Montane, subalpine.  Woodlands, openings. Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, July 10, 2000.

Packera crocata is not common but its rich red, orange, and yellow buds and flowers make it easy to spot. Look for it scattered in moist, thickly vegetated meadows of the high mountains. Lower stem leaves can be as large as the basal leaves but upper leaves are clasping and quite small; see the last photograph below for basal leaves.

"Packera" is for John Packer, 20th century Canadian Professor of Botany. "Crocata" is Greek for "orange". Flowers of the genus Packera are often called "Groundsels", as are flowers of the Senecio genus to which Packera formerly belonged.

Montane, subalpine.  Woodlands, openings. Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.

Montane, subalpine.  Woodlands, openings. Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, July 11, 2006.

Montane, subalpine.  Woodlands, openings. Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.

Packera crocata basal leaves are two to five inches long and often lobed.