Status: Native
Synonyms:
Polygala rectipilis S.F. Blake
Hebecarpa rectipilis 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 rectipilis 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 stem pubescence. The stem and leaf hairs of H. rectipilis are straight and spreading. The stem and leaf hairs of H. obscura are curved and appressed. Both species can have straight and spreading hairs on the edge of the capsule. H. obscura tends to have denser pubescence on the sides of the capsule, but H. rectipilis can also have some pubescence on the capsule faces.
Thanks to Patrick Alexander for helping sort out Hebecarpa for me!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Hebecarpa rectipilis, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, Aug. 4, 2008
Hebecarpa rectipilis, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 19, 2022
Hebecarpa rectipilis, stem and leaves with straight spreading pubescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 19, 2022
Hebecarpa rectipilis, capsule, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 19, 2022
Hebecarpa rectipilis, detail of capsule, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 19, 2022
Hebecarpa rectipilis, sepals and buds, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 19, 2022
Hebecarpa rectipilis, 1x field macro of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, July 23, 2009
Hebecarpa rectipilis, 1x field macro of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, July 23, 2009
Hebecarpa rectipilis, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mimbres Range, Acklin Hill, Aug. 8, 2009
Hebecarpa rectipilis, field macro of flower, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mimbres Range, Acklin Hill, Aug. 8, 2009
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