Annuals (5–) 15–45 cm. Stems erect, scabrous and densely puberulent. Leaves 15–35 mm; blade: proximal margins entire, distal 3-lobed. Inflorescences spikes, 10–25 cm; bracts 10–20 mm, margins 3-lobed to near base, proximal resembling distal leaves, midlobe green distally, triangular, 1–2 mm wide, apex acute, not cuspidate, lateral lobes linear. Pedicels 1 mm. Flowers: calyx 5–8 mm; corolla 15–20 mm, longer than bracts, abaxial lip inflated, lobes 0, adaxial lip purple-pink, 4–5 mm, 1–1.5 mm longer than abaxial, puberulent, tip notably hooked, not bearded. Capsules 6–9 mm, apex cuspidate. Seeds 18–26, dark-brown, ovoid to reniform, 1.5–2.5 mm, deeply reticulate, longitudinally ridged. 2n = 28.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Sagebrush meadows, openings in pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Elevation: 1500–3000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

Stems and leaves of Orthocarpus purpureoalbus are often conspicuously colored red to dark purple.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.