Claytonia megarhiza
Smithsonian Misc. Collect 258: 118. 1878.
Common names: Fell-fields claytonia
Endemic
Basionym: Claytonia arctica var. megarhiza A. Gray Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 2, 33: 406. 1862
Synonyms: Claytonia megarhiza var. bellidifolia (Rydberg) C. L. Hitchcock Claytonia megarhiza var. nivalis (English) C. L. Hitchcock
Plants perennial, with stout, woody caudices; periderm 5–12 mm. Stems 5–25 cm. Leaves: basal leaves sessile, dilated at base into broad, succulent sheath, blade rhombic to oblanceolate, 2–10 × 0.4–2.8 cm, apex obtuse; cauline leaves sessile, blade oblanceolate, 2–10 × 2–5 mm. Inflorescences multibracteate; bracts subtending pedicels, apex obtuse. Flowers 12–20 mm diam; sepals 6–8 mm; petals white, pink, or rose, 5–20 × 3–8 mm; ovules 6. Seeds 2–3 mm diam., shiny and smooth; elaiosome 1 mm or less. 2n = 12, 16, 24, 32, 34, 36.
Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Talus, scree, gravelly slopes
Elevation: 2000-4000 m
Distribution
Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.