Hutchinsia procumbens (L.) Desv. =Lepidium procumbens Mustard Family Native Prostrate Hutchinsia |
February Photo
Plant Characteristics: Slender annual, the stems branching from base, erect to procumbent, glabrous to pubescent, 5-18 cm. high; lower lvs. entire to pinnately lobed, oblanceolate, short-petioled, 1-2 cm. long; cauline lvs. scattered, linear or oblanceolate, pedicels slender, spreading, becoming 7-12 mm. long; fls. racemose, white, about 1 mm. long; stamens 6; silicles 2-4 mm. long, obtuse, elliptical or oval, entire at apex, compressed contrary to the narrow partition, the valves wingless, 1-nerved; seeds 2-many in each locule, light brown, smooth, oblong, 0.5-0.6 mm. long.
Habitat: Scattered moist alkaline places, up to 8600 ft.; many Plant Communities; San
Diego Co. north, from coast to desert edge, White Mts., Providence Mts., etc., to B.C. and east coast; Old World. Santa Barbara Ids. Blooms March-July. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 291).
Name: Named for Miss Ellen Hutchins of Bantry, Ireland, a prominent botanist, 1785-1815. Latin, procumbens, falling forward, prostrate. (Jaeger 208).
General: Rare in the study area having been found only on the north facing slope above the intersection of Back Bay Dr. and San Joaquin Hills Rd. I found several specimens in this location. (my comments). About 8 species of North America and Eurasia. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 291).
Text Ref: Abrams, Vol. II. 290; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 291; Hickman, Ed. 425.
Photo Ref: Feb. 05 # 10,11.
Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.
First Found: February 2005.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 555.
Have plant specimen.
Last edit. 8/13/05.