[The Genus Nemophila East of the
Cascade Mts.]
Great Basin Baby-blue-eyes, Basin Nemophila, Great Basin Nemophila, Short-flowered Nemophil
Nemophila breviflora
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower of Great Basin nemophila as seen at the Ray Ridge Viewpoint in the Umatilla National Forest of southeastern Washington..................June 25, 2007. Note that the whitish petals are shorter than the calyx lobes.
Characteristics:
Great Basin nemophila is a loosely erect, ascending, or somewhat
prostrate plant with branched stems from 10-30 cm long. The weak stems are
angled with alternate leaves. The stems are also covered with fine, short,
backward prickles. The leaves are1-3 cm long, thin with a narrow central lobe
or blade and 2 pairs of narrow, spreading lateral lobes. The edge of the blades
and petioles are lined with tiny hairs.
The flower stems arise off of the stem opposite the leaves.
The calyx lobes are broadly lanceolate, 2-3 mm long and covered with tiny,
bristly hairs along their edges. The flowers are tiny with lavender to whitish
corollas barely 2 mm long.
Habitat:
Great Basin nemophila may be found
on moist wooded slopes, in thickets, or occasionally in open places from the
foothills to moderate elevation in the mountains.
Range:
Great Basin nemophila may be found from southern British Columbia
south along the eastern side of the Cascades Mts. to northern California and
east to Montana and Colorado.
The photo above shows a close-up of the developing fruits of Great Basin nemophila as seen at the Ray Ridge Viewpoint in the Umatilla National Forest of southeastern Washington..................June 25, 2007. Note the numerous long hairs at the margins of the leaves and calyx lobes.
The photo above shows Great Basin nemophila as seen from Brooks Meadows, Mt. Hood N.F........June 21, 1997.
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The photos above show close-up views of the flowers and leaf of Great Basin nemophila as seen in oak woods alongside Agency Creek at Fort Simcoe State Park about seven miles to the southwest of White Swan, WA.....................April 5, 2008. Click on each photo to see an enlarged view.
Paul Slichter