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Orogenia linearifolia (Turkeypea, Indian Potato) Apiaceae (Parsley Family) Foothills, montane. Meadows. Spring. Orogenia linearifolia blooms in open meadows, often at mid-montane elevations just after snow melt. Within weeks the plant withers and is not detectable. Even when it is in full bloom it is not easy to find because it is so minute, growing at most to four inches tall. What does make it detectable is its habit of growing in extensive colonies and its habit of growing with more eye-catching early spring plants, such as various bright yellow Buttercups. Sereno Watson named this genus in 1871 from a specimen he collected in Utah in 1869. "Oros" is Greek for "mountain" and "genia" alludes to the plant's resemblance to the genus "Erigenia". |
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Orogenia linearifolia Foothills, montane. Meadows. Spring. |
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Orogenia linearifolia Foothills, montane. Meadows. Spring. As the rays (the long green peduncle supporting each flower cluster) lengthen, the flowers may mature at different rates. Seeds are already forming on the flower cluster to the far right. |
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Orogenia linearifolia Foothills, montane. Meadows. Spring. |
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Orogenia linearifolia Foothills, montane. Meadows. Spring. Thick roots are either fusiform (thick and tapering to each end) or globose. |
Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
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Range map for Orogenia linearifolia |
Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state
Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Eradicated
Questionable presence