Skunks are beautiful!

Polemonium pulcherrimum, June 18, 2020

Polemonium pulcherrimum, June 18, 2020

Common & scientific name
Jacob’s ladder, Polemonium pulcherrimum

Family
Phlox, Polemoniaceae

Location
Lower Lost Man, 10,500’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
“Pulcherrimum” means “very beautiful.”  Indeed.  These low-lying, soft-blue, light-purple flowers light up the brown understories of dry lodgepole and spruce/fir forests.  And like their alpine cousin, P. viscosum, Sky pilot, they emit a less-than-beautiful skunk-like odor in the wind.  Enjoy the paradox!

Unusual Jacob’s ladder growing amidst bluebells

Unusual Jacob’s ladder growing amidst bluebells