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]

EMMENANTHE

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: abiding flower, from persistent corolla)

Native

E. penduliflora Benth.

WHISPERING BELLS

Annual, glandular, sticky, odorous
Stem erect, simple to many-branched, 5–85 cm
Leaves simple, basal, cauline, alternate; lower short-petioled; upper sessile, generally clasping, 1–12 cm, generally < 3 cm wide, toothed to deeply pinnately lobed
Inflorescence terminal; pedicels 5–15 mm in flower, 12–25 mm in fruit, thread-like, recurved
Flower: calyx lobes 4–11 mm, 1–4 mm wide, lanceolate, glandular; corolla persistent, withering, enclosing fruit, 6–15 mm, bell-shaped, white, yellow, or pink, hairy, glandular; stamens included; ovary chambers 2, style included, lobes 2, 1–4 mm
Fruit 7–10 mm, 2–4 mm wide, glandular
Seeds 6–15, flat, oval, brown; surface honeycombed
Chromosomes: n=18
Ecology: Dry, open slopes, common after burns, disturbances
Elevation: < 2200 m.
Bioregional distribution: High North Coast Ranges, Inner North Coast Ranges, c&s Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, Central Western California, Southwestern California, East of Sierra Nevada, Desert
Distribution outside California: to Nevada, Utah, Arizona

Native

var. rosea Brand

Flower: corolla white to pink
Ecology: Talus slopes, rocky, sandy, or serpentine soils
Elevation: 400–1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: San Francisco Bay Area, Inner South Coast Ranges, n Western Transverse Ranges (Mount Pinos)
Synonyms: E. rosea (Brand) Constance
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 &SUN: 6, 17, 24.