Besseya alpina , commonly known as , alpine kittentails , or alpine coral drops , is a rare and captivating perennial wildflower native to the highest elevations of the North American Rocky Mountains. As a true resident of the alpine tundra, this hardy, low-growing plant is adapted to survive harsh winds, intense UV light, and long winters, emerging in early summer to display dense spikes of purplish flowers.
Besseya alpina is pollinated by insects, including native bees, which are attracted to its nectar-rich flowers. It is considered a pollinator-friendly species. Taxonomy and Naming
This plant thrives at high altitudes, typically occurring in the alpine tundra zone from roughly 9,000 to over 14,000 feet (often to 4000m). It prefers moist, rocky tundra, talus slopes, boulder fields, and sometimes grows in turf dominated by Geum rossii (Ross's avens) below snowfields. Ecology and Blooming Phenology besseya alpina
Besseya alpina is a small, compact herbaceous plant that typically grows between 5 and 15 centimeters (2 to 8 inches) in height. It is a clump-forming species with several distinct characteristics:
Besseya alpina is a regional endemic, meaning its natural range is confined to a specific geographic area. It is found primarily in the Rocky Mountains of: The center of its distribution. Wyoming: Known in the high peaks of the Snowy Range. Utah: Southeastern areas. New Mexico: Northern mountains. Besseya alpina , commonly known as , alpine
The flowers are arranged in a dense, spike-like terminal inflorescence (the "spike") that rises above the basal leaves. The flowers themselves are small (approximately 6mm long) and primarily violet or light purple, though they can range from blue to lavender.
The species was first formally described by famed American botanist Asa Gray in 1862 as Synthyris alpina . It is considered a pollinator-friendly species
The genus Besseya was named by Rydberg to honor his mentor, the influential American botanist Charles Edwin Bessey (1845–1915).