Mariposa pussypaws

Spraguea pulchella Eastwood, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 29: 79. 1902; Calyptridium pulchellum (Eastwood) Hoover

Plants annual, roots fibrous. Stems 2 or more from each rosette, spreading to ascending, 2-7 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; basal in single, prostrate rosette, blade spatulate, 0.5-2 cm; cauline leaves slightly smaller. Inflorescences paniculate cymes, open. Flowers subsessile; sepals orbiculate, 3-4 mm, scarious; petals 4, rose, 3 mm; stamens 3, anther yellow; style included, filiform; stigmas 2. Capsules globose, 1.5-2.5 mm; valves 2. Seeds 1-2, black, orbicular, 0.7-0.8 mm, shiny.

Flowering Apr-May. Sandy soil in chaparral, oak woodlands; of conservation concern; 400-1100 m; Calif.