2023
Southeastern Colorado

The spring rains brought the flowers of Southeast Colorado out of their dormancy and provided wonderful photo opportunities. We visited in late June, spending time in the Picture Canyon area of Comanche National Grasslands west of Campo and John Martin Reservoir State Park east of La Junta. Twenty-two new species were added to this website as a result

. Please contact us with comments and if you see errors in identification, and check back in a few weeks for more species.

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NEW! Abronia fragrans
(Fragrant Sand Verbena)
9437
Photo Details
Common Name Fragrant Sand Verbena,
Snowball Sand Verbena
Scientific Name Abronia fragrans
Family Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Asclepias engelmanniana
(Engelmann’s Milkweed)
9551
Photo Details
Common Name Engelmann's Milkweed
Scientific Name Ascelpia engelmanniana
Family Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Asclepias speciosa
(Showy Milkweed)
9851
Photo Details
Common Name Showy Milkweed
Scientific Name Ascelpia speciosa
Family Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Date June 29, 2023
Location Northeast of La Junta, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Asclepias subverticillata
(Horsetail Milkweed)
0075
Photo Details
Common Name Horsetail Milkweed
Whorled Milkweed
Scientific Name Ascelpia subverticillata
Family Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Chamaesaracha coniodes
(Gray Five-eyes)
9689
Photo Details
Common Name Gray Five-eyes
Gray False Nightshade
Scientific Name Chamaesaracha coniodes
Family Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca 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 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Convolvulus arvensis
(Field Bindweed)
9799
Photo Details
Common Name Field Bindweed
Scientific Name Convolvulus arvensis
Family Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Croton texensis
(Texas Croton)
9514
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Croton
Scientific Name Croton texensis
Family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata
(Tree Cholla)
07282
Photo Details
Common Name Tree Cholla
Scientific Name Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Zeiss 8.8-25.7 mm f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 70 mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture f/4
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Dalea enneandra
Nine-anther Prairie Clover
004
Photo Details
Common Name Nine-anther Prairie Clover
Scientific Name Dalea enneandra
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 115 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens
(Plains Larkspur)
9771
Photo Details
Common Name Plains Larkspur
Scientific Name Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens
Family Ranuculaceae (Buttercup)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D180
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 116
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. viridiflorus
(Nylon Lace Cactus)
9630
Photo Details
Common Name Nylon Lace Cactus
Scientific Name Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. viridiflorus
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Euphorbia davidii
(Toothed Spurge)
9473
Photo Details
Common Name Toothed Spurge,
David's Spurge
Scientific Name Euphorbia davidii
(Euphorbia dentata)
Family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 105
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/40 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Engelmannia peristenia
(Engelmann’s Daisy)
9641
Photo Details
Common Name Engelmann's Daisy
Scientific Name Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmannia pinnatifida)
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Froelichia gracilis
(Slender Snake-cotton)
9749
Photo Details
Common Name Slender Snake-cotton
Scientific Name Froelichia gracilis
Family Amaranthaceae (Amaranth)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Helianthus petiolaris ssp. fallax
(Prairie Sunflower)
9813
Photo Details
Common Name Prairie Sunflower
Scientific Name Helianthus petiolaris ssp. fallax
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/640 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Melampodium leucanthum
(Blackfoot Daisy)
9965
Photo Details
Common Name Blackfoot Daisy
Scientific Name Melampodium leucanthum
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Mirabilis linearis
(Narrow-leaf Four O’clock)
9492
Photo Details
Common Name Narrow-leaf Four O'clock
Scientific Name Mirabilis linearis
Family Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Oenothera albicaulis
(Whitest Evening Primrose)
0028
Photo Details
Common Name Whitest Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera albicaulis
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Oenothera curtiflora
(Velvetweed)
9543
Photo Details
Common Name Velvetweed
Scientific Name Oenothera curtiflora
(Gaura parviflora)
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 150
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Opuntia macrorhiza
(Plains Prickly Pear)
9569/9605
Photo Details
Common Name Plains Prickly Pear
Scientific Name Opuntia macrorhiza
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture Focus stack of 10 images at f/13
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Pectis angustifolia var. angustifolia
(Lemonscent)
9909
Photo Details
Common Name Lemonscent,
Narrowleaf Pectis
Scientific Name Pectis angustifolia var. angustifolia
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma
(Red-whisker Clammyweed)
9954
Photo Details
Common Name Red-whisker Clammyweed
Scientific Name Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma
Family Cleomaceae (Cleome)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Portulaca oleraceae
(Common Purslane)
9989
Photo Details
Common Name Common Purslane,
Little Hogweed
Scientific Name Portulaca oleracea
Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Proboscidea louisianica ssp. louisianica
(Ram’s Horn)
9700
Photo Details
Common Name Ram's Horn,
Common Devil's Claw
Scientific Name Proboscidea louisianica ssp. louisianica
Family Martyniaceae (Unicorn Plant)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Quincula lobata
(Chinese Lantern)
9781-2
Photo Details
Common Name Chinese Lantern,
Purple Groundcherry
Scientific Name Quincula lobata
(Physalis lobata)
Family Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 (w/2.9 crop)
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus
(Threadleaf Ragwort)
0041
Photo Details
Common Name Threadleaf Ragwort,
Threadleaf Groundsel
Scientific Name Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sphaeralcea coccinea
(Scarlet Globemallow)
9788
Photo Details
Common Name Scarlet Globemallow
Scientific Name Sphaeralcea coccinea
Family Malvaceae (Mallow)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Stephanomeria pauciflora
(Few-flower Wirelettuce)
9923
Photo Details
Common Name Few-flower Wirelettuce,
Brownplume Wirelettuce
Scientific Name Stephanomeria pauciflora
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Tamarix chinensis
(Salt Cedar)
9903
Photo Details
Common Name Salt Cedar
Scientific Name Tamarix chinensis
(Tamarix ramosissimus)
Family Tamaricaceae (Tamarisk)
Date June 29, 2023
Location John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Tradescantia occidentalis
(Prairie Spiderwort)
9416
Photo Details
Common Name Prairie Spiderwort
Scientific Name Tradescantia occidentalis
Family Commelinaceae (Spiderwort)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca 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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NEW! Vitis acerifolia
(Bush Grape)
9659
Photo Details
Common Name Bush Grape,
Maple-leaf Grape
Scientific Name Vitis acerifolia
Family Vitaceae (Grape)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Zinnia grandiflora
(Rocky Mountain Zinnia)
9823
Photo Details
Common Name Rocky Mountain Zinnia,
Plains Zinnia
Scientific Name Zinnia grandiflora
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 28, 2023
Location Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca 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

© Tom Lebsack 2024

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