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February 7, 2008 : Hulsea algida
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Keywords: Asteraceae | Hulsea algida Gray | summit of Pt. Powell, Sierra Nevada Mtns, California, USA
A new contributor today! Thank you to mdv_graupe@Flickr for sharing today's photograph with us (original via the BPotD Flickr Group Pool). It's very appreciated.
Common names for Hulsea algida include alpine hulsea, Pacific hulsea, alpine gold hulsea. The names tend to suggest a high-elevation grower, and indeed it is: this photograph was taken at 4000m (or 13 300 ft.). It is generally found in the western USA: California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming (Utah is intriguingly absent).
The Jepson Manual provides its usual excellent description of the species: Hulsea algida. Frequent BPotD contributor Michael Charters has a page about it as well, with links to the meaning of the names (e.g., algida means “golden cold” – see comments below): alpine gold hulsea. More photographs are available via CalPhotos.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at February 7, 2008 9:28 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Michael Charters at February 7, 2008 10:35 AM
I saw this on Flickr when it hit the BPotD pool - really stunning.
And a hearty welcome to mdv_graupe as a new contributor!
Posted by: Eric in SF at February 7, 2008 10:39 AM
Hi, What a wonderful photo! This place is an alpine gardener's dream. I am the Chair of the New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Sociey so I am excited by this picture. Was this shot taken on the White Inyo Mountains? If not where? Where are the White Inyo Mountains? I also have an MA in Art so I love the composition with the line of Hulsea algida in the foreground but continuing back into the horizon. The plants are especially floriferous. I assume it will grow in zone 6.
Dianne
Posted by: Dianne Huling at February 7, 2008 11:04 AM
A lovely shot of the plant and its habitat. Thanks!
Posted by: Katy S at February 7, 2008 2:15 PM
Hulsea algida - Z7 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Posted by: Beverley at February 7, 2008 6:23 PM
Thank you for your kind comments. I am always amazed when I climb mountains in the Sierra Nevada, through endless talus fields, up steep snowfields and then find blooming plants in a most inhospitable environment. These plants seem to grow just fine in pure decomposed granite without much organic matter present. Another beautiful, very fragrant plant species which I often encounter up at this altitude, if not even higher up, is Polemonium eximium (Sky Pilot).
Dianne, this photo was taken at the Sierra Nevada crest, southwest of Bishop. This is across Owens Valley from the White/Inyo Mountains. I have also "geotagged" the photo on Flickr. So you can look at the map there.
Michael
Posted by: mdv_graupe at February 7, 2008 8:08 PM
Answer to Dianne: According to the tag at the top, it's from Point Powell (formerly Mt. Powell) in the Sierra Nevada range west of Big Pine. The White-Inyo range is a more or less continuous north-south range consisting of the White Mts to the north and the Inyo Mts to the south and is on the east side of Owens Valley across from and parallel to the Sierra Nevadas. The Inyo Mts are between Owens Valley and the Saline Valley/northern Death Valley area. The White Mts are bordered on the east by Nevada.
Posted by: Michael Charters at February 8, 2008 10:15 AM
It is so nice to see these flowers. In 1987 I came to California from Massachusetts to see my son graduate from College. We were on Mt Wilson and I photographed these same floweres. It was very nice to see them again.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at February 9, 2008 4:32 PM
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!
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I have changed the definition in my listing for "algida." It does not mean 'golden' as I had previously stated. It is from the Latin algeo, 'to be cold,' and means 'cold, or from a cold or high elevation.' Sorry for the error.