Towering Jacob's-ladder
Polemonium foliosissimum
Phlox family (Polemoniaceae)
Leafy Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium foliosissimum) is easy to spot and identify because of its growth patterns: it is often in dense to loosely scattered colonies in open mountain ; it grows tall (commonly two to three feet) in an open, airy manner; and its leaves are finely cut. Its abundance of softly lavender/blue/purple/violet flowers are borne in numerous, showy clusters. Altogether, Polemonium foliosissimum is very softly appealing. See Sky Pilot (Polemonium viscosum) and Pretty Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium pulcherrimum). Charles Parry first found this plant for science in Colorado and it was named by Asa Gray in 1878. "Foliosissimum" is Greek for "very leafy."

©2010 Jerry Oldenettel