Genus: Elmera after Adolph Elmer, collector of Washington State plants
Species: racemosa means 'in a raceme' (flowers in a stalked cluster)
aka Yellow Coralbells. Exquisite! Probably not a crowd pleaser due to its small size but well worth a very close look. Each stem, 4" - 12" (10 - 30 cm) tall, bears numerous (10 - 35) small, 1/4" yellowish-white flowers in a raceme. They are amazingly delicate with three to seven tiny white petals which protrude like "feathery mittens" (ref. Blackwell). The leaves are round or kidney-shaped with scalloped edges. Usually found on talus slopes and in rocky crevices (e.g. in trail retaining walls as here) between 5,000' to 9,000' elevation. (ref. Biek, Blackwell)
Trail Notes:
Trail/Hike: Sourdough Ridge
Date: July 10, 2007
Location: approx. 0.40 miles east of Frozen Lake (photo)
