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Published In: Rhodora 42(494): 39. 1940. (Rhodora) Name publication detailView in BotanicusView in Biodiversity Heritage Library
 

Project Name Data (Last Modified On 8/18/2017)
Acceptance : Accepted
Project Data     (Last Modified On 7/9/2009)
Status: Native

 

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6. Phacelia ranunculacea (Nutt.) Constance

Pl. 429 a, b; Map 1921

Plants relatively slender annuals. Stems 7–25 cm long, unbranched or more commonly few- to several-branched at the base and above, loosely to strongly ascending from a sometimes spreading base, moderately pubescent with stiff, loosely ascending to spreading, nonglandular hairs toward the base, these grading into dense, fine, gland-tipped hairs well below the midpoint (median portion with sparse to moderate nonglandular hairs and moderate to dense glandular hairs). Basal (and lower stem) leaves often persistent at flowering, the blade 1–3 cm long, broadly ovate to broadly elliptic or oblong-elliptic in outline, pinnately compound with 3–7 pinnae, these unlobed or (especially the terminal pinna) mostly moderately to deeply 2- or 3-lobed and sometimes also with a few additional teeth or smaller lobes, the teeth or lobes sharply to bluntly pointed or occasionally rounded at the tips, the surfaces sparsely to moderately pubescent with more or less appressed, stiff hairs. Stem leaves all moderately to long-petiolate, the blade 1–4 cm long, progressively less divided toward the stem tip, the uppermost leaf blades often irregularly 3-lobed, the leaflets or lobes sharply to bluntly pointed or occasionally rounded at the tips, the terminal lobe of at least the uppermost leaf (immediately below the lowermost flower) narrowly angled or tapered at the base, the pubescence similar to that of the basal leaves (but the petiole often with at least some glandular hairs). Inflorescences with only 2–6 flowers, the axis and flower stalks densely pubescent with gland-tipped hairs, rarely also with a few nonglandular hairs, the stalks spreading to downward-arched or pendant at fruiting. Calyces 3–7 mm long, the lobes with the margins and surfaces pubescent with mostly nonglandular hairs (glandular hairs more frequent toward the calyx base). Corollas 2–4(–5) mm long, narrowly bell-shaped to nearly cylindrical, white or pale lavender to bluish-tinged, the margins entire, the outer surface glabrous. Stamens not exserted, the filaments 1.5–2.0 mm long, glabrous. Ovary with 4 ovules. Style branched to about the midpoint. Fruits 4–6 mm long, the surface usually irregularly swollen (distended by the seeds), 2–4-seeded. Seeds 1.8–2.5 mm long, broadly ovoid-angled to nearly globose, finely ridged, light brown to brown. 2n=12. April–May.

Uncommon in the Mississippi Lowlands Division west locally to Oregon County (Indiana to Tennessee and Mississippi west to Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas). Bottomland forests, mesic upland forests in ravines, and bases and ledges of bluffs; also gardens and shaded disturbed areas.

As noted above in the discussion of Nemophila, Palmer and Steyermark (1935) misdetermined the initial collections of this species in Missouri as a member of that genus. During his systematic studies of Nemophila, Constance (1949a, b) redetermined the Missouri specimens as Phacelia ranunculacea and Steyermark (1963) subsequently included the species in the state’s flora under that name. For a discussion of the segregation of P. covillei from P. ranunculacea, see the treatment of that species.

 


 

 
 
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