Photo © Jennifer Whipple CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Cryptantha caespitosa (A. Nels.) Payson

Tufted cryptanth

Boraginaceae (Borage family)

Synonym: Oreocarya caespitosa A. Nels.

General Description: A tufted perennial forming low dense clumps up to about 10 cm high, and having stems prostrate or weakly ascending from a taproot and much branched caudex. The herbage is softly gray hairy throughout. Basal leaves are persistent and form a dense mat. They are reverse lance-shaped, and up to about 3 cm long and 6 mm wide. Stem leaves are scattered and similar or somewhat smaller than the basal ones. The inflorescence is small, short-cylindric or head-like. Flowers are white with a yellow eye and 4-6 mm wide. The short calyx is up to 6 mm long in fruit. Nutlets are egg-shaped, mostly 2.5-3.5 mm long, and wrinkled on the surface.

Photo © Walt Fertig CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Illustration.

Field Identification Tips: Tufted cryptanth is recognized by its low, densely mounded habit of prostrate or weakly ascending stems, compact inflorescences, even in fruit, relatively soft, as opposed to bristly hairs in the inflorescence, and small white flowers with a short floral tube.

Phenology: Flowers May and June.

Similar Species: In Idaho, most likely to be confused with Cryptantha humilis (round-spike cryptanth). This tufted species differs in having more or less erect stems up to 20 cm tall rising well above the basal cluster of leaves. This feature may not be notable early in the season, but becomes more obvious as the inflorescence matures. Round-spike cryptanth has larger flowers (6-10 mm wide) and a slightly larger, more bristly calyx as well. Cryptantha spiculifera (Snake River cryptanth) is common in much of southern and eastern Idaho, but does not form low, mounded tufts, and has erect flowering stems usually well over 15 cm high.

Habitat: Dry, often sparsely vegetated, shale, clay, gravelly, or sandy knolls, ridges, and draws. Rangewide, it apparently occurs from approximately 5,000 to 10,000 feet elevation. Idaho sites are probably mostly in the 6,000 to 7,000 elevation range. Associated species in Idaho include Artemisia nova, Eriogonum brevicaule var. laxifolium, Arenaria nuttallii, Stenotus acaulis, and Pseudoroegneria spicata.

Global Distribution: Southwestern Wyoming, northeastern Utah, the southeastern corner of Idaho, and northwestern Colorado.

Idaho Distribution: The Bear Lake Plateau, north to near Montpelier, in Bear Lake County.

References:

Atwood, D., J. Holland, R. Bolander, B. Franklin, D. House, L. Armstrong, K. Thorne, and L. England. 1991. Utah threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant field guide. U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT, and other cooperators.

Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurrier. 1997. Colorado rare plant field guide. Bureau of Land Management, Lakewood, CO, and other cooperators.

Spahr, R., L. Armstrong, D. Atwood, and M. Rath. 1991. Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species of the Intermountain Region. U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT.