Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana is a native California subshrub in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by cushion growth form, leaf division pattern, and alpine habitat.
Mountain skyrocket is a native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Great Basin in montane to alpine slopes at elevations of 1,500 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate red or pink flowers in compact, clustered inflorescences. Growing with clustered stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms dense mats in high-elevation landscapes. Its leaves are distinctively palmate with 3 to 5 lobes, creating a finely divided, intricate foliage pattern that helps it survive in harsh alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are cushion growth form, leaf division pattern, and alpine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane to alpine slopes
Elevation: 1500-3700 m
California counties: Mono, Nevada, Modoc, Inyo, Sierra, Shasta, Placer, Lassen, El Dorado, Alpine, Plumas, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho
Bloom period
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Ipomopsis has radial or slightly bilateral tubular flowers; Penstemon has distinctly 2-lipped bilateral flowers.; vs Epilobium: Ipomopsis has tubular 5-petaled flowers in dense clusters; Epilobium has 4 spreading petals and long capsules.; vs Silene: Ipomopsis has tubular flowers with fused petals; Silene has separate petals emerging from inflated calyx.; vs Delphinium: Ipomopsis has radial tubular flowers; Delphinium has spurred bilateral flowers with upper hooded petals.; vs Castilleja: Ipomopsis has showy tubular flowers; Castilleja has colorful bracts hiding small tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana native to California?
Yes. Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana bloom?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana grow?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana occurs in Mono, Nevada, Modoc, Inyo, Sierra, Shasta, Placer, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3700 m.
What plant family does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana belong to?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Ipomopsis.
What habitat does Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana grow in?
Ipomopsis congesta subsp. montana grows in Montane to alpine slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.