Cherleria obtusiloba

Alpine Sandwort

Alpine Sandwort
aka Arenaria obtusiloba, Minuartia obtusiloba, Arctic Sandwort, Twinflower Sandwort . A small mat forming plant with densely tufted stems, up to 4″ (10 cm) long. Each stem bears one flower with five petals, about 1/2″ long, ten stamens and three styles. The leaves are needle-shaped and tiny growing to less than 1/2″ long. Fairly common on talus slopes, rocky ridges and flats above 6,000′ elevation.

Family:

Caryophyllaceae - PINK FAMILY

Genus:

Cherleria after Swiss botanist and physicist Johan Heinrich Cherler

Species:

obtusiloba means 'blunt lobes'
Photo location: From one location near the summit of First Burroughs Mtn.