Be careful where you step

Trifolium nanum, June 13, 2023

Common & scientific name

Dwarf clover, Trifolium nanum

Family

Pea, Fabaceae

Location

Summit, 12,100’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

This exclusively alpine pea hugs the ground, coming in at just an inch or so high (“nanum” is Greek for “dwarf.”) It’s hard to miss, though, as it forms densely-packed mats of elegant pin-striped flowers ranging from whiteish-pink, to lavender, magenta, and purple.

Yellow genetically mutated version, Mt. Massive, 12,500’, July 4, 2023