Flower ID: IMG_6163.JPG-06-06-2023 Flower name (scientific): Comandra umbellata (Linnaeus) Nuttall PY: 1818. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ko-MAN-dra um-bell-AY-tuh Flower name (common): Bastard Toadflax Family name (common): Bastard-toadflax Family name (scientific): Comandraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek kome meaning hair and andros for male. Refers to the attachment of the sepal hairs to the adjacent anther. Specific epithet: Having umbels, refers to the shape of the flower cluster. Common name origin: Bastard in this context means diferent in shape or size, since the plant does not resemble the other toadflax species, hence a false toadflax plant. One suggestion for toadflax comes from the supposed belief that toads used the plants for shelter, while another comes from the supposed resemblance to small toads. A further suggestion is that it may derive from the German tot, meaning dead, which refers to the plant as not being a useful source of textile fiber. The flax part of the name comes from the flax-like appearance of the folliage. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (3 to 8 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-flat Plant description: Size: 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate, elliptic, or ovate (FNA), oblong-elliptic to broadly oblong-elliptic (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, savannas, woods, shores, swamps, bogs, dry to moist to wet, sandy or rocky soils, semi shade to sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki prepared a tea from the leaves and used it to treat lung issues (Smith, p. 246, 1928). Latitude: 44.708298 Longitude: -91.015730 Altitude: 298.70 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Thesium umbellatum Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 208 (1753). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Comandra umbellata subsp. umbellata (The other infraspecifics are Comandra umbellata subsp. californica (Eastwood ex Rydberg) Piehl, Comandra umbellata subsp. elegans (Rochel ex Sprengel) Piehl, Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida (Alphonse de Candolle) Piehl. The first and the third of these three subspecies occur in the US.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU