Synthyris canbyi
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 85: 93. 1933.
Leaves persistent, some withering in 2d year as new leaves expand; blade ovate or cordate, 25+ mm wide, not leathery, base cordate to lobate, margins ± incised-crenate or laciniate to ± pinnatifid, sometimes ± palmately lobed, teeth apices obtuse to rounded, surfaces sparsely hairy; basal veins extending into distal 1/2 of blade, lateral veins 2–4 on each side of midvein. Racemes erect, to 16 cm in fruit; sterile bracts 2+, ovate-spatulate, sometimes 1+ cm; flowers 10–50, loosely aggregated. Sepals 4. Petals (3 or)4(or 5), apex entire or erose; corolla blue, ± regular, campanulate, much longer than calyx, glabrous, tube conspicuous. Stamens epipetalous. Ovaries glabrous or sparsely hairy at apex; ovules 10–16. Capsules glabrous or sparsely hairy.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Jul; fruiting Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Alpine ridges, scree slopes.
Elevation: 2100–3200 m.
Discussion
Synthyris canbyi is known from the Mission, Rattlesnake, and Swan mountain ranges of northwest Montana. Flowering in S. canbyi begins at the margins of melting snow banks. Specimens from the southern end of the Mission Range appear intermediate between S. canbyi and S. dissecta.
Selected References
None.