Wildflowers

Wildflowers and flowering shrubs found at Curecanti bloom in early season (April–June), mid-season (June–July), and late season (July–September). They grow in the semi-arid shrubland, forests, canyon rim, and riparian areas.

Colorado has five distinct life zones - plains, foothills, montane, subalpine, and alpine. Curecanti contains mostly the foothills (canyon rim and uplands) and montane (highest elevations in the park and some parts of the inner canyon).

The foothills, ranging from 6,000–8,000 ft (1830-2440 m), is characterized by Gambel oak shrubland, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and some groves of deciduous trees. Wildflowers in this life zone are common. In western Colorado, some wildflowers and flowering cactus from the Colorado Plateau (much of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico) are seen.

The montane, approximately 8,000–10,000 ft (2,440–3,050 m) is more densely forested and receives more moisture than the foothills. Some parts of the inner canyon, despite being lower in elevation, have plant communities typically found in the montane. Wildflowers grow beneath the forest canopy, but also in the cracks and "hanging gardens" of the canyon walls.

The albums below show a sampling of wildflowers you may see at Curecanti National Recreation Area. White flowers are the most common, followed by yellow and blue/purple. Some wildflowers have phases and are not always the same color. This is due to seasons, pH levels in soil, and genetic changes to attract different pollinators.