A long-limbed star

Stellaria longipes, July 30, 2023

Common & scientific name

Long-stalked starwort, Stellaria longipes

Family

Pink, Capryophyllaceae

Location

North Fork Lost Creek trail, 10,900’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

This oh-so-delicate wildflower, standing just a few inches tall on a hairless, slender stalk with widely-spaced, opposite, grass-like leaves, can be found throughout the subalpine and alpine but seems to favor rocky outcrops or meadows streamside. “Stellaria” means “star” and “longipes” means long-limbed. At last, an aptly named flower!