The leaves have it

Claytonia megarhiza, June 18, 2021

Claytonia megarhiza, June 18, 2021

MEGA megarhiza (2’ in diameter), Sayres Ridge, 13,300’, July 2, 2021

MEGA megarhiza (2’ in diameter), Sayres Ridge, 13,300’, July 2, 2021

C. megarhiza, multitudes, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021

C. megarhiza, multitudes, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021

Common & scientific name
Alpine springbeauty, Claytonia megarhiza

Family
Purslane, Portulaceae

Location
Lackawanna ridge, 13,000’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This totally unmistakeable plant can be found growing among rocks in the high alpine.  Its white flowers, colored with yellow centers and pink anthers, are found squeezed tight within a round rosette of succulent leaves that are deep purple at emergence, turn green during bloom, then bright red after. 

C. megarhiza, Difficult Peak, 12,600’, June 27, 2021

C. megarhiza, Difficult Peak, 12,600’, June 27, 2021

C. megarhiza, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021

C. megarhiza, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021

C. megarhiza, more multitudes, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021

C. megarhiza, more multitudes, Grizzly ridge, 13,000’, July 22, 2021