Species Detail Forb

Flower spike		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Myosurus minimus - tiny mousetail Synonyms: Myosurus clavicaulis, M. lepturus, M. minimus var. apus, M. minimus subsp. apus, M. minimus var. clavicaulis and more see SEINET. Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Ranunculaceae
Flower spike


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Leaves and flower spike Sue Carnahan @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial)	Plant Sue Carnahan @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Annual
General Desc: Small plants that tend to form clumps; leaves narrow; spikes of tiny white 5-petaled flowers with 5 sepals with spurs (hollow sac-like appendages), spikes up to 2-1/2 inches long and found at the ends of stems.
Identification notes: Small annual; tends to form clumps; leaves narrow, up to 3 inches long; flower stems leafless; spikes of tiny 5-petaled, white flowers, sepals spurred; achenes have a prolonged tip, to 1/3 as long as achene body, achenes 1-1/2 to 5 times tall as wide.
Height: 3/4 to 7 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Wet areas, along streams and near springs, vernal pools (seasonal pools of water), banks of streams and lakes.
Plant Communities: Riparian
Elevation: 3000 - 7000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White Shape: Regular in elongated clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Mar - Apr
Description: Spikes of tiny white flowers extend beyond leaves; sepals faintly or distinctly 3 to 5-veined, thin membranous margins are narrow or absent; petal claw (narrowed base) 1 to 2 times as long as rest of the petal; nectar bearing pit at the top of the claw.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Basal Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaf blades narrow, 2 to 6 inches long.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Fruit is dry, does not split open when ripe, <1/8 inch long with a short beak (narrow or prolonged tip).


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer