2025
Southern Colorado

We spent several days in southern Colorado stopping at Trinidad Lake State Park, Cucharas Pass, La Veta and Great Sand Dunes National Park.  We found 18 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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Allium geyerii var. geyeri, Farley Overlook east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 0552
Common Name Geyer's Onion
Scientific Name Allium geyeri
Family Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)
Date June 25, 2025
Location Farley Wildflower Overlook, Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon 24-120 mm f/4.0
Focal Length 120 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/800 sec.
ISO 800
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Androsace septentrionalis, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 8856
Common Name Northern Fairy Candelabra
Scientific Name Androsace septentrionalis
Family Primulaceae (Primrose)
Date June 27, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon 24-120 mm f/4.0
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 2200
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Antennaria anaphaloides,  Farley Overlook east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8683
Common Name Pearly Pussytoes
Scientific Name Antennaria anaphaloides
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 25, 2025
Location Farley Overlook east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon 24-120 mm f/4.0
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 400
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Clematis ligusticifolia, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 8954
Common Name Virgin's Bower,
Western White Clematis
Scientific Name Clematis ligusticifolia
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Date June 25, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 80-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
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Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum,  Farley Overlook east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8669
Common Name Alpine Chickweed,
Field Mouse-ear Chickweed
Scientific Name Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum
Family Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Date June 25, 2025
Location Farley Wildflower Overlook, Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 116 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 400
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Erigeron divergens, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8489
Common Name Spreading Fleabane,
Speading Daisy
Scientific Name Erigeron divergens
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 400
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Erysimum capitatum, FR415 east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8736
Common Name Western Wallflower
Scientific Name Erysimum capitatum
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date June 25, 2025
Location FR415 east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 122 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 720
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Erysimum capitatum, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9397
Common Name Western Wallflower
Scientific Name Erysimum capitatum
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date June 28, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 135 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 640
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Grindelia subalpina, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8350
Common Name Subalpine Gumweed
Scientific Name Grindelia subalpina
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas 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
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Hackelia floribunda, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 8843
Common Name Manyflower Stickseed
Scientific Name Hackelia floribunda
Family Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not)
Date June 27, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 135 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 640
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Heterotheca villosa var. nana, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8383
Common Name Hairy False Goldenaster
Scientific Name Heterotheca villosa var. nana
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas 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 1600
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Holodiscus discolor var. dumosus, Wellington Ditch Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9287
Common Name Rock Spirea
Scientific Name Holodiscus discolor var. dumosus (Holodiscus dumosus)
Family Rosaceae (Forget-me-not)
Date June 28, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa 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 1000
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Hymenopappus filifolius var. cinereus, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8136
Common Name Fineleaf Hymenopappus
Scientific Name Hymenopappus filifolius var. cinereus
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 1600
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Hymenoxys richardsonii var. floribunda, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8117
Common Name Colorado Rubberweed
Scientific Name Hymenoxys richardsonii
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 1600
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Melilotus albus, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8360
Common Name White Sweet Clover
Scientific Name Melilotus albus
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/20
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
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Mirabilis linearis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8374
Common Name Narrow-leaf Four O'Clock
Scientific Name Mirabilis linearis
Family Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas 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 1600
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Oenothera cespitosa ssp. cespitosa
FR422 north of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8652
Common Name Tufted Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera cespitosa ssp. cespitosa
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date June 25, 2025
Location FR422 north west of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 116 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 1600
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Oenothera coronopifolia, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8110
Common Name Cut-leaf Evening Primrose,
Crownleaf Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera coronopifolia
Family Onograceae (Evening Primrose)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas 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
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Opuntia phaeacantha, Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8390
Common Name Tulip Prickly Pear
Scientific Name Opuntia phaeacantha
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 400
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Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha, Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8378
Common Name Hairspine Prickly Pear,
Starvation Prickly Pear
Scientific Name Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 400
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Penstemon barbatus var. torreyi, Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8297
Common Name Torrey's Penstemon,
Beard-lip Penstemon
Scientific Name Penstemon barbatus var. torreyi
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/11
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 1600
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Penstemon virgatus var. asa-grayi, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 8816
Common Name Upland Blue Beardtongue,
Beardless Sidebells Penstemon
Scientific Name Penstemon virgatus var. asa-grayi
(Penstemon unilateralis)
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Date June 27, 2025
Location Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/20 sec.
ISO 800
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Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum, Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8756
Common Name Jacob's Ladder
Scientific Name Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum
Family Polemoniaceae (Phlox)
Date June 25, 2025
Location FR415 east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano 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 800
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Potentilla pulcherrima, FR422 North of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano Co. 8636
Common Name Beautiful Cinquefoil,
Soft Cinquefoil
Scientific Name Potentilla pulcherrima
Family Rosaceae (Rose)
Date June 25, 2025
Location FR415 east of Cucharas Pass, Huerfano County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 1600
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Psoralidium tenuiflorum, Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8165
Common Name Slimflower Scurfpea
Scientific Name Psoralidium tenuifolium
(Pediomelum tenuifolium)
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date June 23, 2025
Location Levsa Canyon Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas 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
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Sedum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum,  Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9307
Common Name Yellow Stonecrop
Scientific Name Sedum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum
Family Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Date June 28, 2025
Location Wellington Ditch Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa 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 3600
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Stephanomeria pauciflora, Along CO150 near Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9225
Common Name Few-flower Wirelettuce,
Brownplume Wirelettuce
Scientific Name Stephanomeria pauciflora
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 28, 2025
Location Along CO150 near Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/30 sec.
ISO 640

© 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.