Texas Wildbuds
Boerhavia linearifolia
(Narrow-leaf Spiderling)
Boerhavia linearifolia, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7567
Boerhavia linearifolia, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7561
Boerhavia linearifolia, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7585
Boerhavia linearifolia, South Llano River State Park, Kimble Co. 7578
| Scientific Name | Boerhavia linearifolia | USDA PLANTS Symbol | BOLI2 |
| Common Name | Narrow-leaf Spiderling | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19674 |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry, rocky, usually calcareous (limestone) soils in open grasslands or shrublands. Plant: Low-growing perennial shrub 12 to 36 inches tall with slender, erect or ascending stems branching from the base with surfaces covered with short hairs. Leaves: Mostly in lower 2/3 of the plant, opposite, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 5/8 to 1-3/8 inches long; larger leaves with short petioles (less than 5 mm long), smaller leaves are sessile; upper surfaces are smooth, or with a few stiff hairs, or sometimes with glandular pubescent hairs and dotted; margins are entire and revolute. Inflorescence: Single (or a few) small pink to magenta or purple flowers on long, forked, diverging branches on very short pedicels, funnel-shaped blossom with 5 lobes and about 1/2-inch across, 5 protruding stamens with cream-colored anthers. Bloom Period: April to November. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, and Flora of North America and "Flowering Plants of Trans-Pecos Texas and Adjacent Areas" by Powell, Worthington and Powell. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025