Synthyris laciniata
Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 1: 353. 1900.
Leaves persistent, some withering in 2d year as new leaves expand; blade ± orbiculate, reniform, or cordate, 25+ mm wide, not leathery, base cordate or lobate, margins ± laciniate, sometimes palmately lobed or incised-crenate, teeth apices obtuse to rounded, surfaces glabrous or sparsely hairy; basal veins usually extending into distal 1/2 of blade, lateral veins 2–4 on each side of midvein. Racemes erect, to 20 cm (usually less than 25 cm in fruit); sterile bracts 3+, ovate-spatulate, largest 1+ cm; flowers 15–40, loosely aggregated. Sepals 4. Petals (3 or)4(or 5), apex entire or erose; corolla blue, ± regular, campanulate, much longer than calyx, glabrous, tube conspicuous. Stamens epipetalous. Ovaries: ovules 10–16. Capsules glabrous.
Phenology: Flowering late May–Aug; fruiting Jun–Oct.
Habitat: Subalpine meadows, alpine tundra, fellfields.
Elevation: 2900–4000 m.
Discussion
Synthyris laciniata is found only in high mountain areas of central to west-central and southern Utah. Flowering in S. laciniata begins at the margins of melting snow banks.
Selected References
None.