(Stansbury’s Cliffrose)

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4179

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4190

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4187

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4202

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4195-1

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Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4195-2

Scientific Name Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana (Purshia stansburiana) USDA PLANTS Symbol PUST
Common Name Stansbury's Cliffrose ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 837724
Family Rosaceae (Rose) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Semi-desert and foothills (4200 to 6600 ft.); dry soils on rocky slopes, plateaus in grasslands, sagebrush lands and conifer woodlands.
Plant: Evergreen shrub or small tree, 2 to 11 ft. tall; numerous branches; shreddy bark reddish brown or gray; twigs reddish brown.
Leaves: Alternate, sessile or short-petiolate, pinnately-lobed with 5 to 7 lobes, 1/4 to 1-/2 inch long 1/8 to 11/3-inch across; surfaces have a thick, leathery appearance, dark green and glandular above, white-hairy below; margins are rolled under.
Inflorescence: Solitary, fragrant white-cream flowers up to 1 inch wide from the ends of lateral branches; and have 5 obovate petals, many (60-90) yellow stamens and 4 to 12 pistils; 5 green sepals below.
Bloom Period: May to July.
Fruit: Small achenes attached to long, styles ~2 inches long with feathery, plume-like hairs.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America, Southeast Arizona Wildflowers and SEINet.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains