Eriogonum microtheca var. alpinum
Sci. Bull. Brigham Young Univ., Biol. Ser. 13(1): 31, fig. 19. 1971.
Subshrubs, 0.4–1 × 1–3 dm. Stems: caudex spreading; aerial flowering stems 0.1–0.3 dm, white- or brownish-floccose to subglabrous. Leaves: blade linear-oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 0.3–0.7(–0.9) × 0.1–0.3 cm, densely white-tomentose abaxially, floccose to subglabrous adaxially, margins usually revolute. Inflorescences 0.5–2(–3) cm; branches floccose to subglabrous. Involucres (1.5–)2–2.5 mm, floccose or glabrous. Flowers 1.5–2.5 mm; perianth white to pink or rose. Achenes 1.5–2 mm.
Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Sandy to gravelly granitic or volcanic slopes, subalpine and alpine conifer woodlands
Elevation: 2500-3300 m
Discussion
Variety alpinum is known only from the central Sierra Nevada and the Sweetwater Range in Alpine, Mono, and Tuolumne counties. It appears to be a high-elevation expression that evolved from var. laxiflorum.
Selected References
None.