BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Cryptantha cinerea
Size:
10 - 20 cm
BORAGINACEAE -- Borage Family
Description:
Synonym: Cryptantha jamesii.
Perennial herb, stems solitary or in groups from
a woody base, with stiff hairs lying flat and
usually some erect hairs. Leaves oblanceolate
to narrowly lanceolate with stiff hairs lying flat
or sometimes almost glabrous. Flowers in a
loose cluster near the top of the stem. Calyx
with 5 ovate-lanceolate lobes divided halfway
or more to the base, coarsely hairy, 5 - 7 mm
long in fruit. Corolla trumpet-shaped, 5-lobed,
limb 4 - 8 mm wide, tube about equal to calyx,
the throat narrowed by yellow scales. Fruit 1 - 4
nutlets 1.8 - 2.5 mm long, smooth and shiny.
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Common Name:
Bow-nut cryptantha
Color:
White
Notes:
Member of the genus Cryptantha are often
referred to by the common name, hiddenflower.
This term comes from the Greek cryptos,
“hidden”, and anthos, “flower”, used to name
the original South American species with very
small self-pollinating flowers. This Cryptantha
was discovered by Dr. Edwin James (1797 -
1861) on an 1820 expedition through
southeastern Nebraska, eastern Colorado, and
northeastern New Mexico. Bow-nut cryptantha
blooms from May to August between 5000 and
8000 ft.
New Mexico Native