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 Leaves Photo © Al Schneider, http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com |  Plant Photo © Al Schneider, http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
Flowers are short-lived, open only a few hours in afternoon. Plant usually identified by leaves not by flowers.
Identification notes: Plants fleshy woody, may be shrubby, stems erect, simple or branching, roots elongated; leaves basal, not stalked, round in cross-section, may be slightly broadened at base; flowers usually stalked, white, pink or purplish, 5 stamens common; seeds smooth.
Height:
To 8 inches
Habitat Description: Found in woodlands, and chaparral, on outcrops or in rocky soil.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland
Elevation: 4000 - 8000 feet
Color:
White, pink or purplish
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep
Description:
In short elongated clusters that open from the center outward; above leaves on slender leafless stalk up to 6 inches tall; 2 oval sepals per flower, about 1/8 inch long; 5 obovate (narrower end at base) to egg-shaped petals; 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Stalkless; mostly clustered near the base of the stem; blades fleshy and terete (round in cross section); up to 2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, sometimes slightly broadened at base.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Ellipsoid (widest in middle and tapered at each end) or oval; 1/8 to 1/4 inch long; 3-chambered; splitting open longitudinally to release seeds.
Seed Notes: Many tiny seeds; about 1/16 inch long.
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