Chamaesaracha villosa

Stems decumbent, pale green, (1.5–)2–5 dm. Herbage villous, hairs mostly elongate, frequently 1-branched at tip, eglandular. Leaves: petiole to 1/4 total leaf length; blade ovate to broadly rhombic, 4–6 × 1.5–3.5 cm, length 2–2.5 times width, mar­gins crenate or entire. Inflo­res­cences 1–5-flowered. Flowers: calyx 5–7 mm, densely pubescent, hairs mostly relatively long; corolla 5–15 mm diam. Berries 8–10 mm diam. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Oct (mostly late spring–early summer, depending on rain).
Habitat: Deserts, dry grasslands, roadsides, dry desert washes.
Elevation: 400–1300 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango).

Discussion

Chamaesaracha villosa occurs within 30–40 miles of the Rio Grande River in Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent Mexico. It is robust and villous, with branching stems forming mounds 1 m across; it is most similar to C. crenata, with which it is easily confused. The prin­ci­pal characters to distinguish the two species are leaf shape and vestiture. The similarities and differences were discussed by J. E. Averett (2010).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.