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bastard toadflax
Scientific Name: Comandra umbellata ssp. umbellata
Family: Santalaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata)
Comandra umbellata, commonly known as bastard toadflax or umbellate bastard toadflax, is a fascinating hemiparasitic plant belonging to the Sandalwood family (Santalaceae).
Considerations for Pets
- There is a report that the plant can be hazardous. (Report not specified.)
Considerations for Children
- There is a report that the plant can be hazardous. (Report not specified.)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.
- Family: Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)
- Genus: Comandra (monotypic, containing only Comandra umbellata)
- Synonyms: Comandra umbellata pallida, Comandra cuneifolia Raf., Comandra elliptica Raf.
- Subspecies: Comandra umbellata subspecies pallida, Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. ssp. californica (Rydb.) Piehl
- Common Names: Bastard toadflax, umbellate bastard toadflax, Pale Comandra, Common Comandra, California Bastard Toadflax
Description and Morphology
- Comandra umbellata is a herbaceous perennial, growing up to 0.3 meters (1 foot) tall.
- The plant features leafy stems that are typically simple, light green, and smooth, sometimes with a few branches.
- Leaves are alternate, simple, lance-shaped and narrow, growing to 1.5 inches long.
- Flowers are small, whitish or greenish, and star-shaped with a green center and 5 yellow parts, forming flat clusters approximately an inch across.
- It flowers from April to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite, containing both male and female organs.
Distribution and Habitat
- It is native to North America.
- Found in native prairies, meadows, semi-desert and foothills environments.
Ecological Role
- Comandra umbellata is a hemiparasitic species, meaning it attaches specialized roots to the roots of host plants to derive some nutrients and/or water.
Quirky Facts
- The name Comandra comes from the hairs at the base of its stamens.
- Despite its name, bastard toadflax does not resemble flax or toadflax.
- The Bastard-toadflax Family used to be called the Mistletoe (Viscaceae) Family.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- It serves as a host plant to the Bastard-toadflax Bug (Canthophorus impressus).
Further Information
- Further information and images can be found on Wikimedia Commons.