Saussurea weberi

(Weber’s Saw-wort)

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 5540

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 5535

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 5526

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 0279

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 0272

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 0287

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 0288

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Saussurea weberi, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 5521

Scientific Name Saussurea weberi USDA PLANTS Symbol SAWE
Common Name Weber's Saw-wort ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 36083
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Subalpine and alpine (10500 to 14300); gravelly alpine tundras and scree slopes; uncommon.
Plant: Short, bushy, perennial; erect leafy stems, 2 to 8 inches tall; hairy foliage when young, becoming smooth.
Leaves: Basal and alternate stem leaves, lanceolate or elliptic to ovate with small teeth spaced along edges; lower leaves are about 3 inches long and petiolate; upper leaves smaller and sessile.
Inflorence: Dense clusters of 1 to 15 composite blossoms subtended by leaves at the top of the stem with dark green and purple bracts about 1/2-inch long with rounded tips; 9 to 10 purple disk florets with slender tubes an long narrow lobes, surrounded by white pappi; no ray florets; anthers dark purple.
Bloom Period: July and August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet and Montana Field Guide.
Note: Rare plant endemic to a few alpine areas of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Thanks to Jane Hendrix for the plant location and ID.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native
Rare

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County