Scientific Family
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Cryptantha muricata var. denticulata, C. muricata var. jonesii, C. muricata var. muricata
Other common names
pointed catseye
pointed cat's-eye
prickly Cryptantha
prickly-nut Cryptantha
prickly popcorn flower
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Cryptantha barbigera
Height
4 to 40 inches
Riparian
Yes
Bristly plant covered with stout, white hairs, in addition to thinner, softer hairs; erect, loosely branched, usually with several, well-developed, ascending, lateral branches. Flowers in small clusters.
Stems slender, much-branched, ascending or declining, tips upright, semi-sparse stiff hairs; flowers white, yellow centered; sepals erect to spreading, not curving out; 3 or 4 same size glossy, bumpy nutlets, margins rounded; style longer than nutlets.
Habitat
Sandy or gravelly open places, riparian, springs, scrublands, chaparral, foothill woodlands, open conifer forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2000
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers produced in elongated spikes, in small clusters of 2 to 5, clusters alternate along the stems, sometimes along one side; lance-like sepals; calyx erect to spreading, not bent backwards; upper flowers sometimes touching or overlapping.
Flower color
White and yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are narrow in shape and no more than 1-1/2 inches long, with stiff hairs and bristles, some of which have bulb-like bases.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Gray-green to yellow-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Mostly 4 nutlets, sometimes 3, 1/16 inch long, egg-shaped, same size, back covered in bumps, glossy, forked to flared open at base, style longer than the nutlets.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Dark gray or brown