HYDROPHYLLACEAE

WATERLEAF FAMILY

Richard R. Halse, except as specified; Robert W. Patterson, Family Editor

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, generally hairy, generally taprooted
Stem prostrate to erect
Leaves simple to pinnately compound, basal or cauline, alternate or opposite; stipules 0
Inflorescence: cyme (generally raceme-like and coiled) or flowers solitary
Flower bisexual, generally radial; calyx lobes generally 5, generally fused at base, generally persistent, enlarging in fruit; corolla generally deciduous, rotate to cylindric, lobes generally 5, appendages in pairs on tube between filaments or 0; stamens generally 5, epipetalous, filament base sometimes appendaged, appendages scale-like; ovary generally superior, chamber 1, placentas 2, parietal, enlarged into chamber, sometimes meeting so ovary appears 2–5-chambered, styles 1–2, stigmas generally head-like
Fruit: capsule, generally loculicidal; valves generally 2
Genera in family: 20 genera, 300 species: especially w US; some cultivated (Emmenanthe, Nemophila, Phacelia )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to be included in an expanded Boraginaceae (also including Lennoaceae) [Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 1998 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 85:531–553; Olmstead et al. 2000 Mol Phylog Evol 16:96–112]

HYDROPHYLLUM

Perennial; roots fleshy-fibrous or tuber-like, attached to rhizomes
Stem erect, fleshy
Leaves simple, pinnately lobed, or compound, basal or cauline, alternate; petiole widened, clasping; leaflets toothed or lobed, hairy, generally paler below
Inflorescence generally branched, generally head-like; pedicels generally elongate, sometimes recurved in fruit
Flower: calyx bell-shaped, lobes linear to lanceolate, acute to obtuse, glabrous or hairy, generally ciliate; corolla lobed to middle, > calyx, bell-shaped, lobes hairy; stamens equal, exserted, filaments hairy; ovary chamber 1, style 1, exserted, stigmas 2, base persistent
Fruit 3–5 mm wide, spheric; tip generally bristly, loosely enclosed by calyx
Seeds 1–4, oblong to spheric, brown; surface net-like
Species in genus: 8 species: North America
Etymology: (Greek: water leaf)
Reference: [Constance 1942 Amer Midl Nat 27:710–731]

Native

H. fendleri (A. Gray) var. albifrons (A. Heller) J.F. Macbr.

Rhizome short
Stem 25–90 cm, with reflexed bristles
Leaf 6–30 cm; petiole 3–18 cm; blade oblong to oval, deeply lobed; leaflets 7–11, lower 2–3 pairs generally distinct, upper deeply lobed, lanceolate, acute to acuminate, serrate to deeply cut
Inflorescence generally > subtending leaves; peduncle 3–18 cm; pedicels 2–10 mm
Flower: calyx lobes 3–6 mm in flower, < 7 mm in fruit; corolla 6–11 mm, lobes 4–5 mm, white, purple, or white with lavender marks; anthers 1–2 mm; style 9–14 mm
Seeds generally 2
Chromosomes: n=9
Ecology: Moist, shady, wooded slopes
Elevation: 1100–2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho
Horticultural information: IRR, SHD, DRN: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 18; DFCLT.