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Bractless Hedge-hyssop - Gratiola ebracteata
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare and peripheral in Montana. Currently known from approximately a half-dozen wetlands along the Rocky Mountain Front and from a couple historical collections. Available data for the species are limited. However, threats to existing populations appear to be minimal. As an annual, population levels likely fluctuate widely from year to year.
General Description
Bractless Hedge-hyssop is a glabrous annual with an erect, simple or branched stem that is 5-15 cm high. The opposite, long-pointed, lance-shaped leaves are 1-4 cm long, have entire margins, and lack petioles. Long-stalked flowers arise from the leaf axils. The 5 long-pointed, lance-shaped sepals are often over 1 cm long. The white to yellow corolla is 5-7 mm long, has a short upper lip, and a 3-lobed lower lip. The seed capsule is globose and 4-5 mm high.
Phenology
Flowering late June-August.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The calyx of Gratiola neglecta is subtended by 2 bracts and thus appears to have 7 lobes rather than 5; these lobes are rarely greater than 7 mm long.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
BC, MT south to CA (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 11
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Drying mud around ponds in the foothills and on the plains.
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Lesica, P. 1991. The Rare Vascular Plants of Pine Butte Swamp Preserve. Unpublished Report to the Nature Conservancy. 15 Pp.
Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
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