Crocanthemum propinquum

Herbs. Stems scattered on horizontal rootstocks, ascending to erect, 10–27(–35) cm, stellate-pubescent to stellate-tomentose. Leaves cauline; petiole 2–5 mm; blade narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, gradually narrowed to base, 10–30 × 3–6(–8) mm, surfaces stellate-tomentose abaxially, stellate-pubescent adaxially, without simple hairs, lateral veins raised abaxially. Inflorescences terminal, cymes; chasmogamous flowers 2–6 per cyme, cleistogamous in glomerules, 1–6 flowers per glomerule, on lateral leafy branches 1–3 cm, flowering 1–3 months later than chasmogamous. Pedicels (2–)8–14(–22) mm; bracts 1.5–3.5 × 0.3 mm. Chasmogamous flowers: outer sepals linear, 1–3(–4) × 0.4–0.9 mm, inner sepals ovate-elliptic, 5–8 × 2.3–4.5 mm, apex acute; petals obovate, 8–10(–13) × 6–12 mm; capsules 3.7–5.3 × 3–4 mm, glabrous. Cleistogamous flowers: outer sepals rudimentary, 0.2–0.5 × 0.2 mm, inner sepals ovate, 2–2.5 × 1.5–2.2 mm, apex acute; capsules 1.5–2.2 × 1.3–2 mm, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering May–early Jul.
Habitat: Open woodlands, rock outcrops, sandplain grasslands, maritime heathlands, clearings, fields
Elevation: 0–1500 m

Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Md., Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Va.

Discussion

The shorter stature, tiny outer sepals on cleistogamous flowers, and horizontal rootstocks distinguish Crocanthemum propinquum from C. bicknellii, which is often twice as tall, has elongate sepals, and has a caudex. Crocanthemum propinquum is disjunct from the coastal plain of Virginia to the southern Appalachian Mountains of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa