Tom Schweich  

2017

February, 2017

Tuesday, February 7th

Rounded cobbles on top of South Table Mountain

Friday, February 10th

Monday, February 27th

"For Sale" van stored on street for months.	North end of social trail off N. Ford Street.	Social trail.	Social trail west across open space.

March, 2017

Friday, March 10th

Ephemeral stream crosses trail

Thursday, March 16th

Spring improvements, plastic pipe south down the hill.	Spring improvements (steel drum set in watercourse).	Downhill view from the spring.

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.

Monday, March 20th

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

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.

Wednesday, March 22nd

Saturday March 25th

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

Monday, March 27th

April, 2017

Monday, April 3rd

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

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

April 8th – “Project Flambeau”

“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

Wednesday, April 12th

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

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

Thursday, April 13th

Willow Springs Picnic Area

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

Sunday, April 16th

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

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

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

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

Monday, April 17th

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

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

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

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

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

Desert Symposium Field Trip Stop 2017-2-7.

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

Tuesday, April 18th

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.

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.

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.

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.

Overview of Coll. No. 1571, 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.

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.

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.

Coll. No. 1574, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday, April 19th

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

Navajo Bridge

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

Thursday, April 20th

Friday, April 21st

Saturday, April 22nd

May, 2017

Tuesday, May 2nd

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Monday, May 8th

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Friday, June 16th

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

? 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 … ??? ]

?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

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.

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.

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.

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).”

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Coll. No. 1689.3, Alopecurus carolinianus

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Field identification: Symphyotrichum sp.

Friday, July 28th

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Sunday, September 17th

Royal Gorge Bridge

Royal Gorge Bridge	Interpretive panel for Royal Gorge Bridge	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

Maysville

Monarch

Turning aspens at Monarch.

Monarch Pass

Powderhorn

View southwest to the populated place of Powderhorn	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.

Gateview

Interpretive panel “Lost in a Blizzard”	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.

The Gate

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.”

Hazy view of turning aspens	Interpretive panel for Early Holocene Encampment	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.

Lake City

Turning aspens above Lake City

Alferd Packer Massacre Site

Interpretive panel at Alferd Packer massacre site.	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.

Lake San Cristobal

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

Slumgullion Earthflow Overlook

View of Slumgullion from the official viewpoint	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.

Windy Point Overlook

Head scarp of the Smulgullion Earthflow	Interpretive panel at Windy Point Overlook	Uncompahgre Peak in the San Juan Mountains	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.

Slumgullion Summit

Spring Creek Pass

North Clear Creek Falls

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