Myosurus apetalus

Gay

Fl. Chil. 1: 31. 1845.

Illustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Herbs, 1.5-12.5 cm. Leaf-blades linear or narrowly oblanceolate, 0.9-4 cm. Inflorescences: scapes 0.9-10.5 cm. Flowers: sepals 1-3-veined, scarious margins narrow or broad; petal claw 1-2 times as long as blade. Heads of achenes 4-26 × 1.5-2 mm, exserted beyond leaves. Achenes: outer face narrowly rhombic to elliptic or oblong, 1-2.2 × 0.4-1 mm, 2-5 times as high as wide, not bordered; beak 0.6-1.4 mm, 0.4-1 times as long as body of achene, diverging from outer face of achene, heads of achenes thus strongly roughened by projecting achene beaks.

Distribution

Alta., B.C., Sask., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.Dak., N.Mex., Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (2 in the flora).

The illegitimate names Myosurus aristatus Bentham ex Hooker and M. minimus var. aristatus (Bentham ex Hooker) B. Boivin have been used for this species.

The Navaho-Ramah used Myosurus apetalus medicinally as a life medicine and as a protection against witches (D.E. Moerman 1986, citing M. aristatus).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Heads of achenes 4–9 mm; sepals 1-veined, scarious margins broad. Myosurus apetalus var. borealis
1 Heads of achenes 11–26 mm; sepals faintly 3-veined, scarious margins narrow. Myosurus apetalus var. montanus
... more about "Myosurus apetalus"
Alan T. Whittemore +
cuneate +, truncate +  and cordate +
straight +
0.06 cm0.6 mm <br />6.0e-4 m <br /> (0.14 cm1.4 mm <br />0.0014 m <br />) +
0.9 cm9 mm <br />0.009 m <br /> (4 cm40 mm <br />0.04 m <br />) +
oblanceolate +  and linear +
globose;cylindric +
Alta. +, B.C. +, Sask. +, Ariz. +, Calif. +, Colo. +, Idaho +, Mont. +, N.Dak. +, N.Mex. +, Nev. +, Oreg. +, Utah +, Wash. +  and Wyo. +
sessile +  and pedicellate +
showy +  and inconspicuous +
sessile +  and aggregate +
0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br /> (2.6 cm26 mm <br />0.026 m <br />) +
0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
axillary +  and terminal +
oblanceolate +
whorled +, opposite +  and alternate +
tapering +  and filiform +
palmate +  and pinnate +
incised;toothed;incised;toothed;entire +
broad;narrow +
2-5 times as high as wide +
0.1 cm1 mm <br />0.001 m <br /> (0.22 cm2.2 mm <br />0.0022 m <br />) +
0.04 cm0.4 mm <br />4.0e-4 m <br /> (0.1 cm1 mm <br />0.001 m <br />) +
1-2 times as long as blade +
distinct +
conspicuous +
linear to very +, plane +, long-clawed +  and spatulate +
reduced +
0.1 cm1 mm <br />0.001 m <br /> (0.25 cm2.5 mm <br />0.0025 m <br />) +
10 +  and 400 +
0.9 cm9 mm <br />0.009 m <br /> (10.5 cm105 mm <br />0.105 m <br />) +
not arillate +  and stalked +
with scarious margins;green +
not persistent +
distinct +
3 +  and 6 +
oblong +  and elliptic lanceolate or oblanceolate +
0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br /> (0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br />) +
faceted +
Illustrated +
persistent +
Myosurus apetalus +
Myosurus +
species +
herbaceous +  and woody +