2. Evolvulus nuttallianus Roem. & Schult.

E. pilosus Nutt.

Pl. 366 g–i; Map 1595

Stems 7–15(–35) cm long, prostrate to rarely ascending, densely pubescent with relatively long, loosely appressed to somewhat spreading hairs. Leaf blades 6–20 mm long, oblong-linear to narrowly lanceolate or narrowly oblanceolate, both surfaces densely pubescent with relatively long, loosely appressed hairs. Flowers sessile or short-stalked, the stalk shorter than the subtending leaf. Sepals 4–5 mm long, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, densely hairy. Corollas 5.0–7.5 mm long, pale pinkish purple to nearly white (pale blue elsewhere). Fruits 3.5–5.0 mm long, usually ovoid, glabrous. Seeds 2.5–3.5 mm long, dark brown to purplish brown. April–June.

Scattered in the Ozark and Ozark Border Divisions (Illinois and Tennessee west to Montana and Arizona). Glades, savannas, and openings of dry upland forests.

Although this species has relatively uniform morphology in Missouri, plants farther west tend to be more variable, having often strongly ascending stems, variable density and coloration of the hairs, and sometimes pale blue corollas. However, the patterns of morphological variation are too complex to permit the recognition of varieties.