Blue Creek and Lewellen area Wildflowers
I'm fascinated by the huge number of wild flowers that grow along Blue Creek and can be found from the canyon tops along Hwy 92 to Ash Hollow. This is my catalog of flowers seen and photographed - a work in progress - including that the identifying names are my best guess. I'm working on my skills as a photographer - so be patient with quality!
Blue Creek Wildflowers
Blue Creek winds through the prairie with its own lush grasses, swamps and low-lying meadows. These flowers either grow directly along the creek or in nearby damp meadows.
This Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) is a rare find along the creek bank, hiding in the grasses in the shade. This year we found about 100 growing in an old creek bed that washed through years ago. Grows a couple of feet tall.
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I was not familiar with Self-heal (Prunella Vulgaris) until I found this little guy growing next to the Closed Gentian I was photographing. It mostly was creeping along the ground.
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Prairie and Grassland Wildflowers
Flowering Shrubs
I've been surprised by the spread of wild shrubs along Blue Creek. The Bitter Nightshade is one of the most interesting with its lavender blooms and red berries appearing at the same time. I've only seen this plant in the last few years.
Grasses
This is just a start - lots of grasses to go.