Gander's Cryptantha
(Cryptantha ganderi )
Boraginaceae

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Description: Bushy annual 4-16 inches (1-4dm) high, with coarse or stiff hairs. Stem with stiff, sharp, appressed hairs. Leaves narrow to narrowly spear-shaped, 3/8-1 1/8 inches (1-3cm) long. Inflorescence is a spike (unbranched with sessile flowers), 2-6 inches (5-15cm) long. Sepals (lower flower parts) are narrow with stiff, sharp hairs, 2/8-3/8 inches (6-10mm) long, with the longest sepal bristles 1/8 inch (3-4mm). Corolla is very small. Fruit is a spear-shaped nutlet (1-2) with rounded edges, a central grove, mottled gray-brown, and 1/8 inch (2-2.5mm) long.

Distribution:

Habitat: Open, sandy soils, creosote scrub, desert dunes. Elevation 512 - 1280 feet. 

Flowering Period: Blooms February - May.

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B