Cryptantha minima

(Little Cryptantha)

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Cryptantha minima, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7363

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Cryptantha minima, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7361

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Cryptantha minima, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7366

Scientific Name Cryptantha minima USDA PLANTS Symbol CRMI5
Common Name Little Cryptantha, Little Catseye ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 31773
Family Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 8000 ft.); dry, sandy or gravelly soils in prairies, shrublands and disturbed areas,and at the base of rock outcrops.
Plant: Small, bristly hairy annual, 4 to 8 inches tall.
Leaves: Alternate stem leaves linear to oblanceolate, 3/8 to 1-1/4 inches long; surfaces very bristly to hairy and with pustules.
Inflorescence: Spike-like, with leafy bracts along one main axis in upper 2/3 of stem; very small white blossoms are five-lobed, less than 1/16-inch across; sepals with bristly hairs and thick, whitish veins.
Bloom Period: April to June.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, iNaturalist and Status of Tiny Cryptanthe in Alberta.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains