Elf orpine, Diamorphasmallii Britton ex Small, is one of the coolest plants. It is a succulent that lives on sandstone glades in very shallow soil, growing in full sun through the winter when there are puddles on the glade, and blooming in early spring with with white flowers before the bedrock outcrop heats up causing the puddles to evaporate and remain dry through most of the summer. Due to the shallow soil the habitat is fairly sensitive so the best way to protect it is to tread only on the exposed bedrock so these annual plants are not disturbed. If they are trampled and do not complete their life cycle they will be gone.
Inflorescence: Terminal cyme?
Inflorescence Size: 1" with individual flowers about 1/4"
Flower Shape: Bilateral symmetry on 4 planes
Bloom Color(s): White
Bloom Period: Early Spring March into April
Foliage Period: Late autumn through early spring
Foliage Color: Red
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Life Cycle: Annual
Plant Form: Herb/Forb
Plant Size: 1"
Shape/Form: Erect
Texture (summer/winter): none/fine
Habitat: Shallow puddles on sandstone or granite glades that are dry in summer but wet in winter due to rain and/or seepage
Light: Full sun
Soil Preference: Shallow sand probably poor and acidic
Range in Alabama: Scattered in upland areas with relatively level sandstone or granite outcrops
Reasons to Grow: It is probably better to enjoy this plant in the wild since it is and annual and any collections would substantially diminish the small extant populations.
