Snowball saxifrage (Micranthes rhomboidea)

Western wallflower (Erysimum asperum)

Friday 24 May 2013 at Lair O' the Bear was a great day for seeing wildflowers. Snowball saxifrage (Micranthes rhomboidea) and common alumroot (Huechera parvifolia) were blooming in the shade, next to each other. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) had a few of its unique flowers blooming. Three-leaf sumac (Rhus aromatica) was blooming with its tiny, yellow flowers smelling of skunk/lemonade. In the mustard family, we saw tansy mustard/flixweed (Descurainia sophia), western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) blooming, in addition to the ones that were noted on prior posts this season. Both the Maianthemems (Maianthemum amplexicaule and M. stellatum) were blooming. Blue clematis (Atragene occidentalis) was about finished with its bloom. Leafy potentilla (Drymocallis fissa) is just getting started and is everywhere. Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora) was sporting its tiny blue-white flowers. And last, we saw Viola rybergii and scopulorum.

Tansy mustard/flixweed (Descurainia sophia)