The first flowers of this season are being posted! Here is an update on observations in the project pulled about a week and a half ago.

State of the Project

Members: 7
Admins: 1
Observations: 132,482
Research Grade Observations: 64,355 (48.58%)
Needs ID: 68,127 (51.52%)
Unknowns (from companion project): 93
Species 2,135 (increase of 125 from last year’s spring status update)
Identifiers: 2,845
Observers: 9,681
Identification Guides published: Only 1 new

2023 has more flora observations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem than any previous year. An impressive 44% of these are already at research grade.

What kept me busy on iNat over the last year:

• I tried to stay on top of quick IDs of unknowns and felt that was successful for increasing user engagement (corrects, clarifications). Hopefully this also makes observations more likely to be discovered by experts who can provide more specific and confirming IDs. Only 1 person requested a delay in adding IDs, so despite chatter on the iNat forum suggesting high volume users might be annoyed, that isn’t a common issue in our area.
• Most observations are added with an ID at species on genus level. I started confirming or improving these IDs as I developed confidence. I found it easiest to confirm or improve identifications when I focus on recent observations. I had a sense of what was blooming and had IDs from my own observations.
• I think spring blooming plants tend to be the easiest to learn using iNat. There are fewer potential plants to confuse them with. Identifiers tend to be able to respond more quickly. I felt I was providing quality IDs to a large percentage of spring plants and my ability to add specific IDs diminished through the season.
• At some point, the summer volume, the increased diversity, and my desire to spend more time outside (including adding my own observations) led me to fall behind. When this happened, I mostly continued to focus on recent observations when I had time.
• I have now added enough IDs that I can sometimes see an expert “passing through our area” and put more observations in their path. For example, if I start to see a high number of Viola identifications, I will review the family Violaceae or order Malpighiales to see if there are any I can move to Viola. When I add the Viola ID, the person working on Viola will hopefully see them.
• I had fun keeping an eye out for newly identified taxa.
• I slowed down on creating identification guides. The ones I have done so far were a lot of work. I do have about a dozen draft journal posts with notes about different groups of plants. Maybe being out observing will motivate to do more research and publish those. But mostly, I plan to follow my joy and curiosity.

Happy Observing!

As with all the guides I have created, this is my best attempt to help distinguish species found within the Greater Yellostone Ecosystem, but may not be completely accurate. I welcome corrections and additional information that may improve identifications.

Pinaceae - Pine Family

• Includes pines, spruces, firs, and douglas firs.
• Pines (Pinus) are easily usually easily distinguished from other members of this family by needles that grow in bunches called fascicles.
  
• Because of the number of Pinus species the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem they are covered in this separate guide.

Picea - Spruces

• Range
• Shared features: Sharp needles, square in cross section, attached with woody peg-like structure. When the needles fall off, the pegs remain, creating a bumpy texture on the twig. Mature cones have papery scales and hang below branches.
• The two species that are most likely to be confused in this area are the Engelmann and Blue Spruce - this post from Forage Colorado provides an excellent overview of their similarities and differences.

Photo 1 - Engelmann Spruce needle attachment - Source, Photo 2 - Engelmann Spruce Cones - Source

Picea engelmanni - Engelmann Spruce

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Range: throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations of Picea engelmanni in the Greater Yellowstone Ecoystem
• Identification Resources: Forage Colorado-Blue Vs Engelmann Spruce, Gymnosperm Database, Picture of seed cones and pollen cones, JH Wildlife, SW Colorado Wildflowers
• Flexible needles, with stomates on all sides, grow at 45 degree angle to the twigs and branches. While still pointed like other spruces, needles can appear rounded in photos from some angles. Tend to feel less sharp than Blue Spruces (P. pungens). Seed cones are usually 1.5-2.5 inches long (which is shorter than P. pungens). Dominant spruce at higher elevations and on alpine slopes. Trunks tend to not have new growth branches. the bark of mature trees can have a reddish hue. New growth twigs will be hairy (hard to see in photos).

Picea pungens - Blue Spruce

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source,

• Range:
• Identification Resources: Forage Colorado-Blue Vs Engelmann Spruce, Gymnosperm Database, JH Wildlife, SW Colorado Wildflowers
• Observations with comments: Comment on seed cone width,
• Not always blue, but when the blue hue is present, it can be helpful for ID. The blue hue is found more often in commercially grown trees. Stiff, blue-green needles, with stomates on all sides, grow at 90 degree angle to the twigs and branches. Tend to be sharper feeling than Engelmann Spruces. Growth habit is broadly conical (so wider than P. engelmanni) with branches that droop to varying degrees. Trunks tend to have new growth branches sprouting. New growth twigs are glabrous (not hairy). Buds are orange-brown, and pollen cones are red. The seed cones are generally longer than with P. engelmanni, 3-4 inches. More likely found at lower elevations, in valleys and bottomlands.

Picea Glauca - White Spruce

• Range: More common in Canada. Not common, but can be found in all MT counties in the GYE; Park County, WY; potentially present in Sublette County, WY; rare in Fremont County ID.
• Identification Resources: Gymnosperm Database, Montana Field Guide
• Observations of within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - as of June 2023, no verifiable observations are at research grade. Observations in the GYE I suspect as being accurately ID as P. glauca include: this one and this one.
• Seed cones are green to violet, maturing to light brown, 1-2.5 inches long with rounded scales widest at the apex. Bruised needles emit a smell similar to cat urine or skunk. Needles are stiff (similar to blue spruce), but a bit rounded (more similar to Engelmann).

Abies - Firs

Abies lasiocarpa spp. bifolia (Subalpine Fir )

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source, Photo 3 Source

• Shown as Abies bifolia on BONAP
• Observations of Abies lasiocarpa in the Greater Yellowstone Ecoystem
• Observations with comments: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148136391,
• Identification Resources: FNA, Gymonsperm database, US Forest Service, JH Wildlife
• Conical growth habit maybe flattened or irregular in older trees. Stiff straight branches with twigs opposite or whorled. Dark purple, cylindrical cones grow up from branches. Flat needles are glaucous green above with a broad stripe of stomata, and two blue-white stomatal bands below. The needles curve toward the opposite side of the twig. Round buds may be hidden by needles. Bark often has pockets of resin or many irregular horizontal lines. When a needles is removed, a fresh leaf scar reveals a yellow or tan periderm.
• Comment on how to distinguish from white fir: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100020308

Pseudotsuga - Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Common Douglas Fir)

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source, Photo 3 Source

• Range: Throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations of Pseudotsuga menziesii in the Greater Yellowstone Ecoystem
• Observations with comments: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112163084
• Resources: Gymonsperm database, US Forest Service, JH Wildlife
• Flat needles with uniform color, attached by petiole with radial distribution around twigs. Seed cones are green when immature and brown when mature. They contain distinctive bracts with 3 points. Yellow-red pollen cones. Sharp pointed buds. Bark of mature trees has longitudinal fissures.

State of the Project
Members: 3
Admins: 1
Observations: 96,797
Research Grade Observations: 45,329 (46.83%)
Needs ID: 51,468 (53.17%)
Unknowns (from companion project): 53
Species 2,010
Identifiers: 2,399
Observers: 7,747
Identification Guides published: 4 that are probably useful, 1 dubious (Delphiniums), and additional notes.

Project Configuration
After initiating the project, I learned how to better use places in iNat and was able to move the project boundaries to better reflect the Greater Yellowstone Area (thanks to the iNatter that created the place). At the time, I remember thinking that it only made a difference of a few thousand observations, but when I compare the stats from now to October 2022, the reduction in observations suggests that more were removed. I don’t expect to change the boundaries again, so we have a new baseline.

2023 Spring/Summer Goals

• Monitor and help “unknowns” of the Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Recognize and offer supportive tips for issues that may slow/prevent identifications. I think quick interaction will help increase corrections/clarifications by observers. In turn, quicker and more specific identifications makes Nat more rewarding for observers.
• Observe things that I now know to look for to aid with species IDs (wrinkles on anthers for shooting stars).
• Consider broadly useful characters when observing plants to see if I can improve my functional knowledge and create easier to ID observations.
• Above all else, enjoy being outside.

If you have goals for the season, please share them.

This post is a work in progress. Like my other identification “guides”, this is a tool for my learning as much as it is an attempt to provide education. If you find errors or the opportunity to enhance the guide, I would appreciate feedback through comments or messages.

• Pinus description in iNaturalist
• Pinus observations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• BONAP Ranges

Members of the pine family can be most easily distinguished to genus Pinus by noting the needles. Pinus (pine) needles grow in bunches (fascicles) of 2 or more needles. Noting the number of needles in the cluster helps to narrow down the options for species. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), this alone can allow you to narrow to either Trifoliae - American Hard Pines or Quinquefoliae - White Pines (I have also seen people use Strobus, which is the same group plus Pinyons). Seed (larger woody) and pollen (smaller, sponges) cones are also beneficial for identifying to species. Note presence/absence of cones as well as color, length, shape, and (for seed cones) texture. Make sure to check high in the tree for seed cones. Sometimes a distant picture can show relative size and color. If you took a wide angle shot and you can zoom in on the cones or needles, consider adding both the original and a cropped version to iNat. iNat compresses pictures, so the cropped one might enable an ID. A useful resource is the Gymnosperm Database, maintained by an iNat user. Tree shape and bark can also be useful characters, but tend to be more age dependent.

Section Trifoliae - American Hard Pines (2 needles, maybe 3)

Pinus contorta - Lodgepole Pine

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Range - Present in all counties of the GYE except Caribou, ID
• Identification Resources: FNA, Gymnosperm Database, Montana Field Guide, AZ Lodgepole vs Ponderosa, USFS, Key to Conifer trees of Wyoming, Forests of Yellowstone, JH Wildlife
• 2 needles per fascicle, 1-3 inches long (vs 5- 10 inches on ponderosa). Needles can be twisted/spiraled and are green to yellow green. Orange-red pollen cones. Seed cones prickly, 1-2 inches long; asymmetrical, lanceoloid/conical to ovoid before opening, broadly ovoid to globose when open. Bark is usually described as thin and scaly, but thickness can vary, with higher elevation trees having thinner bark. Sometimes tall with small diameter. Can dominate forests after repeated fires. Dominant tree in Yellowstone, comprising 80% of the canopy.

Pinus ponderosa

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Range - Not common within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Present in WY counties: Park, Fremont, Lincoln. Present in MT counties: Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Carbon. Not present in Teton WY, Sublette WY, Park MT and the Idaho Counties in the GYE.
• Identification Resources: FNA, Gymnosperm Database, Montana Field Guide, AZ Lodgepole vs Ponderosa, USFS, Key to Conifer trees of Wyoming, Bryce NPS
• 2 needles per fascicle in the scopulorum variety of the rocky mountain region (3 in the western variety). Yellow-green to blue-green needles are longer than contorta (3.5 - 5.75 in). Further west, Ponderosa needles are generally 5-10 inches long. Needles can appear tufted or foxtail-like. Pollen cones are dark red, brown red, or purplish red. Bark in fractured plates that resemble a jigsaw puzzle. Bark of mature trees can smell like vanilla and is reddish or orangish. Can grow very tall. Consider when seeing longer needles and growth patterns on branches that look different from typical lodgepole.

Section Quinquefoliae - White Pines (5 needles)

Pinus albicaulis - Whitebark Pine (endangered species)

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Tracked on iNat through the The Whitebark Pine Project. The related website contains additional information.
• Range- Present in most counties of the GYE. Rare in Wyoming and Idaho Counties
• Identification Resources: The Gymnosperm Database - has a good list of characters to distinguish from Limber and Western White Pine, NW Conifers, JH Wildlife, Identification guide for 5 needle pines, Photo of whitebark and limber pine cones side by side.
• Research Grade albicaulis in the GYE, Research Grade albicualis with cones (requires cones shown? observation field), Observation with nice discussion, Clark’s Nutcracker eating whitebark pine seeds
• Additional representative photos from the whitebark pine project
• High elevation tree with round or irregular crown. 5 needles per bundle, shorter needles than the Western White Pine. Purple cones turn brown as they mature are only 2-3 inches long (smaller than limber pine). However, the cones are rarely seen. They produce large seeds and are a favorite food source of the Clark’s Nutcracker. Absence of cones on the ground is more supportive of Whitebark pine than Limber pine. Pollen cones are a vibrant scarlet and frequently can be found at a height for easy photography. Young trees are likely to grown in multi-stem bunches. These are separate trees and generally only one survives to older age.

Pinus flexilis - Limber Pine

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Range - Present through out the GYE, but listed as rare in Wyoming.
• Identification Resources: Gymnosperm Database, NW Conifers, Identification guide for 5 needle pines, JH Wildlife
• 5 needle pine that can be confused with whitebark pine. Pine cones are 3-7 inches long. They start out as green and mature to brown. Large, whole cones on the ground are usually an indication of Limber Pine (as opposed to Whitebark). Pollen cones are often yellow/amber, but can be red.
• Interesting observations: Assume flexilis at Mammoth

Pinus monticola - Western white pine

Photo 1 Source, Photo 2 Source

• Range - only Gallatin County, MT in the GYE
• Identification Resources: Gymnosperm Database,NW Conifers
• 5 needles per fascicle, bluish colors. Loose fascicles results in the need for close inspection to count needles in the bundle (both Limber and Whitebark have tighter bundles of needles). Cones are long with a banana-like curve. Pollen cones are long and yellow. Large trees have rectangle to hexagonal plates of bark. Crown is a narrowly conical. Grows at lower elevations than limber and whitebark.

Identification Workflows

• Pines that Need ID in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

All notes and guides evolve as I learn more.

Identification Notes

These are quick memory aids and ready made comments to explain IDs.

• Berberis repens: Berberis repens is a low lying plant with 3-7 dull leaflets that have toothed margins. It has yellow flowers and blue fruit. It is commonly confused with Berberis aquifolium due to similar appearance. B. aquifolium is a shrub (so usually taller than B. repens), has 5-9 shiny leaflets with more pointed tips. https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBER060E0; https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116791883
• Frasera speciosa: Greenish flowers have 4 lobes and may have purple spots or streaks. They grow on a single stalk that can reach 5-6 feet high. When no stalk is present, the plant has rosette of large, narrow, smooth, keeled leaves with deep central vein. When flowers aren’t blooming can be confused with 2 species: Veratrum californicum leaves have deep parallel veins; Verbascum thapsus has hairy leaves. https://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Brown%20Green%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/frasera%20speciosa.htm
• Veronica wyomingensis lacks petals and has conspicuous purple stamens. V. wyomingensis: https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR09070. Phacelia sericea has dense spikes of purple flowers and larger, pinnately-divided leaves. The stamens of the P. sericea extend past it’s petals (corolla). P. sericea: https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDHYD0C4A0
• Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush) - the most common sagebrush of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem has shallow lobed (with 3 tips), fan-shaped grey-green leaves. It has a distinctive central trunk and generally grows 2-5 feet high. Flower spikes rise above the crown of branches. Montana FWP. In the GYE, the species most likely to be confused with A. tridentata is A. arbuscula. A. arbuscula or low sagebrush also has leaves with 3 lobes; lobes may be shallow or deep (with deep lobes suggesting arbuscula). It lacks an apparent trunk and is generally less than 2 feet tall. USFS. Observing for ID purposes: photograph the entire shrub to show growth habit and scale. Leaf shape can vary on a given plant (flowering stems vs vegetative branches), so look and capture leaf definition from these different locations. The Sagebrush pocket guide provides additional information on sagebrush, including additional methods of ID and how to distinguish subspecies.

Identification Guides

For guides, I have attempted to review the species that are within range for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for the genera listed. I have created comments for the most common species, but more are described within the guide.

Geranium Guide

• Geranium richardsonii: White (sometimes pale pink) petals that have purple veins. Awn tipped sepals, shorter than the petals, may be seen between the petals. Stems are covered with glandular hairs. G. richardsonii only has hairs on the veins on the lower side of its leaves, unlike G. viscosissimum, which has leaves that are hairy all over. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/72776
• Geranium viscosissimum: Pink to purple petals and red to purple veins. Sepals are only visible from below and end in short bristle (awn). Stems and leaves are covered with sticky hairs all over. G. richardsonii can also have pale pink flowers, but only has hairs on the veins on the lower side of its leaves. In G. richardsonii, you can also see the awns from the top of the flower. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/72776

Gentianopsis - Fringed Gentians Guide

• Gentianopsis thermalis: Fringed petals/corolla lobes, widest at apex, overlap to create square opening, or spiral arrangement when closed. May have purple vein on calyx; multiple stems. Frequently located near thermal features. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/72726
• Gentianopsis out of range: Review ranges for Gentianopsis in the US at BONAP: http://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Gentianopsis

Gentiana - Gentians Guide

• Gentiana affinis: Distinguished from G. calycosa by slender leaves near the flower head and having more than one flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/71125
• Gentiana calycosa: Distinguished from G. affinis by ovate leaves and only having 1 flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/71125

Pinaceae - Pine Family (excluding Pines)

• Picea - Spruces - sharp needles attached with woody pegs. Engelmanni has shorter cones and more rounded needles when compared with pungens. The needles of pungens are frequently at a 90 degree angle to the twig, where engelmanni needles are at 45 degrees to the twig. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/74981
• Abies lasiocarpa - Conical growth habit. Dark purple, cylindrical cones grow up from branches. Flat needles are glaucous green above with a broad stripe of stomata, and two blue-white stomatal bands below. The needles curve toward the opposite side of the twig. Bark often has many irregular horizontal lines https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/74981
• Pseudotsuga menziesii - Flat needles, attached by petiole. Seed cones contain distinctive bracts with 3 points. Yellow-red pollen cones. Sharp pointed buds. Bark of mature trees has longitudinal fissures. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/74981

Pinus - Pine Trees Guide

• Pinus contorta: Lodgepole is the dominant tree of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. They have 2 needles per fascicle. Seed cones start green and mature to brown, then become very dark (almost black). When closed, they have a conical shape. Then they open to a short asymmetrical egg and tend to hang onto the branches for a while. Bark is grey and scaly on mature trees. They can be tall and narrow and grow in dense stands. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/73712
• Pinus albicaulis: Whitebark pine is found at high elevations. It has 5 needles per fascicle and bright scarlet pollen cones. It’s dark purple seed cones lighten as they mature, and are usually eaten by Clark’s Nutcrackers. You may see no cones, but may find parts of cones at the base of the tree. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/73712
• Pinus flexilis: Limber pine is found at mid-to-high elevations. It has 5 needles per fascicle and yellow to amber pollen cones. Cones are larger than white pine, starting as green and maturing to light brown. They can frequently be found at the base of the tree. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/73712
• Section Quinquefoliae: White Pines have 5 needles and includes whitebark and limber. These are most easily distinguished by noting pollen and seed cones when possible. https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/73712
  

Campanula Rotundifolia Complex - Harebells Guide

• Harebell Complex: Harebell species in this area are currently being evaluated for a taxon split. Information on how to treat this split in the United States is currently limited. Marking “as good as it can be” for now. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/73094

Delphinium - Larkspurs Guide

• I am uncomfortable making IDs based on my research to date, but the information I gathered is still available.

This is an effort to collect information I have researched regarding this genus. I am not an expert in Geranium, and welcome corrections/recommendations. My goal is to help learn and identify plants in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Geraniums are among the highest volume of “Needs ID” observations in this area. This maybe due to the challenges in distinguishing species.

• Geranium in iNat
• Geranium observations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• BONAP Field Maps for Geranium

Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Geranium, Sticky Purple Geranium)

Photo 1 Source. Photo 2 Source

• Range: All counties in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: USDA Plant Guide, American Southwest, Montana Field Guide,
• Flowers are 1.5 inches in diameter with pink to purple petals and red to purple veins. The lower half of the petals are hairy. Plants are 1 - 3 feet tall. Sepals are only visible from below and end in short bristle (awn). Stems and leaves are covered with sticky hairs all over. G. richardsonii can also have pale pink flowers, but only has hairs on the veins on the lower side of its leaves. There are reports of viscossimum/richardsonii hybrids making distinguishing the species even more difficult.

Geranium richardsonii

Photo 1 Source. Photo 2 Source

• Range: All counties in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Montana Field Guide, Jepson herbarium, American Southwest
• Flowers are 0.5 - 1.25 inches in diameter with white (sometimes pale pink) petals that have purple veins. The lower half of the petals are hairy. Plants are 1 - 3 feet tall. Bristle (awn) tipped sepals, shorter than the petals and may be seen between the petals. Stems are covered with glandular hairs. G. richardsonii only has hairs on the veins on the lower side of its leaves, unlike G. viscosissimum, which has leaves that are hairy all over. There are reports of viscossimum/richardsonii hybrids making distinguishing the species even more difficult.

Geranium caespitosum (Pinewoods Geranium)

Photo 1 Source Photo 2 Source

• Range: within the GYE, only Sublette County
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Wildflowers of New Mexico, Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants, SEINet, Southwest Desert Flora, American Southwest
• Leaves mostly basal, reduced opposite leaves on flowering stems. Leaf surfaces hairy to sparsely hairy, deeply lobed, equally toothed. Flowers variable and potentially similar to richardsonii and viscosissimum. Petals may be ovate, tapering at end or have a notch. They may or may not have dark veins. Flower characteristics more associated with caespitosum: backward drooping petals, arched stamens. Darker purple flowers with less visible petal veins in Sublette County WY should be evaluated for caespitosum.

Geranium bicknelli

Photo 1 Source-Note awn from sepals between petals. Photo 2 Source-Note flower pair and hairy sepals.

• Range: Montana: All counties in GYE except Carbon. Wyoming: Park, Teton and Lincoln Counties. Idaho: Caribou, Madison Counties.
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Minnesota Wildflowers
• Flowers are 1/3 inch across, egg shaped petals with notch at the tip. Flowers typically in pairs each attached to its own 0.75-1 inch peduncle. 5 hairy, elliptical sepals with a conspicuous sharp awn (bristle-like appendage).

Geranium carolinanium (Carolina Cranesbill)

Photo 1 Source Photo 2 Source

• Range: Madison Co, ID; Fremont Co, ID; Madison Co, MT; Gallatin Co, MT
• Identification Resources: Minnesota Wildflowers
• Lance-elliptic sepals are longer than petals with sharp awn. Oblong petals are notched at tip. A pair of flowers grow on a single peduncle attached with a short (sometimes hidden) pedicel/stalk.

Other species to consider

• Geranium molle (Dove’s-foot Crane’s-Bill): BONAP indicates rare presence in Gallatin County and Madison County MT. iNaturalist indicates this plant is out-of-range for this area. Currently there is only 1 observation in iNaturalist, in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and it was not flowering at the time of the observation. Deep notches in petals, results in appearance almost of having 10 petals.
• Geranium pusillum (Small-flowered Crane's-Bill): BONAP indicates rare presence in a few scattered counties in the GYE (indicating escaped ornamentals or otherwise invasive?). Currently there are no observation in iNaturalist, in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The petals are notched with uneven separation. The hairy sepals can be seen from the top of the flower where there are gaps in the petals.
• Note to Self - research this introduced species: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149156595

Identification

• Add Phenology annotations to Geranium - This is a great way to interact with these plants on iNat and add to the value of the data. You can read about phenology annotations in this post on the iNat forum.
• Geraniums needing ID in Sublette County, WY (consider separate review because of potential for caespitosum): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?taxon_id=47701&place_id=1168
• Geraniums needing ID in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?taxon_id=47701&project_id=144298
• richardsonii script White flower, sepals visible from top of flower between petals. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flora-of-the-yellowstone-ecosystem/journal/72776-geranium-of-the-yellowstone-ecosystem

Taxon Split 2024

The taxon split on March 12, 2024 has divided the Harebell Complex based on geographic ranges. This flag contains history of some of the discussion about this split on iNat.

This taxonomy is debated among experts (of which I am not). It seems like many will prefer to use C. rotundifolia for all Harebells. There are sections of overlap in ranges of these species, but the only species in range following the Plants of the World for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is Campanula petiolata.

I had previously been identifying harebells at the complex and marking community ID as good as it can be. I might start IDing with C. petiolata, but still marking any observation IDed with 2 IDs in the complex as “as good as it can get”. That will get them out of Needs ID so they don’t accumulate a large number of IDs that are really about an unsettled taxonomic debate .

Links to iNat pages for each select species and their Ranges according to Plants of the World:

• Campanula rotundifolia is a Eurasian species, not in North America.
• Campanula petiolata is in the Western United States, Western and Central Canada.
• Campanula alaskana is in the Western Canadian provinces, Washington State, and Alaska.
• Campanula giesekiana is in Eastern Canadian provinces, Northern Canada, Greenland, and Northern Europe
• Campanula intercedens is in the Eastern US and Mid-West.

I previously IDed these to the Campanula Rotundifolia Complex where relevant per this discussion.

Discussions elsewhere on iNaturalist:

• https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/213786
• https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/campanula-alaskana-missing-on-inaturalist/8139
• https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/598393
• https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/marykrieger/54525-campanula-in-manitoba-state-of-play-and-incoming-realignment

This is an effort to collect information I have researched regarding this genus. I am not an expert in Gentianopsis, and I hope as a result of sharing this, that those more familiar with the genus may suggest corrections and improvements. All notes on range are in reference to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, presence outside this range is generally not considered.

• Gentianopsis in iNat
• Gentianopsis observations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• BONAP Field Maps for Gentiana

Gentianopsis thermalis (Rocky Mountain Fringed Gentian)

Photo source 1 Photo source 2

• Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem except Teton Co, ID and Bonneville Co, ID
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: American Southwest Flowers, Montanta Field Guide, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Jepson Manual, USDA - USFS plant of the week
• Fringed, scalloped petals (corolla lobes) that are in a spiral arrangement when closed. When flowers open in dalylight, petals/lobes overlap to form a square shaped opening. The lobes are widest at the tip and are broader than G. simplex. The calyx may have a purple vein and is wider than G. simplex. Stem leaves are opposite, more elliptical at the base and liner near the top. Branched/multiple stems.
• G. thermalis is the official flower of Yellowstone National Park and is commonly seen near geothermal areas.

Gentianopsis barbellata (Perennial Fringed Gentian)

Photo 1 source Photo 2 source

• Range: Only in Wyoming
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, SEINet
• Fringed petals taper toward the tip. Shorter than G. thermalis The base of the stem/peduncle is surrounded by several bract-like leaves.

Gentianopsis simplex (Hiker's Gentian, Oneflower Fringed Gentian)

Photo 1 source Photo 2 source

• Range: Per BONAP: Present in Fremont Co, WY, Rare in Carbon Co, MT. Questionable presence in Teton Co, WY and Park Co,WY. However, the Montana Field Guide notes that additional populations are likely to be identified if surveys are conducted.
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project. As of November 2022, there are none identified in this area on iNat.
• Identification Resources: Jepson Manual, PNW Flowers, Oregon Flora, POWO, Montana Field Guide
• Fringed petals (corolla lobes) are pointed at the tips. The Montana Field Guide notes that the tips have entire margins, but that is inconsistent with nearly all RG G. simplex on iNat. Calyx and corolla lobes narrower than G. thermalis (observation discussion). Notches between lobes are not plaited or fringed. Leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with lower leaves more likely to be oval and the upper more likely to be longer/narrower. Singular flower on singular (in branched) stem.

Identification Workflows

• Add Phenology annotations to Gentianopsis - This is a great way to interact with these plants on iNat and add to the value of the data. You can read about phenology annotations in this post on the iNat forum.
• Identify Gentianopsis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, excluding those you have previously reviewed
• Identify Gentianopsis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including those you have previously reviewed. When I have new knowledge, I sometimes like to revisit plants that Need IDs that I may have skipped over.
• Review your previous identificiations (replace whitneybrook with your name): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?reviewed=any&quality_grade=needs_id%2Cresearch&ident_user_id=whitneybrook&taxon_id=72142
• thermalis script: Fringed petals/corolla lobes, widest at apex, overlap to create square opening, or spiral arrangement when closed. May have purple vein on calyx; multiple stems. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/72726
• detonsa misidentification script: Out of range for G. detonsa. POWO: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:108755-2. BONAP: http://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Gentianopsis
• Other species misidentification script: Review ranges for Gentianopsis in the US at BONAP: http://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Gentianopsis

Correct/Improve this guide

*Please comment below if you identify errors in this guide or if you have additional information that would make this guide more useful.

I am a hobby naturalist seeking to improve my understanding of plant identification in my local region. I started this post as a way of collecting my notes on Delphinium. I have seen that there are large numbers of Delphinium in the area that have not been identified to research grade and I was hoping to learn how to improve them. What I have learned is that they are challenging to identify and in some cases, scientists are still determining morphological descriptions and ranges. While the notes below my not be that useful, I will keep them and continue to add to them should I learn something new.

Resources for Delphinium

• Delphinium observations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• About Delphinium on iNat
• BONAP Field Maps for Delphinium
• eFloras Delphinium

Delphinium anatomical features

• Roots and Bloom Structure of Cultivated Delphiniums has excellent diagrams. Even though it is focused on cultivated delphiniums, I think it is useful.
• Pedicel: thin stalk connecting flowers to stem. Pedicel angle may result in columnar (straight up and down) or pyramidal arrangement of blossoms
• Bracteoles: small reduced leaves on the pedicel behind the flower
• Sepals: have the appearance of outside “petals” of the flower
• Spur: tube-like extension from the back of the top sepal. This is present on all delphiniums and is useful for identification to genus.
• Petals: the true petals are smaller and at the center of the blossom. The two top petals are fused.
• Dissected leaves: lobed leaves. Note pointed or rounded tips and well as the width of the lobes. Note whether leaves are only basal or if some stem leaves are present.

Delphinium bicolor (Low Larkspur, Little Larkspur)

Photo 1 source Photo 2 Source

• Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Observations with descriptions and discussion: June 8, 2018 AB Canada, June 9, 2018 Gallatin County, June 14, 2009 Gallatin County
• Identification Resources: Montana Field Guide, Saskatchewan Field Guide, eFloras, FNA
• Distinctive features: shorter than other local larkspur; rounded leaves dissected into thin linear segments, mostly basal. Upper petals white with blue markings. Distinguish from nuttallianum by noting presence of small cleft (< 2mm) in lower petals, also lower sepals longer than the others (thanks to @plachuff for providing help here).

Delphinium nuttallianum (Nuttall’s larkspur, twolobe larkspur)

Photo 1 source. Photo 2 Source

• Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Montana Field Guide, Southwest Colorado by Wildflowers, Larkspurs of the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington, US Forest Service Plant of the Week, Jepson Herbarium.
• Distinctive features: similar in appearance to D. bicolor, but taller with more blooms and later blooming. Pyramidal inflorescence and lower flowers shorter than pedicel. Some observers have used exposed stamens as a means of distinguishing from bicolor, but this may not be reliable (see discussion on this observation ).

Delphinium geyeri (Geyer’s Larkspur, Plains Larkspur)

Photo source

• Range: Park, WY; Fremont WY; Sublette,WY; Lincoln, WY; Fremont, ID. Rare in: Gallatin, MT and Carbon, MT.
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Eastern Colorado Wildflowers, Montana Field Guide
• Distinctive Feature: bushy appearance from many stems, flowers more true blue than purple

Delphinium occidentale (duncecap larkspur, Subalpine Larkspur, Tall Mountain Larkspur)

Photo 1 source. Photo 2 Source

• Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: Montana Field Guide, Montana Plantlife, Burke Herbarium, JSTOR
• Occidentale is potentially confused with glaucum and glaucenscens because they are all tall, have similar shaped flowers and their range is in delays.
• Distinctive Features: Tall. More narrow/elongated blossoms. Traits that might distinguish occidentale from other tall larkspurs, such as glaucum are not fully agreed upon. Options include: pedicel length from mid inflorescence, follicle pubescence, and lower petal width.

Add note for glaucum and glaucescens.

Identification Workflows

• Add Phenology annotations to Delphinium - This is a great way to interact with these plants on iNat and add to the value of the data. You can read about phenology annotations in this post on the iNat forum.
• Identify Delphinium in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, excluding those you have previously reviewed
• Identify Delphinium in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including those you have previously reviewed. When I have new knowledge, I sometimes like to revisit plants that Need IDs that I may have skipped over.

Correct/Improve this guide

*Please comment below if you identify errors in this guide or if you have additional information that would make this guide more useful.

• Gentiana in iNat
• Gentiana in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• BONAP Field Maps for Gentiana

Gentiana affinis (Pleated Gentian)

Photo source

• Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: American Southwest Flowers, Minnesota Wildflowers
• Distinguished from G calycosa by slender leaves near the flower head and having more than one flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots.

Gentiana calycosa (Mountain Bog Gentian)

Photo source

• Range: Beaverhead MT, Madison MT, Gallatin MT, Carbon MT, Park WY, Teton WY, Sublette WY, Lincoln WY
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Observations with useful comments: 9/19/16
• Identification Resources: American Southwest Flowers, Wildflowers of the United States
• Distinguished from G affinis by ovate leaves and only having 1 flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots.

Gentiana algida (Artic Gentian, Whitish Gentian)

Photo source

• Range: Park WY, Fremont WY, Sublette WY, Madison MT, Gallatin MT, Carbon MT
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
• Identification Resources: American Southwest Flowers

Gentiana fremontii (Fremont’s Gentian)

Photo source

• Range: Teton ID, Teton WY, Fremont, WY, Sublette WY.
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project: No observations in iNat for any of these counties as of 10/2022
• Identification Resources:

Gentiana prostrata (Pygmy Gentian)

Photo source

• Range: Park WY, Sublette WY, Fremont WY, Park WY, Carbon WY,
• Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project: No observations in iNat for any of these counties as of 10/2022
• Identification Resources:

Other species to consider

• Gentiana parryi (Parry’s Gentian). In Wyoming. Read about in American Southwest Wildflowers, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers

Identification Workflows

• Add Phenology annotations to Gentiana - This is a great way to interact with these plants on iNat and add to the value of the data. You can read about phenology annotations in this post on the iNat forum.
• Identify Gentiana in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, excluding those you have previously reviewed
• Identify Gentiana in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including those you have previously reviewed. When I have new knowledge, I sometimes like to revisit plants that Need IDs that I may have skipped over.
• affinis script: Distinguished from G. calycosa by slender leaves near the flower head and having more than one flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/71125
• calycosa script: Distinguished from G. affinis by ovate leaves and only having 1 flower per stem. Both have similar shaped blue flowers and may have light spots. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/71125

Correct/Improve this guide

• Please comment below if you identify errors in this guide or if you have additional information that would make this guide more useful.