Oxytropis (unnamed species) (26664071787)

Description:

Summary[edit] Description: Oxytropis species, California, White Mountains, Sheep Mountain, Fishlake Valley drainage, elevation 3523 m (11560 ft). This apparently unnamed species is so far known only from this general location, where it grows near and sometimes mixed with two other Oxytropis species, the similar Oxytropis parryi (previous post), and the very different, glandular Oxytropis borealis. Confirmation of the unnamed species awaits comparison with a larger geographic sample of Oxytropis parryi, but for now the following differences are notable: Oxytropis (unnamed) -- Inflorescence 4-5 flowered, elongating in fruit with lower bracts and developing fruits visibly separating; calyx becoming somewhat enlarged and papery; leaves green, averaging more and smaller leaflets; leaflets mostly 7-9 lateral pairs, hairs loosely ascending; hairs of scapes, petioles, and calyces mostly widely spreading; outer leaves and scapes spreading or decumbent. Oxytropis parryi (previous post) -- Inflorescence 1-3(-4) flowered, remaining compact in fruit, bracts and fruits not visibly separating; calyx not enlarging; leaves grayish green, averaging fewer and larger leaflets; leaflets mostly 4-6(-7) lateral pairs, hairs appressed; hairs of scapes, petioles, and calyces mostly ascending to appressed; outer leaves and scapes ascending to erect. In several of the above characters, the plants are intermediate with Oxytropis borealis, so it's also possible that these are hybrids or a hybrid-derivative lineage. But the glands of O. borealis are apparently missing, so I have my doubts about a hybrid hypothesis. Also visible in this image are King sandwort (Eremogone kingii glabrescens) and alpine sagebrush (Artemisia rothrockii, gray form). Date: 30 July 2016, 15:32. Source: Oxytropis (unnamed species). Author: Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA. Camera location37° 32′ 50.21″ N, 118° 12′ 34.45″ W View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 37.547280; -118.209570.