XLittleleaf Alumroot (Heuchera parvifolia var. nivalis)X
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Littleleaf Alumroot -or- Snow Alumroot (Heuchera parvifolia var. nivalis), family Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage)
The nasty little truth about us in discovering this species was that we were actually focused on it's purple partner in the plant shot, the lovely Silky Phacelia against a stunning backdrop. In the end we came to our senses and realized that the tiny-flowered beauty next door was a species we had not seen before. The primary ID came from G.K. Guennel's book Guide to Colorado Wildflowers, Volume 2, Mountains. From there we found more information in Weber's Colorado Flora Eastern Slope. Specifically he states "Common on cliffs and rock outcrops from pinon-juniper to the alpine tundra, where the normal tall form is replaced by the dwarf var. nivalis." End quote. This form is said by Guennel to grow to a mere 9". Our specimen is certainly in line with that figure. Botanical sources disagree about the true varieties of parvifolia. USDA lists 8 distinct varieties: arizonica, dissecta, flavescens, major, microcarpa, nivalis, parvifolia, and utahensis. Flora of North America's position is based on specific botanists findings and contradicts distinct varieties - "C. O. Rosendahl et al. (1936) recognized five species and eight varieties in the H. parvifolia complex, based on differences in development of the nectary disc, shapes of the hypanthium, disc, and petals, width of the leaves, lengths of the peduncle and flowers, type of indument of the petiole and peduncle, height of the inflorescence, and degree of lobing of the leaves. Some of their varieties intergrade completely. As P. K. Holmgren and N. H. Holmgren (1997) observed, expressions of some of these characters vary with the stage of development of the plant, and there seems to be no correlation of morphology with geographical distribution. Accordingly, we do not recognize infraspecific taxa in this polymorphic species." End quote.
USES: Flora of North America notes the following information on the parvifolia species: The Blackfoot Indians used pounded, wet roots of Heuchera parvifolia for rheumatism and sores, and an infusion of the roots as an eyewash. They applied a poultice of chewed roots to wounds and sores, as a styptic, and to cold sores and children?s mouth cankers. The Navajo used the plant as a panacea or "life medicine" and for rat bites. They took a decoction of the roots for stomachaches and to ease the delivery of the placenta, and an infusion of the roots as a lotion for venereal disease (D. E. Moerman 1998).
We suspect that our dwarf variety was almost certainly used in some of those ways.
Flower -
Plant location: Found on the apline tundra of Rollins Pass, Colorado, on July 26, 2015.
This variety of parvifolia is shown in only two states according to USDA: New Mexico and Colorado. Guennel describes it's habitat as rocky or gravelly slopes and hillsides. Fit our specimen to a T. Approximate elevation was 11,200 feet.Plant -
Bloom season: July through September.
Foliage -
Rollins Pass, Colorado, - July 26, 2015
Closer view of flowers. Guennel's description is: "short-stalked clusters that form a narrow pannicle, with 1/4", white to yellowish petals and bristly sepals". *Panicle: a branched, racemose inflorescence with flowers maturing from the bottom upwards* The comments by Flora of North America may be somewhat supported in this macro of the inflorescence. In Weber's botanical keys for Heuchera he describes the hypanthiums of various species. The only species with the pink coloration in the hypanthiums described is Heuchera versicolor - a possible example of intergrading between species. Note this is pure speculation on our parts. -
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Rollins Pass, Colorado, - July 26, 2015
View of just the Littleleaf Alumroot plant...with a little Whiproot Clover, hint of Frosty Ball on the right, and a bit of boot on the left. -
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Rollins Pass, Colorado, - July 26, 2015
While Weber does not discuss foliage in his key of parvifolia var. nivalis, Guennel remarks: "leaves are in basal rosette, long-stalked, palmately lobed, with bristly, red margins." Most of this specimens leaf margins were more yellow with only some reddish hue present. The bristles speak for themselves. -
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