Orthocarpus imbricatus

Torrey ex S. Watson

Botany (Fortieth Parallel), 458. 1871.

Common names: Mountain owl’s-clover
Endemic
Synonyms: Orthocarpus olympicus Elmer
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 17. Treatment on page 682. Mentioned on page 681, 683.

Annuals (5–)10–35 cm. Stems erect or ascending, puberulent to sparsely puberulent. Leaves 20–50 mm; blade margins entire. Inflorescences spikes, 2–8 cm; bracts 10–15 mm, margins 3-lobed in proximal 1/2, proximal not resembling distal leaves, midlobe purple-pink distally, obovate, 6–10 mm wide, apex obtuse, cuspidate, lateral lobes triangular. Pedicels 0–1 mm. Flowers: calyx 5–7 mm; corolla 10–15 mm, slightly longer than bracts, abaxial lip inflated, lobes 3, triangular, adaxial lip purple-pink, 3–4 mm, 0–0.5 mm longer than abaxial, puberulent, tip hooked, not bearded. Capsules 4–5 mm, apex retuse. Seeds 3–5, dark brown, reniform, 1.5–2 mm, reticulate, not ridged. 2n = 28.


Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Montane meadows, grassy or rocky slopes.
Elevation: 1100–2400 m.

Distribution

B.C., Calif., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

In northern California, Orthocarpus imbricatus is known from the Klamath, North Coast, and Cascade ranges.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.