White mountain-avens can be found in Arctic and alpine areas of Europe, Asia and North America (extending as far south as Colorado). It is colony-forming and quite common along higher elevation rocky roadsides in Jasper and Banff National Parks; mid-September is a good time to witness it in fruit en masse.
The US Forest Service provides a detailed account of Dryas octopetala (PDF). For a quicker read, Paul Slichter writes about Dryas octopetala on his wildflowers of Oregon and Washington site.
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
strange, I would totally have guessed Asteraceae. Strange to see such a crazy fruit from a simple flower.
Beautiful! I think this may be is the same plant (or close cousin)that has haunted me for years since I saw a mass of it fluffed over a meadow in southern Colorado while I was chasing the Cumbres and Toltec RR locomotive. But -- the plant I saw had a strong pink tint.
our lovely planet is still
giveing us so many wonders does it not this
surely one its delights
i am trying not to be far out
but after looking at cresent moon right over my head this early am and the brightnees keeping it company i think this group was out moonlighting
Ahhhhhhh....Swan Lake!
Thanks Daniel, for continuing to feed my imagination!
Liz