Hello all,

The time is just flying by here at the Lander Field Office! We now have completed 18 seed collections and have just a few more planned before the end of the season. Some new additions include 3 different species of Penstemon, and important genus on our target list, and Hedysarum boreale ssp. boreale var. boreale (sheesh – what a long name!) which has never been collected in this field office before.

Penstemon paysoniorum (Payson’s beardtongue)

Penstemon humilus ssp. humilus (low beardtongue)

Penstemon laricifolius ssp. laricifolius (larchleaf beardtongue)

This past week, we have begun packing up our seeds and preparing them for shipment to the Bend Seed Extractory in Bend, Oregon where they will be cleaned and processed for long-term storage or conservation projects.  I spend much time admiring the seeds and taking notice of the great variety that exists amongst the different species.  This variety carries over in all other facets of life and it amazes me every time I think about it.

Seeds of Lomatium simplex, a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae)

Seeds of Hedysarum boreale, a member of the pea family (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Antennaria umbrinella, a member of the aster family (Asteraceae)

Recently, I was given the opportunity to go look at the only two existing populations of Yermo xanthocephalus (desert yellowhead) in the world!  One population holds an estimated 10,000 plants and the other has only about 400.  I am so fortunate that Fremont County, WY is home to this hidden treasure of a species.  I am really fortunate to have had this experience because most people will never see this plant in their lifetime.

Desert yellowhead, one of only four threatened or endangered plant species in Wyoming.

I hope everyone is having just as great of an experience as I am here in Lander!

That’s all for now,

Maggie