Saw lots of Coptis trifolia. Took several close up pics. Thought this was one. However, on closer look on computer, one flower was very different. Same growing conditions and size as the Coptis trifolia. Please can someone please help with an id. Thank you.
Thanks for looking Daniel. Could be a mutation. This beauty has 6 sepals...3 of which are red tipped and lobed/forked. While Coptis has only 5 sepals. I love the tiny yellow pouched bits. Apparently these are the petals....I would never have guessed ..I thought they were nectaries!
I think those petals are diagnostic for the two species that occur in Alaska. Ah, here's something interesting, from the Flora of North America treatment (written by my university taxonomy professor): In other words, some variability in the species. Unfortunately, the treatment doesn't discuss the number of sepals in the species, but it does mention for the genus that it ranges from 5-7. By the way, also note from the treatment: So those are nectaries... on the petals, at the tip!
Wow! Many thanks Daniel....also thanks to your university taxonomy professor for his researches. This delightful wee beauty was on an island in the Aleutian chain, so could easily have the East Asia influence. So I was almost right about nectaries.. More research needed.... Clavate..."shaped like a club with the thicker end uppermost" Still think "yellow pouched bits" describe it better! Mighty odd to have a nectary on the end of a nearly non existent petal. This botany lark is mega complex. Thanks again. S.S.
