Thermopsis montana

(Mountain Golden Banner)

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Thermopsis montana, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 0077

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Thermopsis montana, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 0668

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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