Perennial herb with a stout taproot 30 cm - 0.6 m tall Stem: upright, unbranched, sometimes branched above. Leaves: opposite, five to ten pairs, short-stalked to stalkless, 6 - 10 cm long, 1 - 2 cm wide (basal leaves wider), lance-shaped to reverse lance-shaped with a pointed tip. Inflorescence: a many-flowered head subtended by narrow, leafy bracts. Flowers: whitish to dark red, toothed at the apex. Stamens ten. Styles two. Sepals: five, forming a cylindrical tube (calyx). Calyx about 1.5 cm long, about 40-veined. Petals: five, whitish to dark red, 0.5 - 1 cm long, broad, clawed, toothed at the apex. Fruit: a dehiscent capsule (opening by four teeth), about 1 cm long. Seeds numerous, blackish brown, shield-shaped.

Santa Catalina Mountains.
Location: Top of Ski Valley at Aspen Trail sign.
8/19/15

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