Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Philadelphus microphyllus

Philadelphus microphyllus (Mock Orange)
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Early summer.
Blackrock Canyon, Navajo Reservation, Arizona, June 9, 2001.

Mock Orange grows in habitat very similar to that of Cliff Fendler Bush but the latter is far more common, noticeable, and blooms a bit earlier. Mock Orange has gray striped stems which arch and bend and bear fragrant white flowers.

The genus is named for Ptolemy Philadelphus, King of Egypt 2,400 years ago. The species name is Greek for "small leaves". Augustus Fendler was the first to collect this plant; he found it in the mountains above Santa Fe in 1847 and Asa Gray named the plant in 1849.

Philadelphus microphyllus (Mock Orange)
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Early summer.
Navajo Reservation, Arizona, June 24, 2006.

Philadelphus microphyllus (Mock Orange)
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Early summer.
Blackrock Canyon, Navajo Reservation, Arizona, June 9, 2001.

The delicate flowers of Mock Orange have an orange blossom scent.

Philadelphus microphyllus (Mock Orange)
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Early summer.
Prater Ridge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, August 13, 2006.

A bumper season of flowers produced a bumper crop of seed pods.