Arctomecon merriamii

Plants scapose, to 4 dm. Leaves 4-12 cm; blade nearly unlobed to shallowly 3-7-lobed distally, to 3.5 cm wide distally, copiously long-pilose. Inflorescences 1(-6)-flowered, simple, glabrous; buds long-pilose. Flowers: sepals copiously long-pilose; petals caducous, 6, white, 2.5-4 cm; filaments dilated distally; style 1-1.5 mm. Capsules persistent, oblanceoloid, 2.5-4 cm, dehiscing not more than 1/4 length. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering mid spring; fruiting early summer.
Habitat: Barren, calcareous, scree slopes and weakly gypsiferous shales interbedded with marine limestones, creosote bush and blackbrush zones
Elevation: 600-1700 m

Calif., Nev.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Arctomecon merriamii is found in small populations at scattered stations from Death Valley in southeastern California to the Meadow Valley Wash of southeastern Nevada.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa