Castilleja minor var. exilis
Phytologia 90: 72. 2008.
Herbs 2–8(–11) dm. Stems: hairs (sparse to) dense, moderately long, stiff to ± soft, eglandular or sparsely stipitate-glandular. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, coarse, margins plane. Bracts distally red to pale orange, sometimes yellow, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, apex narrowly acute to acuminate. Calyces 14–20(–25) mm; abaxial and adaxial clefts 6–12(–15) mm, 33–67% of calyx length, lateral 1–3 mm, 20% of calyx length; lobes linear or narrowly triangular, apex acute or acuminate. Corollas 13–25(–30) mm; beak included to more often partially exserted from calyces, adaxially green, yellowish, pale orange, or pale reddish, rarely whitish, 5–7(–10) mm; abaxial lip whitish, pale green, or pale yellowish.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Oct(–Nov).
Habitat: Alkaline marshes, hot springs, seeps, stream banks, shores, dune swales.
Elevation: 400–2500 m.
Distribution
B.C., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.
Discussion
Variety exilis is the most widespread variety of Castilleja minor, and it essentially replaces var. minor from the northern portions of New Mexico and Arizona northward, throughout much of the Intermountain West. Compared to var. minor, the plants of var. exilis tend to be wider and more robust, with broader, coarser, often lanceolate and acuminate-tipped leaves, greenish abaxial corolla lips, and coarser, spreading stem pubescence.
Selected References
None.