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FNA | Family List | FNA Vol. 5 | Polygonaceae | Eriogonum

107. Eriogonum umbellatum Torrey, Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York. 2: 241. 1827.

Sulphur flower

Herbs, subshrubs, or shrubs, cespitose, matted or spreading, sometimes erect, often polygamo-dioecious, (0.2-)1-12(-20) × (0.5-)1-12(-20) dm, glabrous or tomentose. Stems: caudex spread-ing; aerial flowering stems spread-ing to erect or nearly so, slender, solid, not fistulose, arising at nodes of caudex branches and at distal nodes of short, nonflowering aerial branches, (0.1-)0.5-3(-4) dm, without a whorl of bracts at midlength. Leaves in loose to compact basal rosettes; petiole 0.1-3(-4) cm, mostly tomentose to floccose or glabrous; blade oblong-ovate or oblanceolate to elliptic to oval, 0.3-3(-4) × 0.1-2.5 cm, densely lanate to tomentose or floccose abaxially, tomentose to floccose or glabrous adaxially, occasionally glabrous on both surfaces, margins entire, plane or rarely wavy. Inflorescences umbellate or compound-umbellate, rarely subcapitate or capitate, 3-25 × 2-18 cm; branches tomentose to floccose or glabrous, rarely with whorl of bracts ca. midlength; bracts 3-several, semileaflike at proximal node, 0.3-2.5 × 0.2-1.8 cm, usually scalelike distally, 1-5 × 0.5-3 mm. Involucres 1 per node, turbinate to campanulate, 1-6 × (1-)1.5-10 mm, tomentose to thinly floccose or glabrous; teeth 6-12, lobelike, reflexed, 1-4(-6) mm. Flowers 2-10(-12) mm, including (0.7-)1.3-2 mm stipelike base; perianth various shades of white, yellow, or red, glabrous; tepals monomorphic, usually spatulate to obovate; stamens exserted, 2-8 mm; filaments pilose proximally. Achenes light brown to brown, 2-7 mm, glabrous except for sparsely pubescent beak.

Varieties 41 (41 in the flora): w North America.

Eriogonum umbellatum is a widespread and exceedingly variable species rivaling Astragalus lentiginosus Douglas ex Hooker in complexity. Only the variety majus is sometimes recognized at the species rank (as E. subalpinum).

In the following key and descriptions, reference is made to “glabrous” leaf surfaces. This is a function of both age and power of observation. High-power magnification may show some exceedingly fine hairs that are not readily observable to the naked eye. Furthermore, new leaves that ultimately will be “glabrous” will have some fine-tomentose pubescence that becomes less obvious (or even wholly inconspicuous) as the blade expands and matures. Here, the term “glabrous” is used to refer to leaves that are not obviously hairy and are typically bright green on both surfaces when the plant is at full anthesis.

There are several reported uses of sulphur flower in the enthobotany literature, mostly without an indication of the variety. J. B. Romero (1954) indicated that in California, where most of the variants are found, an infusion of the flowers is used for ptomaine poisoning, and M. L. Zigmond (1981) stated that the Kawaiisu used mashed flowers as a salve for gonorrheal sores. E. V. A. Murphey (1959), who worked with P. Train et al. (1941), reported that in Nevada members of the species (most likely var. nevadense) were used in the treatment of colds and stomachaches; J. H. Steward (1933) reported the same uses among the Owens Valley Piute in California. Train and his group noted that poultices of leaves and sometimes roots were used for lameness or rheumatism. In Oregon, leaves of var. ellipticum were used in a poultice to soothe pain, especially that resulting from burns (F. V. Coville 1897; L. Spier 1930). Most of the reports associated with the Navajo or Diné people probably relate to the use of var. subaridum. L. C. Wyman and S. K. Harris (1951) found the species used as a disinfectant or an emetic. The Cheyenne people employed a mixture of powdered stems and flowers to halt lengthy menses (G. B. Grinnell 1923; J. A. Hart 1981). According to A. Johnston (1987), the Blackfoot made a tea from boiled leaves.

The cythera metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo cythera) is found in association with a few varieties of sulphur flower (G. F. Pratt and G. R. Ballmer 1991). More commonly seen with the species are the Rocky Mountain dotted-blue (Euphilotes ancilla) and lupine blue (Plebeius lupini).

1 Inflorescences compound-umbellate, or with at least some branches seemingly with whorl of bracts about midlength   (2)
+ Inflorescences umbellate, not compound-umbellate or with any branches seemingly with whorl of bracts about midlength   (22)
       
2 (1) Inflorescence branches with a whorl of bracts at midlength (see also E. umbellatum var. polyanthum)   (3)
+ Inflorescence branches without a whorl of bracts at midlength, bracts restricted to base of inflorescence or involucres   (4)
       
3 (3) Perianths bright yellow; flowers 7-10 mm; Sierra Nevada, c California   107nn var. torreyanum
+ Perianths cream or whitish; flowers 4-7 mm; Warner Mountains, se Oregon and ne California   107oo var. glaberrimum
       
4 (4) Flowers 7-10(-12) mm; shrubs 5-15(-20) × 5-20 dm; inflorescences branched 2-4 times; Humboldt and Trinity counties, California   107kk var. speciosum
+ Flowers 3-8 mm; matted herbs or subshrubs, or, if shrubby, inflorescences branched 4 or more times, or not of Humboldt and Trinity counties, California   (5)
       
5 (4) Perianths cream, whitish, or pale yellow to greenish yellow, becoming reddish brown to rose or pink   (6)
+ Perianths bright yellow, not becoming reddish brown to rose or pink   (7)
       
6 (6) Perianths yellow, becoming reddish brown to rose or pink, with large reddish spot on each midrib; plants spreading to somewhat prostrate mats; se California, s Nevada   107gg var. versicolor (in part)
+ Perianths cream, whitish, or pale yellow to greenish yellow, without large reddish spot on midrib; plants subshrubs or shrubs; nc Arizona, se California, s Nevada, s Utah   107hh var. juniporinum
       
7 (5) Leaf blades thinly floccose, glabrous, or densely lanate to tomentose on both surfaces at anthesis (see also E. umbellatum var. munzii, s California)   (8)
+ Leaf blades thinly to densely tomentose or lanate abaxially, less so to floccose, nearly glabrous, or glabrous adaxially (rarely both surfaces tomentose in E. umbellatum var. munzii, s California)   (13)
       
8 (8) Leaf blades densely lanate on both surfaces; wc California   107bb var. bahiiforme
+ Leaf blades lanate to tomentose abaxially, tomentose to densely floccose adaxially, sometimes thinly floccose or glabrous on both surfaces; nw or ec California, Intermountain West, or Pacific Northwest.   (9)
       
9 (8) Leaf blades lanate to tomentose abaxially, thinly tomentose to floccose and greenish adaxially; nw California   (10)
+ Leaf blades usually thinly floccose or glabrous on both surfaces; not of nw California   (11)
       
10 (10) Leaf blades 0.3-0.7 cm wide; involucral lobes 1-3 mm; plants of serpentine soils; Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Tehama, and Trinity counties, California   107cc var. smallianum (in part)
+ Leaf blades (0.5-)0.8-1.8(-2) cm wide; involucral lobes (3-)4-6 mm; plants of nonserpentine soils; Siskiyou County,California   107ii var. lautum (in part)
       
11 (11) Leaf blades thinly floccose on both surfaces, or glabrous and green adaxially (rarely glabrous on both surfaces in s Utah, or tomentose abaxially in se Utah); e and s California to sw Colorado and ne Arizona   107dd var. subaridum
+ Leaf blades glabrous on both surfaces; e Idaho, ne Oregon, se Washington, and ec California   (12)
       
12 (11) Herbs; leaf blades broadly elliptic, 1-1.5 cm wide; e Idaho, ne Oregon, and se Washington   107x var. devestivum
+ Subshrubs or shrubs; leaf blades oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 0.3-1 cm wide; s Mono, Inyo, and ne Tulare counties, California   107ee var. chlorothamnus
       
13 (7) Plants densely branched, shrubs; w foothills, Sierra Nevada, n California   (14)
+ Plants usually matted herbs or more openly and sparsely branched subshrubs or shrubs; mountains, Sierra Nevada, c and n California, wc Nevada, or Siskiyou and Trinity mountains, nw California (but not on the western foothills), sw Oregon, n Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, or Washington   (15)
       
14 (14) Leaf blades white-tomentose abaxially; inflorescences branched 1-2(-3) times, branches thinly floccose or glabrous, central branch sometimes seemingly with a whorl of bracts ca. midlength; Butte, Plumas, and Sierra counties   107jj var. polyanthum
+ Leaf blades rusty-lanate to tomentose abaxially; inflorescences branched 3-4 time, branches tomentose to floccose, central branch without a whorl of bracts ca. midlength; Butte County   107ll var. ahartii
       
15 (13) Flowering stems mostly sparsely floccose or glabrous.   (16)
+ Flowering stems usually tomentose or floccose, rarely nearly glabrous at maturity   (18)
       
16 (15) Leaf blades usually narrowly elliptic, 0.3-1(-1.3) cm wide; plants subshrubs or spreading mats; California, Nevada, Oregon    
+ Leaf blades oblong-ovate to elliptic or oval, 1-1.5(-2) cm wide; plants compact mats; n Arizona   107mm var. cognatum
       
17 (16) Leaf margins plane; flowering stems without a single leaflike bract ca. midlength; Sierra Nevada, e California, wc Nevada   107y var. furcosum
+ Leaf margins often finely wavy; flowering stems often with a single leaflike bract ca. midlength; Siskiyou and Trinity mountains, nw California, sw Oregon   107z Eriogonum umbellatum var. argus
       
18 (15) Leaf blades usually broadly elliptic to oval   (19)
+ Leaf blades elliptic   (20)
       
19 (18) Leaf blades gray abaxially; c Colorado   107v var. ramulosum
+ Leaf blades white abaxially; n California   107ii var. lautum (in part)
       
20 (18) Leaf blades 1-1.5 cm wide, usually glabrous adaxially; Idaho, w Montana, Oregon, and e Washington   107w var. ellipticum
+ Leaf blades 0.3-1 cm wide, usually floccose adaxially; California   (21)
       
21 (21) Leaf blades 0.3-0.7 cm wide; nw California   107cc var. smallianum (in part)
+ Leaf blades 0.5-1 cm wide; s California   107ff var. munzii
       
22 (1) Perianths usually whitish or cream to red, occasionally yellow   (23)
+ Perianths bright yellow (pale yellow in some individuals of var. vernum in Nevada)   (27)
       
23 (22) Leaf blades densely lanate on both surfaces; perianths lemon yellow to yellowish red; San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, e Los Angeles and w San Bernardino counties, California   107t var. minus
+ Leaf blades tomentose to floccose or glabrous adaxially, sometimes glabrous on both surfaces at full anthesis; perianths not lemon yellow or yellowish red; not of e Los Angeles or w San Bernardino counties, California   (24)
       
24 (23) Leaf blades glabrous on both surfaces; s Idaho and sw Montana to w Wyoming, ne Nevada, and n Utah   107r var. desereticum
+ Leaf blades densely floccose to to-mentose or lanate at least abaxially at full anthesis; widespread.   (25)
       
25 (24) Leaf blades densely lanate abaxially, glabrous and olive green to bright green adaxially; plants compact mats; perianths cream; Rocky Mountains to Cascade Range   107u var. majus
+ Leaf blades densely floccose to tomentose abaxially, less so or glabrous and green adaxially; plants spreading mats, rarely compact; perianths pale yellow to cream or whitish, rarely greenish white or yellow, becoming reddish brown to rose or pink, with large reddish spots on each midrib; Rocky Mountains to Sierra Nevada.   107q Eriogonum umbellatumvar. dichrocephalum
       
26 Perianths pale yellow to cream or whitish, rarely greenish white; leaf blades usually greenish adaxially; se Oregon and e California to w Montana, s Idaho, w Wyoming, c Nevada, and n Utah   107q var. dichrocephalum
+ Perianths yellow, becoming reddish brown to rose or pink, with large reddish spot on each midrib; leaf blades usually reddish adaxially; se California, s Nevada   107gg var. versicolor
       
27 (22) Umbels with branches usually longer than 2.5 cm.   (28)
+ Umbels with branches usually shorter than 2.5 cm (immature specimens should be keyed through the opposing couplet as well)   (36)
       
28 (27) Leaf blades glabrous on both surfaces at full anthesis, occasionally with some individual blades thinly floccose abaxially   107d var. aureum (in part)
+ Leaf blades at least thinly tomentose or lanate abaxially   (29)
       
29 (28) Leaf blades thinly tomentose to thinly floccose on both surfaces, or glabrous adaxially   (30)
+ Leaf blades densely white-lanate or tomentose abaxially, less so to floccose or glabrous adaxially   (33)
       
30 (29) Plants matted herbs   (31)
+ Plants subshrubs or shrubs   (32)
       
31 (30) Leaf blades broadly elliptic to ovate, (0.8-)2-3(-3.5) × (0.7-)1-2(-2.5) cm; s Idaho, ne Nevada, wc Wyoming   107c Eriogonum umbellatum var. stragulum
+ Leaf blades narrowly elliptic, 0.7-2.5 × 0.3-1 cm; nw Arizona   107s var. mohavense
       
32 (30) Flowers 4-7 mm; Cali-fornia, n Nevada, se Oregon   107n var. nevadense (in part)
+ Flowers (5-)6-10 mm; n Nye County, Nevada   107o var. vernum
       
33 (29) Subshrubs 3-5 dm; non-serpentine soils; n California and sc Oregon   107k var. dumosum
+ Herbs (0.7-)1-4.5(-5) dm; Rocky Mountains or, if in California and Oregon, often on serpentine soils   (34)
       
34 (33) Plants usually compact mats; nonserpentine soils; Rocky Mountains, sw Montana and e Idaho to Colorado, s and w Wyo-ming, and n Utah   107a var. umbellatum (in part)
+ Plants spreading to prostrate mats; often on serpentine soils; n California and sw Oregon.   (35)
       
35 (34) Flowering stems 1-2.5(-4) dm; leaf blades 0.5-2(-3.5) cm; flowers 6-8(-9) mm; 400-1700(-2100) m   107l var. goodmanii
+ Flowering stems 0.5-1.5 dm; leaf blades 0.5-1(-1.5) cm; flowers 3-6 mm; 1700-2800 m   107m var. humistratum
       
36 (27) Plants prostrate, mostly in montane to subalpine or alpine communities.   (37)
+ Plants erect to slightly spreading, not prostrate, usually not in subalpine or alpine communities   (39)
       
37 (36) Leaf blades glabrous on both surfaces at full anthesis   107e var. porteri
+ Leaf blades tomentose at least abaxially at full anthesis   (38)
       
38 (37) Leaf blades narrowly elliptic, 0.3-0.6(-1) × 0.2-0.4(-0.6) cm, tomentose abaxially, slightly less so and greenish adaxially; s Sierra Nevada and White Mountains, Mono, Inyo, and Tulare counties, California   107p var. covillei
+ Leaf blades broadly elliptic, 0.5-1.5(-2.5) × 0.5-1.2(-1.5) cm, tomentose or glabrous and olive green adaxially; n Cascade Range, Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, and Wasco counties, Oregon, and Kittitas and Yakima counties, Washington   107h var. haussknechtii
       
39 (36) Leaf blades glabrous on both surfaces, sometimes with marginal hairs at full anthesis   (40)
+ Leaf blades lanate to tomentose or floccose at least abaxially at full anthesis.   (41)
       
40 (39) Leaf blades without marginal hairs; se Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to w Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah   107d var. aureum (in part)
+ Leaf blades with marginal hairs; Cascade Range, Washington   107f var. hypoleium
       
41 (39) Leaf blades thinly tomentose abaxially, less so to floccose or glabrous and green adaxially; Sierra Nevada and Great Basin ranges   107n var. nevadense (in part)
+ Leaf blades densely lanate to tomentose abaxially; widespread, generally not in Great Basin ranges.   (42)
       
42 (41) Mature leaf blades lanate to tomentose on both surfaces; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming   107b var. cladophorum
+ Mature leaf blades densely lanate or tomentose abaxially, less so to floccose or glabrous and greenish adaxially; w United States   (43)
       
43 (42) Larger leaf blades usually 0.3-1.5(-2) cm, usually elliptic to oblong; plants subshrubs or herbs   (44)
+ Larger leaf blades 1-3(-3.5) cm, elliptic to ovate; plants subshrubs, or compact or spreading mats   (45)
       
44 (43) Leaf blades usually elliptic; non-serpentine soils; ne California, se Oregon, sw Idaho, n Nevada   107j var. modocense
+ Leaf blades elliptic to oblong; serpentine outcrops; nw California   107aa. Eriogonum umbellatum var. nelsoniorum   (43)
       
45 (43) Plants subshrubs; n Cascade Range, Washington   107g var. sandbergii
+ Plants compact or spreading mats; Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Transverse, and Argus ranges, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming   (46)
       
46 (45) Leaf blades elliptic to ovate, densely white-lanate abax-ially; Rocky Mountains, sw Montana and e Idaho to s Colorado, w and s Wyoming, and s Utah   107a var. umbellatum (in part)
+ Leaf blades elliptic, densely grayish-lanate abaxially; s Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, and Argus Range, California   107i var. canifolium


 

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