Species: Cryptantha minima Rydb.

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Cryptantha minima Rydb.

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TAXONOMY

Family:

Boraginaceae

Genus:

Cryptantha

Species Synonyms:

none

Common Names:

tiny cryptanthe
little catseye
little cryptantha
small cryptantha
small cryptanthe

DISTRIBUTION

Canada:

southeastern Alberta - southwestern Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan:

southwestern Saskatchewan; Upper South Saskatchewan River Valley

Ecoregion:

Mixed Grassland

HABITAT

Saskatchewan:

dry, sandy grasslands

Associated Species:

common pepperweed, desert alyssum, flatspine stickweed, narrowleaf goosefoot, Watson’s goosefoot

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Endangered

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5 N1 S1

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

Endangered

COSEWIC Status:

Endangered

Tiny cryptanthe is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is extremely rare and is restricted to one small region of the province. These plants are usually locally numerous within limited areas. Its occurrence in Saskatchewan represents a range extension for this species.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Height:

1 – 15 cm tall

Roots:

taproot slender

Stem:

annual, diffusely branched, slender, spreading-hairy

Leaves:

basal and one the stem, basal leaves not in a conspicuous tuft, stem leaves alternate, sessile, 0.5 – 2 cm long, 1 – 5 mm wide, reduced slightly upwards, linear to oblong to spoon-shaped, tip acute to obtuse, bristly-hairy and with blisters at the base of the hairs above and below, margin entire

Inflorescence:

spike-like, with one main axis; occupies upper 2/3 of stem, linear, bracteate to tip

Flower:

calyx to 7 mm long in fruit, midrib hardened and whitened, bristly-hairy, margins velvety; petals inconspicuous 2.5 – 3 mm long, 1 – 2 mm wide, white

Fruits:

nutlets of two types, one slightly larger, some bumpy

CRYPTANTHA KEY FOR VARIETIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Perennial; taproot woody; stems simple or branched from base; conspicuous tuft of basal leaves; inflorescence unbranched; petals 6 – 11 mm wide, conspicuous	C. celosioides
1 Annual; taproot slender; stems often diffusely branched; lacking a conspicuous tuft of basal leaves; branched, spike-like inflorescence with one main axis; petals less than 2 mm wide, minute	2

2 Inflorescence bracted throughout, bracts longer than sepals; sepal lobes long with thick, hardened, whitish mid-nerves	C. minima
2 Inflorescence bracted only below, bracts not conspicuous, lacking in upper flowers; sepal lobes short, neither whitened nor thickened	3

3 Nutlets all similar, all smooth or nearly so	C. fendleri
3 Nutlets of two types, one large and smooth, three smaller and bumpy	C. kelseyana