the way to the Pacific Ocean, but south of here it flows into the Great Basin and the Great Salt Lake.

South of the monument in Red Rock Pass, the house-sized limestone blocks were jostled during the breakout of the Bonneville flood. The uneven topography northwest of the monument is a landslide which flowed into Red Rock Pass after it was deepened about 400 feet during the flood. Ancient cave formations are found in the flat-lying limestone of Red Rock Butte immediately north of the monument.

Red Rock Pass

You are standing in the outlet of ancient Lake Bonneville. A vast prehistoric inland sea, of which Salt Lake is a modern remnant.

Covering over 20,000 square miles when it overflowed here about 14,500 years ago, its winding shoreline would have stretched from here to New Orleans if it were straightened out. This pass was deepened considerably when Lake Bonneville began to slow into Snake River. For a time, a torrent several times larger than the Amazon was discharged here. Finally, with a hotter, drier climate that slowly emerged about 8,000 years ago, Lake Bonneville gradually disappeared.

No 119

Erected October 2, 1950

Captain Jefferson Hunt, Soldier, Pioneer, Churchman

Charles Jefferson Hunt served in the Mormon Battalion as captain of Company “A” and as assistant executive officer, in its historic march from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California, 1846-47. His service won the commendation of all who served with him.

Under appointment by President Brigham Young in 1851, Captain Hunt was guide for the pioneers to San Bernardino, California. His pioneering service included also Provo, Parowan, and Huntsville (which bears hus name), in Utah, and Oxford, Idaho.

A convert to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints he was loyal, obedient, and faithful to the end.

Erected by descendents of Captain Hunt and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association.

Other articles:
• UT Hwy 30:  90000;
Full Size ImageWelcome to Wyoming!  

  Into Wyoming; only one state away from home!
    Sunday, October 22nd.

Rock Creek, Wyoming, to Golden, Colorado.

 

   

 

November, 2017

 

 

 

Other articles:
• Nightbird Gulch Trail:   at switch back;

Locations: Schweich Hill.
Full Size ImageUpper Washington Open Space as seen from lower slopes of Mount Galbraith  

 

Friday, November 11th

Short hike up Nightbird Gulch Trail for photo of North Washington Open Space.

 

 

Other articles:
• Nightbird Gulch Trail:   at point;   above reveg.;   at point;   just east of switch back;   at Cyn Pt Cir;

Locations: Mount Galbraith. Nightbird Gulch.
Full Size ImageYay! Dog poop in a bag!  

 

Friday, November 24th

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Revegetation area on southeast slope of Mt. Galbraith
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Map of Nightbird Gulch Trail.
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North Washington Open Space from lower slopes of Mount Galbraith
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View of North Washington Open Space from Mount Galbraith
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Colorado School of Mines with Green Mountain in the background
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Downtown Denver from Mt. Galbraith.
Nightbird Gulch Trail, Mount Galbraith Park, for #OptOutside Friday.

 

   

 

December, 2017

 

 

   

 

Summary of Collections Made in 2017

 Year   Agency   Number of 
 Collections 
 Number of 
 Vouchers 
 KHD   JCOS   UCR   UC   CAS   CS   OBI   EIU   CDA   COLO   RENO   Not Dist. 
 
201415321910732
 
201513111
2015 City of Golden, Department of
Parks, Recreation, and Golf
22 65 13 15 11 12 1 8 5
2015 Colorado School of Mines2582206151413392
2015 Inyo National Forest4210829 15920231 11
2015 Jefferson County Open Space1364211211146657281174211
  Subtotal for 2015226679154120126 97632557430 1218
 
2016   18521414 17151
2016 City of Golden, Department of
Parks, Recreation, and Golf
4412636241699 995315
2016 Colorado School of Mines24772111551195532
2016 Jefferson County Open Space19164315315641473561534443415
  Subtotal for 20162778982101817365697984691037021
 
2017 Bureau of Land Management,
Needles, California
2588 1522119 2227
2017 City of Golden, Department of
Parks, Recreation, and Golf
721646821536173122873
2017 Colorado School of Mines1952171111525127
2017 Jefferson County Open Space10528280823051895162872
  Subtotal for 2017221586165854624255311527043012
 
All Total739219552938725419616415715512583801253
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Date and time this article was prepared: 9/22/2024 4:45:04 PM