As published in the Abiquiú News in 2019.
See what is blooming in
April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
Browse by color:
Pink, White, Blue/Purple, Yellow, Red/Orange

---

October 18, 2019

The last plant for this season is not in bloom, although a quick glance may give the impression of long clusters of petals. Fourwing Saltbush is a common shrub in our area growing to 5 feet wide and 5 feet high. Tiny greenish-white male and yellow female flowers are on separate plants which bloom in the spring. Leaves are narrow and grayish-green. What appears to be petals are small seeds with four broad wings. Initially green, they turn yellow, then tan and papery and remain on the plant into the winter providing browse for livestock and deer, and seeds for birds and rodents. Traditionally it has many practical and ceremonial uses. Leaves have a very acceptable taste with a salty tang and can be eaten cooked or raw. Seeds ground into a powder can be mixed with cereals and used in making cakes etc. The leaves and stems were burnt by the Hopi Indians and the alkaline ash used to maintain the blue color when cooking blue corn and as a substitute for baking soda. The Havasupai made a soapy lather from the leaves and used it as a wash on itches and rashes such as chickenpox, and for washing hair. The Navajo applied a poultice of the crushed leaves to ant bites to reduce the pain and swelling. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems, and the wood used to make arrow points. Source.

---

October 11, 2019

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 2 feet tall and 6 feet across forming a mound of soft, heart-shaped leaves and flowers. Flowers are funnel-like, up to 3" long, opening in the evening (photo taken at 6pm) and withering the next day, unless it is cloudy. The root is used in the treatment of stomach complaints; to relieve hunger and after overeating to relieve the discomfort. A poultice of the powdered root can be applied to swellings. The root was chewed by native North American medicine men to induce visions whilst making a diagnosis. Source.

---

October 4, 2019

Devil’s Beggarticks grow to 3 feet tall with reddish branches and simple toothed leaves. Flower heads have long, leafy bracts, yellowish disk flowers and no ray flowers. The seeds have two prominent horns giving it the devilish common names and allowing it to stick to clothes and fur. The root of this plant has been used to make a tincture used for treating irritations, inflammations, pain, bleeding of the urinary tract and other uses. Source.

---

September 27, 2019

You know that summer is coming to an end when the asters start blooming. The purple Tansyasters and Golden Asters (in photo) are abundant and bright amongst them is the White Heath Aster. It grows to 3 feet tall with twisted, woody stems and narrow, pointed leaves, as in heaths. The flower heads are smaller than the other asters, about ½ inch across. The centers of the flower heads turn reddish-brown with age. As many as 100 flowers on a plant grow in a crowded, cylindrical spike or a one-sided cluster. Asters were used by several Native American tribes for a variety of purposes. White Heath in particular was used as a smoke-producing plant in sweat baths, for curing snake bites and for reviving an unconscious person. Source.

---

September 20, 2019

A wiry, bushy plant growing to 18 inches high in colonies of many plants with finely divided, feathery leaves. Both leaves and flowers are covered in fine hairs. The cream to purplish beak-shaped flowers grow in tight clusters, usually pairs, at the tips of the branches. Although the flowers do not seem to open fully there is a tiny gap at the top to allow pollinators in. A decoction of the plant was used for syphilis, menstrual pain, prolapses of the uterus, and by men for leg or body aches; it was also used for ceremonial purposes. Source.

---

September 13, 2019

Othake grows from 4 to 24 inches high with a slender, sticky-hairy stem with sand stuck to it so the plant disappears, except for its showy flowers. Leaves are few and narrowly lance-shaped. Flowers are an inch across at the end of the branches with only five petals which are divided into three lobes. The name Palafox honors Juan de Palafox y Mendoza (1600-1659), founder of the University of Mexico and bishop of Puebla but another website says it is named after José de Palafox y Melzi, Duke of Saragossa (1776–1847), a Spanish captain-general in the war against the invading armies of Napoleon. Quite a different era and personality. Yo no se.

---

September 6, 2019

Blanket Flowers will look familiar because they are often included in wildflower seed mixes but they are native. The Red Dome Blanket Flower blooms from June to October and grows to about one foot in height in dense tufts. Leaves are mostly around the base and are cut deeply into narrow teeth. Petals have three lobes and are usually yellow but can be streaked with purple. The dried seeds can be ground into a powder then kneaded into seed butter and spread on bread. Traditionally the plant was used as a diuretic, taken to give relief from painful urination. A decoction of the plant was taken to treat heartburn and nausea, and a poultice applied externally for the treatment of gout. It was also used for bewitchment. Source.

---

August 30, 2019

Clammyweed gets its name from the sticky or clammy feeling when handling the plant. Redwhisker refers to the many long red stamens. It grows to 2 feet tall with leaves divided into three leaflets that have an unpleasant smell if crushed. The spherical flower heads are showy and made up of about 20 flowers with four white/cream petals and 12 long reddish/purple stamens that stick up beyond the petals. Seed pods are 2 to 3 inches long and upright. Pueblo tribes boiled the young, tender leaves with corn and they gathered the leaves and dried them for use during the winter. The Isleta rolled the dried leaves in corn husks to make ceremonial cigarettes. The Tewa ground the whole plant and mixed it with water for a drink that was taken internally for stomach problems. Source.

---

August 23, 2019

At least nine members of the Buckwheat family grow in our area. James’ Buckwheat grows to 12" high with woody, branched stems. Leaves are spatula shaped and grow to 4" long in a basal rosette with long stalks. They are green on their upper side and densely hairy and silvery white below. The tiny flowers grow in round clusters and are creamy white and hairy underneath. Some Native American Indian tribes used this plant as a contraceptive and to ease the pain of childbirth. The root has been chewed as a cardiac medicine, as a treatment for stomach aches and to treat despondency. An infusion has also been used as a wash for sore eyes and the plant chewed to sweeten the saliva. Source.

---

August 16, 2019

The recent monsoon rains have made many spring flowers bloom again, like the Spiny Blue Bowls, Red Bluets and Spectacle Pods. This is also the time for the Blazing Stars which do not open until late in the afternoon, during the day their flowers are tightly closed so are easily overlooked. Several species grow in the area but the Chama Blazing Star grows only in the Upper Chama River Basin and is listed as a New Mexico Rare Plant. It grows to 2 feet tall with branched white stems and rough leaves. The leaves are narrow with deeply cut teeth and are green on the upper surface with barbed hairs that stick to clothing and fur like Velcro. Flowers are bright golden yellow and solitary at the end of the branches. They are more than 2 inches across with 10 petals and long stamens.

---

August 9, 2019

Grows to 20”, shrub-like, with many branches. Leaves are narrow and dissected. Flowers are showy and purple, about ½" long with blue stamens and darker purple speckles around the throat. It is used as a drug by several Native American peoples; the Navajo used a decoction of plant as a ceremonial medicine, the Zuni made a powder and applied it to the face for headaches, and as a dermatological aid applied to wounds. Source.

---

August 2, 2019

It was hard to miss the many, bright, magenta blooms of the tree-like Cholla cactus which had a super-bloom this year but it was easy to miss the equally bright, Spinystar which grows in a tight ball on the ground, like a spiny tennis ball. Spines are light to brown colored with dark tips. Flowers are more than an inch across and have fringed, hot pink to magenta petals with bright orange stamens and a white stigma. They produce a small green berry that can be eaten raw and boiled, and are useful in small amounts against diarrhea. Source.

---

July 26, 2019

Rubberweeds grow less than a foot tall with leafy stems and many, bright yellow flowers. The leaves are divided into narrow segments. Flower heads usually have 8 petals, but can have more, and are about ¾ inch across. The petals have three-toothed tips and droop when the plant ages. The flowers provide a yellow dye for wool. Hopi and Navajo used the bark of the roots as a chewing gum, due to the roots having a milky sap that contains latex. The stems/leaves were also used to make a tea and a poultice used to treat wounds. It was also used by the Navajo as an emetic in the Evil Way ceremony. It is toxic to livestock. Source.

---

July 19, 2019

I am writing this week from 8,025 feet in cool Colorado (low 42°, high 78°). The spectacular Monument Plants are in full bloom here but they can also be found over 8,500 feet in the Abiquiú area. At first they could be mistaken for Mullein but a closer look will show the four large, light green, speckled petals of the flowers. The Monument Plant produces a flower spike from 5 to 7 feet tall with hundreds of flowers on the stem. It flowers in synchronization with other plants. Some believe it can live up to 80 years as a rosette of long, strap-like leaves and dies after producing the flower spike. The roots were used to treat diarrhea, colds, stomach troubles, gonorrhea and asthma, and to kill lice, while a plaster of the leaves was used to treat headaches. A cold compound infusion was rubbed on hunters and their horses to lend strength and the long stalk was used to make elk calls during hunting. Source.

---

July 12, 2019

Grows to 4 feet, erect and tall in an airy pattern. Leaves are grayish green, long and narrow. The flower has four spoon-shaped purplish-pink petals with purple veins. Seedpods are long and slender. It has been used in ceremonial medicine and as eye medicine. Source.

---

July 5, 2019

The dainty Plains Flax has been blooming since May but it is easy to miss because it is only 8 inches tall with narrow leaves and the color of the flower blends into the areas where it grows. The slender stem and leaves are covered in dense hairs which make them appear gray. The flower is less than one inch across with a copper-colored center and produces a small berry. You may find another yellow flax blooming now, the Bristle Flax, which is similar but taller and has shiny petals. Traditionally the berry juice was squeezed into the eye for inflammation, leaves were used to treat heartburn, while flowers were used to make yellow paint and an infusion of the plant taken to kill a swallowed red ant. Source. 

---

June 28, 2019

This is a long-lived perennial growing up to four feet tall with short white hairs on the stem and many oval leaflets. Its brick-red flowers fade to a light brown-purple when they dry. Seed pods are bladder-like and translucent, and become papery when dry. It is native to Asia but it is known in many other parts of the world as an introduced species and often a noxious weed. It grows in cultivated land and disturbed habitat, easily tolerating alkaline soil. It is commonly seen in areas where alfalfa is grown, because the seeds of the two species look similar and the weed seed is easily imported with the crop seed. It also reproduces by sprouting vigorously from its creeping root system. Alkaloids in the plant may make it poisonous to livestock.  In Asia it is used as a folk medicine for treatment of hypertension.

---

June 21, 2019

Last Saturday I took an excellent hike with Kirt Kempter to the rim of Copper Canyon as a reward for donating to the AAESP firetruck fund and learned a lot about the geology of this awesome place we call home. Go online to sign up for future events and to donate. Many different flowers bloom at over 8,000 feet in elevation and Lupine is one of the showiest. They are characterized by their tall spikes of pea-shaped flowers which are usually blue/purple but can be white or pink. Their leaves are divided, spreading like the fingers of a hand, and this species has fine hairs on its stems and the underside of the leaves. They grow from 1 to 3 feet tall in masses, the height and density of the foliage varies by site and moisture. The Navajo applied a poultice of crushed leaves to poison ivy blisters. Some lupines are edible and the beans are a traditional food in some cultures but many contain poisonous alkaloids and should be avoided. Their pods look like hairy pea pods and could be eaten by children. The FDA warns against lupin flour and lupin protein used in gluten-free products if people are allergic to peanuts. Source.

---

June 14, 2019

From a distance Yellow Salsify looks like a very tall, large-headed, dandelion. It grows to 3 feet tall with grass-like leaves and a hollow stem which oozes a milky sap when broken. The showy flower head can be over 2 inches across with long, narrow bracts extending beyond the petals. Flowers open early in the day and close by early afternoon and may not open at all during cloudy or rainy days. It produces a seed head like a dandelion that can be 4 inches across. For centuries it has been used as both an edible and medicinal plant. It has been used for sore throats, tonsillitis, whooping cough, nosebleeds, urinary tract infections and lung issues. Also, it is said to lower blood pressure, stimulate hair growth, increase circulation, improve bone density, improve digestion and boost immunity. All parts of the plant are edible and are best eaten when young. The flowers and leaves can be added to soups or salads and the stems eaten like asparagus. The root can be eaten raw or cooked but should be cleaned well and the skin scraped off. Natives Americans chewed the coagulated milky sap like gum. Source.

---

June 7, 2019

Wild Rose grows in thickets to several feet high with numerous prickly stems. The showy flowers can range from pale pink to deep rose and have a delightful, delicate scent. The fruits of the Wild Rose are known as rose hips and are edible after several frosts. The hips are a good source of vitamin C and are consumed by birds, bears, and other animals, as well as humans. Wild Rose has been heavily used for food and a variety of other purposes by Native Americans The hips can be made into jam, jelly, syrup and tea. The roots make an orange dye. A poultice of various plant parts may be used for burns, boils, sores, cuts, bee-stings and wounds. A decoction of the roots was used to treat diarrhea. Branches were used to sweep out the grave before the corpse was lowered into it to prevent someone else's spirit from being buried with the dead person. Branches were also boiled in water and used to soak fishing lines and nets to obtain good luck. There is much more. Source.

---

May 31, 2019

The roadsides up at the Lake were bright with masses of Chocolate Flowers and Perky Sue until the USACE mower came along but some can still be seen out of the mower’s reach and should come back. They grow to two feet tall, erect or leaning, with lobed, toothed leaves that are lyre-shaped. Flowers are bright yellow with a maroon disk of stamens that smell like unsweetened chocolate. The petals have red veins underneath, the bracts below the petals are large and petal like. They open in the morning and droop in the heat of the day. Native Americans used the Chocolate Flower to alleviate stomach problems. There are claims that the smoke from dried, burned roots will calm a nervous condition and in some cultures, inspire courage. Source. 

---

May 24, 2019

Thanks to the moisture this year there is a profusion of these beautiful, exotic-looking lilies in bloom in the canyon. Its scientific name means “beautiful herb”. It grows 6 to 18 inches tall with one to four flowers. Leaves are narrow and folded, grass-like. The flowers are 2 inches across and tulip-like with white petals tinged with lilac and a bright yellow base. Inside the flower there is a purple/maroon band around a fringe of yellow hairs and anthers. Sego Lily has been used as dried food, candy and as food for winter by Native Americans who introduced it to the Mormons which kept them alive and thus it became the Utah state flower. The bulbs were dried and preserved for winter use, eaten raw, roasted, peeled and then eaten, and the flower was used ceremonially. Source.

---

May 17, 2019

There is an abundance of wildflowers in bloom at the moment and it was difficult to decide which to showcase this week. There are masses of bright orange globemallows and perky yellow four-nerved daisies since the recent rains so I chose a less showy but interesting plant, also abundant but easily overlooked. This onion grows to 8 inches high in colonies from bulbs buried up to 6 inches deep. Leaves are slender and grass-like and extend beyond the flower stems. Bell-shaped flowers grow in rounded clusters about 1 inch across. The flowers are about ½ inch long and have 6 white or pinkish petals with a reddish-purplish stripe. The wild onions are in the same family as garlic, shallots, leeks and chives. Leaves, flowers, and bulbs can be eaten fresh, the bulbs cooked with other food, or stored for winter use. Juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant will repel many insects and is said to deter moles. The onion has a long tradition of medicinal uses for a wide variety of conditions covering everything from teething babies to snakebite cures. Source.

---

May 10, 2019

When in bloom the Pale Wolfberry is an attractive shrub growing to 6 feet tall with many branches. Leaves are pale gray-green and smooth edged, and have slender thorns at the base. Flowers are funnel-shaped, greenish-white with purple veins and are over 1 inch long. The fruit is orange-red like a small tomato and can be reddish-blue. The fruit can be eaten raw if perfectly ripe, or cooked or dried for later use. The fruit keeps well when dried and ground into a meal. The ground up root has been placed in a tooth cavity to bring relief from toothache. The bark and the dried berries have been used as a 'life medicine'. The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of halting or reversing the growth of cancers. Source.

---

May 3, 2019

Sweetvetch grows bushy to two feet tall with leaves divided into pale green leaflets. The flowers are pink to pink-purple. The seedpods are segmented between each seed giving the appearance of links in a chain. Young tender roots have a sweet carrot or licorice-like flavor and can be eaten raw or boiled, baked or added to soups. Source. 

---

April 26, 2019

Little Twistflower grows with slender, upright, branching stems to 20 inches tall. Bluish-green leaves on the stem are long and narrow while basal leaves have wavy, toothed edges. Flower buds are colored purple, and are clustered tightly together at the top of the stem, but the stem lengthens as they open so that the tiny, yellowish urn-shaped flowers become quite widely separated. Seedpods are 3 inches long, thin and drooping. The seeds are edible.

---

April 19, 2019

The purple haze you see carpeting the medians and roadsides is caused by masses of Purple Mustard. It grows from 2 to 20 inches tall, but usually less, in dense patches with a stout fleshy stem. The lavender flowers are less than ½ inch across and are tubular with four distinctive narrow petals. It is a tenacious annual plant and is considered a noxious weed in Colorado. It reduces yields in grain fields and when it is consumed by dairy cattle it gives their milk a bad taste and odor. It has a musky smell but makes a tasty salad or sandwich according to this forager.

---

April 12, 2019

Golden Smoke grows to about 12 inches tall and is easily recognized by the irregular yellow flowers in long, loose clusters and its finely divided leaves. Its seed pods curve upwards. Corydalis species are potentially toxic in moderate doses. However, a tea made from the plant is used in the treatment of painful or irregular menstruation, diarrhea, bronchitis, heart diseases, sore throats and stomach aches. Externally, it is used as a lotion on backaches, hand sores etc. and as a gargle for sore throats. Source.

---

April 5, 2019

This delicate plant grows from ½ to 4 inches high and is easily overlooked. It has 2 to 10 tiny flowers on candelabra-like stems. Leaves are hairy and succulent and grow in a basal rosette. The plant in the photo is barely 1 inch tall. It was used for postpartum hemorrhage, for internal pain, and as a life medicine. Source.

---

March 29, 2019

Sadly there are many Descancos by our roadsides but they are usually colorfully decorated with artificial flowers that are blooming year round. A Descanso is a roadside memorial that commemorates a site where a person died suddenly and unexpectedly. Descansos do not necessarily mark the place where the person died. Rather, it may indicate that an accident occurred at or near the site, but the person may have died elsewhere, such as in the hospital. Throughout the year, many Descansos are tended by friends or family members of the deceased. Some memorials are decorated for the holidays, with hearts for Valentine's Day, rabbits or baskets for Easter, trees or ribbons for Christmas, or birthday balloons, etc. In New Mexico, it is a criminal offense to damage a Descanso, and family notification is required before a memorial is removed. Source.

---

To comment, please email me.