Scientific Family
Boraginaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
6 to 20 inches
Riparian
Yes
Annual herb producing several to many bristly stems from the base.
Nutlets 4; 3 are always wing-margined; sometimes all 4 are wing-margined; style surpassing the nutlets but shorter than the wings.
Habitat
Found in pinyon juniper woodland, red rock soils, sandy cobbles adjacent to washes, and on rocky slopes.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are borne on erect, elongated stems.
Flower color
White to yellowish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are linear to oblong and bristly. Stems are simple to branched throughout, and bear stiff, bristly hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit consists of four nutlets, each with a prominent toothed wing, 3 clearly winged, 1 not winged. Insides of nutlets are grooved; groove may be flared open or forked at the base. Backs of nutlets bear a ridge,
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Green to brownish