Herbs usually glabrous or strigillose, rarely villous. Stems erect, usually unbranched near base, branched at each of several nodes proximal to first flower, less branched distally, branching subdichotomous, 15–100 cm. Leaves much reduced distally, 20–75 × 1–6 mm; petiole 0–10 mm; blade narrowly lanceolate. Inflorescences with flowers arising as proximally as first 10–20 nodes from base. Flowers: sepals 3–6 mm, reflexed singly or in pairs; petals 4–8 mm; pollen 90–100% fertile; stigma hemispheric, usually exserted beyond anthers of longer stamens at anthesis. Capsules ascending or reflexed, subterete, 4–16 × 1–1.5 mm, with constrictions between seeds, valve margins undulate, all valves free from septum after dehiscence, septum sinuous; pedicel 3–12 mm. Seeds 4–10 (–13), all developing, arranged ± parallel to septum and in alternating pattern between locules, adjacent seeds not overlapping, well spaced from each, forming a single row in capsule, brown or gray mottled with brown, 1.2–2.3 × 0.6–1 mm, gla­brous or puberulent. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Oct.
Habitat: Open montane forests.
Elevation: 1000–3000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Calif.

Discussion

Gayophytum eriospermum is the only regularly outcrossing diploid species in the genus. The species is known from southwestern Sierra Nevada and Green­horn mountains (south of Placer County). Except in having larger flowers and generally larger capsules with more seeds, G. eriospermum is very similar to G. oligospermum, suggesting that the latter may be a self-pollinating derivative. Gayophytum eriospermum appears to have been involved in the origin of the G. diffusum polyploid complex. Some populations of G. diffusum subsp. diffusum are so similar to G. eriospermum that it has been necessary to deter­mine chromosome number to make a positive identification. However, G. diffusum subsp. diffusum is not known to occur within the area of distribution of G. eriospermum.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.