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alpine collomia

Scientific Name: Collomia debilis var. trifida

Family: Polemoniaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Alpine Collomia (Collomia debilis)

Alpine Collomia, also known as Alpine Mountain-trumpet, is a dwarf alpine plant belonging to the genus Collomia. Species within this genus are commonly referred to as trumpets, mountain trumpets, or trumpet flowers.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Collomia debilis (S. Watson) Greene
  • Family: Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)

Synonyms:

  • Collomia debilis var. debilis
  • Collomia debilis var. integra
  • Collomia debilis var. ipomoea
  • Collomia debilis var. trifida
  • Collomia debilis var. camporum
  • Syn. C. debilis var. larsenii, Gilia larsenii

Distribution and Habitat

Collomia debilis is found in the alpine and subalpine regions of the western United States. Specifically, it has been documented in:

  • Idaho (ID)
  • Montana (MT)
  • Nevada (NV)
  • Oregon (OR)
  • Utah (UT)
  • Washington (WA)
  • Wyoming (WY)

It thrives in talus slopes (slopes formed by an accumulation of broken rock or debris) within these alpine environments. Loowit Trail and Sheep Canyon are also noted habitats.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Growth Habit: Prostrate plant with sprawling stems; tufted and mat-forming.
  • Size: Typically 5-10cm in height.
  • Stems and Leaves: Hairless or coated with fine hairs, sometimes including glands.
  • Leaves: Lanceolate to ovate, either all entire or some three to five-lobed.
  • Flowers: Pink to violet, up to 1.5cm long.
  • Other Perennial from a deep-seated taproot and crown.

Ecological Role

  • The plant thrives in alpine environments and is sometimes found in rock gardens.
  • Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) are often found in the same habitats.
  • A similar species, Talus Collomia (C. larsenii), has highly divided leaves.

Quirky Facts

  • The alpine collomia Is small in size in spring it assumes a redpink coloring.
  • These are evergreen plants, which means they keep their leaves year round.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Discover Life
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • Biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php