Wildflowers of Wyoming: Second Edition

By Diantha States and Jack States

Wyoming is home to a host of spectacular wildflowers which collectively are unique to the Rocky Mountain West. In their extensive Wyoming travels, Diantha and Jack States photographed over 325 of the most common and showy wildflowers that inhabit vegetation zones from prairie, steppe, foothills, montane, subalpine to alpine. They are presented in this 2nd edition of their full color field guide that includes thumbnail photos of flowers by color and shape for ease of identification. Also included is a key to plant families with line drawings of 16 of those most commonly encountered families. Thus this guide is useable and appropriate for flower enthusiasts at all levels of experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jul 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483430829

Book preview

WILDFLOWERS of WYOMING

Second Edition

DIANTHA STATES AND JACK STATES

Copyright © 2015 Diantha States and Jack States.

Interior Graphics Credit: Diantha States and Jack States

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3081-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3082-9 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 6/25/2015

Contents

WYOMING AND WILDFLOWER DIVERSITY

GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION

TERMS THAT DESCRIBE FLOWERS

TERMS THAT DESCRIBE LEAVES

CHARACTERISTICS OF SIXTEEN SELECTED FAMILIES

CHARACTERISTICS OF SIXTEEN SELECTED FAMILIES

KEY TO PLANT FAMILIES

PHOTO THUMBNAILS

WILDFLOWERS

AGAVE FAMILY Agavaceae

BARBERRY FAMILY Berberidaceae

BELLFLOWER FAMILY Campanulaceae

BORAGE FAMILY Boraginaceae

BUCKBEAN FAMILY Menyanthaceae

BUCKTHORN FAMILY Rhamnaceae

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY Polygonaceae

BUR-REED FAMILY Sparganiaceae

BUTTERCUP FAMILY Ranunculaceae

CACTUS FAMILY Cactaceae

CAPER FAMILY Capparaceae

CARROT FAMILY Apiaceae

CATTAIL FAMILY Typhaceae

CURRANT FAMILY Grossulariaceae

DOGBANE FAMILY Apocynaceae

DOGWOOD FAMILY Cornaceae

EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY Onagraceae

FIGWORT FAMILY Scrophulariaceae

FLAX FAMILY Linaceae

FUMITORY FAMILY Fumariaceae

GENTIAN FAMILY Gentianaceae

GERANIUM FAMILY Geraniaceae

HEATH FAMILY Ericaceae

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY Caprifoliaceae

IRIS FAMILY Iridaceae

LILY FAMILY Liliaceae

MADDER FAMILY Rubiaceae

MALLOW FAMILY Malvaceae

MILKWEED FAMILY Asclepiadaceae

MINT FAMILY Lamiaceae

MUSTARD FAMILY Brassicaceae

NETTLE FAMILY Urticaceae

OLEASTER FAMILY Elaeagnaceae

ORCHID FAMILY Orchidaceae

PEA FAMILY Fabaceae

PHLOX FAMILY Polemoniaceae

PINK FAMILY Caryophyllaceae

POPPY FAMILY Papaveraceae

PRIMROSE FAMILY Primulaceae

PURSLANE FAMILY Portulacaceae

ROSE FAMILY Rosaceae

ST. JOHN’S WORT FAMILY Hypericaceae

SANDALWOOD FAMILY Santalaceae

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY Saxifragaceae

STICKLEAF FAMILY Loasaceae

STONECROP FAMILY Crassulaceae

SUMAC FAMILY Anacardiaceae

SUNFLOWER FAMILY Asteraceae

VALERIAN FAMILY Valerianaceae

VIOLET FAMILY Violaceae

WATERLEAF FAMILY Hydrophyllaceae

WATER LILY FAMILY Nymphaceae

WATER MILFOIL FAMILY Haloragaceae

WATER PLANTAIN FAMILY Alismataceae

SELECTED REFERENCES

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETIES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WYOMING AND WILDFLOWER DIVERSITY

Wyoming is home to a host of spectacular wildflowers. From the plains and basins to high mountains and alpine tundra a kaleidoscope of flowers abound. This field guide presents a unique overview of the native wildflowers and flowering shrubs that you are likely to encounter throughout the growing season in Wyoming’s 6 major vegetation zones: alpine, subalpine, montane, foothills, steppe, and plains. Traversing these zones is the riparian zone that occurs along creeks and rivers. Our goal in writing this book was to provide readers, unfamiliar with plant identification, with an easy-to-use field guide, and to help them identify common wildflowers typical of all vegetation zones using only one field guide.

Included are color photographs of each plant in its natural setting along with narrative descriptions of wildflowers representing 54 plant families, 219 genera and over 325 species. They are described with a minimum of technical terms and each description includes notes on habitat and ecology, geographic distribution and information about related species. For some species we note edible and medicinal uses. We exclude introduced, non-native plants, even though they are quite common and showy. These flowers are frequently found along roadsides and in disturbed or overgrazed areas. Excellent descriptions and photographs for these non-native plants can be found in Weeds of the West (Tom Whitson, 2006).

Although many of the wildflowers illustrated here can be found in the floras of neighboring western states, collectively they represent a remarkable diversity unique to Wyoming for several reasons. Wyoming occupies a special mid-continental geographic position in North America. Here, atop the mountainous Continental Divide, emerge headwaters of the West’s three major river systems—Missouri, Colorado and Columbia. In the geologic past, as continental glaciers melted and retreated and suitable habitats became available at higher elevations. A diverse flora invaded these drainages eventually arriving in the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. This migration resulted in a grand convergence of diverse floral representatives from the eastern Great Plains, the desert Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. In addition, Wyoming’s geographic location at a northerly latitude with an average elevation of 6,700 feet imparts a dry, cold and temperate climate characterized by dramatic seasonal changes. Elevations range from 3,100 feet in the northeast to 13,804 feet at Gannett Peak in the Wind River Range. Most precipitation falls as snow in winter and early spring with limited rainfall in midsummer. Annual precipitation averages 10 to 20 inches in the eastern plains, less than 10 inches in some locations of the sagebrush steppe, and 20-40 inches in the western mountains. The Continental Divide runs southeast to north-west through the state, physically separating eastern Wyoming’s short-grass prairie, an extension of the eastern Great Plains flora of Nebraska and South Dakota, from the sagebrush steppe, an extension of the western Great Basin in Idaho and Utah. The floras of Montana’s northern and Colorado’s southern Rocky Mountains merge as the central Rocky Mountains in Wyoming.

Most of the world’s major plant formations are represented in Wyoming. These natural landscapes, or ecosystems are arranged in zones or bands according to elevation and topography. Perennial herbs and low-growing shrubs characterize the highest zone, alpine, while trees, shrubs and perennial grasses are the most prevalent plant types found in the progressively lower zones—subalpine, montane, foothills, steppe and plains (see Map). Two especially species diverse genera beardtongue and Indian paintbrush occupy all 6 zones. In addition to elevation and latitude, the boundaries of these zones are collectively influenced by northern and southern slope exposure, rain-shadow effect on the leeward sides of mountain ranges and soil conditions. For a comprehensive treatment of Wyoming landscapes and associated plants the authors recommend the book, Mountains and Plains (Dennis Knight, 2014).

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Vegetation Zones of Wyoming

Alpine. The alpine (tundra) zone begins above timberline at about 9,800 feet and higher. Devoid of trees but with scattered, deformed trees (krummholz) at its lower boundary, the alpine zone is populated with a variety of perennial herbs and dwarf shrubs that form compact cushions or dense mats to minimize their exposure to wind, extreme cold and drought. The treeless mountaintops, tundra, are home to a variety of wildflowers that often bloom at the same time resulting in a breathtaking display of color across the alpine meadows. They flower rapidly to maximize the short growing season regulated by duration of the snow pack (June through August). Unforgettable bouquets of colorful moss campion, rose crown, leafy Jacob’s ladder, Parry’s primrose, old man of the mountain, alpine forget-me-not, sky pilot and alpine avens highlight midsummer hikes through this zone.

Subalpine. The subalpine zone, 9,000 to 9,800 feet, has broad, open meadows (often called parks) interspersed in a conifer forest. The forest is dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies species). In some areas lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and aspen (Populus tremuloides) are mixed with the spruce and fir. In the western mountain ranges, western whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) replaces spruce and subalpine fir near timberline. Timberline defines the border between the subalpine forest and the treeless alpine zone. Common wildflowers in this zone are Indian paintbrush, elephant head lousewort, Colorado columbine, American bistort, marsh marigold and streamside bluebells. Expect these flowers to be at their peak bloom in July.

Montane. Wide expanses of pine and aspen characterize the montane zone, which lies between 6,800 and 9,000 feet. Three dominant species of pine are found in this zone. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) occurs in the Black Hills of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, the eastern slopes of the Bighorn Range, the Laramie Mountains and the northern extension of the Colorado Front Range. In the central and western mountains of Wyoming limber pine (Pinus flexilis) occurs at lower elevations and lodgepole pine is widespread at higher elevations. Groves of aspen are found in wetter soils, often on north-facing slopes and Gambel’s oak (Quercus gambellii) occupies wet eastern slopes. Open ridges and meadows break the expanse of forest in the montane zone. Flowering shrubs often dominate wetter areas of the montane and include meadowsweet, red-osier dogwood, grouse whortleberry, snowberry, ninebark, wax currant, Oregon grape, and mountain lover. The greatest diversity of wildflowers in the montane occurs where streams meander through these sunny openings (the riparian zone). Look for streamside bluebells, wild buckwheat, monkshood, fireweed, silvery lupine, and nodding little sunflower from June into August.

Foothills. The foothills zone marks the transition from grass-dominated plains in eastern Wyoming and sagebrush steppe in central and western Wyoming to the montane zone. The vegetation here is a mosaic of grasses, shrubs and conifer woodland (a forest with an open canopy). The dominant trees are Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopularum) at elevations of 3,600 to 6,300 feet while combinations of ponderosa pine, limber pine, lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) are prevalent at 5,400 to 8,000 feet. Various flowering shrubs can be found in treeless areas and under the open tree canopies. These include Wyoming big sagebrush, mountain mahogany, common chokecherry, serviceberry, antelope bitterbrush, skunkbush sumac, snowbrush, and dogbane. The deciduous aspen extends from its usual range in the montane zone down into the foothills zone along moist drainages. Conversely, cottonwood (Populus species) an inhabitant of the plains follows drainages upwards into the foothills and montane zones. Willows (Salix species), shrubs of the riparian zone, traverse all zones. Common foothills wildflowers include blanketflower, death camas, balsamroot, larkspur, silvery lupine, flax, and skyrocket.

Steppe. Stretching west of the Great Plains to Nevada and Oregon is a wide expanse of steppe ranging from 3,100 to 6,500 feet. It is dominated by the perennial shrubs Wyoming big sagebrush, greasewood, shadscale and four-winged saltbush. In Wyoming several species of sagebrush blanket broad areas between the mountain ranges and escarpments (uplifts) on the western side of the Continental Divide, while plains vegetation and sagebrush steppe often occur at the same elevation on the eastern side. This distribution is primarily governed by average annual precipitation. For example, short-grass prairie occurs on the Laramie Plains, a high-elevation (7,000 feet) area where one might expect to see sagebrush, partially because more summer precipitation falls there. Wildflowers bloom in the steppe early in the season to take advantage of spring moisture before the dry, hot summer. Expect to find species of phlox, Indian paintbrush, larkspur, locoweed, shooting star, and sego lily blooming during May and June.

Plains. The plains zone, located at the western extent of the North American Great Plains, generally occurs at 3,100 to 6,500 feet. Mixed- and short-grass prairies are dominated by perennial grasses: buffalograss (Buchlöe dactyloides), bluegrass (Poa species), needle-and-thread grass (Stipa commata) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). The deciduous trees cottonwood, green ash, and boxelder grow along watercourses. Here, precipitation comes as winter snow and summer thunderstorms. Some common flowers associated with this zone are scarlet globemallow, pasqueflower, milkvetch, beardtongue, coneflower, and dotted gayfeather.

GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION

In this field guide we describe wildflowers of the most common and showy genera found in Wyoming. Although many published field guides are organized by flower color, we follow the accepted botanical practice of arranging wildflowers by plant family. This approach groups them in a natural classification based on floral form (morphology). Families appear in alphabetical order by common name, while genera within the families are in alphabetical order by scientific name.

To help in identification we selected plant characteristics that can be seen without magnification. The botanical terms used to describe leaves and flowers are illustrated with line drawings. We also included The Key to Plant Families. This is more technical and will direct you to the family section where you may find a match for an unknown flower. Sixteen of the most common plant families are illustrated with line drawings. To help amateur botanists identify flowers, we provide photo thumbnails of representative wildflowers and flowering shrubs. They are grouped by color and flower shape.

Each wildflower is identified by the common name most frequently used in Wyoming and by its scientific name. The scientific name is written in italics. Some botanists have recently reclassified genera in some families, notably the Figwort and Lily families, and have placed them into other families. We have retained the previous associations and use scientific names current with Vascular Plants of Wyoming (Dorn, 2001).

Descriptions include general plant characteristics such as size, leaf form, leaf arrangement, flower form and arrangement. The measurements and bloom times we give are averages. We also indicate the number of species that occur within each genus in Wyoming and the habitat, vegetation zone and distribution of each species. Many wildflowers grow in quite specific habitats and the descriptions indicate any unusual or specific habitat requirements. Although many of the wildflowers are widely distributed, we