Bedding down for the summer

Paronychia pulvinata, June 11, 2020

Paronychia pulvinata, June 11, 2020

P. pulvinata, June 11, 2020

P. pulvinata, June 11, 2020

Common & scientific name
Alpine nailwort, Paronychia pulvinata

Family
Pink, Caryophyllaceae

Location
Summit, 12,100’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers embedded in tight, sometimes large mats, often growing directly on the crumbling granite of our high peaks.  This low-lying, wonderfully subtle flower knows how to make the best of things amidst the hard, desiccating winds of the high alpine!