Crossosoma 35(1), Spring-Summer 2009 1 CRYPTANTHA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Michael G. Simpson and Kristen E. Hasenstab Department of Biology San Diego State University San Diego, California 92182 USA
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[email protected] (Current address for K. Hasenstab: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, 1500 N. College Ave., California 91711) ABSTRACT: The genus Cryptantha (Boraginaceae) contains 202 species, with 49 species and 56 taxa (including varieties) occurring in Southern California, defined here as including the entire Southwestern California region and Tehachapi Mountain region of the California Floristic province, the entire Desert province, and most of the White and Inyo Mountain subregion of the Great Basin province. The purposes of this article are 1) to summarize the current taxonomy of Cryptantha species and infraspecies in Southern California; 2) to provide taxonomic keys and images illustrating the diagnostic features for identification; and 3) to review the distribution, environmental factors, and current conservation status of these taxa. KEYWORDS: Cryptantha, Boraginaceae, taxonomy, identification. INTRODUCTION Taxonomic History and Nomenclature Cryptantha Lehmann ex G. Don, commonly known as “popcorn flower” or “cat’s eye,” is a genus within the family Boraginaceae. The circumscription of this family has changed repeatedly over the last twenty years [Engler and Prantl 1897, Heywood et al. 2007, Gottschling et al. 2001, Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG II) 2003], with various authors recognizing either a broad or narrow family concept. Here we accept the APG II (2003) system of classification, which recognizes a broad Boraginaceae. As treated in this manner, the family may be divided into subfamilies Boraginoideae, Cordioideae, Eretioideae, Heliotropoideae, Hydrophylloideae, and (possibly) Lennoideae (see Stevens 2001 onwards).