Polemoniaceae

Phlox Family

• In the Phlox Family, stamens are opposite the petals.
• Many-flowered Phlox forms loose mats. This is the most commonly-seen species of phlox in the Rockies.
• Alpine Phlox forms compact cushions. It is found in rocky alpine zones.

Polemoniaceae Continued

Phlox Family (Gilia)

• Scarlet Gilia has trumpet-shaped flowers which are arranged in an elongated cluster. It has pointed corolla lobes that are turned back.
• Fairy Trumpet is the same species as Scarlet Gilia but perhaps a different subspecies (candida). It could also be a hybrid. It is often white or salmon color.
• Prickly Gilia is a small shrubby plant that looks pretty weedy except when in bloom. It blooms early in the season. It has a spiny feel. It is widely distributed in arid grasslands and can be found from plains to intermontane parks.

Polemoniaceae Continued

Phlox Family

• Sky Pilot has flowers in a compact cluster. The orange anthers stand out. It is found on the tundra.
• The leaflet arrangement of Jacob's Ladder suggests a ladder. It can be found close to timberline or in lightly-shaded forest floors.

Gentianaceae

Gentian Family

• In the Gentain Family the united corollas may be saucer-shaped, funnel-form or tubular. In this group the corolla is 5 lobed.
• Rocky Mountain Gentian has narrowly funnel-form blossoms. There are a number of blossoms in a compact head. It grows in moist meadows.
• Star Swertia has a cluster of star-shaped purplish blossoms. It grows in wet meadows or along streams in alpine and subalpine zones.
• Arctic Gentian has purplish streaks on its white lobes. There is often a cluster of flowers. It is found in grassy meadows on the tundra. It is one of the last alpine plants to bloom.
• Mountain Gentian is one of the largest flowered gentians. It is found in open fields and meadows of the subalpine zone.

Hydrophyllaceae

Waterleaf Family

• The filaments and styles are longer than the corolla giving them a bristly appearance.
• Silky Phacelia has a crowded spike-like inflorescence. The protruding stamens are obvious. It is found on open slopes from montane through alpine zones.

Monotropaceae

Pinesap Family

• Monotropaceae is a family of fleshy plants which lack chlorophyll. They are saprophytic and get their food from dead material in the forest soil.
• Pinedrops has bell-shaped flowers and a stout reddish stem. It is found in dry coniferous forests.