Hesperolinon clevelandii
Hesperolinon micranthum
Allen Springs dwarf-flax, Allen Springs western flax
common dwarf flax, small-flower dwarf flax, small-flower western flax, small-flower western or dwarf flax, small-flower white flax
alternate;
stipular glands very inconspicuous, present at proximal nodes, absent distally;
blade linear or narrowly oblong, 10–13(–20) × 2–2.5 mm, base flat, not clasping, margins without stalked glands.
alternate;
stipular glands present at proximal nodes, usually absent distally;
blade linear or narrowly oblong, 10–20(–30) × 1.5–2.5(–3) mm, base flat, not clasping, margins without stalked glands, surfaces sometimes microscopically glandular.
cymes monochasial (scorpioid or helicoid), open, branches unequal (main axis obvious), internodes long, flowers widely scattered;
bract margins without prominent glands.
cymes monochasial (scorpioid or helicoid), open, internodes long, flowers widely scattered;
bract margins eglandular or glands inconspicuous.
5–25 mm, scarcely longer in fruit, spreading at angles 70–80(–90)°, scarcely bent at apex.
(2–)5–8 mm (–25 mm in proximal axils), (5–)10–15(–45) mm in fruit, spreading at 45–60(–90)° angle, not or only slightly bent at apex.
sepals erect or reflexed at tip, lanceolate, 1.5–2.5 mm, usually equal, sometimes one larger, marginal glands absent or minute, surfaces glabrous;
petals not or slightly spreading at anthesis, yellow, often with reddish or orange streak on midvein, oblanceolate, sometimes obovate, 0.5–2.5(–4) mm, apex notched or erose;
cup yellow, rim with petal attachment protruding prominently in sinus or strongly indented;
stamens included;
filaments 1–2 mm;
anthers yellow, dehisced anthers 0.5–0.8(–1.2) mm;
ovary chambers 6;
styles 3, yellow, 0.5–1(–1.8) mm, included.
sepals erect or reflexed at tip, lanceolate, 1–3(–4) mm, sometimes unequal, marginal glands absent or minute, surfaces glabrous;
petals not or only slightly spreading, white to pink, sometimes streaked with deeper pink or rose purple, usually oblanceolate, sometimes obovate, 1.5–3.5 mm, apex slightly notched;
cup white, rim usually glabrous, sometimes hairy, petal attachment often a prominent protuberance in sinuses;
stamens included;
filaments 1.5–2.5 mm;
anthers white to deep purple, dehisced anthers (0.3–)0.5–0.8(–1) mm;
ovary chambers 6;
styles (2–)3, white, 0.5–1(–2) mm, included.
= 36.
= 36.
Hesperolinon clevelandii
Hesperolinon micranthum
Hesperolinon clevelandii occurs in the inner North Coast Ranges from Mendocino to Napa counties and on the Mount Hamilton Range in Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. It can be distinguished from H. micranthum by its yellow stamens and petals. The flowers in Mount Hamilton populations may be twice as large as those of other populations and might warrant recognition as a subspecies (H. K. Sharsmith 1961).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Hesperolinon micranthum is the most widespread species of the genus. It occurs in Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains and southern Blue Mountains to southern Oregon. In California, it occurs in the Klamath and Cascade ranges, Warner Mountains, Modoc Plateau, on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, and in the North Coast and South Coast ranges, western Transverse Range, and Peninsular Ranges. Its southernmost population is near Cerro Matomi in Baja California. In much of its range, it is the only Hesperolinon species. It can be distinguished from other white-petaled species by its smaller flowers, included styles, and erect or only slightly spreading petals. In the southern part of its range, plants are generally smaller-flowered, have shorter pedicels, and more leaflike sepals; on the Modoc Plateau it grows almost exclusively on volcanic rock and plants are shorter, stockier, have broader leaves, shorter pedicels, and larger flowers. H. K. Sharsmith (1961) noted that any population may have some flowers in which appendages, auricles, or ligules are reduced or completely absent.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
CA
WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist
USDA Plants Database
OR
Flora NW
PNW Herbaria
