In conglomerate nook on rocky bluff. Duplicate and aggregate observation to try new format
Map location approximate and estimated. Description of location: western foothills of the Sierra Quetzaltepec, ca. 3.5 km E of church in Coatepec along gravel road to Canada Xaltomaltla and ca. 12 km from the junction of this road with Mex. Hwy. 136 in San Vicente Chiloapan.
This the the holotype sheet and only known collection of this apparently very rare endemic of the El Cielo region. After much study, I'm fairly confident the type locality is within 1 km of the spot indicated. This species is likely only findable after some good periods of rain. The plants are thin and not brightly colored and are among the most divergent of Castilleja species in morphology. This species has a very close relative in the Sierra Madre Occidental, C. chlorosceptron, and there are a few posts of that species on iNat/Naturalista, so you can get a "search image" for what they look like. Any botanists in the El Cielo area should watch for this species, as we presently know almost nothing about it, and it has never been photographed in life. Good luck, and please tag me if you find it!!
Growing on bank of glacial till.
(A) Habitat (B) Population scale habit showing gametophytes and sporophytes. (C) Young gametophyte. (D) Older gametophyte showing large teeth and thin lamina at margins. (E) Round capsule showing hairy calyptra ensheathing rostrate operculum. (F) Micrograph showing peristome teeth. (G) Transverse section of leaf showing anatomy and short lamellae topped by round, unornamented terminal cells. (H) Whole mount of leaf showing large teeth and numerous rows of lamellae. (I) Transverse section through whole leaf showing lamellae in profile.
Zoom in for full comparison with Neckera douglasii. On maple.
What up with this family....a SINGLE fertile stamen. Coriaceous leaves. 3-lobed woody fruits.
This is a well established population of Erythronium montanum. This photo was taken just above the trailhead of the bike trail, With a Twist. A few scattered individual plants are forming seed within a 5-10 minute walk before one reaches this location. There were only a handful of plants in flower, all seen at this location. Elevation is about 1500 metres.
We experienced an unusually deep snow pack this year, with snow still falling in the mountains in June.
Yellow form of Castilleja miniata
just west of Mount Rainier
Elevation 1400 meters (4600 feet)
Glacier View Wilderness
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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I only managed to see one briefly in flight in a couple of days on the island, but lucked upon this one roosting in a very conspicuous location in the early morning.