Heliomerus multiflora, July 28, 2020
Common & scientific name
Showy goldeneye, Heliomeris multiflora
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Roadside, 9,500’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Grows from the foothills to the subalpine, and is most often seen roadside on the lower portion of Independence Pass. The penultimate sunflower (“helios” means “sun”), it is a favorite of bees, both sweat and bumble. It is considered a late summer flower—and is blooming in July! (Hint: don’t wait to see the flower show this summer—it will end early.)