Microsteris gracilis

Microsteris gracilis
	photo by Ben Legler, also featured on Main Page
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;

Latin Name: Microsteris gracilis
Family: Polemoniaceae
Common Names: pink microsteris, slender phlox
Synonyms/Misapplications: Gilia gracilis, Microsteris humilis, Microsteris micrantha, Phlox gracilis
Codon: MICGRA

Taxonomy

^[1]

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

[1] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=31309#null

[:0-2] 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.

[3] 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]

[4] WTU Herbarium, Burke Museum, & University of Washington. Retrieved from https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Microsteris%20gracilis

[5] Klebenow DA, Gray GM (1968) Food habits of juvenile sage grouse. Journal of Range Management 21: 80 83

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