Leucophysalis nana

(A. Gray) Averett

Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 57: 380. 1971.

Common names: Dwarf false groundcherry
Endemic
Basionym: Saracha nana A. Gray Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 62. 1874
Synonyms: Chamaesaracha nana (A. Gray) A. Gray
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 14.

Herbs perennial, spreading, mounds to 2.5 dm. Roots fleshy to subligneous. Stems strigose-hispidulous. Leaves: petiole 0.5–3.5 cm; blade ovate-lanceolate to rhombic, 1–7 × 2–4 cm, margins entire or slightly undulate, abaxial surface slightly pubescent. Pedicels 1–2 per node. Flowers: calyx 3–4 mm, densely pubescent, lobes acuminate or sharply acute; corolla cream-white to pale yellow, with yellow-green markings in throat, 2 cm diam. Berries ovoid, 8 mm diam. Fruiting calyces accrescent, not or rarely exceeding berries. 2n = 24.


Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Sandy flats, thickets, rocky meadows.
Elevation: 900–2600 m.

Discussion

Leucophysalis nana is found in the Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada to the Cascade Mountains and Great Basin of Oregon.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.