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Anticlea occidentalis

Bronze Bells

Bronze Bells
aka Stenanthium occidentale, Mountainbells, Mission Bells, Western Featherbells. These bells may be the most handsome in the woods. The brownish-purple flowers (careful not to confuse with Youth-on-age) are about 3/4″ (1.5 cm) long and possess a tangy perfume. The petal tips curve back sharply (recurved) exposing a beautiful contrasting greenish-yellow underside. The stem can reach about 1 1/2′ (to 50 cm) and has two or three narrow grass-like leaves to about one foot (very unlike the large heart-shaped leaves of Youth-on-age). Moist areas to 5,000′ elevation.

Family:

Melanthiaceae - FALSE-HELLEBORE FAMILY

Genus:

Anticlea for daughte of Autolycus and Amphithea in Greek mythology.

Species:

occidentalis mean 'western'
Photo location: Glacier Basin trail near the White River campground.