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Nevada cryptantha

Scientific Name: Cryptantha nevadensis var. rigida

Family: Boraginaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Nevada Cryptantha (Cryptantha nevadensis)

Cryptantha nevadensis, commonly known as Nevada cryptantha, Nevada cat's eye, or Nevada forget-me-not, is a flowering plant belonging to the borage family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is an annual herb with bristly leaves.
  • Cryptantha plants are sometimes referred to as forget-me-nots, and they grow close to the ground.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cryptantha nevadensis A. Nelson & Kennedy
  • Family: Boraginaceae (Borage family)
  • Synonyms: Mentions of previous classifications as Oreocarya humilis (later reclassified into the Cryptantha genus)
  • Subspecies: Cryptantha nevadensis var. nevadensis, Cryptantha nevadensis var. rigida

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cryptantha nevadensis is native to California and is also found outside of California, including Nevada, Arizona and other parts of the western and southwestern USA.
  • It thrives in sandy to gravelly soils.
  • It can be found at elevations ranging from 60 to 2220 (sometimes up to 2750) meters.
  • Frequently found in desert environments.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is an annual herb with a stem that is 10-60 cm tall, simple to branched.
  • Leaves are 1-4 (5) cm long, simple, entire, linear to oblong, and generally bristly (strigose, with some hairs ascending).

Ecological Role

  • In Nevada, this plant is designated as a noxious weed species in some sandy to gravelly soils.

Quirky Facts

  • Cryptanthas are also known as Forget-Me-Nots and are frequently stepped on because they grow so close to the ground.