Creeping Sibbaldia Sibbaldia procumbens Rose family (Rosaceae)
This is a common mat-forming, ground-hugging plant of the high mountains, open areas, and . Its three parted leaf causes it to be taken for a member of the Pea Family, but a closer look shows the leaves to be very much like the leaves of the common Rose Family member, Wild Strawberry. A close inspection of the tiny flowers of Sibbaldia procumbens also shows them to be distinctly non-pea like and very much like flowers of the Rose Family. Linnaeus named both the and species in 1753. The name is for the Scottish botanist, Robert Sibbald. "Procumbens" refers to its growth form.
Dwarf, tufted, plants with short creeping rootstocks. Flowering stems 2 to 6" long, more or less hairy, on long, slender . about 1/2" long, to , three to five at , sparsely on both surfaces. Flowers few, densely clustered. tube shorter than . Petals shorter than the , . inserted close to base of tube. an .
stamen -- the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower;
The stamen consists of an anther supported by a filament.
genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant
number of similar characteristics.
A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.
The apex is the tip or the furthest point from the attachment.
subalpine -- Just below the timberline.
obovate -- Teardrop-shaped, stem attaches to tapering point.
caespitose -- Grass (or plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts.
tundra -- Land above tree line characterized by a short growing season, intense sun
and wind, thin soils, very high snow fall and high rain fall. Contains low
growing sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs and herbs.
fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants.
It is formed from the ovary after flowering.
achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants.
For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.
calyx -- the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses
the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud.
oblanceolate -- top wider than bottom
Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud,
and often as support for the petals when in bloom.
basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.
oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.
petiole -- the stalk of a leaf.
decumbent -- with branches growing horizontally on the ground, but turned up at the ends.
prostrate -- Laying flat on the ground.
pubescent -- downy; covered with short, soft, erect hairs.
leaflets -- Each little leaf-like thing in a compound leaf is a leaflet.
