Cryptantha intermedia (Clearwater cryptantha)

John Cowles, no rights reserved (CC0) · iNaturalist

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Cryptantha intermedia

Clearwater cryptantha

Boraginaceae Western United States and Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

Overview

Cryptantha intermedia is a slender annual wildflower in the borage family, native to dry, open slopes, chaparral, and disturbed ground in California, the southwestern United States, and Baja California. It grows 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall on erect, branching stems that are stiffly bristly-hairy throughout. The narrow leaves are 0.5-2 inches (1.5-5 cm) long, rough to the touch, and crowded toward the stem base. Flowering occurs in spring and early summer, with small white flowers 0.1-0.25 inch (3-6 mm) across, each with five rounded lobes and a small yellow center. The flowers line one side of coiled stalks that uncurl as the buds open, a pattern typical of the family. Hard, pointed nutlets follow and cling to fur and clothing by the bristly calyx. The plant is one of several similar white-flowered annual cryptanthas that are hard to tell apart without examining the nutlets. As a foothill and desert annual it dies after seeding, depending entirely on its seed bank to return.

Native Range

Native to the western United States and northwestern Mexico, from Oregon and Idaho south through California to Baja California and east to Arizona and New Mexico, on dry slopes, chaparral, and open disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Used in native annual wildflower mixes, dry meadow seedings, and restoration of disturbed slopes. The small flowers support tiny native bees and flies in spring. It suits low-water and desert gardens where its quick spring growth fills bare ground.

How to Identify

Identify Cryptantha intermedia by its stiffly bristly stems and leaves and its small white flowers with five rounded lobes and a yellow eye. The flowers are arranged along one side of coiled stalks that straighten as they open. Telling it from related cryptanthas usually needs a close look at the small, pointed nutlets.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'4"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from March to June, earlier in low desert and later in the foothills. The small white flowers open in sequence as the coiled flower stalks uncurl. Bristly nutlets ripen behind the flowers and detach readily once dry.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white with yellow center

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on dry, fast-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils of low fertility. It is strongly drought tolerant as a spring annual and needs no irrigation. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.8 suits it, and rich or wet soils give weak, short-lived plants. Propagation is by seed sown in fall, and established stands self-sow freely on open ground. It has no significant pest or disease problems. The plant grows quickly, flowers, and dies within a single season.

Pruning

No pruning is needed on this small annual. Plants are left undisturbed to flower and drop seed, then clear away on their own as they dry. Letting the nutlets ripen in place maintains the stand from year to year.