Native Plants

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Carr, Bill

Onosmodium helleri

Onosmodium helleri Small

Heller's Marbleseed, Marble-seed

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ONHE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Endemic to Texas, it is found on the Edwards Plateau and Lampasas Cut Plain. Shade of moist woodlands, stream valleys, or other drainages.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Conditions Comments: The conspicuous white to whitish brown fruit dries on the plant and has given the plant the common name of Marbleseed. The plant is uncommon to the point of being rare.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Marbleseed (Onosmodium sp.) propagation and use as groundcover for
October 08, 2007
I am interested in any information, esp. propagation & suitability as a landscape plant, (possible ground cover?) for marble seed. I have found it growing in deep shade on stream banks. It has a 4--...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-GV-1 Collected 2005-05-26 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Onosmodium helleri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Onosmodium helleri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Onosmodium helleri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-21
Research By: NPC

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