Lechea mensalis
Rhodora 40: 92, plate 489, figs. 1 – 4. 1938.
Herbs, perennial. Stems: basal produced; flowering erect, 15–25 cm, sericeous. Leaves of flowering stems alternate; blade linear, 8–15 × 0.7–1.2 mm, apex acute to rounded, abaxial surface sparsely pilose on midvein and margins, adaxial glabrous. Pedicels 1 per axil, 1.5–2 mm. Flowers: calyx 1.9–2 mm, outer sepals longer than inner. Capsules ovoid, 1.6–1.8 × 1.2–1.3 mm, ± equaling calyx. Seeds 1(2).
Phenology: Flowering late summer; fruiting fall.
Habitat: Oak-juniper woodlands
Elevation: 2000–2300 m
Distribution
N.Mex., Tex., Mexico (Coahuila).
Discussion
Of conservation concern.
Lechea mensalis is known from open woodlands dominated by species of oak and juniper at only two locations in the United States: the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico and adjacent Texas and the Chisos Mountains of west Texas; it also occurs in adjacent Coahuila, Mexico.
Selected References
None.