Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina

A. Gray

in A. Gray et al., Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 1(2): 341. 1884.

Common names: Alpine dustymaidens or pincushion
IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Chaenactis alpina (A. Gray) M. E. Jones Chaenactis alpina var. leucopsis (Greene) Stockwell Chaenactis alpina var. rubella (Greene) Stockwell Chaenactis panamintensis
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 21. Treatment on page 407. Mentioned on page 405.
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Perennials, mostly (2–)5–10(–20) cm (cespitose to ± matted). Stems (1–)10–25+. Leaves strictly basal, to (1–)2–6 cm, indument persistent or glabrate. Heads 1(–2) per stem. Phyllaries: longest 9–12 mm; outer ± stipitate-glandular (rarely eglandular) and, often, arachnoid to lanuginose. 2n = 12.


Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Rocky or gravelly alpine ridges, talus, fell-fields, rock crevices
Elevation: 2700–4000 m

Distribution

V21-1021-distribution-map.gif

Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Utah, Wyo.

Discussion

In California, relatively few populations of Chaenactis douglasii approach typical var. alpina. A report of var. alpina from the Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada (P. Stockwell 1940, as C. panamintensis), could not be confirmed and was likely based on stunted var. douglasii; it should be sought in the Carson, Ruby, and Snake ranges of northern Nevada. A report of var. alpina from southern British Columbia has not been verified by me. Variety alpina is sometimes cultivated, especially for rock gardens, and it may be encountered outside its native range.

Local populations of these largely alpine plants can appear highly distinctive and uniform, leading to their past recognition as a separate species. Across the range, most such populations intergrade continuously with local populations of var. douglasii, as is often evident among specimens of the same gathering. The relative development of roots, stems, and branches appears highly mutable throughout C. douglasii.

Chaenactis pumila Greene was assigned to the variety or species alpina by R. D. Dorn (1988c), P. Stockwell (1940), and others; it is a small form of var. douglasii, as assigned by D. C. Eaton in S. Watson (1871).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
James D. Morefield +
A. Gray +
Hymenopappus douglasii +
Alpine dustymaidens or pincushion +
Calif. +, Colo. +, Idaho +, Mont. +, Oreg. +, Utah +  and Wyo. +
2700–4000 m +
Rocky or gravelly alpine ridges, talus, fell-fields, rock crevices +
Flowering Jul–Sep. +
in A. Gray et al., Syn. Fl. N. Amer. +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Chaenactis alpina +, Chaenactis alpina var. leucopsis +, Chaenactis alpina var. rubella +  and Chaenactis panamintensis +
Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina +
Chaenactis douglasii +
variety +