Orthocarpus bracteosus

Annuals 6–41 cm. Stems erect, minutely scabrous and puberulent. Leaves 15–40 mm; blade: proximal margins entire, distal 3-lobed. Inflorescences racemes or spikes, (1.5–)3–20 cm; bracts 10–20 mm, margins entire or 3(or 5)-lobed in distal 2/3, proximal not resembling distal leaves, midlobe green or purple distally, triangular, 3–4 mm wide, apex acute, not cuspidate, lateral lobes narrowly triangular. Pedicels (0–)1–1.5 mm. Flowers: calyx 6–10 mm; corolla 12–20 mm, longer than bracts, abaxial lip inflated, lobes 0, adaxial lip purple-pink to white, 4–6 mm, equal to abaxial, glabrous or puberulent, tip notably hooked, not bearded. Capsules 5–7 mm, apex retuse. Seeds 10–15, curved, light brown, oblong, 18–25 mm, reticulate, ridged. 2n = 30.

Phenology: Flowering late May–Oct.
Habitat: Seasonally wet meadows.
Elevation: 10–2000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

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

Discussion

Orthocarpus bracteosus is endangered in British Columbia and Washington. It resembles O. purpureoalbus; the midlobe of the bracts is 3–4 (versus 1–2) mm wide. Also, the leaves of O. purpureoalbus tend to be dark green; those of O. bracteosus are usually lighter green or yellow-green.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.