Ellisia nyctelea

"Ellisia" redirects here. For the genus of hydroids, see Sertularella.
Ellisia nyctelea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Incertae sedis
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Hydrophylloideae
Genus: Ellisia
Species: E. nyctelea
Binomial name
Ellisia nyctelea
(L.) L.[1]
Synonyms

Ipomoea nyctelea L.[1]
Nyctelea nyctelea (L.) Britton[2]

Ellisia nyctelea, the sole species in the genus Ellisia, is a flowering plant in the waterleaf subfamily (Hydrophylloideae) of the forget-me-not family (Boraginaceae). It is native to North America, where it is also known as Aunt Lucy, false babyblueeyes, and waterpod.[2]

Description

Ellisia nyctelea is an annual plant that grows to four to sixteen inches (10 to 41 cm) tall. Lower leaves are arranged oppositely on a somewhat succulent stem, while upper leaves are alternate. The hairy leaves are typically four inches (100 mm) long by one inch (25 mm) wide and are deeply lobed or divided, with seven to 13 lobes or leaflets on each leaf.[3]

The small one-quarter-inch-diameter (6.4 mm) flowers are found on short slender stalks arising from the leaf axils. Each flower has five white or light blue petals that are united at the base to form a tube; these may be streaked or dotted with purple coloration. The calyx is hairy, green, and has five large teeth.[3]

Range and habitat

Ellisia nyctelea is widespread in North America, although it is largely absent from northern Canada, northern New England, the southeastern United States and the west coast of the United States.[4] It is found both in disturbed, open habitats with bare soil, as well as in deciduous forests.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "451585". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Ellisia nyctelea". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  3. 1 2 3 Hilty, John. "Aunt Lucy (Ellisia nyctelea)". Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  4. ↑ Ellisia nyctelea, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Profile, August 1, 2015


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