Epilobium howellii
Encyclopedia
Epilobium howellii is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family
known by the common names Yuba Pass Willowherb and Subalpine Fireweed (though it is not a true fireweed). It is endemic to the High Sierra Nevada of California
, where it is known from only about 20 occurrences.
It grows in wet mountain habitat such as meadows, often in the presence of moss
es and willow
s, between 2000 and 2700 meters in elevation. The plant was first collected in 1975 at Yuba Pass on Highway 49
in Sierra County, California
, and described to science as a new species in 1992.
This is a small, unobtrusive perennial herb forming clumps under 20 centimeters tall, spreading out via tiny stolon
s. The thin stem is coated in glands and small leaves variable in shape from lance-shaped to rounded. The glandular inflorescence
bears flowers with white petals 2 or 3 millimeters long. The fruit is an elongated capsule up to 4.5 centimeters in length. The main potential threat to this rare species is disruption of the soil in its habitat by activities such as grazing, trampling, and logging.
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, also known as the Willowherb family or Evening Primrose family, are a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 640-650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in 20-24 genera...
known by the common names Yuba Pass Willowherb and Subalpine Fireweed (though it is not a true fireweed). It is endemic to the High Sierra Nevada of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it is known from only about 20 occurrences.
It grows in wet mountain habitat such as meadows, often in the presence of moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
es and willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
s, between 2000 and 2700 meters in elevation. The plant was first collected in 1975 at Yuba Pass on Highway 49
California State Route 49
State Route 49 is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California that passes through many historic mining communities of the 1849 California gold rush. Highway 49 is numbered after the "49ers", the waves of immigrants who swept into the area looking for gold, and a portion of it...
in Sierra County, California
Sierra County, California
Sierra County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California, northeast of Sacramento on the border with Nevada. As of the 2010 census the population was 3,240, down from 3,555 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Downieville....
, and described to science as a new species in 1992.
This is a small, unobtrusive perennial herb forming clumps under 20 centimeters tall, spreading out via tiny stolon
Stolon
In biology, stolons are horizontal connections between organisms. They may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton; typically, animal stolons are external skeletons.-In botany:...
s. The thin stem is coated in glands and small leaves variable in shape from lance-shaped to rounded. The glandular inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
bears flowers with white petals 2 or 3 millimeters long. The fruit is an elongated capsule up to 4.5 centimeters in length. The main potential threat to this rare species is disruption of the soil in its habitat by activities such as grazing, trampling, and logging.