Cryptantha utahensis

Scented cryptantha

Family: Boraginaceae · Type: annual · Native

Scented cryptantha is a California native annual found in southeastern Sierra Nevada, northeastern San Gabriel Mountains, northeastern San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Peninsular Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada East, and desert regions in rocky, gravelly areas and woodland habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers with deep yellow appendages that are generally fragrant. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with branches throughout and dense strigose stems, it develops linear to oblong leaves 0.5 to 5 centimeters long with appressed bristly surfaces. Its leaves feature some bristles with distinctive bulbous bases, giving the plant a textured appearance. The fruit consists of one to three lanceolate nutlets, 1.7 to 2.5 millimeters long with finely papillate surfaces and sharp-angled margins.

Habitat: Rocky, gravelly areas, slopes, coarse washes, creosote-bush scrub, Joshua-tree and pinyon/juniper woodland

Bloom period: Mar-Jul

Elevation: (80)300-2300(2600) m

Bioregions: se SN, ne SnGb, ne SnBr, e PR, s SNE, D

California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Kern, Mono, San Diego, Los Angeles

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.