Part 17

Stonecrop Sedum stenopetalum

Plate 30, fig. 8

The yellow flowers of the Stonecrop occur in loose clusters at the ends of stems 1-8 in. high. The plants possess succulent leaves which store water and thus enable them to grow in dry, rocky or gravelly situations. They are found at 4000-12000 ft. and bloom all summer.

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY

Fairy Saxifrage Saxifraga chrysantha

Plate 30, fig. 2

The dainty little Fairy Saxifrage grows but 1-3 in. high from a cluster of tiny leaves, and bears at the end of a slender stem a single yellow blossom. The lower half of the petal is dotted with many orange spots. The flowers bloom in midsummer. They are alpine dwellers only and are found among rocks at 11000-14000 ft. The name “saxifrage” is from the Latin meaning “rock-breaker” and refers to the habit some saxifrages have of living on rocks.

Brook Saxifrage Saxifraga punctata

Plate 30, fig. 5

The Brook Saxifrage takes its name from its love of springy places and stream banks. The flowers are white and delicate and bloom in early summer. The plants are 1-3 ft. tall and occur at 8000-12000 ft.

Dotted Saxifrage Saxifraga bronchialis

Plate 30, fig. 7

The Dotted Saxifrage has white or pale pink flowers with orange and purple dots on the petals. They bloom all summer. The plants are small and slender, 3-8 in. high and occur on rocks and gravel-slides at 6000-13000 ft.

STONECROP FAMILY

1 Rose Crown: Clementsia rhodantha 3 King’s Crown, Roseroot: Rhodiola rosea 8 Stonecrop: Sedum stenopetalum

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY

2 Fairy Saxifrage: Saxifraga chrysantha 4 Gooseberry: Ribes lacustre 5 Brook Saxifrage: Saxifraga punctata 6 Gooseberry: Ribes leptanthum 7 Dotted Saxifrage: Saxifraga bronchialis 9 Purple Saxifrage: Saxifraga Jamesii 10 Whiplash Saxifrage: Saxifraga flagellaris]

Purple Saxifrage Saxifraga Jamesii

Plate 30, fig. 9

The pale to deep rose-purple flowers of the Purple Saxifrage grow in crowded spikes and form bright spots of color in rock-clefts and on rocks at 8000-13000 ft. The stems are 4-8 in. tall and the flowers bloom in early summer.

Whiplash Saxifrage Saxifraga flagellaris

Plate 30, fig. 10

This small plant with its yellow blossoms receives its name from the presence of little whip-like runners at the base. The plants are only 1-8 in. tall and occur on alpine peaks among the rocks at 10000-14000 ft. They bloom all summer.

Gooseberry Ribes lacustre

Plate 30, fig. 4

This pink-flowered Gooseberry blooms in spring and early summer. It is a shrubby plant about 1-3 ft. high and occurs in the mountains at 7000-12000 ft. The berry is red and covered with prickles.

Gooseberry Ribes leptanthum

Plate 30, fig. 6