Smelowskia americana
Brassicaceae
Alpine Smelowskia
Cushion of leaves with few erect flower stems. Plant covered with white hairs. Leaves soft and pliable, oval, pinnately divided, mostly basal with petioles, also few sessile leaves scattered on stems. Inflorescence is dense at stem top. Flowers small, sepals pinkish or purplish pink, petals spoon-shaped, white or tinted purple. Seedpods egg-shaped, to 1/2 in., held pointing upward. Grows on ridges and slopes high in the alpine at 6000–10,000 ft. Very similar S. ovalis has smaller petals and seedpods, lacks hairs on petioles.
- Rarity: Rare
- Flowering Time: Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
- Flower Form: Petals 4
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 2–8 inches
- Habitat: Alpine
- Found In: Mt. Rainier NP, Olympic NP, Wallowas
- Native: Yes
- Also Known As: American False Candytuft
- Latin Synonyms: Smelowskia calycina var. americana
