Petrophyton
Encyclopedia
Petrophyton is a small genus of plants in the rose family
known as the rock spiraeas or rockmats. These are low mat-forming shrubs which send up erect stems bearing spike inflorescences
of flowers. The brushy flowers are white and have many stamen
s and hairy, thready pistils. Rockmats are native to western North America.
Species:
Rosaceae
Rosaceae are a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla , Sorbus , Crataegus , Cotoneaster , and Rubus...
known as the rock spiraeas or rockmats. These are low mat-forming shrubs which send up erect stems bearing spike inflorescences
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...
of flowers. The brushy flowers are white and have many stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s and hairy, thready pistils. Rockmats are native to western North America.
Species:
- Petrophyton acuminatum - big arroyo rockmat
- Petrophyton caespitosumPetrophyton caespitosumPetrophyton caespitosum is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mat rock spiraea. It is native to the western United States where it grows in mountainous areas from the Sierra Nevada to the Rocky Mountains. It grows among rocks in forested and woodland habitat...
- mat rock spiraea - Petrophyton cinerascensPetrophyton cinerascensPetrophyton cinerascens is a rare species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common names halfshrub rockmat and Chelan rockmat...
- halfshrub rockmat, Chelan rockmat - Petrophyton hendersonii - Olympic Mountain rockmat