2025
Southeast Colorado

On our way from Texas to the Colorado mountains we stopped for a time in Southeastern Colorado in La Junta. Our objective was to visit Picket Wire Canyon in the Commanche National Grasslands south of La Junta. We arrived on one of  the hottest days of the season, up to 105 degrees F, so hiking was a challenge. But we found a lot in bloom, including eight new species for the website. These haven’t been posted yet, please check back.

Please contact us with comments and if you see errors in identification.

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NEW! Asclepias pumila
(Plains Milkweed) 7787
Photo Details
Common Name Plains Milkweed
Low Milkweed
Scientific Name Asclepias pumila
Family Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Clematis ligusticifolia
(Virgin’s Bower) 7996
Photo Details
Common Name Virgin's Bower,
Western White Clematis
Scientific Name Clematis ligusticifolia
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Hewlett Gulch Trail, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Dianthus armeria 
(Deptford Pink) 7819
Photo Details
Common Name Deptford Pink
Scientific Name Dianthus armeria
Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Glycyrrhiza lepidota
(Wild Licorice) 7883
Photo Details
Common Name Wild Licorice, American Licorice
Scientific Name Glycyrrhiza lepitoda
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 95 mm
Aperture f/11
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Liatris punctata
(Dotted Blazing Star) 7817
Photo Details
Common Name Dotted Blazing Star, Dotted Gayfeather
Scientific Name Liatris punctata
(Liatris mucronata)
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Mulgedium oblongifolium
(Blue Lettuce) 7842
Photo Details
Common Name Blue Lettuce
Scientific Name Mulgedium oblongifolium
(Mulgedium pulchellum, Lactuca pulchella, Lactuca tatarica var. pulchella)
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Nepeta cataria
(Catnip) 7936
Photo Details
Common Name Catnip
Scientific Name Nepeta cataria
Family Lamiaceae (Mint)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Hewlett Gulch Trail, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Oenothera curtiflora
(Velvetweed) 7960
Photo Details
Common Name Velvetweed,
Velvet Butterfly-weed
Scientific Name Oenothera curtiflora
(Gaura parviflora)
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/1000 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Penstemon virgatus var. asa-grayi
(Upland Blue Beardtongue) 7931
Photo Details
Common Name Upland Blue Beardtongue,
Beardless Sidebells Penstemon
Scientific Name Penstemon virgatus var. asa-grayi
(Penstemon unilateralis)
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Hewlett Gulch Trail, Poudre Canyon, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 140 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Psoralidium tenuifolium
(Slimflower Scurfpea) 7737
Photo Details
Common Name Slimflower Scurfpea
Scientific Name Psoralidium tenuiflorum
(Pediomelum tenuiflorum)
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 160 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Saponaria officinalis
(Common Soapwort) 7767
Photo Details
Common Name Common Soapwort, Bouncing Bet
Scientific Name Saponaria officinalis
Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Symphoricarpos occidentalis
(Western Snowberry) 7774
Photo Details
Common Name Western Snowberry, Wolfberry
Scientific Name Symphoricarpos occidentalis
Family Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)
Date July 22, 2024
Location Lory State Park, Larimer County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details

© Tom Lebsack 2025

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains

 I try to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently.