Comandra umbellata subsp. californica

PLANTS: Subshrubs or herbs 15-40 cm tall, the lower part of aerial stem often overwintering. LEAVES: broadly elliptic or subovate, rarely lanceolate or linear, greenish, somewhat glaucous, sometimes with a slight gray or bluish tinge, often paler beneath, rather thin, 1.5-5.5 em long; lateral veins apparent and often somewhat protruding below. FLOWERS: perianth lobes ovate to ovate-Ianceolate, (1.5)2.0-2.5(-3.5) mm long. FRUIT: smooth, 4-6 nun long. NOTES: See also parent taxon for further description. Open montane conifer forests and oak woodlands: Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai cos; 1200-2450 m (3900-8000 ft); CA, NV, OR, WA; British Columbia, Can.; Son., Mex. REFERENCES: Laferriere, Joseph E. 1994. Santalaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 27(2), 240.