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Detailed Area Plant List for Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), Jefferson County, United States.
Edited by Tom Schweich
This list is assembled from personal collections, herbarium vouchers, and published lists that were available at the time this list was prepared. There may be additional species of plants in this area that were unknown or undocumented at the time this list was prepared. For California, much of the data is provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria as indicated by a single dagger “†.” Their web site is at: (http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/). For Colorado, much of the data is provided by the Southwest Environmental Information Network as indicated by a double dagger “‡,” which web site is found at (http://swbiodiversity.org). See their respective websites for copyright information and recommended citation formats.
For a complete list of Locations included in this Area List, see the Locations Included section, below. For a check list, please see: Check List for Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), Jefferson County, United States.
Cupressaceae
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. (Syn: Sabina scopulorum Sarg.(Sarg.) Rydb. ) Rocky Mountain Juniper. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
Sole shrub on north slope, with Artemisia dracunculus, Mirabilis linearis, Eriogonum alatum, and Elymus elymoides.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, northeast slope of small alluvial hill, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.02 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3473.
25 Jul 2025.
(
KHD
)
.
Asclepiadaceae
Asclepias viridiflora Raf. Green Comet Milkweed. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4288.
7/25/2025.
4289.
7/25/2025.
.
Asteraceae
Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Western Ragweed. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 40 cm., woody at base; Leaves opposite below, alternate above, 50 mm. × 22 mm., ovate, pinnately divided; Inflorescence indeterminate, appearing raceme-like, 2 kinds of flowers, pistillate heads many, distal, carpellate heads few, clustered in distal leafy axils; Phyllaries fused into a cup; Receptacle not chaffy; Pappus absent (Described from Coll. No. 1068, 8 Oct 2014).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4295.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Artemisia dracunculus L. (Syn: Oligosporus dracunculus (L.) Poljakov ssp. glaucis (Pall. ex Willd.) A. Löve & D. Löve ) Tarragon, Dragonwort. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3919.
12/7/2024.
Also here: Thelesperma megapotamicum, Alyssum simplex, Pediomelum tenuiflorum, Linaria dalmatica, and Hesperostipa comata.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, lower northeast slope of small alluvial hill, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.02 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3525.
15 Sep 2025.
(
OBI
)
.
.
 Coll. No. 1754, Artemisia dracunculus |
 Coll. No. 1754, Artemisia dracunculus |
Artemisia frigida Willd. Prairie Sagewort. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 30 cm., woody at base; Stems many; Leaves alternate, 9 mm., pinnately dissected into 7 parts, silvery hairy; Inflorescence raceme-like, indeterminate, heads 1-3 in axils; Heads have only disk flowers, all alike; Involucre of hairy phyllaries; Phyllaries in 2 series, hairy, not gummy or with tips recurved; Receptacle hairy, not chaffy or bristly; Flowers fertile; Pappus absent; (Described from Coll. No. 1067, 8 Oct 2014).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3913.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1067, Artemisia frigida |
 Coll. No. 3507, Artemisia frigida. |
 Coll. No. 3625, Artemisia frigida. |
 Coll. No. 1067, Artemisia frigida |
 Coll. No. 1067, Artemisia frigida |
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Silver Wormwood. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3915.
12/7/2024.
.
.
Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners. False Boneset. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb,
to 40 cm.;
Leaves,
alternate,
short-petioled (2 mm.),
48 mm. × 7 mm. wide,
lanceolate,
tip obtuse,
margin entire,
glandular-punctate, sparsely strigose;
Inflorescence,
corymbiform,
heads in groups of 4-5;
Involucre,
8.5 mm. × 6 mm. wide;
Phyllaries,
3+ series,
graduated,
2-8.5 mm. × 0.5 mm. wide,
prominently veined “longitudinally striate,”
margin scarious,
tip acuminate to spinulose;
Receptacle,
epaleate;
Disk flowers,
#19,
corolla, 7 mm., yellow;
Pappus,
plumose bristles,
6 mm.;
Cypsela,
many ribs (maybe 10).
(Described from Coll. No. 1553, 1 Sep 2016.)
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3922.
12/7/2024.
Also here: Symphyotrichum ericoides, Pediomelum tenuiflorum, Potentilla recta, and Bromus inermis.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, lowest northeast slope of small alluvial hill, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.10 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3526.
15 Sep 2025.
(
UCR
)
.
.
Carduus nutans L. (Syn: Carduus nutans L. ssp. macrolepis (Peterman) Kazmi ) Nodding Plumeless Thistle. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Annual, to 55 cm., tap-rooted, branched at base; Leaves, basal, withered at flowering, cauline, alternate, decurrent 40 mm. + blade 75 mm. × 25 mm. wide, pinnately lobed, margins spiny; Inflorescence, single heads on spiny tomentose peduncles 2.5-15 cm.; Phyllaries, many graduated series, 9-20 mm. × 1-3 mm. wide, thick at base, mostly green, purplish at margins, mid-vein prominent, tip spiny; Receptacle, alveolate (honeycombed), flat, bristly; Disk flowers, 25 mm., color purple; Pappus, capillary bristles, 18 mm. (Described from Coll. No. 1517, 24 July 2016.)
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4293.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Carduus nutans rosette. |
 Coll. No. 1711, Carduus nutans |
 Coll. No. 2551, Carduus nutans |
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Syn: Breea arvensis (L.) Lessing ) Canada Thistle. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Annual, to 70 cm., tap-rooted; Leaves, cauline, alternate, sessile but not obviously decurrent, 85 mm. × 20 mm. wide, margin sinuate, spiny, adaxial thinly tomentose, abaxial tomentose; Inflorescence, panicle(?); Heads, many, 30±, 15 mm. × 8 mm. dia., disk flowers only, dioecious, staminate heads, pappus < corolla, pistillate heads, pappus > corolla; Phyllaries, many (6-7) series, outer 3 mm. × 1.5 mm. wide, inner 15 mm. × 1 mm. wide, dark dorsal ridge, tips, spinulose, reflexed; Receptacle, soft bristles, 10 mm.; Pappus, plumose bristles (Described from Coll. No. 1512, 24 July 2016).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4305.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1200, Cirsium arvense |
 Coll. No. 3210, Cirsium arvense. |
 Coll. No. 1512, Cirsium arvense |
 Coll. No. 2773, Cirsium arvense |
Dieteria bigelovii (A. Gray) D. R. Morgan & R. L. Hartman var. bigelovii. Bigelow's Tansy Aster. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3911.
12/7/2024.
.
.
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom & G.I.Baird var. graveolens (Nutt.) Reveal & Schuyler. (Syn: E. n. (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom & G.I.Baird var. glabrata (Gray) G.L. Nesom & Baird ) Goldy-Locks. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3926.
12/7/2024.
Dense stand of Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens with Ambrosia psilostachya, Chenopodium album, Physalis hederifolia, and Bromus japonicus.
Compare to Coll. No. 3524 of var. nauseosa collected 131 m. to the southeast. This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, flat field, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.10 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3528.
15 Sep 2025.
(
CAS
)
.
.
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G. L. Nesom & G. I. Baird var. nauseosa. (Syn: Chrysothamnus plattensis Greene ) Rubber Rabbitbush. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3899.
12/7/2024.
4281.
7/25/2025.
With: Artemisia dracunculus, Alyssum simplex, Opuntia macrorhiza, Bromus tectorum, and Hesperostipa comata.
Compare to Coll. No. 3528 of var. graveolens collected 131 m. to the northwest. This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, lower northeast slope of small alluvial hill, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.06 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3524.
15 Sep 2025.
(
CAS
)
.
.
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. Curlycup Gumweed. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3909.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Obs. No. 4391, Grindelia squarrosa. |
 Obs. No. 4391, Grindelia squarrosa. |
 Obs. No. 4391, Grindelia squarrosa. |
 Grindelia squarrosa in my garden. |
Helianthus pumilus Nutt. Little Sunflower. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 40 cm.; Leaves, cauline, alternate, occasionally opposite, then bases conjoined, simple, petiole 7-10 mm. + blade 55-86 mm. × 22-30 mm. wide, lanceolate, flat (not folded), margin, entire to lightly toothed, adaxial, pustular strigose, hairs multicellular, crosswalls clear, abaxial, glandular and strigose; Inflorescence, heads single to few on leafy stems, peduncles to 8-10 cm., hairy, glandular; Involucre, 9 mm. × 16 mm. wide; Phyllaries in 2+ series, similar, 6-10 mm. × 2.0-3.5(4) mm. wide, greene erect, ovate, strigose abaxially, margins ciliate, tip acuminate, not as “stiff” or “tough” as those of Coll. No. 1199; Receptacle, slightly convex, paleate; Disk, 17 mm. wide; Palea, 9 mm., tip, glandular, hairy distally; Flowers, 2 kinds; Ray flowers, sterile, #10-12, corolla, 17-25 mm. × (4)6-9 mm. wide, yellow; Disk flowers, corolla, 4-6 mm., yellow, lobes, #5, 1 mm., yellow, anther appendages reddish-brown; Pappus of few long (2.5-4 mm.) aristate scales; Cypsela, 3.5 mm. × 1.4 mm. wide, quadrangular,not laterally compressed black. Described from Coll. No. 1210, 1426, and 1704.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3912.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1704, Helianthus pumilus |
 Coll. No. 1426, Helianthus pumilis |
Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners. (Syn: H. v. (Pursh) Shinners var. nana (A. Gray) Semple , H. v. (Pursh) Shinners var. villosa ) Hairy False Goldenaster. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 50 cm.; Leaves, cauline alternate, entire, 1-veined, distal perpendicular to stems, hairs > glands; Heads solitary, with both ray and disk flowers; Phyllaries in 2+ series, unequal, to 7 mm.; Rays, 9 mm.; Pappus double, outer narrow scales ≤ 1 mm. (easier to see on mature fruit), inner bristles, 6.5 mm., white; Fruit, disk 3 mm., hairy.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4283.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Lactuca serriola L. Prickly Lettuce. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Annual herb, Stems erect, Leaves basal 0 at flowering, cauline coarsely lobed, margins prickly-toothed, Fruit beak slender, many-ribbed, ~8 adaxial, ~5 abaxial (Described from Collection No. 911, 4 Oct 2012).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4294.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1749, Lactuca serriola |
 Coll. No. 3478, Lactuca serriola. |
Liatris punctata Hook. Dotted Blazing Star. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 32 cm.; Leaves, cauline, alternate, 78 mm. × 3.5 mm. wide, gradually reduced above, linear, glandular punctate, margins, entire, revolute, sparsely hairy; Inflorescence, single heads in axils on short pedicels; Involucre, 16 mm. × 7 mm. wide, ±cylindrical; Phyllaries, in 2+ series, inbricate, 14 mm. × 3.8 mm. wide, glandular-punctate abaxially distally, margin, ciliate, scarious, tip acute; Receptacle, epaleate; Flowers, one kind; Disk flowers; Corolla, tube white 8 mm. + lobes purple 2.5 mm.; Pappus, bristles, one series, 10 mm., plumose; Cypsela, 7 mm., hairy. Described from Coll. No. 1264, 29 Jul 2015.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3920.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1736, Liatris punctata |
 Coll. No. 3195, Liatris punctata. |
 Inflorescence of Coll. No. 1264, Liatris punctata |
 Coll. No. 1264, Liatris punctata |
Onopordum acanthium L. Scotch Cottonthistle. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4306.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 2772, Onopordum acanthium |
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. (Syn: Rudbeckia columnifera Nutt. ) Upright Prairie Coneflower. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 50 cm., tap-rooted; Leaves, cauline, to 11 cm. × 3 cm. wide, 1-pinnate, pinnae to 39 mm. × 4 mm. wide, some toothed; Inflorescence, single heads per stem, >> leaves; Involucre, 14 mm. diameter; Phyllaries, 1 series, lanceolate, hairy abaxially; Receptacle, cylindric, paleate; Rays, #5, 17 mm., × 13 mm. wide, elliptic-ovate, sterile, corolla yellow; Disk, cylindric, 20-45 mm. × 9-12 mm. wide; Palea, folded around but not enclosing disk flowers; Disk flowers, many, corolla greenish-yellow; Pappus, short crown of scales; Fruit, compressed, but maybe not strongly, ciliate adaxially(!). Described from Coll. No. 1198, 12 July 2015.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4290.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1198, Ratibida columnifera |
 Coll. No. 1496, Ratibida columnifera |
Symphyotrichum ericoides (Linnaeus) G. L. Nesom. (Syn: Virgulus ericoides (Linnaeus) Reveal & Keener ) White Heath Aster. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial, woody at base, stems ascending, to 40 cm., spreading vegetatively, short hairy and minutely glandular throughout; Leaves, alternate, sessile, narrowly lanceolate or oblong, 7-9 mm. × 1.5 mm. wide, entire, strigose, tip, small white spine; Heads, borne singly along stem, secund, occasionally 2 per stem, on leafy pedicels; Flowers, of 2 kinds; Involucre, 4 mm. × 5 mm. wide, bell-shaped; Phyllaries, 2+ series, 3-4 mm. × 0.7-0.8 mm. wide, white below with 1 brown or green vein, rhomboid green above, tip with very small spine; Receptacle, epaleate; Rays, corolla, white, tube 2 mm + ligule 5.0-6.5 mm., fertile; Disc flowers, corolla, yellow, tube 3.5 mm. + lobes 0.5 mm., (some?) lobes reddish; Pappus, bristles, fine, barbelate, 4 mm.; Cypsela, 1 mm. (Described from Coll. No. 1558, 3 September 2016 and Coll. No. 1743.5, 23 August 2017).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4307.
7/25/2025.
Also here: Ambrosia psilostachya, Brickellia eupatorioides, Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens, Potentilla recta, and Bromus inermis.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, lowest northeast slope of small alluvial hill, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.10 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3527.
15 Sep 2025.
(
CAS
)
.
.
 Coll. No. 3515, Symphyotrichum ericoides. |
 Secund head of Coll. No. 3527, Symphyotrichum ericoides. |
 Coll. No. 3198, Symphyotrichum ericoides. |
 Coll. No. 1743.5, Symphyotrichum ericoides |
Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntze. Hopi Tea Greenthread. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 55 cm., woody at base, glabrous, eglandular; Leaves, opposite, pinnately lobed, lobes filiform, 30-35 mm.; Inflorescence, 1-3 heads per stem on 10 cm. peduncles; Phyllaries, 2 dimorphic series, without bristles or spines, outer, 2 mm. × 1.3 mm. wide, spreading, inner, 8 mm. × 3 mm. wide, connate 4.7 mm, tips erect; Receptacle, paleate, flat; Paleae, 7 mm. × 2 mm. wide, mid-vein greenish-brown, otherwise chartaceous; Flowers of 1 kind; Disc flowers, corolla, tube 3 mm. + throat 1 mm. + lobes 2 mm., color yellow with red-brown veins; Pappus, 2 retrorsely barbed awns; Cypsela, 3.8 mm. (Described from Coll. No. 1483, 6 Jul 2016.)
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4280.
7/25/2025.
.
 Tea made from Thelesperma megapotamicum |
 Coll. No. 1707, Thelesperma megapotamicum |
 Coll. No. 1483, Thelesperma megapotamicum |
Brassicaceae
Alyssum simplex Rudolphi. (Syn: A. campestre (L.) L. var. simplex (Rudolphi) Willd. , A. minus Rothm. , A. parviflorum Fisch. ex M.Bieb. ) European Madwort. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Annual, tap-rooted, to 12-30 cm., stellate hairy throughout (typically doubly branched and 8-pointed); Stem branched at base, ascending; Leaves basal, withered at flowering, appear compound, cauline, alternate, 14-28 mm. × 3.5-5.0 mm., oblanceolate, margin entire, tip acute, sessile or vaguely short-petioled; Inflorescence not bracted; Pedicels, in fruit, 4.5 mm.; Sepals, 4, 2 mm. × 0.7 mm. wide, deciduous in fruit; Petals 2.9-3.0 mm., yellow fading white,clawed, entire to tip slightly notched; Stamens, 2.5-2.6 mm.; Filaments, 2.3 mm., winged proximal 1.5-1.8 mm., not toothed; Style persistent, 1.3 mm., few hairs at base; Fruit round, 3.5-5.0 mm. × 5.6 mm. wide, margin entire, compressed parallel to the replum, hairy, hairs thinning as fruit matures; Ovules, 4 (most keys and descriptions say 2 when they give a specific number, but the genus is described as having 1-2[4] ovules). (Described from Clyde Golden, 25 Jun 2011, Coll. No. 1090, 30 Apr 2015, and Coll. No. 1367, 24 May 2016).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3901.
12/7/2024.
.
 Alyssum simplex |
 Alyssum simplex |
 Fruit of Coll. No. 1090, Alyssum simplex |
 Coll. No. 1090, Alyssum simplex |
 Coll. No. 1367, Alyssum simplex |
Cactaceae
Cylindropuntia imbricata (Haw.) F. M. Kunth. Tree Cholla. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4312.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Obs. No. 4312, Cylindropuntia imbricata. |
Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelm. (Syn: Echinocereus chloranthus (Engelm.) J.N.Haage , Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelm. var. chloranthus (Engelm.) Backeb. ) Nylon Hedgehog Cactus. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4287.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. Western Pricklypear. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial cactus, not distinctly mat-forming; Stem, segments, 90 mm. × 60 mm. wide, flattened, bluish-green, areoles, #5-6 per diagonal row, spaced 8-14 mm., proximal, glochids only, distal, glochids and spines, spines, #2, #1, 28 mm., erect, brown to tan at tip, #1, 12 mm., recumbent, nearly white; Flowers, petals, 36 mm. × 22 mm. wide, wedge-shaped, color yellow; Stamens, many, 18 mm., yellow; Style, 20-24 mm., stout; Stigma, lobes, #6-8, 3 mm.; Fruit, 38 mm. × 17 mm. wide, narrow at base, fleshy, green, areoles, mix of glochids and short spines. (Described from Coll. No. 1948, 15 June 2018.)
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3908.
12/7/2024.
.
 Coll. No. 2371, Opuntia macrorhiza |
 Opuntia macrorhiza on Schweich Hill. |
 Obs. No. 1540, Opuntia macrorhiza |
 Coll. No. 1948, Opuntia macrorhiza |
Cannabaceae
Celtis reticulata Torr. (Syn: Celtis laevigata Willd. var. reticulata L. D. Benson ) Net-Leaved Hackberry. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3910.
12/7/2024.
4298.
7/25/2025.
.
Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium album L. Lambsquarters. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4297.
7/25/2025.
Dense stand of Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens with Ambrosia psilostachya, Physalis hederifolia, and Bromus japonicus.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, flat field, southeast side of North Table Mountain, 4.10 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3529.
15 Sep 2025.
(
OBI
)
.
 Coll. No. 1750, Chenopodium album |
 Coll. No. 3203, Chenopodium album. |
 Coll. No. 1750, Chenopodium album |
Elaeagnaceae
Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Russian Olive. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3904.
12/7/2024.
4304.
7/25/2025.
.
 Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) on the other side of the trail. |
 Coll. No. 1645, Elaeagnus angustifolia |
 Coll. No. 1437, Elaeagnus angustifolia |
Fabaceae
Astragalus flexuosus G. Don. Flexible Milkvetch. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb,
decumbent to ascending stems,
to 30-50 cm., not vine-like, caulescent, appressed basifixed hairy throughout;
Leaves, cauline, compound, odd pinnate, leaflets ±15-17,
terminal leaflet not modified into tendril,
stipules, entire, not lobed at base,
not connate (slightly) connate on side opposite to petiole,
leaflets, 11-12 mm. × 2-4 mm. wide, oblong, notched,
terminal leaflet 7 mm. < uppermost pair 8 mm.;
Inflorescence, raceme, arising from axils;
Calyx, 4 mm., tube >> lobes,not inflated in fruit;
Flower, zygomorphic,
banner, 9 mm.,
wings (2), 9 mm.,
keel, 5.5 mm., <wings, not beaked;
Style, 3 mm., glabrous, persistent;
Fruit, 9 mm. × 4.5 mm.,
substipitate 1 mm.,
not inflated,
compression lateral
sparse appressed hairs.
Described from Coll. No. 1148, 15 Jun 2015, and Coll. No. 1384, 1 June 2016.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4291.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Lathyrus latifolius L. Perennial Pea Vine. Weed: CO DofA, List: Watch. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Vine, Stem winged to 3 mm., Leaves pinnate compound, main leaf axis extended as tendril, Leaflets 2, Inflorescence of 9-11 flowers, Sepals fused at base, Flower bilateral, Corolla 20 mm., wing 33 mm. wide, Stamens 10, Filaments top free, bottom 9 fused (Described from Collection No. 884, 17 August 2012).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4315.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Habitat of Coll. No. 884, Lathyrus latifolius |
 Coll. No. 884, Lathyrus latifolius |
 Coll. No. 3009, Lathyrus latifolius. |
 Coll. No. 3212, Lathyrus latifolia. |
Pediomelum tenuiflorum (Pursh) A. N. Egan. (Syn: Psoralea tenuiflora Pursh , Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Pursh) Rydb. ) Slimflower Scurfpea. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4282.
7/25/2025.
.
 Pediomelum tenuiflorum |
 Pediomelum tenuiflorum |
Grossulariaceae
Ribes cereum Douglas. Wax Currant. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3917.
12/7/2024.
.
 Developing fruit on Ribes cereum. |
 Coll. No. 1091, Rubus deliciosus |
 Coll. No. 1092, Ribes cereum |
Juglandaceae
Juglans nigra L. Black Walnut. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4302.
7/25/2025.
4316.
7/25/2025.
4317.
7/25/2025.
4318.
7/25/2025.
.
 Obs. No. 4302, Juglans nigra fruit. |
 Obs. No. 4302, Juglans nigra leaf. |
 Obs. No. 4302, Juglans nigra in Grampsas North Open Space. |
Lamiaceae
Nepeta cataria L. Catnip. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 40 cm.; Stem, square, hispid; Leaves, opposite, petiole, 8 mm., blade, 40 mm. × 19 mm. wide, reduced above, deltoid-chordate, margin, crenate, abaxial densely hispid, rather than tomentose per Ackerfield (2015), tip, acute; Inflorescence, flower clusters arising from axils, flowers pedicillate; Calyx, lobes sharply acute but lacking spines or bristles; Corolla, 2-lipped, white (Described from Coll. No. 2214, 29 August 2019).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), 4308. 7/25/2025. .
Loasaceae
Mentzelia . Blazing Star. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), 3914. 12/7/2024. .
Nyctaginaceae
Mirabilis linearis (Pursh) Heimerl. (Syn: Oxybaphus linearis (Pursh) B. L. Robinson ) Narrowleaf Four O'Clock. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 1 m.; Stem, ascending through brush, glabrous below; Leaves, cauline, alternate, sessile, 90 mm. × 5 mm. wide, linear; Involucre, 15 mm., hairs with pale crosswalls; Flowers, 3 per involucre; Fruit, 4 mm. × 2.2 mm., obovate, ribs 4, hairy. Described from Coll. No. 1273, 30 Jul 2015.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4286.
7/25/2025.
.
 Coll. No. 1273, Mirabilis linearis |
 Coll. No. 1525, Mirabilis linearis |
Papaveraceae
Argemone polyanthemos (Fedde) G.B. Ownbey. Crested Prickly Poppy. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3916.
12/7/2024.
.
Plantaginaceae
Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. (Syn: Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. ssp. dalmatica , Linaria genistifolia (L.) Mill. ssp. dalmatica (L.) Maire & Petitm. ) Dalmatian ToadFlax. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3905.
12/7/2024.
.
Polygonaceae
Eriogonum alatum Torrey in L. Sitgreaves, Rep. Exped. Zuni Colorado Rivers. 168, plate 8. 1853. (Syn: Pterogonum alatum (Torr.) Gross ) Winged Buckwheat. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3918.
12/7/2024.
4284.
7/25/2025.
in fruit
4404.
9/15/2025.
.
.
Eriogonum effusum Nuttall, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia. 4: 15. 1848. Spreading Buckwheat. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, woody at base, to 30 cm., Stem, floccose; Leaves, cauline, petiole 5 mm. + blade 20-25 mm. × 2-6 mm. wide, generally tomentose, except less so adaxially, ±flat, margin entire, , withered at flowering; Inflorescence, open cyme; Involucre, 1 per node, 2 mm., tomentose; Perianth, without stipe; Tepals, 1.8 mm., white to pink, described as yellow in Ackerfield (2015) and FNAMN; Achene, unknown. (Described from Coll. No. 1507.1, 22 Jul 2016, Coll. Nos. 1537 & 1541, 18 Aug 2016.)
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3900.
12/7/2024.
4311.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Rumex crispus L. Curley Dock. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3903.
12/7/2024.
.
 Coll. No. 2817, Rumex crispus |
 Coll. No. 818, Rumex crispus |
Rosaceae
Malus L. Apple. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), 3906. 12/7/2024. . .
Potentilla recta L. Sulphur Cinquefoil. Weed: CO DofA, List: B. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial herb, to 50 cm., hairy throughout, short (0.3 mm.) hairs glandular, long (4 mm.) hairs straight spreading eglandular; Leaves, stem, 7-8 per stem, alternate, stipules, to 20 mm., lobed, petioles, to 80 mm., blade, palmately compound, leaflets, #5, 45 mm. × 14 mm. wide, lobed ½ to mid-rib, progressively reduced above; Calyx, 9 mm. × 9 mm. wide, flattened at base; Petals, 8 mm., yellow; Style, 1.3 mm., tapered throughout, not appearing warty; Achene, 1 mm., attached laterally, reticulate in color, but not texture. Described from Coll. No. 1680, 28 June 2017. “The long, stiff, spreading, tubercle-based hairs on stems and petioles of P. recta, overtopping a layer of short hairs and glands, also serve to distinguish this aggressive species from native P. gracilis at any stage of the life cycle (FNANM).”
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4314.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1680, Potentilla recta |
Prunus americana Marshall. American Plum. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial woody shrub, spreading, to 2 m., blooming before leafing out; Branches, unarmed, glabrous when young, peeling to brown; Leaves, (immature, at time of flowering), simple, 15-19 mm. × 5.5-8 mm. wide, lanceolate or elliptic-rhomboid, pinnately veined, glabrous, margin toothed, teeth eglandular, base slightly hairy, petiole 3 mm., adaxially hairy; Flowers, in small groups of 2-3; Pedicels, 9-18 mm., glabrous to sparsely hairy; Hypanthium, 2 mm.; Sepals, 2.5-2.8 mm., reflexed, few cobwebby hairs adaxially; Petals, free, white, 5-7 mm. × 2.5-4.5 mm. wide; Stamens, many (30?); Ovary superior; Styles #1, 10 mm.; Fruit unknown (Described from Coll. No. 1093, 30 Apr 2015, and Coll. No. 1819, 16 May 2018).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4300.
7/25/2025.
.
.
Prunus virginiana L. Chokecherry. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
The most useful distinction is between chokecherries found east of the Rocky Mountains, var. virginiana and those found from the mountains westward, var. demissa. Plants of the High Plains show intergradation between those of the Rockies and those of the East.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3907.
12/7/2024.
.
Scrophulariaceae
Verbascum thapsus L. Common Mullein. Weed: CO DofA, List: C. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3902.
12/7/2024.
.
 Package of Mullein in the Pharmacy at Fort Hartsuff. |
 Dense colonies of Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) in Cottonwood Canyon |
 Collection No. 512, Verbascum thapsus |
Simaroubaceae
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Tree of Heaven. Weed: CO DofA, List: C. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4309.
7/25/2025.
.
 Mature Tree of Heaven on Garden Glen Court. |
 Samara (fruit) of Ailanthus altissima “Tree of Heaven.” |
 Tree of Heaven saplings infesting a front lawn. |
 Mature Tree of Heaven on Maple Street. |
Solanaceae
Physalis hederifolia A. Gray. (Syn: Physalis hederifolia A. Gray var. comata (Rydb.) Waterfall ) Ivy-Leaved Ground Cherry. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4301.
7/25/2025.
4310.
7/25/2025.
With Ambrosia psilostachya, many Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens, Chenopodium album, and Bromus japonicus.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Approximate center of the open space, northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, 4.11 km. (geodesic) northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3475.
25 Jul 2025.
(
CAS
)
.
.
 Ivy-Leaved Ground Cherry (Physalis hederifolia) on limestone outcrop, east side of Mesquite Mountains. |
 Coll. No. 3475, Physalis hederifolia. |
 Coll. No. 1511, Physalis hederifolia var. comata |
Physalis longifolia Nutt. Longleaf Groundcherry. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
“Most specimens originally identified as P. virginiana actually belong to P. longifolia” (Ackerfield, 2015). “[P. virginiana] has many races that are often treated as varieties or even separate species, including P. longifolia Nuttall” (Weber & Wittmann, 2012).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
Also here or nearby: Cirsium arvense, Onopordum acanthium, Symphyotrichum ericoides, Nepeta cataria, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Ailanthus altissima, and Bromus inermis.
This area was designated a City of Golden open space in 2025.
Northern portion of the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, against the north fence, 4.23 km. northeast of the GNIS location of Golden.
Tom Schweich 3474.
25 Jul 2025.
(
CAS
)
.
 Coll. No. 3474, Physalis longifolia. |
Ulmaceae
Ulmus pumila L. Siberian Elm. Weed: CO DofA, List: C. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4303.
7/25/2025.
.
 Figure 1. Composite photo of Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.) |
Undet.
Undetermined . CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4313.
7/25/2025.
.
 Accidental Coll. No. 1240.1, Undetermined |
 Coll. No. 1248, Undetermined |
Vitaceae
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. (Syn: Parthenocissus inserta (A.Kern.) Fritsch ) Virginia Creeper. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4299.
7/25/2025.
.
 Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) out-competing bladder senna (Colutea arborescens) in Cressman Gulch. |
Asparagaceae
Yucca glauca Nutt. Soapweed Yucca. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3923.
12/7/2024.
.
 Yucca glauca “Soapweed Yucca” on Dakota Ridge. |
Poaceae
Andropogon gerardii Vitman. Big Bluestem. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial, to 85 cm., clumped, rhizomes unknown; Leaves, blade and sheath differentiated; Sheath, 11 cm., open; Ligule, membraneous (though surrounded by hairs), 3 mm., auricles 0; Blade, soft, flat, 27 cm., hairy near ligule; Inflorescence, 80 mm., > leaves, 1-2 per stem, in 5-6 digitate branches, spikelets many; Rachis, soft bristles on margins and at nodes; Disarticulation at nodes of rachis; Spikelets in pairs, Sterile spikelet, 7 mm., pedicel 4.5 mm.; Fertile spikelet, Florets #1, Glumes, awns 0, ±equal, lower keeled, upper flattened and grooved; Lemma, 6 mm., membraneous, rolled, glabrous, tip 2-forked, awn, #1, 13 mm., bent, twisted, attached on back; Stamens, 3; Anthers, yellow; Ovary, glabrous; Stigma, feathery. (Described from Coll. No. 1060, 28 Aug 2014).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3924.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Dissected spikelet pair of Coll. No. 1060, Andropogon gerardii |
 Inflorescence of Coll. No. 1265, Andropogon gerardii |
 Spikelets of Coll. No. 1265, Andropogon gerardii |
Bromus inermis Leyss. (Syn: B. inermis Leyss. ssp. inermis ) Smooth Brome. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial grass to 1 m., rhizomatous; Leaves, sheath, 8-11 cm., closed, ligule, <1 mm., membraneous, blade, 12-17 cm × 0.5 cm., flat, soft, with a distinguishing fold, usually described as an “M” or a “W” that is difficult to see when dry; Inflorescence, panicle, 15 cm. × 4 cm. wide, multiple 1° branches per node, mostly on one side of rachis; Spikelets, 1 per node on 1° and 2° panicle branches, 15-24 mm. × 5 mm. wide, laterally compressed, 2-6 florets per spikelet; Glumes, 2, keeled, glabrous, lower, 7-8 mm., veins 1 upper, 8-10 mm., <lowest floret; Rachilla, sparsely hairy on abaxial side, extended beyond uppermost floret or not; Callus, small, glabrous; Lemma, 11-12 mm., veins, 3, 5, 7, obvious, tip bifid, some awned; Awn (when present), 1.0-1.6 mm., arising near tip of lemma; Palea, 9 mm., veins ciliate. (Described from Coll. No. 1113, 26 May 2014, and Coll. No. 1219, 16 Jul 2015).
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3928.
12/7/2024.
.
.
Bromus japonicus Thunb. Japanese Cheat Grass. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Coll. No. 1207, 13 Jul 2015, characters observed: Annual grass, to 40 cm.; Leaves, sheath, 60 mm. closed + 12 mm. open, pilose (but not densely so), ligule, membraneous, + some hairs, blade, hairy; Inflorescence, panicle, >leaves; Pedicel, 20 mm.; Spikelets, 1-3 per panicle branch, 22 mm. × 6 mm. wide, elliptical, drooping; Glumes, #2, <lowest floret, lower, 4.5 mm., veins 3, upper, 5.5 mm., veins 5; Rachilla, short hairy; Callus, glabrous; Florets, #12, 2-ranked, closely held hiding rachilla; Disarticulation between florets; Lemma, 8 mm. × 4 mm. wide, margin, hyaline, 0.5 mm., tip bifid, awn, #1, 5-12 mm. long, mid-spikelet awns longest, flattened at base, not twisted, attached near bifid tip. Described from Coll. No. 1207, 13 Jul 2015.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4296.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1207, Bromus japonicus |
 Coll. No. 1461, Bromus japonicus |
 Coll. No. 1207, Bromus japonicus |
 Coll. No. 1207, Bromus japonicus |
Bromus tectorum L. (Syn: B. tectorum L. var. glabratus Spenn. ) Cheat Grass. Weed: CO DofA, List: C. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Annual grass, to 30 cm.; Leaves, Sheath, 50 mm., closed proximal ⅔, open distally, Ligule, membraneous, 1 mm.; Blade, 60 mm.; Inflorescence, open panicle, rachis and pedicels short hairy, Spikelets, 1 per node, 15 mm., laterally compressed; Glumes, 2, sparsely hairy, margins scarious, lower, 2.3 mm., veins indistinct, upper, 4.5 mm. Callus, glabrous, very short, Florets, ±6, Lemma, 6.5 mm., 0.7 from mid-vein to margin, back rounded, sparsely hairy, tip, forked, teeth 1 mm., awned from near tip, awn, 5-7 mm.; Anthers, 3, 0.4 mm. Described from Coll. No. 1112, 26 May 2015. Dimensions are small for B. tectorum, perhaps because of the early date of collection.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3921.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1112, Bromus tectorum |
Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey. (Syn: E. longifolius (J. G. Sm.) Gould , Sitanion hystrix (Nutt.) J. G. Sm. ) Squirreltail Grass. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial grass to 50 cm., clumped; Inflorescence, bilateral spike; Rachis, internodes, 6.4 mm., breaking apart when mature; Spikelets, 2 per node; Glumes, #2, subulate, 62-65 mm.; Florets, #3, lowest 2 fertile, upper sterile; Lemma, 10 mm. + awn 50 mm., veins, #5, converging; Palea, 9 mm., 1 of 2 veins slightly extended as bristle. Variety brevifolius if infraspecific names are to be applied. Described from Coll. No. 1717, 28 July 2017.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
4285.
7/25/2025.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1717, Elymus elymoides |
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. Prairie Junegrass. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial bunch grass, to 45-55 cm., non-rhizomatous; Leaves, mostly basal or lowest cauline, cauline, sheath, 90 mm., open, ligule, <1-1.5 mm., membraneous, auricles, 0, blade, 40 mm., tip prow-shaped or merely constricted; Inflorescence, panicle, 60 mm. × 9 mm., shiny in anthesis due to exposure of translucent palae, short branches, branches short soft hairy; Spikelets, 5 mm., 1 per node on 1°-3° or indistinct panicle branches; Glumes, lower, 3 mm., veins 1, upper, 4 mm., veins 3; Florets, 3, #1 and #2 pistillate, #3 staminate, or variously mixed bisexual and pistillate, open, i.e., palea separated from lemma; Disarticulation, between florets; Rachilla hairy, extends nearly 1 mm. above upper floret (or not); extension undecorated; Lemma, 4.5 mm., veins 5, short hairy throughout, awn, 0-0.5 mm., short, soft; Palea, =lemma, translucent or colorless, exposed, i.e., outside lemma.; Stamens, 3, 1.8 mm. Described from Coll. No. 1131, 9 June 2015, and Coll. No. 1144, 15 Jun 2015.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden),
3925.
12/7/2024.
.
.
 Coll. No. 1131, Koeleria macrantha |
 Coll. No. 1117, Koeleria macrantha |
 Coll. No. 1131, Koeleria macrantha |
 Inflorescence of Coll. No. 1419, Koeleria macrantha |
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth. (Syn: Stipa viridula Trin. ) Green Needlegrass. CalPhotos. Jepson eFlora. SEINet Taxon.
Perennial grass, 70-100 cm., clumped, non-rhizomatous; Stem, herbaceous; Leaves, cauline, sheath, 17 mm., ligule, 3 mm., membraneous, collar with few hairs at sides, blade, to 30 cm., convolute; Inflorescence, 1 per culm, panicle, 20-25 cm.; Rachis, lightly scabrous, not extended beyond upper spikelet; Compression, unremarkable; Spikelets, 1 per node; Florets, 1 per spikelet, bisexual; Glumes, 2, 8-9 mm., ±equal, rounded, membraneous, colorless, exc. 3 green veins, tip, short (2 mm.) hair-like awn; Disarticulation, above the glumes, Florets, 1 per spikelet; Callus, short; Lemma, 5-6 mm. × 1.2 mm. wide, <glumes, green, hairy, <1 mm., indurate, enclosing grain, awns, #1, 20-25 mm., twisted, bent, short hairy (±0.2 mm.); Palea, 1.5-2.0 mm., <lemma, membraneous, glabrous; Stamens, #3. Described from Colls. No. 1146, 1652, and 1698.
- Grampsas North Open Space (City of Golden), 4292. 7/25/2025. .
| Total number of taxa: | 60 |
| Native Taxa: (serif, italic, bold) | 37 |
| Non-native Taxa: (sans-serif, italic) | 20 |
| Nativity Undetermined: (default font, italic) | 3 |
| Listed Weeds: Identified as Weed | 11 |
Notes:
† -- Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria (ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/).
‡ -- Southwest Environmental Information Network, SEINet. 2009-2014. http//:swbiodiversity.org/seinet/index.php. Accessed from July 2009 to September 2014.
Locations Included in This Area
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Date and time this article was prepared: 11/3/2026 12:18:55 PM.
