From Red Rocks to Alpine Slopes: Vibrant Western Slope Wildflowers
After moving to Colorado in 2008, Mary Menz “nerded out” while hiking, and just had to know everything there was to know about native plants. Today, she could not be more enthusiastic about sharing her passion with others.
Menz, a retired award-winning writer, partnered with locally recognized Colorado flora photographer, Jim Pisarowicz, to publish two books: Common Wildflowers of the San Juan Mountains and, most recently, Wildflowers of Colorado’s Western Slope. With over 3,200 species of native flowering plants in Colorado, no book covers them all, but Menz’s book highlights 360 and is the only one specific to the Western Slope. Both books include sighting logs for reference or memento.
“After becoming a hobbyist, I have been mentored by many botanists, attended conferences and became a Colorado Native Plant Master through the statewide CSU extension program,” says Menz. “I started teaching the class in 2013, helping students create their own love of flora out in nature versus cultivated plants from a garden center.”
According to Menz, there is only one true way to observe flora — “the botanist pose.” On hands and knees, using hand lenses, she and students closely observe many unique characteristics such as the number of petals and ray flowers, shape or color of the leaf and how it feels between your fingers and, yes, even hair.
“In botany there are more than 300 words to describe how hairy a plant might be,” says Menz. “To identify a species, you need to see if the hairs are pointing up or down, star or feather shaped.”
Observing plants in every phase of their development can be especially interesting. Some flora petals may actually look different after being pollinated.
“The Utah sweet pea vine fades from white to a rusty color, signaling pollinators to not waste their time here and move on to another flower,” says Menz.
Pollinators can range from butterflies and moths to flies, beetles, ants and hummingbirds. Many plants have specialized fly pollinators, like the prairie coneflower, whose associated fly has developed camouflage that matches the inside of the flower to avoid being eaten by birds. The yucca plant has a specific moth pollinator. Without the moth, no yuccas (and vice versa).
“American pika spend their entire summer haying — cutting and cashing stacks of wildflowers to be eaten all winter,” says Menz. “It’s fun to know beautiful flora are not just here to look at, but serve a purpose for animals and plants.”
Learning to observe the environment surrounding a plant is a key part of appreciating flora. What kind of ecosystem does it grow in? What trees, animals and pollinators share its space? Is the area moist or dry? Does the plant grow in water? What’s the elevation? Has the climate shifted? Are the plants emerging earlier or later than usual?
“The sole purpose of flora is to grow, flower and go to seed,” says Menz. “That’s all they’re thinking about.”
All plants have Latin names allowing scientists around the world to communicate in the same language. Common names are derived from people in different regions based on oral history.
“My favorite flower?” Menz ponders. “Lady’s slipper orchid (Calypso bulbosa). It just makes my heart sing!”
Mary Menz’s Top Spots For Subalpine Flora On The Western Slope
Scenic Drives: Grand Mesa, Owl Creek Pass, Lizard Head Pass, Kebler Pass
Hikes: Highland Mary Lake Trail (Silverton), Cross Mountain Trail (Telluride), The Colorado Trail (Molas Pass), Crag Crest Trail (Grand Mesa)
Tips + Tools: Download the iNaturalist app to map your route, identify plants and share your findings.
Get Involved + Time Your Visit Right
• Want to deepen your wildflower knowledge? Join the Colorado Native Plant Society or explore CSU extension classes in Durango or Grand Junction.
• Wildflowers bloom on the Western Slope from April through October, with peak season in the high country typically hitting in July.
• Don’t miss the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, happening July 11–20, 2025, featuring more than 150 wildflower-themed programs. Learn more at crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.org.
Photos by Jim Pisarowicz
Originally published in the summer 2025 issue of Spoke+Blossom.