Fendler's Cowbane
Oxypolis fendleri
Carrot family (Apiaceae)

When it occurs singly, Cowbane's tiny sprays of white may go unnoticed. But it can carpet high mountain stream-sides turning them white with hundreds of plants bearing thousands of flowers. Heartleaf Bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) also found streamside, is about the same height as Cowbane, but produces larger and whiter flowers. Oxypolis fendleri can also be confused with Conioselinum scopulorum but the latter grows to be a more robust plant with larger flower heads and finely cut leaves reminiscent of carrot leaves. "Oxys," Greek for sharp and "polios." "White," refers to the flower bracts and white petals. Augustus Fendler, 1813-1883, for whom a number of plants were named, was a botanical collector for the renowned Asa Gray and George Engelmann, but just for two seasons.

Description

Perennial herb, 1-2' tall, with small, delicate white umbels. Flowerheads are flat-topped, up to 2" across, umbrella-like clusters (compound umbels) of white flowers. Leaves are pinnate, oval to lanceolate in shape with a single terminal leaflet. Margins may be smooth or with slight serrations.

Field Marks

White umbrella-like flowers, pinnate leaves with single terminal leaflet.

© Al Schneider