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 |
Click Here |
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