Native Plants

Plant Database

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Weyand, Phyllis

Luetkea pectinata

Luetkea pectinata (Pursh) Kuntze

Partridgefoot, Alaska Spiraea

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s): Saxifraga pectinata

USDA Symbol: LUPE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

A dainty, mat-forming sub-shrub; the upright, flowering stems are mostly 4-6 in. tall. Each low rosette has many small, finely dissected, bright green leaves and dense terminal clusters of small, creamy flowers.

The name Partridgefoot refers to the divided leaves, shaped like birds' feet.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall, often shorter.
Fruit: Aggregated follicles.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WA
Canada: AB , BC , NT , YT
Native Distribution: Mts. of AK & Yukon to n. CA & w. MT
Native Habitat: Moist or shaded, mt. areas, usually where snow persists late in the season

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: A useful and adaptable ground cover.

Propagation

Description: This species comes well from seed and is easy to multiply from detached rosettes.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		UPL	FACU							FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1985 VOL. 2, NO.1 - A Glorious Spring, Lupines in Landscapes, Director's Report, Notable Quote, Wild...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Luetkea pectinata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Luetkea pectinata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Luetkea pectinata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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