Skip to main content

Whipple’s Cryptantha (Cryptantha whippleae), serpentine-adapted species endemic to northern California

Whipple’s Cryptantha (Cryptantha whippleae), serpentine-adapted species endemic to northern California

NEWS - Whipple’s Cryptantha (Cryptantha whippleae) is described as a new species from a meandering barren area in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Siskiyou County, California, with one outlier population in a meandering area possibly in Lake County, California.

Cryptantha is a genus of perennial herbs in the Boraginaceae (Amsinckiinae) and has been non-monophyletic in several molecular phylogenetic studies. It is currently recognized with 109 species and 124 minimum-ranked taxa, of which 63 are in North America and 47 are in South America, with one taxon found on both continents.

Serpentine soils, particularly in northern California, are formed from ultramafic (meta-igneous) rocks that formed millions of years ago on the seafloor. These soils are very high in heavy metals (e.g., nickel, iron, and magnesium) and low in calcium and potassium.

Serpentine soils are unsuitable for plants that have not evolved to tolerate the harsh conditions. Species that adapt to serpentines have high levels of endemism.

The new species is most similar to C. grandiflora and C. milobakeri, likely each other’s closest relatives. All three have large crown branchlets and small, smooth, lanceolate-ovate to ovate, slightly rounded, acuminate, and abaxially flattened fruits.

C. whippleae is relatively rare and joins 7 other Cryptantha species found on serpentines, either obligately or facultatively. Current molecular phylogenetic studies support largely convergent evolution of serpentine adaptations in Cryptantha.

C. whippleae is similar to C. grandiflora in having relatively wide corolla branches of 3-6 mm (vs. 4-8 mm in C. grandiflora) and in different size, shape and sculpture of small seeds of 3-8(15) cm (vs. 5-35 cm), in cymule branching, bifurcated or rarely solitary (vs. trifoliate) and having more seeds per fruit, 2-3 (vs. 2).

C. whippleae is similar to C. milobakeri in the width of the corolla, 3–6 mm wide (vs. 2–6 mm in C. milobakeri) and also in the size, shape, and form of the berries, which differ by 3–8(15) cm tall (vs. 10–50 cm), in the calyx shape with two types of trichomes (vs. one type of trichome) and in having more berries per berry, 2–3 (vs. 1(2)).

Whipple’s Cryptantha is endemic to northern California at elevations of 800–2200 meters. It grows in open, rocky, meandering substrate habitats. All but one known specimen is in Siskiyou County. The only specimen in Lake County is likely growing in serpentine substrate.

The species flowers from late May to early August. The berries usually ripen within a few weeks after flowering. Nicknamed after Jennifer J. Whipple, an avid collector and retired Yellowstone National Park botanist.

Original research

Simpson MG, York DA (2024). Cryptantha whippleae (Boraginaceae), a new serpentine-adapted species endemic to northern California, U.S.A. PhytoKeys 247: 155-172, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.132060

Dlium theDlium
Labels:

Popular Posts

Quail grass (Celosia argentea)

Boroco or quail grass ( Celosia argentea ) is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae, a shrub with erect stems, maroon or green in color, requiring full sun, widely used as ornamental plants and flowers by the distinctive form of erect spikes. C. argentea has a strong stem with many branches from the lowest base to the apex to form a dense plant, but it opens and tapers upwards to a height of up to 1.5 meters, is maroon or green in color and the surface has vertical grooves. Single leaf 5-15 cm long, base and tip pointed, oval or lance-shaped and strongly veined, a main vein linear and straight with several minor veins towards the sides and curved, slightly wavy margins, upper surface maroon or green. Abundant flowers growing at the tips of branches above the leaves, sturdy, erect cylindrical, 2-15 cm long and depending on the cultivar, pointed tip, white on the underside and maroon on the top or one of these and often develop a silver sheen. Flowers are visited by bees, wasps, but...
Read more

Acacia visco (Parasenegalia visco)

Acacia visco ( Parasenegalia visco ) is a species of plant in the Fabaceae, perennial tree, 6-25 meters high, straight, branched stem, brown and cracked bark, yellow and fragrant flowers, grows in forests, plantations, outskirts rivers and roadsides at elevations of 0-3000 meters. P. visco has leaves in clusters, long with stalks up to 50 cm, leaves in rows along the stalk, sitting opposite each other, up to 23 items, up to 6 cm long. The strands are elongated egg-shaped, 5 mm long and 1 mm wide. Flowers are white and small. Wood is used in making cupboards. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Mimosoideae Genus: Parasenegalia Species: Parasenegalia visco
Read more

Wild durian (Cullenia exarillata)

Wild durian ( Cullenia exarillata ) is a species of plant in the Malvaceae, a tall tree with smooth, greyish-white bark, peeling on older trees, a straight trunk, horizontal branches and often with a series of knob-like tubercles for flower and fruit attachment. C. exarillata has young branches and the underside of the leaves is covered with golden brown peltate or shield-like scales. The leaves are single, alternate, glabrous, glossy green on the upper side and covered with silvery or orange peltate scales on the underside. Hermaphroditic flowers are tubular and also covered with golden brown scales, 4-5 cm long and cream or reddish brown in color. Flowers have no petals, formed of tubular bracteoles and tubular calyxes, 5-lobed. Fruit is round, 10-13 cm in diameter, covered with thorns and clustered along the branches. Many seeds, reddish brown, 4-5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. The seeds are enclosed by a fleshy, whitish aril. The fruit splits open when ripe and dries to release the s...
Read more