Flowers of collomia debilis are variable in color; they may be pure white, deep pink, pale blue, or intermediate shades. They have a funnel-shaped corolla, up to 1.3 inches in length, opening to five short, rounded lobes. The inside of the corolla is lighter in color, often streaked with darker lines. Five stamens, attached at the same level though usually somewhat different in length, project a little way beyond the corolla lobes. Anthers are blue.
Flowers form singly or (usually) in small clusters at the stem tips, and are subtended by leaf-like bracts. Flowers are essentially stemless.
The plant is found in rocky places in the high mountains, the stems often partly hidden by rocks, with just the flowers and uppermost leaves visible.
Common name:
Alpine collomia
Family:
Scientific name:
Collomia Debilis
Main flower color:
Range:
Northern Utah to the Pacific Northwest; most common in Idaho
Height:
A few inches - forms mats
Habitat:
Talus and other rocky places in mountains, up to 13,000 feet
Leaves:
Alternate, lanceolate to oblong, tapered at the base, entire or lined with a few small teeth, usually with a covering of short glandular hairs. Around 1.2 inches long and 0.6 inches across
Season:
July to August
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Site Map