|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
|||||||||
| THE FIGWORT FAMILY | |||||||||
| The figwort family is very common in Saskatchewan. The leaves are usually opposite, though they may be alternate, whorled, or all basal. The leaf margin may be entire to pinnately or palmately lobed. The flowers are irregular and are commonly 2-lipped. The upper lip usually has two lobes and the lower lip three lobes. Each flower has two or four stamens. If four stamens are present, they are in two groups of two and are usually attached to the petals. The sepals and the petals are commonly fused together. In some species, large, brightly-coloured bracts hide the flowers. The fruit is a many-seeded capsule. | |||||||||
| TEXAS TOADFLAX | |||||||||
| LATIN NAME: Nuttallanthus texanus | |||||||||
| WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? | |||||||||
| Texas toadflax is an annual plant that grows as tall as 60 cm. The basal leaves are opposite and up to 1 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. The stem leaves are alternate, linear and are up to 3 cm long and 2 mm wide. The flowers are showy and irregular in shape. The petals have a thread-like spur that is curved downwards. The petals are pale blue or purple. The stamens are in two groups of two. | |||||||||
| WHERE DOES IT GROW? | |||||||||
| Texas toadflax grows in dry, open areas. | |||||||||
| WHERE IS IT FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN? | |||||||||
| This plant is found in west-central Saskatchewan in the Moist Mixed Grassland ecoregion. | |||||||||
| WHY IS IT RARE? | |||||||||
| Texas toadflax is endangered because it is extremely rare and has only been found in one location in Saskatchewan. Immediate or probable threats have been identified. | |||||||||
| HOW TO IDENTIFY TEXAS TOADFLAX | |||||||||
| * Are the lower leaves opposite and the upper leaves
alternate? * Are the petals pale blue or purple? * Do the petals have a thread-like spur? * Did you find it in west-central Saskatchewan? | |||||||||
| If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may have found Texas toadflax! | |||||||||
