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. tenuipes A. Heller

Rhizome long
Stem 2–8 dm, with reflexed bristles
Leaf 8–20 cm wide; petiole 5–30 cm; blade widely ovate to round, lobed; leaflets generally 3–5, lowest pair(s) generally smaller, distinct, terminal sometimes merged (or appearing 3-lobed), coarsely serrate to cut
Inflorescence = or > subtending leaves; peduncle 2–14 cm; pedicels 4–12 mm
Flower: calyx lobes 4–7 mm in flower, < 9 mm in fruit; corolla 5–7 mm, lobes 3–4 mm, cream, greenish, purple or blue; anthers 1–2 mm; style 9–14 mm
Seeds 1–3
Chromosomes: n=9
Ecology: Moist, shaded, wooded slopes, streambanks
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Klamath Ranges, Outer North Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: to Washington
Horticultural information: 4, 5; IRR, SHD: 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; INV; GRCVR.