Dainty Desert Hideseed
Eucrypta micrantha
Observed in the Plomosa Mountains, La Paz Co., Arizona, USA. March 2009.
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 late January and
February.
LEAVES: Leaves are deeply dissected into pinnate lobes. Sticky hairs are
present on the leaves and stems.
RANGE: Fairly common in low elevations 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. Also found in the Chihuahuan Desert.
FRUIT: A capsule with about a dozen or so small wrinkled seeds. A
related, very similar species Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia, has the calyx
lobes reflexed, whereas E. micrantha have
calyx lobes erect and partially enclosing the fruit. Also, the leaves of Eucrypta
chrysanthemifolia are slightly larger and the lower leaves a
bipinnately dividied.
UNARMED. No spines.