Spotted Hideseed
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia
Observed at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Pima Co., Arizona, USA. March 2010.
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ANNUAL: Diminutive spring annual with frail, branching stems that often
are supported by adjacent plants. Rarely more than
10 cm. The stems lack the minute recurved spines of
Blue Fiesta Flower, a similar plant.
FLOWERS: Five-lobed, blue to white flowers in loose inflorescence are
very small, barely 3mm dia. Blooming in early spring - mostly February and
March.
LEAVES: Leaves are deeply dissected into pinnate lobes. Sticky hairs are
present on the leaves and stems.
RANGE: Fairly common in southwestern portions of the Sonoran Desert in
Arizona and southern California, but present only in years when winter rains
have been adequate. Look in the partially protected habitat formed in the shade
of large rocks and boulders.
FRUIT: A capsule with about a dozen or so small seeds, some smooth and
others wrinkled. A related, very similar species Eucrypta micrantha,
has erect calyx lobes partially enclosing the fruit, whereas E.
chrysanthemifolia calyx lobes are reflexed. Also, the leaves of Eucrypta
chrysanthemifolia are slightly larger and the lower leaves a
bipinnately dividied.
UNARMED. No spines.