Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Spermolepis echinata (Nuttall ex A.P. de Candolle) Heller
(Bristly Scaleseed)


Family: Apiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Apium echinatum (Nutt. ex DC.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex S. Watson

Spermolepis echinata is a diminutive plant with small linear leaflets and small white flowers. The fruits have small hairs that are hooked at the tips. The roots do not form large storage structures like the carrots most people visualize. A similar species, Spermolepis divaricata, has small bumps (tubercles) instead of hooked hairs on the fruits. Spermolepis echinata is found at lower elevation in dry areas.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Spermolepis echinata, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Engineer Cyn., Apr. 12, 2008



Spermolepis echinata, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, March 22, 2010



Spermolepis echinata, 4x field macro of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, March 22, 2010



Spermolepis echinata, 5x macro of flowers and hooked hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, March 22, 2010



Spermolepis echinata, measured specimen, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, March 22, 2010


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