Erigeron humilis, July 8, 2021
E. humilis, July 8, 2021
Common & scientific name
Arctic alpine daisy, Erigeron humilis
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
NOT DISCLOSED TO PROTECT THIS RARE PLANT
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This flower, while widespread in the far north, is rare here and found in only a handful of alpine locations in central/south central Colorado, its furthest south location in the world. The photo above-left shows E. humilis beginning to grow right out of a mossy, snow-melt rivulet, where it is usually found. The photo below-left, very poorly in focus, captures the flower after fully-grown (I will strive for a better photo!). The hairs on its phyllaries have dark-purple “cross walls,” which look like occasional purple-to-black spots along a white/clear hair under the microscope. In Iceland it is known as “Snaekobbi.”