[The Genera Cryptantha and Oreocarya in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Flaccid Cryptantha, Weakstem Cryptantha, Weakstem Cat's Eye, Weak-stem Cryptantha, Weak-stemmed Cryptantha
Cryptantha flaccida
Synonyms: Cryptantha rostellata, Cryptantha rostellata var. spithamea
The photo above shows a close-up of the inflorescence of weakstem cryptantha as seen at Horsethief Butte in the eastern Columbia
Gorge Scenic Area, OR..............April 24, 2006.
Habitat:
Weakstem cryptantha may be found on dry, open slopes
at lower elevations.
Range:
Weakstem cryptantha may be found east of the Cascade
Mts. from central and southeastern Washington south to southern California and
then east to Elmore county in Idaho.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between
the elevations of 100'-2000' the White Salmon River east to the eastern portions
of the Gorge.
The photo above shows a view of an unbranched weakstem cryptantha. It is beginning to bloom so the inflorescence has yet to spread out. Photographed at Horsethief Butte........ April 24, 2006.
The photo above shows a close-up view of the lowest pair of stem leaves of weakstem cryptantha. Notice the numerous largely appressed hairs on both the stem and the narrow leaves. Photographed at Horsethief Butte...... April 24, 2006.
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Additional close-up views of weakstem cryptantha just as it is commencing to bloom as seen on grassy slopes along Washington Highway SR14 at milepost 115.5 in the eastern Columbia River Gorge........April 18, 2010.
The photo at right shows the typical form of weakstem cryptantha at the mouth of the Deschutes River, Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, OR.....April, 1992.
Paul Slichter