Orthocarpus barbatus

Annuals 8–27 cm. Stems erect or ascending, hispid to pilose and puberulent. Leaves 20–40 mm; blade: proximal margins entire, distal 3–5-lobed. Inflorescences racemes, 2–11 cm; bracts 10–20 mm, margins 5–7-lobed in distal 2/3, proximal not resembling distal leaves, midlobe yellow-green to white distally, triangular, 6–8 mm wide, apex acute, not cuspidate, lateral lobes narrowly triangular. Pedicels 2–3 mm. Flowers: calyx 8–10 mm; corolla 10–12 mm, slightly longer than bracts, abaxial lip inflated, lobes 3, triangular, adaxial lip pale yellow to yellow, 4–5 mm, 1–1.5 mm longer than abaxial, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, tip not hooked, bearded. Capsules 7–10 mm, apex acute. Seeds 18–27, light brown, narrowly ovoid to reniform, 0.8–1 mm, reticulate, ridged. 2n = 28.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Sagebrush meadows and slopes.
Elevation: 300–900 m.

B.C., Wash.

Discussion

Orthocarpus barbatus is endangered in British Columbia. It is distinguished by its yellow corollas, yellow-green bracts, sometimes tipped with white, and the tuft of hairs at the tip of the adaxial corolla lip.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa