Brittle sandwort

Arenaria nuttallii Pax subsp. fragilis Maguire & A. H. Holmgren, Madroño 8: 260. 1946; A. nuttallii var. fragilis (Maguire & A. H. Holmgren) C. L. Hitchcock; Minuartia nuttallii subsp. fragilis (Maguire & A. H. Holmgren) McNeill

Leaves prominently arcuate-spreading; blade 10-20 mm, apex spinescent. Flowers: sepals (1-)3-veined, lanceolate (herbaceous portion lanceolate), (3-)5-6 mm, apex spinescent; petals 0.8-1.2 times as long as sepals.

Flowering spring-summer. Metamorphic limestone talus; 1600-2400 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.

Collections of var. fragilis often appear more yellowish than those of the other varieties.