Alpine Sunflower
Wildflowers with Michelle Gibbons
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Educational, Travel
Biologist, Michelle Gibbons, talks about her favorite alpine flower.
With bright yellow flower heads that are 2-3 inches in diameter, these are the largest flowers that grow on the alpine tundra. To help protect their flower heads from the strong winds found above treeline, this flower has a unique adaptation. The flower heads all face east, away from the prevailing westerly winds that can blow with gusts over 50 mph.
While Old Man of the Mountain can withstand harsh cold winters, these plants are very fragile and take a long time to grow. For 10 to 20 years, this plant will only grow their roots and leaves until conditions are just right to produce their bright yellow flowers and seed followed by senescence, or the plant's death.
Up Next in Wildflowers with Michelle Gibbons
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Monkshood - - Aconitum columbianum
Biologist, Michelle Gibbons, warns us about another highly poisonous plant.
Aconitum columbianum, also known as monkshood, is a member of the Buttercup family and is extremely poisonous. Nazis reportedly used the Aconitine in this flower to make poisonous bullets during World War II. -
Moss Campion
Biologist, Michelle Gibbons, tells the story of this tough and resilient cushion plant found on the alpine tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park
