[Cryptanths or White Forget-me-nots: The Genera Cryptantha and Oreocarya in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Buttecandle, Cockscomb Cryptantha, Northern Cryptantha, Sheldon's Oreocarya

Oreocarya glomerata

Synonyms: Cryptantha bradburiana, Cryptantha celosioides, Cryptantha macounii, Cryptantha nubigena var. macounii, Cryptantha sheldonii, Oreocarya celosioides, Oreocarya glomerata, Oreocarya macounii, Oreocarya sheldonii

Cockscomb cryptantha growing on sandy slopes adjacent to the Arlington Landfill........May 12, 2012.

Buttecandle, Cockscomb Cryptantha, Northern Cryptantha, Sheldon's Oreocarya: Cryptantha celosioides (Synonyms: Cryptantha bradburiana, Cryptantha macounii, Cryptantha nubigena var. macounii, Cryptantha sheldonii, Oreocarya celosioides, Oreocarya glomerata, Oreocarya macounii, Oreocarya sheldonii)

The photo to the right illustrates cockscomb cryptantha from Maryhill WA, eastern Columbia River Gorge........May 5, 2001.

Characteristics:

Cockscomb cryptantha is a relatively attractive borage with one to several stems from 10-50 cm high. The middle stem of this biennial or short-lived perennial is usually the largest. The herbage is fairly well hairy and bristly, with the bristles on the lower basal leaves appreassed and those above the ground more spreading. The basal leaves are tufted and noticeable at flwoering with spatulate or broadly, oblanceolate leaves with rounded tips. The leaves range from 2-8 cm long and 4-15 mm wide. The leaves along the stem are reduced in size.

The inflorescence is an elongated panicle with numerous, tightly-packed, large and showy flowers. The petals are white with the limb 8-12 mm wide. The tube is roughly the same length as the calyx.

Habitat:

Cockscomb cryptantha is a plant of dry open fields in the plains and foothills. It is generally found at lower elevations but may be found to moderate elevations in the mountains.

Range:

Cockscomb cryptantha may be found from southern British Columbia south to the east of the Cascades to eastern Oregon and east through northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Nebraska to southern Alberta.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 800'-2900' from Maryhill, WA & Haystack Butte east.

- -

Cockscomb cryptantha growing on sandy slopes adjacent to the Arlington Landfill.......May 12, 2012.

Cockscomb cryptantha in bloom along Washington Highway 14 about one mile east of Roosevelt, WA.......May 2, 2019.

Cockscomb cryptantha blooming on caliche soils near Arlington, Oregon........May 12, 2012.

The leafy lower stems of cockscomb cryptantha as observed along Oregon Highway 19 at milepost 80.......April 8, 2007.

Paul Slichter