Microsteris gracilis
- Scientific Name: Microsteris gracilis
- Family: Polemoniaceae
- Common Names: pink microsteris, slender phlox
- Synonyms/Misapplications: Gilia gracilis, Microsteris humilis, Microsteris micrantha, Phlox gracilis
- Codon: MICGRA
Contents
Taxonomy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Subkingdom: | Viridiplantae |
| Phylum: | Tracheophyta |
| Subphylum: | Spermatophytina |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass: | Asteranae |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Polemoniaceae |
| Genus: | Microsteris Greene |
| Species: | Microsteris gracilis (Hook.) Greene |
Description
Highly variable, tap-rooted annual. Glandular, at least on upper part of plant. From simple to branched.
Leaves linear to lanceolate, or the lower obovate. Lower leaves opposite, upper leaves alternate.
Flowers usually terminal and paired, usually one subsessile, the other evidently with a pedicel.
Corolla tube whitish to yellowish, lobes 1-3 mm., pink to lavender, more or less notched.
Fruit is a dehiscent capsule, with one seed per locule. Seeds become mucilaginous when moistened.[2][3]
Bloom Period
March-June[4]
Distribution
Widespread in north America, and on both sides of Cascades, and in temperate south America[2]
Habitat
Lowlands and mountain foothills in open places, dry to moderately moist.[2]
Uses
A good browsing forb for Sage-Grouse chicks.[5]
Seed
Seed Sample from: 2011
Average Measurement: 2.7 x 1.5 x 0.9
Measurement Range: L: 2.3 – 3, W: 1.2 – 1.75, D: 0.6 – 1
Features
Shape: Seeds tapered at hilum and opposite apex. One seed face is mostly flat, while opposite seed face is more rounded.
Color: Seed is tan
Surface: Hilum visible through slightly transparent seed coat as small protrusion. One face of seed has longitudinal sulcus running from hilum to opposite apex. Some seeds covered in flakey coating. Seeds slightly wrinkled, bumpy, and matte. When wet, seed coat forms stringy, mucilaginous substance.
Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical 
Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical 
Photo Gallery
Photo by Ben Legler
Corolla, photo by Ben Legler
Young basal growth, courtesy of CNLM
References
- ↑ Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=31309#null
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hitchcock, C. L., Cronquist, A., Giblin, D., & Legler, B. et al. (2018). Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
- ↑ Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2020. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed:2020-05-09]
- ↑ WTU Herbarium, Burke Museum, & University of Washington. Retrieved from https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Microsteris%20gracilis
- ↑ Klebenow DA, Gray GM (1968) Food habits of juvenile sage grouse. Journal of Range Management 21: 80 83
