Smelowskia calycina, June 8, 2021
Common & scientific name
Alpine smelowskia, Smelowskia calycina
Family
Mustard, Brassicaceae
Location
Summit, 12,100’
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!