Alpine.  Scree.  Summer.
Spiller-Helmet Ridge. August 9, 2005.

Although Erigeron leiomerus is quite small, it is easy to spot in the rock beds it calls home.  Tufts of narrow leaves (often folded inward) are frequently in tight, four inch diameter mats sporting up to a dozen or so flowers on straight but often leaning stems.  Flower color ranges from lavender to light violet to white, but buds are usually pink/purple.

"Leios" is Greek for "smooth"  and "merus", "parts", probably referring to stem and leaves.  Charles Parry, famous Colorado botanist, collected this lovely plant around 1880 and Asa Gray named it in 1884.

Alpine.  Scree.  Summer.
Spiller-Helmet Ridge, August 9, 2005.
Spiller-Helmet Ridge, July 31, 2008.

Alpine.  Scree.  Summer.
Spiller-Helmet Ridge. August 9, 2005.