Difference between revisions of "Bassia hyssopifolia"

Revision as of 22:24, 16 December 2019

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Plants 5–100 cm. Stems divaricately branched or simple. Leaves sessile (or sometimes narrowed into pseudopetiole); blade lanceolate-elliptic, lanceolate, or linear, flat, base cuneate. Inflorescences with ± straight axes. Perianth segments with thin, hooked spine adaxially at maturity. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering late summer–fall.
Habitat: Saline habitats, coastal dunes, salt marshes, disturbed habitats, roadsides, fields
Elevation: 0-1200 m

Alta., B.C., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mass., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo., Eurasia (e Europe, arid regions of Asia).

Discussion

Bassia hyssopifolia has been reported from southern Saskatchewan, but H. J. Scoggan (1978–1979, part 3) noted that this record possibly referred to Kochia scoparia (Linnaeus) Schrader. Putative hybrids between B. hyssopifolia and K. scoparia are reported from Utah (S. L. Welsh 1984). Such hybridization is extremely interesting because it has not been reported within the native ranges of those species in Eurasia. I have seen only one specimen that might represent such a hybrid. Its general habit resembles Bassia (including pubescent leaves), but its perianth segments are very variable, with winglike, conic, or almost spinescent appendages.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa