Fringepod, Hairy Fringepod, Lacepod, Sand Fringepod: Thysanocarpus curvipes (Synonyms: Thysanocarpus amplectens, Thysanocarpus curvipes ssp. curvipes, Thysanocarpus curvipes var. curvipes, Thysanocarpus curvipes var. elegans, Thysanocarpus curvipes var. eradiatus, Thysanocarpus curvipes var. longistylus, Thysanocarpus elegans)

The photo at left shows the interesting seed pods of fringepod as seen on slopes above the west bank of the John Day River about 1.5 miles upstream from the Cottonwood Canyon State Park campground..........May 3, 2017. The photo at right shows the maturing fruits of fringepod as seen in the Deschutes River State Recreation Area.....April 7, 2024.

Except for its interesting seed pods, the fringe pod is an easily overlooked annual wildflower. Plants typically have a single, unbranched stem, or a single stem that is branched above. Stems arise from 10-65 cm high and the herbage usually consists of coarse, stiff hairs below while being glabrous above. The basal leaves are oblanceolate or obtuse in shape, tapering to a narrow base. They are arranged in a basal rosette. The leaves on the stems are 1-5 cm in length and linear to oblong in shape with heart-shaped, clasping bases. The margins of both leaf types are typically entire.

The racemes are 5-28 cm long and loosely flowered. The pedicels measure from 3-10 long and spreading to recurved. The flowers are minute (1 mm) and white in color while the sepals are 1 mm long, purple in color with white margins. The interesting fruits are ovate to round in outline with broad, entire to wavy wings as wide as the body of the fruit. They measure from 4-7 mm long.

The genus name, Thysanocarpos literally means "fringed fruit" (Thysanos: fringe, carpos, fruit).

Fringe pod is found on gravelly soils or deeper soils on open hillsides and at the edge of woods.

Fringe pod is found east of the Cascade Mts. from British Columbia south to California and east to Idaho.

The photo above shows the outline of a mid-stem leaf of fringepod. Note the spreading hairs along the margin and "auriculate" base to the leaf. Note also the presence of several minute, triangular teeth along the margin of the blade.

The photo above shows the basal leaves and lower stem leaves of a very young fringepod that has just begun to bloom. Note the broad, triangular teeth along the margins of the lower blades and the numerous spreading hairs of the lower stem. Photographed along the Dalles Mt. Road near 1550'..........March 6, 2006.

The photo shows the interesting seed pods of fringepod as seen along the Horsethief Butte Trail several miles northeast of The Dalles, OR...........April 24, 2006.