Saxifraga occidentalis

Submitted by Lori S. on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 20:16

Saxifraga occidentalis, is a welcome sight in the subalpine and alpine zone.  It is widespread in this area of the northern Rockies, and can be quite common in moist meadows where it may form loose colonies (as in the first photo), while also present in smaller numbers on drier ridges.  

      

  

 

(Edit:  Photos reloaded Nov. 9, 2014)

 

 

Comments


Submitted by RickR on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 20:38

is that red (seen best in the last pic) really the seed pod?  It seems so advanced yet even the stamens, let alone the petals, are not wilted!

And the myosotis looking blue in the first pic is...?


Submitted by Lori S. on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 22:47

Yes, the red parts are the ovaries/seed pods.  They certainly add to the colour, moreso than the white-to-pinkish petals!  The myosotis is Myosotis asiatica.

I have finally learned to distinguish this species... I was erroneously calling them Leptarrhena pyrolifolia before!


Submitted by Hoy on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 11:31

Lori wrote:

Yes, the red parts are the ovaries/seed pods.  They certainly add to the colour, moreso than the white-to-pinkish petals!  The myosotis is Myosotis asiatica.

I have finally learned to distinguish this species... I was erroneously calling them Leptarrhena pyrolifolia before!

Understandable! They seem to be very similar from pictures anyway ;)