SafePlants

Guadalupe Cryptantha (Cryptantha maritima)

The Guadalupe Cryptantha, scientifically known as Cryptantha maritima, is an annual herb found in specific regions. It is also referred to as Guadalupe Catseye, Guadalupe Island Cryptantha, or White haired forget me not.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Cryptantha species have hairs.
• This plant grows to between 10-40 cm.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cryptantha maritima (Greene) Greene
• Family: Boraginaceae (Borage family)
• Rank: Species
• Common Names: Guadalupe Cryptantha, Guadalupe Catseye, Guadalupe Island Cryptantha, White haired forget me not
• Variety: Cryptantha maritima (Greene) Greene var. pilosa I.M. Johnst., Cryptantha maritima var. maritima and Cryptantha maritima var. cedrosensis.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to California.
• Restricted to Guadalupe Island, Baja California, Mexico.
• Found in dry areas below 1235 feet (approximately 376 meters).

Morphology and Growth

• Annual herb, typically 10-30 (up to 40) cm tall.
• Stem ranges from simple to branched throughout.
• Branches are ascending to erect.
• Generally strigose (covered with stiff, straight, appressed hairs) and spreading-rough-hairy.
• Leaves are 1-4 cm in length.

Other Cryptantha Species

• Cryptantha angustifolia
• Cryptantha barbigera
• Cryptantha cinerea abortiva
• Cryptantha foliosa
• Cryptantha grayi var. cryptochaeta
• Cryptantha intermedia
• Cryptantha leiocarpa
• Cryptantha leucophaea
• Cryptantha micrantha
• Cryptantha muricata
• Cryptantha holoptera
• Cryptantha mariposae

Additional Information

• Prefers a location with at least a few hours of direct sunlight for balanced development.
• Nutlet characteristics are used to differentiate between the many species of Cryptantha.
• Cryptantha species have a reputation for being hard to distinguish.

Resources

• Discover Life: For information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cryptantha maritima.
• Encyclopedia of Life
• PLANTS Database (USDA)