Eightpetal Mountain-Avens

Dryas octopetala

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Dryas
Species:
Dryas octopetala

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
6 in - 1 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
White
Ground Cover:
Yes
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Alberta fritillary (Clossiana alberta)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained calcareous soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in alpine and arctic conditions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: For seeds, a 5 month cold, moist stratification is required. For cuttings, they should be recut at base to 7 cm lengths with 1/3 of basal leaves removed, then placed in a Domain fungicide bath for 2 minutes. 1000 ppm IBA rooting hormone is used before striking cuttings in sand:perlite rooting media.

Establishment: D. octopetala is a circumpolar species found from mid-montane to the alpine zone; from Alaska to the Rocky Mountains and Cascades, east to southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, and east across Canada to Labrador, Asia and Europe. Germination for seeds is uneven and cuttings were overwintered directly in the mistbed.

Source: npn.rngr.net