[Dustymaidens: The Genus Chaenactis East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Alpine Chaenactis, Alpine Dustymaidens

Chaenactis alpina

Synonym: Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina

Alpine chaenactis from the summit of the Frances Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness.........July 25, 1997.

Basal leaves of the alpine chaenactis, from the summit of the Frances Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness.........July 25, 1997.

Characteristics:

Alpine Chaenactis is a dwarf, ground hugging plant. Its height may be from 4-15 cm. The basal leaves are 2-6 cm long. The leaves are lightly tomentose, to glabrous, and divided into a number of pairs of pinnae, which are again cleft into short teeth or lobes. The heads may be one to several, and contain from 40-50 white or rose-colored flowers.

Habitat:

Dry, exposed rocky or sandy soils from 6900 to 9600 feet.

Range:

Alpine chaenactis is found from the Wallowa Mts of northeastern Oregon eastward to the Rocky Mountains.

Alpine Chaenactis, Alpine Dustymaidens: Chaenactis alpina (Synonym: Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina)

Alpine chaenactis from the summit of the Frances Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness.........July 25, 1997.

Paul Slichter