​Brenda’s Yellow Cryptantha, Plateau Yellow Miner's Candle,Oreocarya flava (Cryptantha flava),Forget-me-not Family (Boraginaceae)

Found in dry, sandy areas in piñon-juniper woodlands
Seen blooming in April in Arroyo de los Pinavetes, Santa Fe NF, Medanales

When most of the vegetation looks dead, even after some rain, it is a welcome sight to see bright yellow flowers and fresh, green leaves growing out of a clump of old, gray stems. Brenda’s Yellow Cryptantha grows to about 10 inches high in clumps, covered in bristly hairs. Leaves are grey-green and narrow growing out of the dried stems and leaves from previous years. Flowers grow in clusters and are tubular with five petals. I was unable to find out who Brenda was to give her name to a flower, or why it is also called a Miner’s Candle. Traditionally, the Hopi used it to treat cancer and growth in the throat and the Navajo used it as a dusting powder for sore eyes, for postpartum purification, and relief of intestinal inflammation. Source.
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