Plant Image
Flowers


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Pectocarya heterocarpa - chuckwalla combseed

Synonyms: Pectocarya penicillata
Other Common Names: chuckwalla pectocarya, mixed-nut pectocarya, hairy leaved comb bur
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Boraginaceae


   
 
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Plants and leaves
Brigham Young University, S. L. Welsh Herbarium, 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: Distinguished from other Pectocarya by its 4 nutlets arranged in a flattened cross-shape, lined by sharp, transparent teeth, mostly around the apex; 2 nutlets have a prominent, lighter-colored margin.
Identification notes: Stems trail or are somewhat erect, hairy; leaves narrow to lance-like with narrow end towards the stem; flowers very small, white; fruit are narrow nutlets of 2 forms, 2 point upward, conspicuously winged; 2 bent backward, narrowly winged or wingless.
Height: 2 to 8 inches


Habitat

Habitat Description: Found on arid, gravelly, sandy slopes, in valleys and washes and in disturbed areas.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 4500 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: White     Shape: Regular in elongated clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Mar - Apr
Description: Series of flowers, each on a curved stalk; lance-like, 1/16 inch green sepals and white petals.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Narrow     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Stems and leaves tend to curve upwards; leaves clustered, at base and along stems; linear to lance-like; 1/16 inch wide, 1/4 to 1 inch long; stiff hairs; recessed mid-vein.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Type: Nutlet
Fruit Notes: 2 nutlets have broad deep cut margins; triangular teeth; hooked hairs at tips; other 2 nutlets smooth; tuft of bent hairs at opposite end of attachment.


  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  
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