Hesperochiron
| Hesperochiron | |
|---|---|
| Hesperochiron nanus, syn. Hesperochiron californicus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Hydrophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Hesperochiron S.Wats. |
| Species | |
Hesperochiron is a small genus of plants in the waterleaf family containing two species native to western North America. These are thick-rooted perennial herbs growing in squat patches at ground level and producing bluish-white flowers with yellow throats. They grow in wet areas such as seepy meadows.
The species are generally similar in appearance, with oblong green leaves up to 7 or 8 centimeters long and 2 to 3 wide, often coated with tiny hairs. Hesperochiron nanus, the California hesperochiron, produces slightly larger flowers than the dwarf hesperochiron, Hesperochiron pumilus.
The H. pumilus flower resembles wild strawberry, but has only five stamens and distinct elliptical leaves. They bloom briefly in early spring in the sagebrush steppe.[1]
Species
As of December 2025, the number of accepted species varied. Plants of the World Online (PoWO) accepted only two:[2]
- Hesperochiron nanus (Lindl.) Greene
- Hesperochiron pumilus (Griseb.) Porter
World Flora Online accepted two species treated as synonyms by PoWO:[3]
- Hesperochiron californicus (Benth.) S.Watson (syn. of H. nanus)
- Hesperochiron campanulatus (Greene) Brand (syn. of H. pumilus)
References
- ^ Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 172. ISBN 0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
- ^ "Hesperochiron S.Watson", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2025-12-23
- ^ "Hesperochiron S.Watson". World Flora Online. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
External links