Wildflowers of Durango Trails
Here you will find newly found plants or corrections to the identities or names of plants in my book.
New Plant Finds
Western Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera oblongifolia
Orchid Family Orchidaceae
July-September: Colorado Trail
To 45 cm (18") Native
Found July 15, 2024
Pale Evening Primrose
Oenothera pallida
Evening Primrose Family Onagraceae
May-August: Mesa Connector
To 30 cm (12") Native
Found July 29, 2024
Saltcedar or Tamarisk
Tamarix chinensis
Tamarisk Family Tamaricaceae
April- September: Lake Nighthorse
To 6 m (19') Non-native, Noxious
Found July 31, 2024
American Yellow-rocket
Barbarea orthoceras
Mustard Family Brassicaceae
May-August: Westview Loop
To 60 cm (24") Native
Found August 10, 2024
Corrections
Aztec Milkvetch (Astragalus proximus)
was misidentified. It is actually
Flexible Milkvetch (Astragalus flexuosus)
Reasons: This milkvetch has more than 11 leaflets that are only 2-6 times longer than wide; florets are 7-11 mm; pods are mottled, 10-15 mm, and have more than 10 ovules.
(Based on Flora Neomexicana, Key D of Astragalus, last couplet.)
Additional Pictures
Western Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron rydbergii
Sumac Family Anacardiaceae
May-June: Colorado Trail
To 3 m (10') Native
Flower was finally photographed 6/21/25
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Nootka Rose
Rosa nutkana
Rose Family Rosaceae
June-July: Westview Loop
To 3 m (10') Native
Flower was finally photographed 6/15/25
This rose is in my book but I was too late to get a picture of the bloom.
Typically this rose is to 6 cm in diameter whereas the Wood's rose is only to 4 cm diameter.
Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Mustard Family Brassicaceae
May-August: South River Trail
To 1.1 m (44") Non-Native
Found June 11, 2025
Kellog's Spurred Lupine
Lupinus caudatus
Pea Family Fabaceae
June-July: Colorado Trail
To 3 m (10') Native
Found June 14, 2025
This new Lupine has a prominent spur at the base of its flower.
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepius tuberosa
Dogbane Family Apocynaceae
June-August: Dalla Mountain Park
To 1.5 m (60") Native
Found June 14, 2025
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Cow Parsnip
Heracleum maximum
Parsley Family Apiaceae
June-August: Colorado Trail
To 3 m (9') Native
June 21, 2025
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Striped Coralroot
Corallorhiza striata
Orchid Family Orchidaceae
June-July: Colorado Trail
To 60 cm (24") Native
Found June 21, 2025
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New Mexico Checker
Sidalcea neomexicana
Mallow Family Malvaceae
June-September: Dry Fork Trail
To 1 m (3.2') Native
Found July 4, 2025
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Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Mint Family Lamiaceae
July-September: Colorado Trail
To 1 m (3.2') Non-native
Found July 20, 2025
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Chickpea Milkvetch
Astragalus cicer
Pea Family Fabaceae
June-August: Horsegulch Trail
To 80 cm (32") Non-native
Found June 30, 2025
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Thinleaf Alder
Alnus incana
Birch Family Betulaceae
April-July: Colorado Trail
To 12 m (39') Native
Found June 26, 2025
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Fragrant Bedstraw
Gallium triflorum
Madder Family Rubiaceae
May-August: Colorado Trail
Prostrate Native
Found August 2, 2025
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Strapleaf Willow
Salix ligulifolia
Willow Family Salicaceae
April-June: Colorado Trail
To 8 m (26') Native
Found August 2, 2025
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