bracteoles (B) & pedicels (P) of H. drummondii (left) & H. reverchonii var. serpyllifolia (right)
12 May 2013, Hays. Co.

by Bob Harms 

R. Irving's 1980 (Sida 8:257-9) article limits his description of bracteoles for the H. drummondii complex taxa to:

H. d.

subulate ca 1/2 as long as pedicels

H. r. r.

short

H. r. s.

short

Bracteoles, as reduced leaves, share the general antrorse trichome orientation with leaves. Bracteole trichomes, however, are typically less curved, and similar to those of the calyx teeth (also reduced leaves in origin), projecting upward at the same angle at the base, but much smaller. Great variation in length was noted, as also with form, with H. drummondii bracteoles somewhat more likely to be subulate. [Hairs are distributed over the entire bracteole — only those against a darker background being clearly visible.]

Calyx teeth. H. d. — H. r. r. ‐ H. r. s. (left to right) [click to enlarge]

H. drummondii

H. reverchonii var. serpyllifolia

H. reverchonii var. reverchonii

.