It's a dandelion. It lives on the coastal sand dunes. Hence: Coast Dandelion.
Family Asteraceae
Found this small Aster in a alpine meadow up on Parker's Ridge in Banff NP.
These aren't related to Verbenas at all, but rather to Bougainvilleas.
Family Nyctaginaceae
This is something within the family Alliaceae, but putting a name on it is next to impossible.
This odd plant grows close to the ground on dry, rocky slopes at the summit of Mount Diablo in California (and elsewhere). I've looked for this before but never found it!
Unfortunately this isn't a side view of these interesting flowers. In profile the flower head curls down.
Family Boraginaceae
This is a member of the Aster family. We saw several of these flowers growing along side of the road in Redwood State Park.
This member of the dogbane family was used by natives to make a fibrous rope, hence the name Indian Hemp
This showy species is the only species of columbine native to Kansas
Oddly enough, this is a member of the Ginseng family.
Family Araliaceae (Ginseng)
I was amazed how delicate these blossoms were; this blossom fell off right after I photographed it.
Family Papaveraceae (Poppies)
This neat plant is in the family Araceae. You can see the namesake flower, formed by a spathe and spadix, between the two plants.
This is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family. It was very common on the coasts at McKerricher State Beach
Only saw one plant of this large, attractive milkweed. The extremely long pedicels in the umbel, and opposite, wide leaves are characteristic of this species.
This tall, spindly milkweed was found in Cottonwood Canyons, CO. It was growing in some scrubby area.
Cali version of the Whorled Milkweed here in Kansas
This is a pretty common plant near water. Labidomera clivicollis, the Swamp Milkweed Beetle uses this species as its host plant.
The one most often encountered, this species is the host plant for Monarchs and exudes a milky sap when cut
This is an awesome plant for attracting butterflies, and is one of the prettiest of the milkweeds. I took this so many years ago that I have no idea where I took this.
Family Asclepiadaceae (Milkweeds)
This bright bright milkweed is perfect for attracting all manner of insects, particularly Butterflies.
This is one of several species of milkweed with green flowers. Milkweeds are the primary food of Monarch Butterfly caterpillars, and are what makes them so toxic. So if you're lost in the woods, please refrain from eating anything that looks like this. It probably won't kill you, but you'll feel pretty awful.
This odd plant is a relative of the Pappaw seen further North which has a very tasty fruit. The Netted Pawpaw is much smaller and I believe it is endemic to Florida.
This is the same genus as the other Asimina photos I've taken, but this is the only species in the US that is a tree.
This is a very pretty purple aster with a really dense number of petals.
Family Asteraceae (Asters)
These are cool plants that grow along the California coast.
Family Fabaceae (Peas and Lupines)
When the ray petals drop, a honeycomb-like head remains for a long time, hence its name.
The raceme of the White Wild Indigo, quite a pretty plant if I do say so myself.
I was kind of surprised to find this in my collection of photos, I didn't think I had any Indigo plant photos. The flower looks exactly like a lupine, though the leaf structure is much different.
This is a very early-blooming species characterized by the cream colored flowers and their decumbent growth form
This... this doesn't seem to have a common name.
Family Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragons)
I think I took this for the bug, as the plant itself isn't too remarkable as far as I know.
Family Asteraceae (Aster)
This is a really common plant around my Grandparents house, where I took it.
This is yet another lily that is found along the coast. It's chief characteristic is that it grows very low to the ground, at grass level.
Here's a example of Buchnera americana with its more tradition coloration
This flower is not blue... so the common name has me a bit confused :-) Despite the near radial symmetry, this is actually a member of the broomrape family, Orobanchaceae. Found it growing in a be of pine needles
Unfortunately this beautiful plant isn't a native to the US, I dunno where it is native to either. In anycase, the delicate colors made for a great photo.
Family Butomaceae (Flowering Rush)
As with a great number of mustards in California, and perhaps in the US as a whole, this isn't native to our country. I think this might be an Asian species.
Family Brassicaceae (Mustards)
This is another lily in the Calochortus genus and closely resembles Mount Diablo Fairy Lantern
This showy Calochortus was found growing on a steep slope on the side of the road.
These are really cool lilies. This particular species was common at mid elevations in Yosemite NP, particularly where the soil was rocky.
Another Mariposa Lily, and a real treat for me as I love these lilies.
Here's a much better photo of this endemic Calochortus. I believe it's restricted to Mount Diablo only, though I'm not certain.
This plain yet elegant lily is the Oakland Mariposa Lily (or Star tulip)
