(ledge stonecrop)
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Photo of Rhodiola integrifolia by Carl Roland
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Rhodiola integrifolia, a member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), is the only succulent in Denali's flora. This highly variable perennial herb grows in meadows, slide rock, tundra and areas with late-lying snow across the park. Plants grow 5-35 cm tall, arising from a thick, multi-branched
rhizome. It has numerous erect (or
decumbent in specimens from exposed sites) flowering stems with terminal clusters of deep red flowers. The fleshy leaves are all attached to the stem, alternate,
glaucous (gray-green),
spatulate to
oblong in shape, with
toothed margins. Flowers are arranged in a dense terminal cluster. Plants are
dioecious, containing either male or female flowers. Petals are fleshy, red, 2-3 mm long, and
oblong in shape with acute tips.
Sepals are shorter (1-2 mm) and
oblong to
lanceolate in shape. The fruits are a dry
capsule. Roseroot is easily identified, being the only local succulent.
Rhodiola integrifolia is perennial and flowers in early summer in Denali.
Rhodiola integrifolia is
dioecious, male and female flowers on separate plants. This makes it obligately out-crossed, pollinated by insects. The tiny seeds are spread by wind, gravity and water. Vegetative reproduction can occur through spreading
rhizomes.
This plant is edible and high in vitamin A and C. Traditional Alaska Native uses include chewing the leaves and flowers for pain (Yup'ik), a tea made from leaves and roots for childbirth, colds, sore throats and sore eyes (Dena'ina).
Disclaimer for Known Uses.
Rhodiola integrifolia is highly variable and has had a variety of different taxonomic treatments. In its broadest sense, R. integrifolia has an amphi-Beringian distribution. In North America, this species ranges from Alaska to Yukon and the Northwest Territory, then southward down the Rocky Mountains into the western U.S. There are disjunct populations in New York and Minnesota. In Alaska, this species occurs more or less statewide, although rarely north of the Brooks Range, but quite commonly in the southern mountains. In Denali, this species occurs in suitable habitat throughout the mountains on both sides of the Alaska Range.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right, depicting recent Denali data.
Rhodiola integrifolia is an alpine species that grows from 213 m to 1787 m, with an average plot elevation of 1057 m. It is more commonly found on east or west facing slopes. It prefers moderately angled sites, with an average plot slope of 16 degrees.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right. For more on how to interpret these figures, visit Understanding Data Presented.
Rhodiola integrifolia grow on gravelly to rocky slope and ridges, scree slopes, and moist alpine tundra.
Wide-ranging; somewhat wet to dry sites.
