Gomphandra

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordoo: Rosales

Familia: Rosaceae
Subfamilia: Amygdaloideae
Tribus: Spiraeeae
Genus: Petrophytum
Species: Petrophytum caespitosum
Name

Petrophytum caespitosum (Nutt.) Rydb.
References

Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY 1:206. 1900
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Petrophytum caespitosum in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 28-Oct-07.

Petrophytum caespitosum (orth. var. Petrophyton caespitosum) is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mat rock spiraea.

It is native to the Western United States where it grows in mountainous areas from the Sierra Nevada to the Rocky Mountains. It grows among limestone rocks in forested and woodland habitat.
Description

Petrophytum caespitosum is a very low matted shrub growing in carpets up to 80 centimeters wide, creeping over rocks. The plant often grows on vertical surfaces and hangs by its roots, which cling to cracks in rock.[1] The stems are thick and very short, covered densely in rosettes of oval leaves.

It produces many inflorescences which are spikelike clusters of flowers arising on erect peduncles up to 10 centimeters tall. Each inflorescence is packed with flowers, each with five tiny white petals, many whiskery stamens, and usually 5 hairy pistils.

The flower parts dry and may fall away, leaving a cluster of developing fruits, follicles containing the seeds.
References

Southwest Colorado Wildflowers