Pseudostellaria sierrae

Rabeler & R. L. Hartman

Novon 12: 82, figs. 1, 2. 2002.

Common names: Sierra starwort
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 5. Treatment on page 115. Mentioned on page 114, 116.
Revision as of 22:33, 16 December 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Rhizomes with ± vertical, fleshy roots 5–15 cm × 0.3 mm, enlarging distally to 2–3 mm diam. Stems terete, obtusely angled or grooved when pressed, 9–27 cm, glabrous. Leaf blades narrowly lanceolate or elliptic, 0.7–3.5 × 0.1–0.5(–0.8) cm, margins flat, thinly scarious, smooth, glabrous. Inflorescences terminal, solitary flowers, sometimes on 1–2 axillary branches. Pedicels abruptly bent downward near distal end in fruit, glabrous. Flowers: sepals lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 4–6.5(–7) × 1–1.7 mm, glabrous; petals 5–8(–9) × 1–1.5 mm, apex notch 0.2–0.7 mm deep, lobes ± acute; anthers 5, yellow; styles 2–3.5 mm; stigmas terminal, 0.1–0.2 mm. Capsules 4–4.5 mm. Seeds 1(–2), light brown, circular to somewhat oblong, flattened laterally, 3–3.4 mm; tubercles broadly conic to elongate, rounded, each with 6–12 minute, red bumps that develop into 5–8 conic projections ca. 0.02 mm (50×).


Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Dry understory of mixed oak or coniferous forests
Elevation: 1400-2000 m

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

First collected in the 1880s, Pseudostellaria sierrae appears to be limited to the northern High Sierra region (J. C. Hickman 1993b).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.