Found in sandy, disturbed areas, roadsides, under old junipers
Seen blooming in June by FS Road 23, Carson NF

​Showy Four O'clock is a magnificent native wildflower that blooms all summer and into the fall. The Latin name, Mirabilis multiflora, translates to "marvelous multi-flowered plant", which is a fitting description. Stems spread to two feet tall and six feet across forming a mound of soft, heart-shaped leaves and flowers. Magenta-pink flowers are funnel-like, up to three inches long, opening in the evening for pollination by hawkmoths, and closing the next morning, unless it is cloudy. Showy Four O'clock has become a popular xeriscape plant in southwestern gardens. It requires little supplemental water once established and needs plenty of space or it will smother adjacent plants. Native Americans used the root in the treatment of stomach complaints; to relieve hunger and after overeating to relieve the discomfort. It was used as an antiseptic to wash out wounds in horses and a poultice of the powdered root applied to swellings. Source.

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Found in dry meadows, slopes, dry coniferous forests
Seen blooming in late May by FS Rd 137, Carson NF

The flower heads of the Antennaria genus grow in a tightly packed cluster which, from above, resemble a cat's paw, from below, so it was given the common name of Pussytoes. Small-leaf Pussytoes grows to four inches high, usually less, from a mat of small, grey-green leaves. Flower heads of two to seven flowers appear when stems are only two inches high. Traditionally it was used to treat swellings, chewed with deer or sheep tallow as a blood purifier, taken for the mad coyote bite, a cold infusion of the root was taken as protection against witches, and the young leaves were used as greens. Source.
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Found in dry, sandy, gravelly areas
Seen blooming in May in Plaza Blanca

One of the many daisies blooming in our area at the moment, the Navajo Fleabane grows to 10 inches high; this was about 6 inches. It is covered in fine hairs that give the plant a fuzzy appearance. Leaves are narrow. Flower buds are nodding but become erect at flowering. Flowers are white to pale lavender. An infusion of the plant was used by the Navajo for general body pain, headaches, gonorrhea, difficult labor and ‘antelope infection’. Source.

​If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.   

Whitestem Blazingstar, Rama Pegajosa, Small-flowered Blazingstar
Mentzelia albicaulis
Stickleaf Family (Loasaceae)

Found in dry, sandy areas
Seen blooming in May by CR 142, Abiquiu

The Stickleaf family is so named because their leaves have barbed hairs that stick to clothing and fur like Velcro. The Whitestem Blazingstar starts blooming as soon as it is just out of the ground, as shown in the photo, until it reaches its maximum height of six to twelve inches. The stem is pale in color, maturing to white, growing from a distinctive basal rosette of rough, deeply lobed leaves. The overall plant is more dainty, less bushy and less commonly seen than other members of the family. Flowers have five yellow petals which are orange at the center and are barely ½ inch across. The flower heads are often nodding. Several Native American tribes used the seeds for food, grinding them into a flour or butter. The Hopi smoked the plant as a substitute for tobacco and used it for a toothache remedy. The Navajo made a compound of the leaves for snakebites. Source.

​If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.

Found on rocky slopes, in woodlands
Seen blooming in May on the north rim of Canon de Cobre

Oregon Grape is a shrub growing low to the ground with holly-like leaves which turn red in the fall. Clusters of small yellow flowers are followed by blue-black grape-like fruit which is edible. They are used for making jams, jellies, etc. They can also be made into a refreshing lemonade-like beverage. When sugar is added, the fruit juice is similar to grape juice. Oregon grape has a variety of medicinal uses, primarily stemming from the berberine compound found in its roots and bark. It was used by Native Americans to treat loss of appetite and to prevent bloody dysentery. Its current herbal use is mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal problems. It is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, hemorrhages and impure blood conditions. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative. A bright yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit. Source.

​If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.