Alpine. Tundra, scree. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, July 2, 2004.

Oxyria digyna is often found high in the mountains near melting snows in rocky areas.  The plant has greenish flowers that are replaced by showy red/brown seed pods.  The massed, round, thick leaves (often with red tinges) are a common and picturesque sight in alpine rock scree.  Mountain Sorrel is related to the much larger Sorrels found in the foothills and canyons; the latter Sorrels are common around Anasazi sites.

Linnaeus named this species Rumex digynus in 1753, and in 1765 John Hill (1716-1775) placed it in a new genus, Oxyria, and modified the species name to "digyna".  Greek gives us both "Oxys" for "sour" and "aria" for "possession", thus "possessing sourness", alluding to the nice tangy sour taste of Sorrel leaves.  "Digyna", Greek for "two women", refers to "two carpels".

Alpine. Tundra, scree. Summer.
Spiller-Helmet Ridge, August 8, 2005.

Oxyria digyna can be dainty as in the above picture or robust with numerous leaves and flower/seed stems.

Alpine. Tundra, scree. Summer.
Kennebec Pass, July 18, 2006.

Maturing seeds.

Alpine. Tundra, scree. Summer.
Base of Snowdon Peak, August 1, 2005.

Snow has just melted and long-stemmed Oxyria digyna leaves are unfolding to the sun for chlorophyll which will mask the red pigment.  A flower stalk is at the far left, just below center.