Alaska Wildflowers.us - Micranthes nelsoniana (D. Don) Small

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Micranthes nelsoniana (D. Don) Small
Saxifraga nelsoniana D. Don

16 photos.
A streambed species with a relatively compact terminal cluster known as the "heartleaf saxifrage",
"cordate-leaved saxifrage", "brook saxifrage" or "salad greens". There are two varieties found in our area
Var. nelsoniana and var. porsidiana. Porsidiana has smaller, less fleshy leaves and the split style is
not divided as deeply as in nelsoniana. The specimens from this area have not been identified beyond
the species level.

ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 895014


1. Late June. A single plant with a compact terminal blossom cluster. Note how red and hairy the stem is and ignore the out-of-focus cluster.	2. Early July. Several plants with blossom clusters which have branched out. Note that the stems vary in color.	3. Early July. Close-up of the terminal cluster of the red-stemmed plant in photo 2. The sepals have a green base with red tips. Count the styles on the terminal blossom.
4. Mid June. Several plants with compact terminal clusters.	5. Mid June. Closer view of three of the terminal flower clusters in photo 4. Note that the twin styles have already developed.	6. Close-up of one of the clusters in photos 4 and 5. Note the flesh-colored tips on the styles and the degree to which these tips bend outward.
7. Mid-June. Bases of the plants in the previous three photos.	8. Early July. A hairy, leathery leaf.	9. July 29, 2009. A hairy red leathery leaf.
10. June 12, 2009. Plant with blossom prior to stem elongation.	11. June 12, 2009. A group of plants with elongated stems.	12. July 11, 2009. A terminal cluster in bud.
13. July 11, 2009. A terminal cluster. Note that some of the individual flowers have dropped their petals and sepals.	14. July 29, 2009. A group of leaves with a single stem.	15. July 29, 2009. Maturing follicles. The left bloom has three follicles rather than the usual two.
16. July 29, 2009. A plant which has gone to seed. Note that the stem and the pedicels have elongated considerably.	Photo 1 taken along the Pinnell Mountain Trail between milepost 2 and milepost 3. Photos 2, 3 and 8 taken in the saddle between Miller Fork of Eagle Creek and Miller Creek. 65° 28.650' N, 145° 22.151' W Elev. 3700 ft Photos 4-7 taken on Mastodon Creek beyond the end of the road. 65° 26.2' N, 145° 19.6' W Elev. 3200 ft. Photos 9 and 14-16 taken above the Pinnell Mountain Trail near milepost 2. Latitude: N 65° 29' 41.345" Longitude: W 145° 27' 53.28" Altitude: 1191.45 m Photos 10 and 11 taken on the hillside above the right limit of Harrison creek between Squaw creek and Bottom Dollar creek. Latitude: N 65° 22' 28.092" Longitude: W 144° 51' 1.60" Altitude: 658.58 m	Photos 12 and 13 taken in a ravine west of Twelvemile Summit. 65° 23.6' N, 145° 58.8' W Elev. 2950 ft.