Easter daisies: March Nature Almanac

For this March Nature Almanac, Boulder Naturalists Steve Jones and Ruth Carol Cushman withstand unruly winds to hike up a steep hogback full of splintery grey shards of shale that are left over from the ancient sea that covered the foothills over 100 million years ago.  Not much grows in this flinty grey shale.  But that’s exactly why a brave little flower with a very deep tap root chooses these locations. 

By growing in a hostile habitat, this tiny plant gets the most out of the soil’s scant nutrients and water.  To stay out of the wind, this determined plant grows very low — it’s a miniature mound of green nestled in the shards of shale. 

The reward for all its determination comes this time of year, when the dazzling white flowers that have brilliant yellow centers cover the little green plant mounds.  These are our Native Easter Daisies — one of the earliest flowers to bloom each year in Boulder County. 

Nature Almanac airs the first Friday of each month on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of the Morning Magazine.