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Reservoir Ridge Natural Area – Fort Collins, CO

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area is located 15 minutes northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado. Continue reading “Reservoir Ridge Natural Area – Fort Collins, CO”

True Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus)

True Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is a perennial shrub found on dry and sunny foothills at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 8,500 feet. Specifically, it is most prevalent on moderately steep slopes facing south and/or east because the aforementioned slopes are hotter and drier than slopes facing north and/or west. Continue reading “True Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus)”

Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)

Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) is a succulent, perennial shrub found in sunny prairie grasslands and on dry hillsides at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,500 feet. Prickly pear cacti are easy to identify because there are limited numbers of cacti of its size in Colorado. Continue reading “Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)”

Great Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca)

Great Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca), also know as soapweed and Spanish Bayonet, was used by Native Americans and early settlers to create soap from its roots along with needles, sandals, rope, and paintbrushes from its leaves. Continue reading “Great Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca)”