''Cryptantha'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of flowering plants in the borage family,

Boraginaceae Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees and herbs in 146, to 156 genera with a worldwide distribution. The APG IV system from 2016 classifies the Boraginaceae as single family of the order ...

. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''

Plagiobothrys ''Plagiobothrys'' is a genus of flowering plants known commonly as popcorn flowers. These are small herbaceous plants which bear tiny white or yellow flowers. Their fruits are nutlets. Although these plants are found predominantly in North Ameri ...

'',Hasenstab-Lehman, K. E. and M. G. Simpson. (2012)
Cat's eyes and popcorn flowers: phylogenetic systematics of the genus ''Cryptantha'' s. l. (Boraginaceae).
''Systematic Botany'' 37(3), 738-57. and members of the subtribe of ''Amsinckiinae''). They are

distributed Distribution may refer to: Mathematics *Distribution (mathematics), generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations *Probability distribution, the probability of a particular value or value range of a varia ...

throughout western North America and western South America, but they are absent from the regions in between. These are

annual Annual may refer to: * Annual publication, periodical publications appearing regularly once per year **Yearbook ** Literary annual * Annual plant * Annual report * Annual giving * Annual, Morocco, a settlement in northeastern Morocco * Annuals (b ...

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

herbs In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

usually coated in rough hairs and bearing rounded flower corollas that are almost always white, but are yellow in a few species. Several morphological characters are used to distinguish

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

from one another, but the most definitive is the form of the

nutlet A nut is a fruit consisting of a hard or tough nutshell protecting a kernel which is usually edible. In general usage and in a culinary sense, a wide variety of dry seeds are called nuts, but in a botanical context "nut" implies that the shell ...

, which varies in shape, size, color, and pattern of attachment.

Systematics

The genus has been reorganized several times. As of 2012 there are about 200 species. About 130 are limited to western North America, and about 70 species occur in western South America; three species are found on both continents. Species include: *'' Cryptantha affinis'' – slender catseye, common cryptantha, quill cryptantha *'' Cryptantha alfalfalis'' *''

Cryptantha alyssoides ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha ambigua ''Cryptantha ambigua'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name basin cryptantha. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in many types of habitat, ...

'' – basin cryptantha, obscure cryptantha, Wilke's cryptanthaWTU Herbarium
/ref> *'' Cryptantha aprica'' *''

Cryptantha argentea ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha barbigera ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' — bearded catseye Cryptantha fendleri (4048568427)

*''

Cryptantha calycina ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha calycotricha ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha capituliflora ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha carrizalensis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha chaetocalyx ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha clandestina ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha clevelandii ''Cryptantha clevelandii'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Cleveland's cryptantha. It is native to coastal California and Baja California, where it grows in the chaparral and other habitat in the coas ...

'' – Cleveland's cryptantha *''

Cryptantha clokeyi ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Clokey's cryptantha *''

Cryptantha congesta ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha crassisepala'' – deertongue, thick-sepal catseye *''

Cryptantha crinita ''Cryptantha crinita'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names Sacramento cryptantha and silky cryptantha. It is endemic to California in the United States, where it occurs in the northern Sacramento Va ...

'' – Sacramento cryptantha *'' Cryptantha cynoglossoides'' Cryptantha pterocarya 1

*''

Cryptantha decipiens ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' – gravel cryptantha, gravel-bar catseye *'' Cryptantha dichita'' *'' Cryptantha diffusa'' *'' Cryptantha dimorpha'' *'' Cryptantha dissita'' *''

Cryptantha dolichophylla ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha dumetorum'' – bush-loving catseye *'' Cryptantha echinella'' – hedgehog cryptantha, prickly cryptantha *'' Cryptantha excavata'' – deepscar cryptantha Cryptantha scoparia (7162017689)

*''

Cryptantha fendleri ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Fendler's cryptantha, sand-dune catseye *''

Cryptantha filaginea ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha filiformis'' *'' Cryptantha flaccida'' – weakstem cryptantha *''

Cryptantha foliosa ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha ganderi ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Gander's cryptantha *'' Cryptantha glareosa'' *'' Cryptantha globulifera'' *'' Cryptantha glomeriflora'' – Truckee cryptantha *''

Cryptantha glomerulifera ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha gnaphalioides'' *'' Cryptantha gracilis'' – narrowstem catseye, narrowstem pick-me-not *'' Cryptantha granulosa'' *''

Cryptantha haplostachya ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha hispidula ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Napa cryptantha *'' Cryptantha hooveri'' – Hoover's cryptantha *''

Cryptantha incana ''Cryptantha incana'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name Tulare cryptantha. It is Endemism, endemic to California in the United States, where it occurs in the forests and woodlands of ...

'' – Tulare cryptantha *''

Cryptantha intermedia ''Cryptantha intermedia'' is a species of wildflower in the borage family known by several common names, including common cryptantha, Clearwater cryptantha, and nievitas. This plant is native to the woodlands and forests of western North America ...

'' – Clearwater catseye, common cryptantha *'' Cryptantha involucrata'' Cryptantha utahensis close

*'' Cryptantha kelseyana'' – Kelsey's cryptantha *'' Cryptantha kingii'' *''

Cryptantha latefissa ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *''

Cryptantha leiocarpa ''Cryptantha leiocarpa'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name coastal cryptantha. It is native to the coastline of Oregon and California where it grows in sandy areas such as beaches. This small annual he ...

'' – coastal cryptantha *''

Cryptantha limensis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *''

Cryptantha linearis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha longifolia ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha macrocalyx'' *''

Cryptantha marioricardiana ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha mariposae ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Mariposa cryptantha *''

Cryptantha maritima ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' – Guadalupe catseye *''

Cryptantha marticorenae ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *''

Cryptantha martirensis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *''

Cryptantha mendocina ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha microstachys ''Cryptantha microstachys'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Tejon cryptantha. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in several types of habitat, including chaparral in the coa ...

'' – Tejon cryptantha *'' Cryptantha milobakeri'' – Milo Baker's cryptantha *''

Cryptantha minima ''Cryptantha minima'', common names little cryptantha, little catseye or small cryptantha, is a small, herbaceous annual of the family Boraginaceae. It is found in the semi-arid grasslands and intermontane basins of central North America from Al ...

'' – little catseye, small cryptantha *'' Cryptantha mohavensis'' – Mojave cryptantha *''

Cryptantha muricata ''Cryptantha muricata'' is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name pointed cryptantha. It is native to California and adjacent parts of Arizona, Baja California (region), Baja California, and Nevad ...

'' – pointed catseye, prickly cryptantha *''

Cryptantha nemaclada ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' : Colusa cryptantha *''

Cryptantha nevadensis ''Cryptantha nevadensis'' is a species of wildflower in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common names Nevada catseye and Nevada forget-me-not. This small plant is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico where it g ...

'' : Nevada catseye *'' Cryptantha oxygona'' – sharpnut cryptantha, sharpseed cryptantha *'' Cryptantha papillosa'' *''

Cryptantha patagonica ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *''

Cryptantha patula ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha peruviana'' *''

Cryptantha phaceloides ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha pterocarya ''Cryptantha pterocarya'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name wingnut cryptantha. It is native to the western United States where it grows in many types of habitat. It is an annual herb producing a stem ...

'' – winged pick-me-not, wingnut catseye *''

Cryptantha recurvata ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – curvenut catseye *'' Cryptantha romanii'' *'' Cryptantha rostellata'' – beaked catseye *''

Cryptantha scoparia ''Cryptantha scoparia'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees and herbs in 146, to 156 genera with a worldwide distribution. The A ...

'' – desert cryptantha, pinyon desert cryptantha *'' Cryptantha simulans'' – pine cryptantha, pinewoods cryptantha *'' Cryptantha spathulata'' *''

Cryptantha subamplexicaulis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha taltalensis'' *''

Cryptantha texana ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the Affinity (taxonomy), closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys' ...

'' *'' Cryptantha torreyana'' – Torrey's catseye *''

Cryptantha traskiae ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Trask's cryptantha *''

Cryptantha utahensis ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – scented catseye, Utah cryptantha *''

Cryptantha vidali ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *'' Cryptantha virens'' *''

Cryptantha volckmannii ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' *''

Cryptantha watsonii ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'' – Watson's cryptantha *'' Cryptantha werdermanniana'' *'' Cryptantha wigginsii''

Formerly placed here

Many ''Cryptantha'' have been transferred to other genera:Simpson, M. G. and the Plant Systematics Lab, SDSU
Cryptantha s.l. Taxonomy & Images.
Based upon Hasenstab-Lehman, K. E. and M. G. Simpson. (2012). *''

Greeneocharis circumscissa ''Greeneocharis circumscissa'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, known by the common name cushion cryptantha. It is native to western North America from Washington to Baja California to Colorado and it is also found in Argenti ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha circumscissa ''Greeneocharis circumscissa'' is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, known by the common name cushion cryptantha. It is native to western North America from Washington to Baja California to Colorado and it is also found in Argenti ...

'') *'' Johnstonella angustifolia'' (as '' Cryptantha angustifolia'') *''

Johnstonella micromeres ''Johnstonella'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is south western and southern USA to Mexico, Peru to southern South America. It is found in the American states of Arizona, California, Nevada ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha micromeres ''Cryptantha micromeres'' is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name pygmyflower cryptantha. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in woodland and chaparral. Description ...

'') *''

Oreocarya confertiflora ''Oreocarya'' (Perennial Cat's-Eye) is a genus (biology), genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Boraginaceae. There are about 63 species and its native range extends from western and central Canada, through western United Stat ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha confertiflora ''Cryptantha confertiflora'' is a species of wildflower in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common names basin yellow catseye and Mojave popcorn flower. This is a common desert plant native to the southwestern United States. It is an ...

'') *'' Oreocarya crassipes'' (as '' Cryptantha crassipes'') *''

Oreocarya flavoculata ''Oreocarya'' (Perennial Cat's-Eye) is a genus (biology), genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Boraginaceae. There are about 63 species and its native range extends from western and central Canada, through western United Stat ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha flavoculata ''Cryptantha flavoculata'' is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name roughseed cryptantha. It is native to the western United States from California to Montana, where it is common in many types of ...

'') *''

Oreocarya roosiorum ''Oreocarya'' (Perennial Cat's-Eye) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. There are about 63 species and its native range extends from western and central Canada, through western United States to north Mexico. It is part of s ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha roosiorum ''Cryptantha roosiorum'' is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name bristlecone cryptantha. It is Endemism, endemic to Inyo County, California, where it is known from only a few occurrences in the ...

'') *''

Oreocarya subcapitata ''Oreocarya'' (Perennial Cat's-Eye) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. There are about 63 species and its native range extends from western and central Canada, through western United States to north Mexico. It is part of s ...

'' (as ''

Cryptantha subcapitata ''Cryptantha'' is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. They are known commonly as cat's eyes and popcorn flowers (the latter name is also used to refer to the closely related genus ''Plagiobothrys'',Hasenstab-Lehman, ...

'') *''

Oreocarya suffruticosa ''Oreocarya'' (Perennial Cat's-Eye) is a genus (biology), genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Boraginaceae. There are about 63 species and its native range extends from western and central Canada, through western United Stat ...

'' var. ''suffruticosa'' (as '' Cryptantha cinerea'') *'' Oreocarya virginensis'' (as ''

Cryptantha virginensis ''Cryptantha virginensis'' is a species of wildflower in the Boraginaceae, borage family known by the common name Virgin River cryptantha. This is a small plant native to the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah) wher ...

'')

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q5190631 Flora of North America Flora of South America Boraginaceae genera