Polyctenium fremontii
Polyctenium fremontii, the desert combleaf, is named both in English and Greek for its deeply lobed leaves, which almost appear to be pinnately compound. It takes the other portion of its scientific name from John C. Frémont. It is a small and compact plant native to the western United States. Leaves have forked hairs, and the distal end of the leaf often has a single hair at the very tip. It is a member of the broccoli family, and the white flowers therefore have four petals in the shape of a cross. The flowers appear in clusters at the ends of the stems.

This plant is rather uncommon, but is among the first plants of sagebrush country in the inland western U.S. to bloom in spring. It is found on the banks of seasonal streams and similar places.

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment of Polyctenium fremontii
USDA Plants Profile for Polyctenium fremontii (Desert combleaf)
Polyctenium fremontii — U.C. Photo gallery

Brassicaceae
Flora of California
Flora of Idaho
Flora of Nevada
Flora of Oregon
Flora of the California desert regions
Flora of the Great Basin
John C. Frémont
Taxa named by Edward Lee Greene
Taxa named by Sereno Watson