Cryptantha sericea

(Silky Cryptantha)

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1346

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1344

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1353

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1368

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1355

_DSC1056%20copy

Cryptantha sericea, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1360

Scientific Name Cryptantha sericea (Oreocarya sericea) USDA PLANTS Symbol CRSE3
Common Name Silky Cryptantha ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 31869
Family Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (5000 to 8700 ft.); dry, sandy or clay soils.
Plant: Erect perennial, 6 to 20 inches tall; one to several hairy stems.
Leaves: Leaves are basal (stem leaves have leaf-like bracts), oblanceolate, 1 to 4 inches long and less than 1/4 to 3/4-inch wide; upper surface with silvery, pubscent hairs and no pustules; lower surface and edges with longer bristly hairs and pustules.
Inflorescence: Very hairy inflorescence extending over the upper 2/3 to 3/4 the length of the stem; clusters of very small flowers subtended by leaf-like bracts, and in clusters atop the stem; blossoms are white and five-lobed less than 1/3-inch across and with yellow fornices (the little ridges around the center of the blossom),.
Bloom Period: May and June.
References: Oreocarya sericea in "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield' and A Monograph of the Section Oreocarya of Cryptantha by Edwin Blake Payson, page 286.
BONAP Distribution Map


Oreocarya sericea

Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

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