Cryptantha celosioides (Eastw.) Payson
cockscomb cryptantha (buttecandle)
Boraginaceae (Borage family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Neil L. Jennings     (Photo ID #9006)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Cryptantha celosioides
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Introduction

Included in The Vascular Plants of British Columbia Part 2, but based on a misidentification of C. celosioides.

Author: Frank Lomer, Honorary Research Associate, University of British Columbia Herbarium

Species Information

General:
Biennial or short-lived perennial herb from a sometimes branched stem-base, silky throughout with fine, straight, appressed hairs and also with bulbous-based bristles; stems 1-several, 10-50 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves several, tufted, conspicuous, spoon-shaped or broadly oblanceolate, rounded at tip, 2-8 cm long, 4-15 mm wide; stem leaves somewhat reduced, entire, alternate.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of short "spikes" aggregated into a long cluster (thyrse); petals white, fused into a tube that spreads (8-12 mm wide) at top to 5 lobes, with 5 yellow bulges at throat; calyces 4-8 mm long in fruit, coarsely stiff-hairy and bristly.
Fruits:
Nutlets 4, clustered together, 3-5 mm long, egg-shaped or lance-egg-shaped, wrinkled and bumpy, with medial groove closed at base.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Dry grasslands and shrublands in the steppe zone; rare in extreme SC BC; S to NE and NV.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Cryptantha bradburiana Payson
Cryptantha macounii (Eastw.) Payson
Cryptantha nubigena var. celosioides
Cryptantha nubigena var. macounii (Eastw.) Boivin
Cryptantha sheldonii (Brand) Payson
Oreocarya celosioides Eastw.
Oreocarya glomerata (Pursh) Greene, non Lehm. ex Fisch.
Oreocarya macounii Eastw.
Oreocarya sheldonii Brand