Smelowskia, smelowskia, smelowskia!

Smelowskia calycina, June 6, 2020

Smelowskia calycina, June 6, 2020

S. calycina, June 4, 2020, typical rocky alpine setting

S. calycina, June 4, 2020, typical rocky alpine setting

Common & scientific name
Alpine smelowskia, Smelowskia calycina

Family
Mustard, Brassicaceae

Location
Midway ridge, 12,000’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

I love this flower so very, very much.  In part because it is one of the first flowers of the season to emerge in the high alpine, so it is always a welcome sight.  In part because it can range dramatically in size depending on how protected it is—there is a bouquet on Treasure Mountain tucked into a large marble boulder that is three times the size of the plants, both stems and flowers, seen in these photos.  In part because its usually white petals sometimes emerge a lovely soft lavender.  But mostly because of its name, in honor of the 18th century Russian botanist T. Smelovskii.  This is one botanical name that is a joy to learn and say!

S. calycina, light lavender version, June 23, 2020

S. calycina, light lavender version, June 23, 2020

S. calycina with fungus, June 23, 2020

S. calycina with fungus, June 23, 2020