Thermopsis montana
(Mountain Golden Banner)
Thermopsis montana, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 0077
Thermopsis montana, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 0668
Thermopsis montana, Breakneck Pass, Park Co. 4581
| Scientific Name | Tonestus pygmaeus (Haplopappus pygmaeus) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | TOPY |
| Common Name | Pygmy Goldenweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 505531 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Subalpine to alpine (10000 to 14000 ft.); rocky soils, usually granitic or limestone, in meadows, talus slopes, rock crevices, dwarf conifer forests. Plant: Upright perennial less than 1 to 3-1/2 inches tall; solitary or loosely mat-forming; densely hairy stems, sometimes sticky. Leaves: Basal blades linear to spatulate, 3/8 to 2 inches long and less than 1/4-inch wide and stem leaves oblong to broadly lanceolate, 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches long; 3 to 5 nerves; entire and ciliate, sometimes glandular. Inflorescence: Solitary, terminal composite flowerheads ~1-inch across; 10 to 16 yellow ray flowers and 43 to 66 yellow disk flowers; involucre is bell-shaped with 16 to 34 phyllaries in 3 or 4 layers, outer ones ovate to oblong. Bloom Period: July and August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America and Montana Field Guide. |
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