My First Up Close Look

I got my first up close look at this brilliant yellow Wingstem while checking out a wonderful field of Sunflowers that my yoga teacher had planted at her studio.  There were so many Sunflower “faces” looking toward the sun, but the Wingstem caught my eye, in a wild patch of various plants, calling out for my attention.  I didn’t know what it was at the time, but took lots of photographs.

The “Wings”

The flowers of the Wingstem originate where the leaves meet the stem and flow into the “wings” on the stem.

The Leaves

The leaves of the Wingstem are rough in texture, and pointed at both ends.

What Butterflies Will Seek The Wingstem?

I’m seeing most of these flowers in the lower elevations, but being the seed gatherer that I am, I have one plant blooming in my front yard!  I’m hoping I’ll get more, for the Silvery Checkerspot butterflies that use the Wingstem as a host plant and for nectaring.