Alpine. Tundra. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, July 3, 2004.

A walking pace is just too fast if we really want to see the world.  Snowlover is one of those tiny alpine plants (the one pictured is just two inches high) that evades you unless you search with the slowest pace.  And then, as happened to us, you may find many Snowlover plants.  Snowlover flowers are in an unusual one-sided cluster, leaves are thick and almost as high as the flower, and, in a manner unique among Snapdragons, the flower is flattened.

George Bentham (1800-1884) named this genus and species in 1846.  "Chionophila" is Greek for "snow lover".  Edwin James was a naturalist with the Long Expedition (1819-1820).  (More biographical information.)

Alpine. Tundra. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, July 3, 2004.

Alpine. Tundra. Summer.
Cinnamon Pass, August 1, 2007.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Chionophila jamesii