Status: Native
Synonyms:
Polygala intricata S.F. Blake
Polygala barbeyana Chod.
Hebecarpa barbeyana is a confusing plant when first encountered. The flower on a spike like raceme doesn't fit well with any other family, and can be confused with the Fabaceae. The two carpellate fruit doesn't fit the Fabaceae, which have one carpellate fruit. Hebecarpa rectipilis has purple lateral petals and a yellow keel. The purple lateral petals are frequently seen folded in rather than opened outwards. The leaves are simple. Hebecarpa barbeyana grows at middle elevation in sandy soil. The fruit is a notched capsule.
Hebecarpa obscura is a very similar species that also grows in the Gila area. The best way to tell the two species apart is based on the capsule pubescence. The stem and leaf hairs of both species are curved and appressed. Both species can have straight and spreading hairs on the edge of the capsule. H. obscura has pubescence on the faces of the capsule, while H. barbeyana is glabrous on the faces of the capsule.
Thanks to Radha Veach for finding and identifying this specimen, and sending pix!
Thanks to Patrick Alexander for helping sort out Hebecarpa for me!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Hebecarpa barbeyana, collection and photo Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021
Hebecarpa barbeyana, macro of fruit, collection Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021; photo Russ Kleinman, October 15, 2021
Hebecarpa barbeyana, macro of stem, collection Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021; photo Russ Kleinman, October 15, 2021
Hebecarpa barbeyana, macro of fruit, collection Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021; photo Russ Kleinman, October 15, 2021
Hebecarpa barbeyana, closeup of fruit and herbage, collection and photo Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021
Hebecarpa barbeyana, habit, collection and photo Radha Veach, east of Gila, July 26, 2021
Back to the Index