| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information) |
|
|
©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 1–2 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 1–4, 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 16:96–112]
Family description, key to genera by Timothy C. Messick.
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Latin: rough, from hairs)
| Introduced |
Annual, bristly; hairs curved to reflexed, base bulbous
Stem prostrate to weakly decumbent, 3–8 dm, much-branched, angled
Leaves simple, ± cauline, opposite at base, alternate above, petioled to sessile above; blades 2–7 cm, oblanceolate to elliptic
Inflorescence axillary; flowers 1–2; pedicels reflexed in fruit
Flower: calyx 5-lobed, 2–3 mm in flower, compressed in fruit, 5–8 mm, 10–15 mm wide, papery, with 1–2 teeth per lobe, enclosing nutlets; corolla = calyx, purplish; stamens included, anthers sessile
Fruit: nutlets 2–4, 2–3 mm, compressed, ovoid in outline, shiny, minutely tubercled, scar lateral
Chromosomes: 2n=48
Ecology: Disturbed areas, roadsides, ditches
Elevation: 1000–1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: Modoc Plateau
Distribution outside California: widespread US; native to e&c Europe