Status: Native
Synonyms:
Polygala obscura Bentham
Polygala puberula Gray
Hebecarpa obscura 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 obscura 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 obscura grows at middle elevation in sandy soil. The fruit is a notched capsule.
Hebecarpa obscura differs from H. rectipilis in that H. obscura has curved hairs along the stems and leaves. H. rectipilis has straight, spreading hairs along the stems and leaves.
Thanks to Patrick Alexander for helping sort out the genus Hebecarpa for me!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Hebecarpa obscura, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
Hebecarpa obscura, curved stem and leaf pubescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
Hebecarpa obscura, curved stem pubescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
Hebecarpa obscura, curved stem and leaf pubescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
Hebecarpa obscura, capsule, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
Hebecarpa obscura, stem and leaves, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Silver City, Truck Bypass Road south side of Boston Hill, July 20, 2022
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