A tiny beauty of the alpine country, pygmy bitterroot, Lewisia pygmaea (formerly Oreobroma pygmaea), is a flower that is easily missed, but it would be a shame to overlook this shining bloom that adds tremendous charm to a high altitude hike.

Also called alpine lewisia, least lewisia or alpine bitterroot, this small cousin of the Montana state flower bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) packs a dramatic pink punch in gravelly, open areas of recent snowmelt throughout the high elevations of the west.  This is the first year I have noticed it (thanks to my blog-inspired heightened observational skills), but in the last week I have seen it both in the Snowy Range here in Wyoming and in the Eagles Nest Wilderness of Colorado.

The tiny flowers can range from almost white to a dark magenta and the leaves are narrow, long and succulent.  Tread carefully to avoid damaging these little jewels!