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Yellow Violet -or- Johnny JumpUp -or- Wild Pansy (Viola nuttallii), family Violaceae (Violet). Other common names are Nuttall's violet (after the famous botanist Thomas Nuttall) -or- Yellow prairie violet. By the way... Al Schneider, creator of Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, has detailed biographical information on famous botanists on his excellent website. Read about Thomas Nuttall on his site here. Weber and Wittmann list 16 species present in Colorado, in the genus Viola, in Colorado Flora Eastern Slope. There are about 400-500 total species in the genus worldwide. At least as recently as 2001 nuttallii is the most common yellow violet in Colorado. It IS lovely, and unusual. It is one of the few violet species with lanceolate (long and narrow, but broadest at the base) leaves. See this characteristic in the foliage frame of this panel. This species is a perennial herb (it dies back then returns in the spring from it's root-stock rather than from seeds). The plants are native to the Western and North-Central United States, as well as Western Canada. 
USES: Many species of violets are valued for culinary purposes as food or as decorative additions to deserts or salads. There are a number of recorded uses by Native Americans of non-specific species of violets: Costanoan - Plant juice used as a salve and poultice of boiled plants applied to sores. Iroquois - Poultice of smashed plants applied to wounds. Infusion of roots used as a wash for eyes. Compound decoction of roots taken as a panacea. Infusion of roots taken by mother and baby when baby gets sick. Thompson - Juice used in dogs' noses to clear out the nostrils and enable them to track deer better. Cherokee - Leaves cooked with other potherbs and eaten. Omaha - Violets used by children in playing games.
See the other members of genus Viola on this site: labradorica & canadensis.
Plant location: Bitterbrush Trail, a hike near Lyons Colorado, was the site where these violets were scattered about in small bunches here and there. Very cheery! May 12, 2009. Common they may be in Colorado, but not in the U.S. overall. They are found only in these states: CO, ID, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, SD, WY. They are classified as threatened in Minnesota. This species is a plains to montane dweller. Habitats include meadows, open slopes, often blooming in the protection of rocks at 5,000 to 11,500 feet elevation. The rocky 'cradle' in our plant view shot is the most typical of locations when we have seen this species.
Bloom period: April to July, and sometimes as late as September. Note the unusual characteristic of the nuttallii species foliage. It is one of the few violet species with lanceolate (long and narrow, but broadest at the base) leaves. -
Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), family Fabaceae. This plant was originally published as Field CLover. That was incorrect. Sorry!
Plant location: Found in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on August 28, 2009. The elevation was 7216'. GPS coordinates: N44°31.719 W110°50.186.
Bloom period: June through August. Note the inset in this frame. The plant was advanced enough in it's season to be bearing fruit in addition to flowers. -
Plains Paintbrush -or- Downy Paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora), family re-classed to Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) from Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) around 2001. This is a distinct paintbrush. It's spiky appearance helps mark it's identity. These perennial herbs are native to North America. They provide an important nectar source to the lovely Broad-tailed Hummingbird, as well as other insects. There are about 200 total species in the genus, which was named to honor an eighteenth century Spanish botanist - Domingo Castillejo. The plants are great survivors in poor conditions. They have a high tolerance for drought and nutrient deficient soil. The male and female flowers differ in appearance from one another.
USES: From the website Native American Ethnobotany is this: Menominee Flowers and leaves macerated in bear grease & used as invigorating hair oil. Cheyenne - Flowers sucked for nectar in spring.
Wikipedia has more: The flowers of Indian paintbrush are edible and sweet, and were consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes as a condiment with other fresh greens. These plants have a tendency to absorb and concentrate selenium in their tissues from the soils in which they grow, and can be potentially very toxic if the roots or green parts of the plant are consumed. Highly alkaline soils increase the selenium levels in the plants. The Ojibwe used a hairwash made from Indian Paintbrush to make their hair glossy and full bodied and as a treatment for rheumatism. The high selenium content of this plant has been cited as the reason for its effectiveness for these purposes. Nevada Indian tribes used the plant to treat sexually-transmitted diseases and to enhance the immune system. Indian paintbrush has similar health benefits to consuming garlic if only the flowers are eaten in small amounts and in moderation.' End quote.
Fun Fact: If Paintbrush roots encounter roots of other plants they will penetrate these roots for nourishment, since they are partially parasitic. More interesting information on this genus can be found at Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.
See our other paintbrushes: Harsh Indian Paintbrush, orange <> Harsh Indian Paintbrush, yellow <> Squawfeather Paintbrush <> Western Indian Paintbrush <> Alpine Paintbrush and Rosy Paintbrush
Plant location: Boulder County Open Space, the Coal Seam Trail, Colorado. The date sighted was May 18, 2009. This species commonly is found at elevations of 4000 to 7000'. Found in these United States: AZ, CO, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI, WY. The plants are plains dwellers found in outwash mesas and grassy plains.
Bloom period: April to July. -
Nylon Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus viridiflorus), family Cactaceae (Cactus). Weber describes this species of cactus as common in both plains and mountains. This common cactus is a perennial plant that is (surprise) drought tolerant. It is one of about 70 species in the genus. The flowers of species in this genus are said to last slightly longer than blooms from other cacti. The plants are native to North America but found worldwide.
Factiod: From the great website Colorado University Extension is this: what appear to be cactus species leaves are actually stems which have evolved to avoid drought; true leaves of cacti, for those species that have them, are tiny appendages seen in spring which are early deciduous (fall off).
See other cactus on the site: Simpson's Hedgehog and Twist-Spine Prickly Pear.
Plant location: Seen on the Bitterbrush Trail near Lyons Colorado - May 12, 2009. Found in the following United States: CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WY. Most common habitat is grassland, in the plains and foothill zones.
Bloom season: May through August. 
Leafy Cinquefoil -or Wood Beauty (Drymocallis fissa), family Rosaceae (Rose). Beauty is a well deserved name for this bloom. Lovely isn't it? The genus was Potentilla, per William Weber. There are approximately 500 species in this genus. This one is native to North America.
USES: Per the Colorado State University Extension website is this: 'considered useful for soothing inflammatory tissues due to its astringent quality; tea is useful gargle for sore throat and tonsil or gum inflammation; ingested it can relieve stomach ulcer and diarrhea. A tea can be used to soak backs of pack animals will prevent saddle sores.' End quote.
See some of our other members in this family: Sticky Cinquefoil <> Fivefinger Cinquefoil <> Pacific Cinquefoil <> Beautiful Cinquefoil
Plant location: Seen on the Bitterbrush Trail near Lyons Colorado - May 12, 2009. The elevation was approximately 6100'. Not a widespread species, they are found only in the following United States: CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, SD, UT, and WY, and in the Alberta region of Canada. Typical habitats include rocky slopes, road and trailsides. The plants are foothills dwellers.
Bloom period:
May through August -
Prickly Pear Cactus -or- Twist-Spine Prickly Pear -or- Paddle Cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza), family Cactaceae (Cactus). This species is one of about 200 others in the genus Opuntia and are perennials. Members of this species are native to the North Americas. The plants have male and female parts and are pollinated mostly by insects. They are a popular inclusion in cultivated rock gardens. As well distributed as they are, the plants are placed in endangered status in the state of Iowa. In Arizona the two variants are protected from salvage: Opuntia macrorhiza var. macrorhiza -and- Opuntia macrorhiza var. pottsii. Per WIKIPEDIA, 'Opuntia spreads into large clonal colonies, which contributes to the fact that it is considered a noxious weed in some places'. In fact, the plants were introduced to Australia where they so quickly spread they became an invasive problem that rendered 15,000 miles of farm land unproductive.
USES:
The history of uses of this species is long and distinct. They include edible, medical, alcoholic, and even cultural. Native American uses include: Navajo, Ramah Cactus spines formerly used to pierce ears and lance small skin abscesses. Stem roasted and material used to lubricate midwife's hand for placenta removal. Fruit dried and boiled, eaten raw. Fruit harvested for winter use. From the Colorado State University Extension website are the following uses by the Pueblo tribes: 'Fruits and pads were gathered and singed over fire to remove spines before eating; glochids (short bristle-like spines) may be removed by rubbing with a cloth; pads are mucilaginous (gummy/glutinous) and were probably combined with other foods. As a Fiber/Dye: dried, ground fruit was combined with water and dried beeplant to make a reddish dye used to "polish" moccasins and dye thread and weaving fiber'. End quote.
FunFact: From WIKIPEDIA: The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a rattlesnake. According to the official history of Mexico, the coat of arms is inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was there they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan.
See other cactus on the site: Simpson's Hedgehog and Nylon Hedgehog.
Plant location: Clear Creek Trail in Colorado on May 29, 2009. This species is fairly well distributed in the United States: AR, AZ, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, OH, OK, SD, TX, UT, WI, WY. It can be found in grasslands, open woods, mesas, ridges, rocky slopes, and dry plains areas with an elevation up to about 7,000'.
Bloom season: May and June. 
Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This identification was difficult and made ultimately based on the foliage of the plants with it's leaves along the whole stem of the plant and not simply at the base. The species is closely related to another Solidago member - canadensis. This native of North America is common and has been spread to much of the rest of the world. It is a resiliant plant and holds up in areas taken over with human population. There are about 100 species in the genus. They are perennial herbs. USES: Solidago are prized in Europe more than in the United States where often they ae classed as invasive weeds. The Chippewa indian tribe had the following uses for this species: Compound poultice of flowers applied to burns. Poultice of moistened, pulverized root applied to boils. Poultice of moistened, dry flowers applied to ulcers. In the cultivated garden the flowers from this species is found to be a good butterfly attractor.
See our other Solidagos: Canada Goldenrod <> Northern Goldenrod <> Dwarf Goldenrod
Plant location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Hidden Valley area. August 19, 2009. This species is found in all but a handful of the United States and is also found in much of Canada.
Bloom period: August to November. -
Western Wallflower -or- Pretty Wallflower -or- Big Wallflower (Erysimum asperum), family Brassicaceae (Mustard). This is a pretty wallflower, one of 22 species in the U.S. and 180 species worldwide. Many are native to North America, as well as Asia and Europe. The plant family Brassicaceae offers many edible foods such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. Yet there is no mention of this species in such websites as Plants For a Future, or Native American Ethnobotany, of uses by Native American tribes or other cultures, of the species for food or medicine. This species is quite variable. They can be biennial or perennial. Weber mentions that asperum hybridizes with capitatum along the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains - which is where we saw this specimen. The two species can be so closely linked that asperum and capitatum are often synonyms for one another.
See the other species in the genus Erysimum that we have on the website: Sanddune Wallflower - Orange Wallflower - Spreading Wallflower
Plant location: Seen hiking in a Boulder County Open Space, Colorado on May 18, 2009. Found in the following United States: AK, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WY, and almost all of Canada.
Bloom season: March through August according to the Colorado State University Extension website, and zones plains to subalpine - open areas, slopes, meadows, valleys at 4,500 to 12,500 feet elevation. 
Arrowleaf ragwort (Senecio triangularis), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). One of the 68 species in Senecio according to the USDA Plant Database. WIKIPEDIA mentions that is has hosted over 1000 species. The Native American Ethnobotany website lists the following uses: 'Cheyenne Drug (Analgesic) Infusion of pulverized leaves or roots taken for chest pains. Cheyenne Drug (Sedative) Infusion of pulverized leaves or roots taken as a sedative.' End quote.
Plant location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, on August 28. GPS coordinates: N44°47.468 W110°26.819 – Elevation: 8801'.
Bloom period: Mid summer to early fall. -
Fernleaf Lousewort -or- Bracted Lousewort, specifically Payson's Lousewort (Pedicularis bracteosa), family was Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) - now in Orobanchaceae (Broomrape). According to the USDA Plant database, there is only one variety of this lousewort in the state of Wyoming - Payson's Lousewort - Pedicularis bracteosa var. paysoniana.
Oddly enough:
From the marvelous book by Janis Lindsey Huggins WILD AT HEART is this: 'If using Louseworts for medicine or food use caution. They can absorb toxins from nearby plants. For example, louseworts growing with Senecio species are known to contain their toxic alkaloids'. End quote. AND, while the genus name Pedicularis means 'little louse' and plants from the group were believed to give animals grazing nearby lice...hair and wigs were long ago powdered with the plant's substance to get rid of lice! Ok then!
See other species from this genus on the site: Canadian Lousewort, Elephantheads, and Sickletop Lousewort.
Plant location: Seen in the wonderful Medicine Bow National Park, Wyoming, hiking the Shelf Lakes Trail. The date was July 22, 2009.
Bloom season: Flowers only in June and July. 
Woolly Eriophyllum -or- Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). This plant lives up to it's name, woolly that it is. It is native to western North America, typically growing in dry, open places below 10,000 ft. Also it grows on rocky slopes and bluffs. It is most common in California, but grows as far north as Vancouver, Canada. Per WIKIPEDIA: 'Lewis and Clark saw Eriophyllums growing above their camp on the Clearwater near present day Kamiah, Idaho. They gathered two specimens (the plant was then unknown to science) on June 6, 1806.' Native Americans used this plant for a most interesting use. The Chehalis used the dried flowers as a love charm! Skagits rubbed the plant's leaves on the face to prevent chapping. The Miwok
made a poultice of leaves bound on body over aching parts. There are 11 species in the genus. 
Plant location: Found in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, on August 29, 2009. Elevation 8817'. GPS coordinates N44°46.771 W110°27.399. This species is found in the following United States: CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY. 
Bloom period: July and August. -
Pineapple weed -or- Disc Mayweed (Matricaria discoidea), family Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower). Per WIKIPEDIA: 'Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineapple weed and disc mayweed is an annual plant native to North America and Northeast Asia but which has become a cosmopolitan weed. It is in the family Asteraceae. The flowers exude a chamomile/pineapple aroma when crushed. They are edible and have been used in salads (although they may become bitter by the time the plant blooms) and to make herbal tea. Pineapple weed has been used for medicinal purposes, including for relief of gastrointestinal upset, infected sores, fevers, and postpartum anemia.' End quote. The website Native American Ethnobotany has many recorded uses of the plant including
perfume and insect repellent. Another interesting note is that the Eskimo, Inuktitut tribes use the plants as an indicator of salmonberry picking time. 
Plant location: Seen on the Beartooth Highway near Yellowstone National Park, in the state of Montana. Date August 30, 2009. GPS coordinates: N44°55.928 W109°44.718. The elevation was 6946'. 
Bloom season: May through September is the production period for the flower heads. -
Cowlily -or- Rocky Mountain Pondlily (Nuphar polysepalum), family Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily). Per WIKIPEDIA: 'Nymphaeaceae is a name for a family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called water lilies and live in freshwater areas in temperate and tropical climates around the world. The family contains 8 genera. There are about 70 species of water lilies around the world. The genus Nymphaea contains about 35 species across the Northern Hemisphere.' End quote 
Plant location: Found in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming at Isa Lake. The date was September 2, 2009. GPS
coordinates: N44°26.270 W110°43.09. 
Bloom period: Unknown. -
Green Antelopehorns -or- Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), family was Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) but is now reclassed into the Dogbane family, Apocynaceae.. Thank you, AMY JO JONES, for sharing your images of Green Antelopehorns. This distinctive plant is a perennial forb/herb that is endangered in Indiana. Like many members of the milkweed family the species is somewhat toxic. Per Wildflowers.org is this: 'All plants in the genus Asclepias are probably somewhat toxic, some fatally so, to both humans and animals. The sap of some causes skin irritation in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person's age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant
according to season, the plant's different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.' End quote. A positive benefit of this species is that it is an attractor of butterflies and so can be a valuable addition to yard garden - as long as the toxic nature of the plant is known. Some species in the milkweed family are the sole food of Monarch butterflies. It also is said to have a pleasant fragrance and is reasonably drought resistant. 
Plant location: Sighted by Amy Jo Jones on May 24, 2009 near a lake in Stillwater Oklahoma. Green Milkweed can be found growing in rich or poor soils and blooms off and on over the growing season through the end of summer. It wants full sun. 
Bloom
season: Long flowering season of April through September. See our photos of Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed) here. WIKIPEDIA also has some very fine images of other Asclepias species here. There are about 140 members in the genus.
