Caryophyllaceae
Minuartia nuttallii ssp. fragilis

Brittle Sandwort

Mat-forming, yellowish green, dense with gland-tipped hairs. Stems topped by flowers are ascending, very easily broken. Leaves numerous, narrow, with sharply pointed tip recurving back toward stem. Flower sepals forming calyx have 3 noticeable veins and hairs along edges, petals about twice as large as sepals. Grows in limestone talus, basins, at 5300–7800 ft.

  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Flowering Time: Mid Summer
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 4 inches
  • Habitat: Subalpine, Alpine
  • Found In: Steens, N Cascades Np
  • Native: Yes

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