Alpine.  Scree, tundra.  Summer. 
Columbia Basin, June 22, 2010.

Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii is a minute alpine perennial, from one to four inches tall.  As shown in the photographs on this page, it is just over one inch tall.

Our pup Willi is enjoying the view down Columbia Basin from the gravels on which dozens of tiny Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii were scattered.  One can only find this plant if one is bent low, looking for the tiny gems of the world.

Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii is rare in six western states (see map below). 

Draba fladnizensis was named by Wulfen in 1778 for its type locale, Fladnitz, Austria. The North American taxa of this circumpolar plant was discovered by Harry Patterson in the "High mountains , Gray's Peak and vicinity", Clear Creek, Colorado in 1885 and was at first named Draba pattersonii by Otto Schultz.  It was renamed Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii by Harvard Professor and Brassicaceae expert, Reed Rollins in 1993 when it was realized that this plant was a smaller Rocky Mountain variety of the circumpolar plant first found in Austria. 

Harry Patterson was an Illinois newspaper publisher and amateur botanist who visited Colorado often.  (Click for more biographical information about Patterson.)

Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii (Fladnitz Draba, Austrian Draba)
Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Alpine.  Scree, tundra.  Summer. 
Columbia Basin, June 22, 2010.

Flowers can have tinges of yellow on petals and sepals but a careful look shows that petals are mostly white.  Few Drabas have white flowers, so the color quickly helps identify this plant. 

Seed pods (3-6 millimeters long) mature rapidly while new flowers bloom.

Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii (Fladnitz Draba, Austrian Draba)
Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Alpine.  Scree, tundra.  Summer. 
Columbia Basin, June 22, 2010. 

Leaves are basal (there may be one or two minute stem leaves), they are sparsely fringed with hairs, and they have a minutely dimpled surface (see the leaf at the nine-o'clock position).

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Draba fladnizensis variety pattersonii