Brassicaceae

Smelowskia ovalis

Alpine False Candytuft

Cushion small, leaves and stems densely coated with white hairs. Basal leaves divided pinnately, segments entire or toothed, petioles hairless. Stems with few leaves topped with flowers. Flowers composed of 4 small spoon-shaped petals held in a cup of 4 shorter hairy sepals. Seedpod egg-shaped, less than 1/5 in. long. Grows in rocky places in alpine. Highest-growing plant on Mount Rainier. Very similar to S. calycina var. americana, which is larger, with hairs on the petioles.

• Rarity: Rare
• Flowering Time: Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: Under 6 inches
• Habitat: Alpine
• Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, Cascade Mts., Mt. Lassen, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes