Synthyris missurica

Leaves persistent, some withering in 2d year as new leaves expand; blade orbiculate to reniform, 25+ mm wide, not leathery, base cordate to lobate, margins ± incised-crenate to dentate, teeth apices rounded to acute or acuminate, surfaces glabrous, rarely sparsely hairy; basal veins extending into distal 1/2 of blade, lateral veins 2–4 on each side of midvein. Racemes erect, to 33 cm in fruit; sterile bracts 3+, ovate-spatulate, largest 1+ cm; flowers 12–100, loosely aggregated. Sepals 4. Petals (3 or)4(or 5), apex entire or erose; corolla blue, ± regular, campanulate, much longer than calyx, glabrous or puberulent, tube conspicuous. Stamens epipetalous. Ovaries: ovules 10–16. Capsules glabrous or glabrescent.

Distribution

w United States.

Discussion

Subspecies 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Synthyris missurica subsp. major, Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica, Synthyris missurica subsp. stellata

Key

1	Racemes usually 20–100-flowered, to 33 cm at end of flowering; ovaries glabrous; capsules glabrous.	Synthyris missurica subsp. major
1	Racemes usually 12–45-flowered, to 25 cm at end of flowering; ovaries sparsely hairy, especially along margins; capsules glabrescent.	> 2
2	Leaf blade margins regularly toothed; racemes to 20 cm at end of flowering.	Synthyris missurica subsp. missurica
2	Leaf blade margins regularly to irregularly toothed; racemes to 25 cm at end of flowering.	Synthyris missurica subsp. stellata