Found in disturbed sites, pastures, roadsides
Seen blooming in July near the Rio Chama, Abiquiu

The Field Sowthistle looks like a very tall Dandelion. It grows to 3½ feet tall with hairless stems that produce a milky juice when broken. Most of the leaves are on the lower part of the stem and have prickly teeth along the edges. Flowers grow in an open branched cluster of several flower heads at the top of the stems, not all open at the same time. Flower heads are up to two inches across. It is considered a noxious weed in some states. The leaves, flowers and roots are edible. These are best consumed when the plant is young because the older it gets the more bitter it becomes. Leaf spines need to be removed. Source. Native Americans took an infusion to calm nerves and hunters sucked the milk from branches to imitate the sound of a fawn nursing, to draw the doe nearby. Source.
​
If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.   

Found in disturbed sandy, rocky areas, roadsides
Seen blooming in July in Arroyo Trujillo, Abiquiu

Plants in the Cryptantha genus are commonly known as Catseyes. The whole plant is covered with rough silvery hairs. They produce nutlets that vary in size, shape and color and are used for identification. James’ Catseye blooms throughout the season growing to 12 inches high branching from the base. It has tiny flowers with five white petals and a yellow center. They grow in S-shaped clusters, like a scorpion tail, that elongates as it matures. It produces four shiny, smooth nutlets that are bow-shaped. Traditionally, the plant was given to newborn infants for prenatal snake or toad infection, a poultice of the plant was applied to snakebites and sores. It was also used ceremonially as a life medicine. Source.
​
If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.   

Found in sandy soils, sand dunes
Seen blooming in July in Arroyo Toro, Santa Fe NF, Medanales

A strongly aromatic shrub growing over 3 feet tall with leaves divided into narrow, rolled leaflets. It has an overall broom-like appearance. Flowers grow in a long cluster lacking petals but with long, showy yellow stamens. Seed pods are small and yellowish with dark polka dots. It was used medicinally by the Hopi, Tewa and the Ramah Navajo as a toothache remedy. It was also used for basketry and kachina masks. Roots were made into hooks and used to secure packs on burros during salt expeditions. Source.
​
If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.   

Found in sandy, gravelly soils, disturbed areas
Seen blooming in July at Okhay Owingeh Airport

Bracted Vervain has creeping, hairy stems growing to 18 inches long and hairy, lobed leaves. Tiny light blue to purplish flowers grow in whorls at the end of the stems and have stiff, hairy bracts. The five petals are fused at the base forming a slender tube. As the flowers mature the stem elongates up to 6 inches with flowers blooming at the tip and fruits forming below. Traditionally, the Navajo applied a poultice of the plant to centipede bites, and the plant was used in ceremonial chant lotion. Source. The Lakota used an infusion of the root to treat tuberculosis, particularly when it had spread to the lymph nodes.
​
If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.   

Found in sandy, disturbed areas, roadsides
Seen blooming in late June in a pot of pansies in Abiquiu
Photo credit: Carol Bondy

Wild Poinsettia grows to two feet high with inconspicuous whitish flowers and lance-shaped, toothed leaves, The leaves are often red-splotched and whitish at the base. Its structure resembles the red holiday poinsettia to which it is closely related. The plant produces a poisonous milky sap when broken that can cause contact dermatitis and is harmful to eyes. Nonetheless, the plant was eaten by Keres mothers to produce more milk. Source.

If you trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.