ssp. tenuifolia. This is an uncommon subspecies, mostly in mountain areas. Modjeska Canyon, Santiago Truck Trail, Orange Co., CA 4-25-09. © Joan Avise

Morning Glory

Calystegia macrostegia

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Subspecies of Calystegia macrostegia are determined by a combination of characters of the sepals, leaf hairs (or lack of) and leaf shape. Here is a quick guide to those that are native to Orange County:

If the flower bracts are rounded on the tip = ssp. macrostegia
If the flower bracts are pointed (acute) = ssp. arida, intermedia or tenuifolia
...If the leaves are hairy = ssp. arida
...If the leaves are hairless or nearly so = ssp. intermedia or tenuifolia
......If the leaf blade is triangular in outline and the central finger is more than 7 mm = ssp. intermedia
......If the leaf blade is linear or a very narrow triangul in outline and the central finger is less than 7 mm = ssp. tenuifolia

Subspecies tenuifolia

ssp. tenuifolia, Modjeska Canyon, Santiago Truck Trail, Orange Co., CA 4-25-09. © Joan Avise

ssp. tenuifolia, Modjeska Canyon, Santiago Truck Trail, Orange Co., CA 4-25-09. © Joan Avise

ssp. tenuifolia. This subspecies is similar to ssp. intermedia with acute (pointed) bracts and leaves that are either smooth or with a few very small, soft hairs (puberulent). It is distinguished from ssp. intermedia by its very thin, linear leaf blade, which is less than 7 mm wide. Horseshoe Bend, Santa Ana River S, 8-31-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. tenuifolia, Horseshoe Bend, Santa Ana River S, 8-31-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. tenuifolia, Horseshoe Bend, Santa Ana River S, 8-31-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. tenuifolia, Hot Springs Cyn. and side Cyn, j N San Juan trailhead, 4-21-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. tenuifolia, Horseshoe Bend, Santa Ana River S, 8-31-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.
 
Subspecies arida

This subspecies has acute (pointed) bracts, but differs from the others in its hairy foliage. It is occasional in our area, often near washes and streams. Dick Loskorn to W Ridge to Star Rise to Bell Cyn., Casper's Park, 5-24-12. © Ron Vanderhoff

Horsethief Trail & Trabuco Cyn., 4-23-15. © Ron Vanderhoff

Horsethief Trail & Trabuco Cyn., 4-23-15. © Ron Vanderhoff

Horsethief Trail & Trabuco Cyn., 4-23-15. © Ron Vanderhoff

Horsethief Trail & Trabuco Cyn., 4-23-15. © Ron Vanderhoff
 
Subspecies cyclostegia

ssp. cyclostegia. The easiest subspecies to determine, because its floral bracts are obture (not pointed). This subspecies is relatively common in our area, especially in coastal and low foothill areas. SW Ridge, Aliso Cyn., 8-18-11. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. cyclostegia, UCI Ecol Preserve, 5-25-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. cyclostegia, El Moro Cyn., 2-14-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
 
Subspecies intermedia

ssp. intermedia. This is our most common subspecies. It has acute (pointed) bracts, but the leaves are either smooth or with a few very small, soft hairs (puberulent). It is distinguished from ssp. tenuifolia by the variable leaf blade below the lobes, which is triangular, at least 7 mm wide and not linear. San Clemente SP, 2-21-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. intermedia, Casper's Park, E Ridge to Oso to C Spgs tp SJ, 2-12-12. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. intermedia, San Onofre State Beach, Trail 1 and 2, 2-5-15. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. intermedia, Hobo Cyn., S ridge nr Mouth, 1-2-12. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. intermedia, Stagecoach So. Trail, nr. Nix Ctr., Lag Cst Wldns., 4-7-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. intermedia, San Juan Creek, Ave. Aeropuerto to mouth, 6-30-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Subspecies macrostegia

ssp. macrostegia. This subspecies is native only to The Channel Islands, but is seen occasionally here in cultivation. It has wide floral bracts that are cupped at the base and with a strong midrib (called a keel). San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, 4-3-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. macrostegia, San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, 4-3-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

ssp. macrostegia, San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, 4-3-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.