Hey all, Just wondering if anyone can help with two flower id's here. I don't have my good idetification book at home right now. The picture was taken in eastern British Columbia at an elevation of around 2675m (8775 ft). The yellow flowers are around a cm^2 in size and that provides a frame of reference for the size of the white flowers. I'm thinking the yellow ones may be Draba paysonii aka yellow draba aka yellow whitlow-grass? The only guesses I'd have on the white ones would be a stunted specimen of silver rockcress or rock jasmine? Sorry, the picture gives no help with the stem/leaves of the white flowers. Any help appreciated. Many thanks in advance!
Check Physaria - it usually rules the mountain tops. Only one is listed for BC: Physaria didymocarpa (Hook.) A. Gray var. didymocarpa , common twinpod.
I did not notice the white one. Should also be draba. About 7 or 8 white-flowered species in BC would fit.
Certainly looks like a match on the yellow ones. Thanks! I'm surprised, in my completely uninformed opinion, that the white ones could be the same species... or that there would be a distinct colour difference between plants growing that close together. Quite possible I suppose and I certainly don't know enough to say differently. Thanks again for the help!
Well, I only suggested that because of the "yellow, fading to white" description. Smaller plants, maybe bloomed sooner, and are on their way out. But, they could very well be a different species, and perhaps that's the likeliest explanation. Some additional photographs of the leaves would help... What mountaintop in the Kootenays? Is it within the range of Draba porsildii?
Hey Daniel, Good possibilities on both suggestions. It could very well be the same plants. Or it is within the range of the Draba porsildii. The green markers in the SE corner of the map are pretty much exactly where they were. Again, thanks a lot on the help. Don't take my comments about being surprised as any type of skepticism about your suggestions... it was more a genuine surprise coming from my lack of knowledge of this species. Sorry there aren't any pictures of the stem or leaves of the smaller white flowers. Maybe when I stumble across them again, I'll attempt to photograph it... but it'll be tough given their size! Take care....
