Caryophyllaceae

Arenaria capillaris

Mountain Sandwort

Mat from spreading woody base. Leaves from base linear, thread-like, erect or often curved, not rigid, 1–3 in., green. Mat of leaves feels soft to the touch. Flower stems 2–6 in. high with 2–3 pairs of leaves. Few flowers on stalks 1/2–3/4 in. long at stem top. Flowers about 1/2 in. across with 5 short, nearly round sepals often tinted purple, 5 white petals twice as long as sepals, 10 stamens. Grows on sands in steppe, subalpine, and alpine to 8000 ft.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 4--8 inches
• Habitat: Subalpine, Alpine, Shrub-Steppe
• Found In: Wallowas, West Gorge, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, Steens
• Native: Yes