As published in the Abiquiú News
in 2025
See what is blooming in Abiquiú in
April,
May,
June,
July,
August,
September and
October
Browse by color:
Pink,
White,
Blue/Purple,
Yellow/Green,
Red/Orange
April 25, 2025
Turkey Peas
Small-flowered Milkvetch
Astragalus nuttallianus
Pea Family (Fabaceae)
Found in sandy openings
Seen blooming in April in Plaza Blanca
Turkey Peas stems grow from two to ten inches sprawling in a mat or erect. Stems are reddish and hairy. Leaves are on long stems and have 7-15 hairy leaflets. Tiny flowers, about 1/4 inch wide, have purple banners with a white center. Seed pods are red and slightly curved, about ½ inch long. No edible or medicinal uses were found on the internet, nor the reason for the common name Turkey Peas. A Google search found five other plants with the common name of Turkey Peas, multiple recipes using turkey and peas, and dog food.
April 18, 2025
Spiny Blue Bowls
Desert Blue Gilia
Bluebowls
Giliastrum acerosum
Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae)
Found in dry, open, gravelly areas
Seen blooming in April in Poshuouinge, Santa Fe NF
Although it grows only three to six inches tall Spiny Blue Bowls are noticeable because of their deep blue flowers. Flowers are ½ inch across with a bright yellow center. Leaves are needle-like and stems woody. Native Americans massaged the crushed plant on cramping muscles. Source.
April 11, 2025
Newberry’s Milkvetch
Astragalus newberryi
Pea Family (Fabaceae)
Found in dry, sandy areas
Seen blooming in April on Chimney Rock Trail at Ghost Ranch
This beautiful little plant grows low to the ground with 5 to 11 silky leaflets. Flowers are showy, bright pink/purple with a lighter center and are over one inch long. Seed pods are curved and covered in silky, white hairs. Traditional uses for Newberry’s Milkvetch are unknown, but other Milkvetch species have uses. The plant is considered poisonous, especially to stock and horses, however medicinally; a decoction of the whole plant was used as a wash for the head, hair and whole body, for stomach disorders, as a gargle for sore throats, a poultice of crushed leaves applied to a lame back, applied as an ointment for animals with urination troubles, roots were chewed as a cathartic, an infusion of root was used as a wash for sores and as a wash for granulated eyelids and toothaches, also plants were used as a ceremonial emetic, the seeds used for food, and pounded seeds mixed with other foods and used as a spice. Source.
April 4, 2025
Tawny Cat’s Eye
Tawny Cryptantha
Gray Cat’s Eye
Cryptantha fulvocanescens
Borage Family (Boraginaceae)
Found in dry, sandy, gravelly areas
Seen blooming in April in Red Wash Canyon
The Borage family are low growing, densely hairy plants and have flowers with five petals. Cryptanthas are distinguished by their tiny white clusters of flowers with a yellow center, the “eye”. They are commonly known as Cat’s Eyes. Plants will often show last year’s dried stems and leaves. This one grows to about six inches high in clumps. Native Americans, specifically the Navajo, used Tawny Cat’s Eye for medicinal purposes: a decoction of plants was taken at childbirth, a cold infusion was used to treat snakebites, a poultice applied for toothaches and the plants were chewed for coughs and colds. Source.
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