Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

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

Cryptantha barbigera (Gray) Greene
(Bearded Cat's Eye)

Family: Boraginaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Eritrichium barbigera Gray

Cryptantha barbigera is a small, hairy herb differentiated from others in the same species by the presence of four identical, tuberculate nutlets. This is a lower elevation species found in dry arroyos. It has a more low, spreading growth habit than C. pterocarya var. cycloptera and C. cinerea. C. micrantha has a similar growth habit, but is easily distinguished by its minute flowers and the long, scape-like flowering pedicels.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Cryptantha barbigera, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Engineer Cyn., Apr. 22, 2008



Cryptantha barbigera, four identical bumpy nutlets (no wings or projecting style), photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Engineer Cyn., Apr. 22, 2008



Cryptantha barbigera, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Engineer Cyn., March 28, 2009



Cryptantha barbigera, detail of flowers, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Engineer Cyn., March 28, 2009


Back to the Index