Plagiobothrys pringlei

Wiggins 1964

Duration: Annual Nativity: Native Lifeform: Forb/Herb General: Prostrate or decumbent annual with several rather coarse stems 10-25 cm long, from slender taproot, herbage hispid throughout. Leaves: Not developing a distinct rosette, lowermost commonly opposite, upper ones alternate, blades linear to linear-oblong, 2-3 cm long, acute or obtuse at apex. Flowers: Borne throughout length of stems, even in axils of basal leaves; calyx lobes narrowly linear-lanceolate, 1.5-2 mm long, somewhat spreading in fruit; corolla white, minute. Fruits: Nutlets 4, ovoid, finely wrinkled and finely roughed, keeled both dorsally and ventrally. Ecology: Found on arid plains, sandy mesas, and hillsides from 1,000-4,500 ft (305-1372 m); flowers February-April. Notes: Long striped nutlets is unique among the borages. Of conservation concern in Arizona. Ethnobotany: Unknown Etymology: Plagiobothrys is derived from Greek plagios, oblique or placed sideways, and bothros, a pit or scar, pringlei is named for Cyrus Guernsey Pringle (1838-1911). Synonyms: None Editor: SBuckley, 2010