Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii

Engelmann isn't your usual wildflower, but close enough. These are the male cones. Female cones on spruce grow higher on the tree , where they can reach the pollen bearing wind. My camera and I couldn't reach them. This spruce is related to the more northern and eastern white spruce. Where they grow together, usually in cultivation, they produce hybrids. Engelmann can grow at altitudes up to 12,000 feet. Trees that high grow quite slowly. The wood from such trees is prized for making string instruments. Engelmann spruce grows in AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV(P), OR, UT, WA, WY, AB, and BC. Lake Co CO, 6/20/13.