Kingdom Plantae Family Saxifragaceae Scientific name Mitella pentandra Rank Species | Order Saxifragales Genus Mitella Higher classification Mitella | |
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Similar Mitella, Mitella trifida, Mitella caulescens, Saxifragaceae, Mitella breweri | ||
Mitella pentandra, or Pectiantia pentandra, is a species of flowering plant in the Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae), known by the common names fivestamen miterwort or five-point bishop's cap.
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Range and habitat
Mitella pentandra is native to much of western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist, shady habitat such as meadows, woods, and mountain forests. In the Sierra Nevada, it grows at elevations between 5,000 and 8,300 feet (1,500 and 2,500 m) and can be found in stream banks and wet meadows.
Description
Mitella pentandra is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing up to about 50 to 60 centimetres (20 to 24 in) tall. The leaves have oval blades several centimeters wide with edges divided into toothed lobes, and occur mostly around the base of the stem.
The erect inflorescence bears several flowers, sometimes up to 25, usually along one side of the stem. The distinctive flower is saucer-shaped with five green petals which are divided into narrow, whiskerlike lobes.