Early April Wildflowers

Aase's onion (Allium aaseae)

There are a couple of early April wildflowers that I have found around Boise that I wanted to share. 

Biscuitroot (Lomatium spp.)

• Aase's onion (Allium aaseae): this is a rare species that is found only in six counties of southwestern Idaho. The leaves are grass-like, and the plant thrives in lower-elevation sites with sandy soils. Flowers appear in March or April. Low-elevation foothills trails just outside Boise are good places to look for this plant. 
• Biscuitroot (Lomatium spp.): there are at least five different species of Biscuitroot or Desert Parsley in the foothills, so I'm not sure exactly which one this is. 
• Redstem stork's bill (Erodium cicutarium): flowering occurs in early spring and sometimes again in the fall for this wildflower. Stems are reddish, hairy, and sticky. 
• Speckled Alder (Alnus incana): found near water or wetland areas.
  

  

  Redstem stork's bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Speckled Alder (Alnus incana) near Idaho City