Luetkea

Luetkea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae. It contains a single species, Luetkea pectinata, commonly known as partridgefoot.

Luetkea pectinata is a low-growing, mat-forming evergreen shrub native to western North America, from Alaska to California. It is found in subalpine and alpine meadows, forests, and rocky slopes.

The plant has small, deeply divided leaves that resemble feathers, hence the name "pectinata" (meaning "comb-like"). The leaves are typically green but can turn reddish-bronze in the fall.

Luetkea pectinata produces small, white, five-petaled flowers in dense, terminal clusters. The flowers are typically borne in the summer.

The plant spreads vegetatively by rhizomes, forming dense mats. It is often used as a ground cover in native plant gardens. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

Partridgefoot is known to be an important food source for wildlife, including deer and various bird species.