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 Leaves and plant Desert Botanical Garden Herbarium, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) |  Plant Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial)r | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual Similar Species: Plagiobothrys collinus var. fulvescens
General Desc:
Annual with rough, hairy stems growing flat on the ground or curving upward. Basal rosette-like leaves and stem leaves are green, narrow and hairy. Tiny 5-petaled white flowers resembling popped popcorn grow along the entire length of the flower stalk.
Identification notes: Stems with rough, stiff, hairs; basal, lower leaves green, opposite not in rosettes; flowers white, all along the stems; fruit stalk about as long as a nutlet, nutlets usually united in pairs, not flattened; long striped nutlets unique among Borages.
Height:
To nearly 10 inches
Habitat Description: Found on arid plains, sandy mesas and hillsides.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland
Elevation: 1000 - 4500 feet
Color:
White
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Feb - May
Description:
Flower stalk is coiled in bud but elongates with age. Tiny, bell-like flowers grow in the leaf axils (between the leaf and stem) throughout the entire length of the stem even in the basal leaf axils. Flowers have narrow 3/4 inch leaf-like bracts below.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate and opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Leaves and stems are covered with stiff hairs. Leaf blades are linear, 3/4 to 1 inch long with the tip ending in a short sharp point or having a rounded shape. Lower basal leaves often have an opposite attachment, upper leaves are alternate on the stem.
Fruit Type: Nutlet
Fruit Notes: Fruit is egg-shaped, 1/16 inch long, wrinkled and covered in short, sharp points with folds (ridges) on its front and back. The front ridge lengthens to a form a stalk (stipe) that is as long as the nutlet itself which is unique within the Borage family.
Seed Notes: 4 nutlets are produced, each having 1 seed. The nutlets do not split open to release the seed when ripe.
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