Hesperidanthus argillaceus

Perennials. Stems simple or few from caudex, erect, (few-branched distally), 1.3–3 dm. Leaves subsessile; blade linear or linear-lanceolate, 0.9–4cm × (0.8–)1–3(–6) mm, base cuneate to attenuate, margins entire, apex acute. Racemes 5+-flowered. Fruiting pedicels suberect, ascending, or divaricate, straight or curved upward, 7–18 mm. Flowers: sepals purple, 4.2–6.5 × ca. 1.5 mm; petals white or lilac (with darker purple veins), 8–11 × 2.5–4 mm, claw undifferentiated from blade; filaments 1.5–2.5 mm; anthers oblong, 1–1.5 mm; gynophore 0–0.3 mm. Fruits curved, terete, 1.8–5.5 cm × 1–1.2 mm; ovules 54–62 per ovary; style subclavate, 0.5–2 mm; stigma flat, obscurely 2-lobed. Seeds 1.5–1.8 × 0.7–0.9 mm.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Desert shrub or sagebrush communities, rocky slopes, shale barrens
Elevation: 1400-1800 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Utah.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Hesperidanthus argillaceus is restricted to the Uinta and upper Green River shale formation in Uintah County.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.