TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual, perennial herb, shrubs, generally bristly or sharply hairy
Stem prostrate to erect
Leaves cauline, often with basal rosette, generally simple, alternate; lower sometimes opposite, entire
Inflorescence: cyme, generally elongate, panicle-, raceme- or spike-like, coiled in flower, generally uncoiled in fruit or flowers 12 per axil
Flowers generally bisexual, generally radial; sepals 5, free or fused in lower half; corolla 5-lobed, generally salverform, top of tube generally appendaged, appendages 5, alternating with stamens, sometimes arching over tube; stamens 5, epipetalous; ovary superior, generally 4-lobed, style generally entire
Fruit: nutlets 14, smooth to variously roughened, sometimes prickly or bristled
Genera in family: ± 100 genera, ± 2000 species: tropical, temp, especially w North America, Medit; some cultivated (Borago, Echium, Myosotis, Symphytum ).Almost all genera may be TOXIC from alkaloids or accumulated nitrates
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Hydrophyllaceae [Olmsted et al. 2000 Mol Phylog Evol 16:96112]
Family description, key to genera by Timothy C. Messick.
Annual, hairy, taprooted
Stem ± erect; branches 0many
Leaves basal and cauline, sessile, entire
Inflorescence: raceme, long, ± terminal; bracts leaf-like
Flower: calyx ± deeply 5-lobed, enlarging in fruit; corolla 5-lobed, funnel-shaped, appendages present; style entire
Fruit: nutlets generally 4, ovate, covered with ± long, barbed prickles
Species in genus: 1214 species: n hemisphere
Etymology: (Latin: little bur)
Native |
Stem 0.53.5 dm
Leaf 14 cm, linear to lanceolate
Inflorescence: pedicel 12 mm
Flower: calyx 33.5 mm in fruit, lobes lanceolate, ± erect in fruit; corolla 1.52.5 mm wide, blue to white
Fruit: nutlets 23 mm
Ecology: Dry, open, rocky, often disturbed sites
Elevation: 6003300 m.
Bioregional distribution: High Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Great Basin Floristic Province, Mojave Desert
Distribution outside California: w N.America, Eurasia
Var. c. may occupy warmer, drier habitats than var. r.