For further information about current wildflowers in bloom in the area, please contact the Mountain Parks Office at (970) 667-5181. ALPINE: 11,500’ Rocky Mountain National Park Helpful Field Guides: SUBALPINE: 10,000’ Wild “ of Rocky Mountain National Park” Rocky Mountain Natioanl Park by Ruth Ashton Nelson. MONTANE: 8,000’ Rocky Mountain National Park “Rocky Mountain Flora” and “ Flora-Eastern Slope” by William A. Weber. FOOTHILLS: 6,000’ of Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park “Wildlife and Plants of the Southern Rocky Mountains” in the Big Thompson Canyon PLAINS: 4,000’ Revised Edition by Charles Yocom, William Weber, Richard Loveland Biedleman, and Donald Malick . Loveland, Colorado “A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers” by John J. Craighead, Frank C. Craighead, Jr., and Ray J. Davis Have you wondered why some plants are often found in one area but not in another? All plants require a certain combination of soil, moisture, and climatic conditions for healthy growth, and plants with similar needs will be found in the same vicinity. Some plants are so sensitive to these conditions that they may be restricted to the life zone that best fills their needs. Others, such as the fringed sage, are tolerant of many conditions and survive in several life zones. A group of different plants, which live together in the same life zone, make up the commu- All plants, animals, and other natural features are pro- nity of that area. Life zones differ greatly as one tected by park regulation against removal, destruction, travels north or south of the equator, but changes and injury. Plant collecting by permission only. in altitude also produce great changes in soil, moisture, sun and climate. Because of the many Please observe posted hours, and rules & regulations different elevations, Colorado is fortunate to have of the park. For further general park info, or to inquire a variety of life zones - and a variety of plants. about a reservation for an area in the park, please call The wildflowers in this area are an important part the Administrative Office at (970) 962-2727. of the ecosystem. Elevations in the park range from 5743 feet to 6700 feet, and up to 8450 on the trails. Noticing where the plant is growing, and what other plants grow with it is helpful in identifi- Photo courtesy of Brady Hilgenberg, 2003 cation (on north/south slope? in sun/shade?) You are now located in the 340 acres of Viestenz- Provided by the City of Loveland Smith Mountain Park at the “Foothills Life Zone” An Informative Guide to and can now open this guide to information about Parks and Recreation Department the wildflowers that bloom and grow in this zone. Mountain Parks Division Wildflowers of the Area www.CityofLoveland.org The essential parts of every are the pistils (female Nodding Onion- Allium cernuum Common Mullein- parts) and the stamens (male parts). Plants from bulbs, pink or whitish stalked Verbascum thapsus The Stamens produce pollen grains which fertilize the flowers. Grasslike . Distinct onion A tall plant, 2-10 feet high found on Ovules in the Pistil to develop into seeds. Showy Petals smell when bruised. Edible bulb and whole roadsides and waste ground. With un- surround these basic organs and attract insects for plant can be rubbed on the body to repel branched stems, woolly leaves and long, polination to occur. Sepals and green Bracts lie below the insects. Common in fields and hillsides. dense spikes of smalll yellow flowers. Petals for support. Variations in the number and arrange- ment of Pistils and Stamens, plus the shape and color of Penstemon- Penstemon Cyaneus Western Wallflower- the Petals and Sepals aid in identifying different flowers. Tubular purplish-blue flowers with a Erysimum asperum These basic concepts will be used in any flower guide for spreading lip growing one to three feet Four-petaled yellow flowers with slender identification and should be understood before one can high with erect stems. Abundant in open, bases. Very common on fields and open attempt naming an unknown plant. rocky places, favoring moist soil. Blooming slopes. Member of the mustard family Over fifty of plants grow in this area and through- from June through August. with narrow leaves. out the Rocky Mountain region. The following wildflowers Spiderwort- Boulder - are just some of the most common in the area and can be Tradescantia occidentalis Oreobatus () deliciosus observed blooming mostly during June and July: Three-petaled bluish-purple flowers which A common , bearing many Pasque flower- last only through one day, then melt into a large white blossoms 1-3 inches Pulsatilla patens slimy residue. Long, grass-like leaves. Very across, resembling single white Cup shaped “hairy” lavender common in Spring and early Summer on roses. Lacks spines, and grows blossoms with gold centers. rocky slopes or in the foothills. abundantly among rocks. is not edible. One of the first plants to Golden Banner- Sulphur Flower- emerge from the snow in Thermopsis divaricarpa Eriogonum umbellatum early Spring. Grows in clumps among the rocks or on the A very common plant a foot or more high of Umbrella-like clusters of small, smooth open grassland. open woods, meadows, and hillsides. With yellow flowers, and woolly basal leaves. Wild Geranium- Geranium spp. bright yellow sweet-pea-like flowers and Flowers often turning reddish late in Plants with five pink or purplish flow- leaflets in threes. Provides masses of color season. Common on dry, rocky hillsides. ers, usually with darker veins, five throughout June and July. pistils, and lobed, toothed leaves. Lambert Crazyweed- Photos in this pamphlet are provided by the following Grows in dry fields and open forests, Oxytropis lambertii publications: “A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflow- often around rocks. A showy, poisonous plant 6-10 inches ers”, “Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope”, and “Weeds of the Larkspur- Delphinium nuttallianum high with bright reddish-purple flowers and West”, along with the web site for the United States Depart- An early blooming plant from 4-12 inches silvery foliage. Blooming from the middle ment of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation high, with very rich, dark purplish-blue of June through until Autumn. Common in Service located here: http://plants.usda.gov/index.html flowers and a prominent spur. Leaves are fields and open hillsides. Often mistaken If you happen to encounter any of these species in the park finely cut, and sparse on the stem. for non-poisonous milk vetch. as you are visiting, and would like to supply us with a more recent photo of the plant in Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park, Yellow Stonecrop- Pricklypear Cactus- you may do so by sending the photo here: Opuntia polyacantha Sedum stenopetalum City of Loveland - Parks & Recreation Dept. Thickened fleshy stems Common plant of stony 500 E Third Street - Suite 200 covered with spines. Showy, ground with smooth fleshy Loveland, CO 80537 yellow, many-petaled flow- leaves adapted for water Attn.: Laurel Lesser ers. Found in dry, sunny areas. The may be eaten in storage which appear very You may also send digital photos to: a variety of ways after peeling and the seeds may be eaten early in Spring, with the yellow flowers not opening until Email: [email protected] in soups or dried and ground into flour. mid-June. 3 inches tall. If we use your photo for print or online, credit will be given.