Conopholis alpina
Förh. Skand. Naturf. Mötet 4: 184. 1847.
Stems 11–33 cm. Leaves triangular to narrowly lanceolate, 12–22 × 3–9 mm, mostly glandular-pubescent. Bracts mostly not concealing calyces, narrowly lanceolate, 12–22 × 2–7 mm, margins entire, glandular-ciliate, glandular-pubescent, veins not evident. Pedicels 0–3(–4) mm; bracteoles 0–2. Flowers: calyx 6–9 mm, lobe apex obtuse; corolla 14–20 mm; anthers sparsely pilose or glabrous. Capsules 8–15 × 6–12 mm; styles mostly deciduous.
Phenology: Flowering Feb–Jul.
Habitat: Oak woodlands, mixed montane forests.
Elevation: 1500–2800 m.
Distribution
Ariz., N.Mex., Tex., Mexico.
Discussion
R. R. Haynes (1971) recognized two varieties within Conopholis alpina based on purported differences in foliar texture, relative bract length, and glandularity, as well as semi-distinct ranges. However, the molecular and morphological analyses by A. G. Rodrigues et al. (2013) resulted in a reevaluation of taxon circumscriptions and redeterminations of selected specimens. The present treatment follows that of Rodrigues et al. in not recognizing infraspecific taxa within C. alpina.
B. R. McKinney and J. D. Villalobos (2014) documented the seeds of Conopholis alpina in the diet of Mexican black bears. The foraging behavior of bears in the western United States has given rise to one of the vernacular names, bear corn.
Selected References
None.