orange and red. Sego Lily (Calochortus gunnisonii) BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST Splitleaf Indian Also called Paintbrush (C. “Mariposa Lily.” MOUNTAIN MEADOW WILDFLOWERS rhexifolia), a pinkish- A white, tulip red one occurs in our like flower with Probably the best month to view the mountain meadows a purple band wildflowers in the Bighorn Mountains is the from June through at the base of month of June when the mountain meadows August. A creamy the petal. First virtually explode with the color and fresh yellow variety, sulfur flowers appear perfume of native flowering plants. Many Paintbrush (C. in June, about plants bloom following snow melt, produce sulphurea) blooms in the time young seeds for next year’s crop and then die. June and July. The golden eagles Others stay green and retain their flower start to feather bracts and upper leaves provide the color throughout most of the summer season. The out and prairie in this plant rather than the actual following species are common to the Burgess falcons leave flower, which is rather dull. This plant is Junction area meadows, and are only some of the nest. The semi parasitic. The roots penetrate the wondrous varieties on the Bighorn. tissues of nearby plants, stealing part of bulbous root is sweet and is their food. Wyoming Paintbrush (C.

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) nutritious. Bears and rodents feed on the linariaefolia) is the state flower of Dense heads of Wyoming and is red in color. roots; the seedpods are readily devoured by blue to purplish, domestic sheep and probably bighorn sheep Larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) pea -like flowers when green. grow on long Rich blue-purple flowers stalks. Linear and deeply lobed Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja species) leaves fan out geranium like leaves from a central distinguish this plant. node like the palm Larkspur ranges from the of a hand. Found low valleys to high in mountain mountains, blooming meadows and on April to July. The slopes. Primary beautiful flower belies fl owering season the danger of this plant, is June through which harbors a

August. The poisonous alkaloid. The name lupine came ingestion of flowering from the Latin larkspur is one of the word lupus meaning wolf, because it was once leading causes of cattle thought that lupines robbed the soil of death on National Forest lands, although nutrients. It is now known that bacteria on domestic sheep are not adversely affected. root nodules take nitrogen from the air and convert it to plant food, actually enriching the Bighorn National Forest soil. Mice eat the roots and seeds, bear The name comes from its resemblance to a consume the seeds, pods, and roots, and elk ragged brush dipped in paint. They come Tongue Ranger District: (307)674-2600 relish the flowers and seedpods. in various colors—white, yellow, pink, Powder River Ranger District: (307) 684-7806 Medicine Wheel Ranger District: (307) 765-4435

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False Dandelion (Agoseris glauca) Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

Flower is similar in Bright yellow appearance to the

with leaves common dandelion, shaped like with a single flat

arrow heads. yellow flower head They appear in on a long stalk. It

late spring and begins flowering in continue May and continues

blooming through August at Also known as “Old through the fall. higher elevations. Man’s Whiskers”, A milky juice flowers are terminal American Bistort (Polygonum appears when the with one to nine bistortoides stem is broken. flowers in a cyme. Native Americans A plume of tiny The calyx is reddish-purple to pink or yellow chewed the dried white flowers, this in color. The 5 petals are light yellow, white, juices as gum. pink, or red-purple tinged. When in bloom, bloom first makes the flowers arch downward, but as the fruits its appearance in

mature, the flower stands up, the fruits early July, in high Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) become elongated, feathery achenes, giving mountain meadows

through August. the appearance of smoking. Prairie smoke is

The hefty rootstalks found in moist sagebrush plains and are eaten by bear foothills, to subalpine ridges and talus

and rodents alike. slopes. Native Americans boiled the roots to Deer and elk forage make a tea.

on the leaves and Sticky Geranium (Geranium stalks. North viscosissimum) American Indians

used the root in The plant gets its soups and stews. name from the sticky hairs that blanket the Yarrow (Achillea millefollium)

stem and leaves. A flat-topped plant bearing many tiny white Flowers are a rose- flowers in an umbrella like cluster. Feathery purple color with fern-like leaves send a strong herbal odor

dark streaks through through the air when crushed. First flowers

the petals. Blooms These delicate sky-blue flowers with yellow in May, still blooming in September. Grows centers are truly unforgettable. It occurs in are prominent in from low valleys to well above timberline. dense flower clusters, sometimes more than open meadows May Achillea is the through July with the a foot across. Blooms first appear in late name given to peak occurring just June when cow elk are starting their journey the plant used to higher summer ranges with young calves. about the time that to minister the

They persist through early August. The young mountain wounds of bluebirds are leaving their nest and taking wing. name Myosotis comes from two Latin words Achilles It’s a major food item for elk, moose, and deer. meaning mouse ears, which the small, hairy soldiers. leaves resemble.