July gold, Dedeckera eurekensis

Description:

July gold, Dedeckera eurekensis, White Mountains, elevation 1575 m (5165 ft). The only species in this rare shrub genus, July gold is related to Eriogonum in the Polygonaceae. It is found in only a few canyons with a strong carbonate bedrock component, in the mountains of Inyo and southern Mono counties, California. The species was first discovered in Eureka Valley, and presents huge masses of tiny golden-yellow flowers during the peak of summer heat when little else blooms, thus its common name. (The plant in this photo is in fruit and late flower [open near center of image] at the end of August.) The genus is named after Mary DeDecker, good friend and pioneering botanist and conservationist in the "Land of Little Rain."