June - Spring in the Mountains

Arrowleaf Baslamroot

Twolobe Larkspur(toxic)

Photos courtesy of Robyn Rogers

The deep blue to blue violet Twolobe Larkspur and the bright yellow flowers of the Arrowleaf Balsamroot seem to be the easiest to spot right now and are abundant. You will see these gently blowing in the wind along the trails or grassy roaside.

Silky Phacelia

Sulphurflower Buckwheat

Photos courtesy of Robyn Rogers

I have found the delicate Silky Phacelia recently in rocks along the creek beds. The yellow Sulphurflower Buckwheat gets quite showy once in full bloom.

Yellow Mountain Columbine

Western Blue Virginsbower(toxic)

Photos courtesy of Robyn Rogers

Think on the Columbine as a natural pesticide as it attracts a variety of insectivorous birds which makes it perfect for a home garden. The Virginsbower, although delicately beautiful, could cause serious poisoning problems for your pet if ingested.

Early Blue Violet

Spreading Phlox

Photos courtesy of Robyn Rogers

Violets are one of the first to pop up with vibrant purple flowers inviting spring. Phlox is happy on our rugged mountain slopes, as well as, on our sagebrush plains covering the ground in white to pink..

Sticky Geranium

Creeping Barberry

Photos courtesy of Robyn Rogers

The Sticky Geranium repel some insects and attracts pollinators. Creeping Barberry is considered a shrub. Once the blooms open fully opened the flowers appear as one flower of brilliant yellow color that bear small fruit in the fall.

Dandelion
Photo courtesy of Robyn Rogers

Don’t forget the abundant Dandelion that we so dislike in our lawns. Remember that it is an attractor for our much needed bees and play an important role for wildlife. Dandelions are rich in nectar and attract bees and all types of insect pollinators and the birds that eat them, as well as, bird food from the young buds and leaves.

Photo by Barnes Dr Thomas G, USFWS on Pixnio

In 1917 Wyoming designated the Indian Paintbrush to be our state flower and it is just beginning to bloom in the Cody area now. Watch for the brilliant color everywhere in Wyoming, on our road signs, stamps… and information about Wyoming. For more Wyoming facts go to: https://www.wyo.gov

There are numerous Apps for plant identification but we used PictureThis. Keep in mind when out in the wild of the mountains that some plants are toxic to touch, some are harmful to digest for you or for your dog, some plants are medicinal, and some plants like wild berries draw in bears when harvest ready. Although you most likely will not have cellular service when hiking, go ahead and take photos and use an App or a book for identification later and don’t pick the flowers or allow your dog to eat them or the leaves.

Driving along our scenic highways in the spring time, beware of mudslides. Hiking in the mountains be bear aware. In otherwords, be prepared out west wherever you may venture and enjoy the beauty of our mountains.