Found on dry slopes, roadsides
Seen blooming in late September in Abiquiu

This last plant for the Bloom Blog this year is appropriately named. The Fall Tansyaster will bloom into the middle of October even after the first frost. The flowers of Fall Tansyaster are very similar to the Hoary Tansyaster, which blanketed the roadsides in August. They grow to about two feet high with a single stem branched at the top and are not as widely branched and bushy as Hoary Tansyaster. The leaves at mid-stem are narrow and saw-toothed. The bracts under the flower are long, hairy and curve backwards. The common name, aster, and the scientific family name, asteraceae, comes from the Classical Latin word aster, "star", which came from Ancient Greek. It refers to the star-like form of the flowers. No medicinal uses for this plant could be found.
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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 contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.   

Found on dry slopes, mesas, in thin, rocky soil
Seen blooming in September at Abiquiu Lake

Black Sagebrush is the most widespread sagebrush in the western US. It is an evergreen growing in colonies with a low, rounded form less than 2 feet high compared to Big Sagebrush. Leaves are darker green than Big Sagebrush, and much smaller, about ½ inch long, and not all so obviously three-toothed. It is strongly aromatic. Tiny yellow flowers grow in narrow clusters on erect flower stalks sticking up above the foliage. Black Sagebrush provides important fall and winter forage and habitat for wildlife; it is used less in spring and summer. It is a valuable browse plant for livestock; palatable to pronghorn, mule deer, domestic sheep, and domestic goats but less palatable to cattle and horses. Source. Medicinally, a decoction of the leaves was used in the treatment of coughs, colds and headaches. 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 contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.   

Found by roadsides, field edges, moist, sandy areas
Seen blooming in September near Hwy 84 in Abiquiu

The Foxtail Clover grows to 3 feet tall in patches. The leaves are up to four inches long and divided into 15-35 oval leaflets. Tiny white or bluish pea-shaped flowers grow in dense, two-inch-long spikes which are covered in silky white hairs; the foxtail. Medicinal uses of this clover are unknown but other Daleas have been used in traditional medicine. Daleas are named in honor of English physician and botanist Samuel Dale, (1659-1739) who was born in London and never set foot in the USA, so never saw this Dalea.
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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 contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.   

​Found in dry, open areas
Seen blooming in September near Hwy 554

A very common plant in our area growing to 30" with reddish stems and bluish-green, narrowly divided, feathery leaves. A rosette of the leaves can be seen throughout the winter but are withered by the time of flowering. Tiny flowers are yellow and grow in long, dense clusters. Traditionally seeds were eaten as a grain; pulverized roots were used as a perfume; and the plant had extensive medicinal uses, including treatment of coughs, colds, sores, rheumatism, eczema, tuberculosis, sore eyes, scalp infections, and sheep's sore backs; it was used to abort difficult pregnancies and ease difficult births; the fresh leaves were chewed for stomach troubles. The pulverized roots could be put on a sleeping man's face so his horses could be stolen. 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 contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.   

Photo credit: John George
Found in shallow wet areas, ditches, ponds
Seen in September by the Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM

Cattails are easily recognizable in wet places by their sword-like green leaves and distinctive flower stalks growing 5 to 10 feet tall in dense stands. They actually bloom in our area in July. At blooming time male flowers are in a spike at the tip of the stem with the female flowers in a spike below. After pollination the male flowers fall away and the female flowers form the familiar brown sausage-like seed head. This eventually dries and falls apart scattering as many as 200,000 seeds with feather-like plumes to the wind in the spring. Large stands of Cattails serve as important nesting areas and cover for wildlife. They are also a really useful plant for humans. The roots can be cooked like potatoes or dried and made into protein-rich flour; the young spring shoots are juicy and can be used as an asparagus substitute; the young immature flowers can be boiled and eaten like corn on the cob; the pollen can be used to make pancakes; the base of the leaves can be eaten like an artichoke; the flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are not edible but can be woven into baskets, hats, mats, chairs and beds. The dried seed heads attached to their stalks can be dipped into melted animal fat or oil and used as torches. The medicinal uses of Cattails include poultices made from the roots that can be applied to cuts, wounds, burns, stings, and bruises. The ash of the burned leaves can be used as an antiseptic or styptic for wounds. The seed heads and dried leaves can be used as tinder. The seed head fluff can be used for pillow and bedding stuffing. 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 contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.