Dwarf fameflower

Description

Plants to 1 dm; roots fusiform, fleshily woody. Stems spreading-ascending, branching, sometimes suffrutescent. Leaves sessile; blade to 2.5 cm, distal terete or subterete, proximal flatter, broader, somewhat shorter. Inflorescences cymulose or 1-flowered, slightly to distinctly overtopping leaves; peduncle not scapelike, to 1.5 cm. Flowers: sepals persistent, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, to 8 mm; petals light rose to purplish red, obovate, to 16 mm; stamens usually 20; stigma 1, subcapitate. Capsules ellipsoid, 4-6 mm. Seeds without arcuate ridges, 1 mm. 2n = 24.Flowering Apr-Sep. Dry woodlands on rocky slopes, ridges, and crests, in limestone and igneous soils; 1600-3000 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; n Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila).