Nuttallanthus texanus (Scheele) D.A. Sutton - Texas Toadflax
Family - Scrophulariaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Flowering - March - June.
Habitat - Disturbed sites, fallow fields, roadsides.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This species can be found in scattered counties throughout Alabama. The plant is probably more common than is reported. N. texanus can be identified by its thin green stems and distinctive blue flowers. The flowers have a long basal spur that is much longer than the calyx and typically equal to or longer than the pedicel of the flower. Another species, N. canadensis (L.) D.A. Sutton, is more common in Alabama. This latter species has smaller flowers which have smaller spurs.
The species epithet texanus means "from Texas (U.S.)."
The genus name Nuttallanthus is given in honor of Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859). Nuttall was an English botanist and zoologist that work in North America for more than 35 years. His accomplishments are too many to list on this page but it is no understatement to say that Nuttall is one of the most important North American naturalists to date. He published "The Genera of North American Plants" in 1818 and the "Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada" in 1832. Numerous plants and animals have been named in his honor.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Tuskeegee National Forest, AL., 3-26-05.