Rocky Mountain dwarf-primrose

Androsace montana (A.Gray) Wendelbo

Rocky Mountain dwarf-primrose grows close to the ground, forming loose cushions rather than tall flowering stems. Its branching perennial base carries overlapping remains of older leaves, while fresh, narrow leaves spread or point upward. Rose-pink flowers rise only a short distance above this compact framework. Flora of North America: Douglasia montana

Botanical name

Kew treats Douglasia montana A.Gray as a synonym of Androsace montana. Flora of North America and Montana’s field guide describe the same species under Douglasia. Plants of the World Online: Douglasia montana Plants of the World Online: Androsace montana

Recognizing the plant

The leaf blades are slender and awl-like, with fine hairs along their margins. Flowering stalks are hairy and usually carry one or two blossoms. Flora of North America describes the pink floral display as roughly six to ten millimetres across. Plants from Wyoming more often have two flowers per stalk, but one- and two-flowered stalks can occur on the same plant. Because that variation lacks accompanying consistent differences, the flora does not recognize the former variety biflora. Flora of North America: Douglasia montana

Bloom window

Rocky Mountain native range, North America

Flora of North America records flowering in early to mid-summer. Flora of North America: Douglasia montana

Native range

The species occurs from southern Alberta through Montana to Idaho and Wyoming. Open ridges, rocky slopes and scree provide characteristic settings. Montana’s field guide also records exposed grassland slopes and fellfields, extending its habitat from valleys into alpine country. Flora of North America: Douglasia montana Montana Field Guide: Mountain Douglasia

Botanical sources

Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.