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:

Alyssum desertorum, Chenopodium leptophyllum, Chenopodium watsonii, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium densiflorum

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Endangered

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5 N1 S1

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

Endangered

COSEWIC Status:

Endangered

Cryptantha minima 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

Roots:

taproot slender

Stem:

annual, diffusely branched, slender, spreading-hirsute

Leaves:

basal and cauline; basal leaves not in a conspicuous tuft; cauline leaves alternate, sessile, 0.5 – 2 cm long, 1 – 5 mm wide, reduced slightly upwards, linear to oblong to oblanceolate, apex acute to obtuse, setose and pustulose above and below, margin entire

Inflorescence:

cyme monochasic, spicate, occupies upper 2/3 of stem, linear, bracteate to tip

Flower:

calyx to 7 mm long in fruit, midrib indurate and whitened, setose, margins velutinous; corolla inconspicuous 2.5 – 3 mm long, 1 – 2 mm wide, white

Fruits:

nutlets heteromorphic, one slightly larger, some tuberculate or papillate

CRYPTANTHA KEY FOR VARIETIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Perennial; taproot woody; stems simple or branched from base; conspicuous tuft of basal leaves; inflorescence a raceme of cymose clusters; corolla 6 – 11 mm wide, conspicuous	C. celosioides
1 Annual; taproot slender; stems often diffusely branched; lacking conspicuous tuft of basal leaves; monochasic cymes spike-like; corolla less than 2 mm wide, minute	2

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

3 Nutlets not heteromorphic, all smooth or nearly so	C. fendleri
3 Nutlets heteromorphic, one large and smooth, three smaller and tuberculate	C. kelseyana