Photo © Michael Mancuso CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Cryptantha breviflora (Osterh.) Payson

Uinta Basin cryptanth

Boraginaceae (Borage family)

Synonym: Oreocarya breviflora Osterh.

General Description: A taprooted perennial herb with several to numerous erect or curved-ascending stems 15-35 cm tall. The stems have short, coarse, bristly hairs, while the leaves are covered with relatively long, straight, firm, appressed hairs, and have a bluish cast. Basal leaves are numerous, densely tufted, reverse-lance shaped, and mostly 2-10 cm long by 3-12 mm broad. By comparison, stem leaves are scattered on the stem, and usually smaller in size. The inflorescence has numerous spreading, bristly hairs, and is well elevated above the basal leaves. Flowers are white with a yellow eye and 9-13 mm wide. The calyx is initially 4-6 mm long, but elongates in fruit to 6-9 mm. The fruit has one or sometimes two nutlets that are covered with tiny, sharp projections.

Photo © Robert K. Moseley CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Illustration.

Field Identification Tips: Uinita Basin cryptanth is marked by its strong perennial habit, silvery leaves, relatively large flowers, and ornamentation of the nutlets. The leaves are densely and uniformly hairy with rather coarse, closely appressed hairs, and have a bluish cast in the field. In addition, leaf hairs are not blistered (pustulate) at the base.

Phenology: Flowers during June.

Similar Species: Uinita Basin cryptanth is a relatively distinctive species. It is most likely to be confused with other erect, perennial Cryptantha species that occur in southeastern Idaho. Cryptantha humilis (round-spike cryptanth) is similar in size and habit, but has slightly smaller flowers (6-10 mm wide), and leaves with two types of pubescence: spreading hairs over 1 mm long and an under pubescence of loose, soft, shorter hairs. In addition, hairs on the underside of the leaves are often blistered at the base. The leaves of Cryptantha spiculifera (Snake River cryptanth) also generally have two types of pubescence, some of which is obviously blistered at the base, especially on the underside of the leaf. The foliage of these other species lacks the bluish cast characterizing Uinita Basin cryptanth.

Habitat: Dry, open, barren clay or sandy soil sites in the sagebrush and juniper zones. In Idaho, Uinta Basin cryptanth has been found only on loose, shaley exposures of Twin Creek Limestone substrate. It is most common on sites that have eroded to a fine to small stone texture. It is less common where shale size exceeds approximately 5 cm, and seems to be absent from outcrops dominated by large rocks. Idaho populations are known from between 6,400 to 6,900 feet elevation and all aspects, although gentle to moderately steep southern exposures predominate. It is found on sparsely vegetated sites interspersed within more productive sagebrush communities. Associate species include Eriogonum brevicaule var. laxifolium, Stenotus acaulis, Artemisia longiloba, A. tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Mahonia repens, Phlox spp., Astragalus jejunus, Arenaria nuttallii, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Pseudoroegneria spicata.

Global Distribution: Mainly in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah, then disjunct to the north in the Bear Lake region in southeastern Idaho.

Idaho Distribution: The southern Pruess Range, Sheep Creek Hills, and Bear Lake Plateau in Bear Lake County.

References:

Cronquist, A., A. H. Holmgren, N. L. Holmgren, J. Reveal. and P. K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora. Vascular plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 4. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. 573 pp.

Mancuso, M., and R. K. Moseley. 1990. Field investigation of Astragalus jejunus (starveling milkvetch), Cryptantha breviflora (Uinta Basin cryptanth), and Eriogonum brevicaule var. laxifolium (varying buckwheat) in the Caribou National Forest. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise, ID. 25 pp. plus appendices.