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 Leaves and flowers Mark Dimmitt @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) |  Plant Brigham Young University, S. L. Welsh Herbarium @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual Similar Species: Langloisia setosissima ssp. setosissima, L. punctata
General Desc:
Low, very branched annual with a red-tinged, woolly-haired stem. Green leaves are linear, hairy, have a spiral pattern with the basal leaves often lacking. Showy, trumpet-shaped white to light purple or light blue flowers are clustered at the plant's top.
Identification notes: Low, rigid, much branched forb; leaves 3 to 5 toothed, 1 bristle per tooth; lower teeth of upper leaves reduced to clusters of 2 to 3 bristles; basal leaves often absent, otherwise leafy throughout; tube formed by sepals splits open at maturity.
Height:
3/4 to 2-3/4 inches
Habitat Description: Found in dry, gravelly, sandy locations, desert washes, hillsides, rocky slopes and plains, more common below 3500 feet, can occur up to 5000 feet.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands
Elevation: Below 5000 feet
Color:
White to light purple or light blue
Shape:
Regular in round clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Feb - Jun
Description:
Flowers grow in head-like clusters at the stem tops slightly above the leaves. Each trumpet-shaped flower has 5 petals below which are leaf-like sepals with stiff sharp hairs (bristles). Petals are often a solid color but can have darker purple markings.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
Y
Leaf Description:
Leaves usually grow along the upper stem not at the base. They are densely covered with stiff hairs, grow from 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches long and 1/8 to 1/2 inch wide and have 3 to 5 teeth (or points) at the tips. Each tooth ends in a white, bristly spine.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Capsule is about 1/4 inch long with 5 to 9 seeds in each of its 3 chambers. The outer wall of each chamber or section of the fruit (valve) is flattened. The capsule is oblong to lance-shaped, triangular in a cross-section and splits open when mature.
Seed Notes: Seeds are about 1/16 inch long and angled. When wet, they have a jelly-like consistency.
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