Leaves strictly annual, disintegrating in 1st year; blade broadly to narrowly lanceolate to ovate, 25+ mm wide, leathery, base cuneate, rounded, lobate, or cordate, margins crenate or incised-crenate, teeth apices acute to rounded, surfaces hairy; basal veins extending into distal 1/2 of blade, lateral-veins 3–8 on each side of midvein. Racemes erect, to 47 cm in fruit; sterile bracts 10–25, ovate to spatulate, largest 1+ cm; flowers 100+, densely aggregated (separating in fruit). Sepals 2–4, all lobes connate, if 2+ lobes, then connate for at least 1/2 of length on abaxial side. Petals 0. Stamens inserted on receptacle. Ovaries: ovules 17–40. Capsules densely hairy.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jul; fruiting May–Aug.
Habitat: Montane, subalpine, and alpine grasslands, open, coniferous forests.
Elevation: 1000–3700 m.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Alta., B.C., Sask., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nebr., S.Dak., Utah, Wyo.

Discussion

Synthyris wyomingensis is highly variable over its wide elevational and geographic ranges. Populations in the northern and western part of the range have bluish purple stamens; those in the southeastern part of the range have white to whitish yellow stamens. Tetraploid (2n = 48) populations are known only from the Bridger Mountains, Montana; populations from elsewhere are diploid 2n = 24 (C. G. Schaack 1983).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.