2025
Mesa Verde National Park

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Cliff House
9692

At the end of July we had an opportunity to visit Durango and the surrounding area, including Mesa Verde National Park.  Mid-summer is not an ideal time to find blooming wildflowers but we found a few, including three new species.

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

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NEW! Aliciella haydenii ssp. haydenii
(San Juan Gilia) 1302
Photo Details
Common Name San Juan Gilia
Scientific Name Aliciella haydenii ssp. haydenii
(Gilia haydenii)
Family Polemoniaceae (Phlox)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cercocarpus montanus
(Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany) 4714
Photo Details
Common Name Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany
Scientific Name Cercocarpus montanus
Family Rosaceae (Rose)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Park Point Overlook, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens 6.86 mm f/1.8
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/3600 sec.
ISO 64
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Castilleja linariifolia 
(Wyoming Paintbrush) 1142
Photo Details
Common Name Wyoming Paintbrush
Scientific Name Castilleja linariifolia
Family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 140 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 400
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NEW! Chrysothamnus greenei
(Green’s Rabbitbrush) 1087
Photo Details
Common Name Greene's Rabbitbrush
Scientific Name Chrysothamnus greenei
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Dieteria bigelovii
(Bigelow's Tansy-aster) 1200
Photo Details
Common Name Bigelow's Tansy-aster,
Tall Tansy-aster
Scientific Name Dieteria bigelovii
(Machaeranthera bigelovii)
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
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Ericameria nauseosa
(Rubber Rabbitbrush) 9664
Photo Details
Common Name Rubber Rabbitbrush,
Golden Bush
Scientific Name Ericameria nauseosa
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon 14-24 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 24 mm
Aperture f/22
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 400
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Lepidium latifolium
(Broadleaf Pepperweed) 1189
Photo Details
Common Name Broadleaf Pepperweed
Scientific Name Lepidium latifolium
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 100 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Symphyotrichum falcatum
(White Prairie Aster) 1105
Photo Details
Common Name White Prairie Aster
Scientific Name Symphyotrichum falcatum
(Aster falcatum)
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 27, 2025
Location Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 400
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.