Cryptantha sp.

Common Name: Popcorn Flower
Oˊodham Name: [unknown]
Group: Forbs － Desert [POISONOUS]

Description

This is one of 36 +/- similarly appearing species of Cryptantha found in Arizona. Cryptantha grows in dry washes and sandy areas between 2000 and 4000 feet elevation. It often occurs with its relative, Amsinckia menziesii. Flowers are only about 1/8 inch wide and form small heads atop stems that bend like the neck of a violin. The stems, leaves, and seed capsules are covered with stiff, sharp little hairs. Also see Amsinckia menziesii ssp. intermedia. POISONOUS.

Cryptantha sp.
hairs
fiddleneck
seed capsules
flowers

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Lamiales

Family Boraginaceae － Borage family

Genus Cryptantha Lehm. ex G. Don － cryptantha

More Information

USDA Plant Profile and Map