The flowers were just starting to come out on Kolob Terrace, the snow just melted off. Here's a bit of a pond that forms next to the trail. This white flower was out in the evening, in the wettish ground near the pond, but we did not remember it from the morning. ID: please email me with ID if you can. Thanks. These yellow flowers were prominent in the area. Erysimum asperum Common Names: Western Wallflower, Pretty Wallflower Family: Brassicaceae (A Utah Flora – Cruciferae) – Mustard Family Biennial or short-lived herbs; stems 4.7” to 3.3' (1.2 to 10 dm) tall or more Leaves: alternate or basal and still alternate; simple; basal leaves 0.8” to 4.8” (2 to 12 cm) long, 0.08” to 0.56” (2 to 14 mm) wide; upper leaves 0.44” to 4.16” (1.1 to 10.4 cm) long, 0.04” to 0.6” (1 to 15 mm) wide Flowers: 4 yellow petals in the shape of a cross or crucifer; 4 sepals; usually 6 stamens (with 2 outer shorter than the inner 4); 1 pistil; flowers in corymbs or racemes; usually radially symmetrical, sepals 4; petals 0.48” to 1.12” (12 to 28 mm) long; nectar glands commonly 4 Pollinators: other Erysimum species are pollinated by insects and hummingbirds Fruits: silique - a pod with 2 compartments with a thin partition Blooms in Arches National Park: March, April, May. Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities Other: The genus name, “Erysimum”, is from the Greek “eryomai” which means “to help or save” referring to the medicinal qualities of some species. The species name, “asperum”, means “rough”. Many plants in this family are weeds and they flower early because they are annual. Many vegetables are in this family– radish, cabbage, cauliflower. A few species of plants in this family are poisonous to livestock. Source: http://www.nps.gov/arch/naturescience/brassicaceae_erysimum_asperum.htm And a closeup of the flowers. Whirly grass seed heads. Manzanita flowers. Overview of the Manzanita leaves and flower bunches. There are two forms of Manzanita in this area - this is the more dominant form (and quite dominant in the landscape). Some with white flowers, some with pink flowers. Arctostaphylos pungens Heather Family: ( Ericaceae ) Common Names: Mexican Manzanita, Pointleaf Manzanita Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, ovate to elliptical, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, leathery, entire margins, pointed at tip and generally rounded at base, blue green above and below, often they are arranged nearly vertically. Flower: Monoecious; perfect, urn-shaped, 1/4 inch long, pinkish-white, occurring in tightly grouped hanging cluster at the ends of twigs in early spring. Fruit: Small, 1/4 inch round, brick red, berry-like drupe that resembles a tiny apple, maturing in the summer and persistent. Twig: Young twigs are yellow green and hairy, later they become dark red and smooth, buds are small and pointy. Bark: Commonly exfoliating to reveal a smooth, glossy, reddish brown, very attractive bark. Form: A thicket forming, large bush (up to 8 feet) with numerous crooked branches, typically a bit more upright with a narrower crown than most other manzanitas. Next page of Wildflowers Latest Rave Homepage All content © 2008 Imlay Canyon Gear LC and Nolan Thomas Jones. All rights reserved.   CUSA Store |  Utah Photo Wild |  Community |  Canyoneering Guide |  Home