Jepson Herbarium
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Indexes to all accepted names and synonyms: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

[Annual, perennial herbs to] shrub, [ tree], nodes generally swollen.
Leaf: simple, generally opposite, entire (toothed [lobed]); stipules 0.
Inflorescence: variable, with bracts, generally also bractlets.
Flower: bisexual; calyx deeply (3)4–5 lobed [(sepals free)]; corolla 4–5 lobed, radial to 2-lipped; stamens 2 or 4, epipetalous, anther sacs sometimes dissimilar in size or placement; ovary superior, 4–many-ovuled, chambers 1–2, placentas axile ( free central), stigmas 1–2.
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal, generally dehiscing explosively, valves 2.
Seed: 1–4[+], each generally subtended by hook-like outgrowth that remains in fruit.
220 genera, 4000 species: especially tropics; some ornamental: Justicia (Beloperone, shrimp-plant), Acanthus, Thunbergia. [Daniel 1998 Proc Calif Acad Sci 50:217–256; Hilu et al. 2003 Amer J Bot 90:1758–1766; Schwarzbach & McDade 2002 Syst Bot 27:84–98] —Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.
Unabridged references: [Daniel 1984 Desert Plant 5:162–179; Daniel 1998 Proc Calif Acad Sci 50:217–256]

Key to Acanthaceae

Subshrub, shrub.
Inflorescence: generally spike- [or panicle-]like.
Flower: corolla 4-lobed (but petals 5), tube < lobes, slender, barely wider at throat, uppermost lobe generally notched (2 petals ± entirely fused), 2 lateral ascending or reflexed, lowest ± keeled, included stamens, style; stamens 2, anther sacs ± equally placed on filament, opening toward uppermost lobe, not spurred.
Fruit: compressed-ovoid; stalk ± flat.
Seed: 4, disk-like, notched at base.
24 species: especially sw US, Mex. (Charles Wright, Am botanical collector, 1811–1885) [Daniel et al. 2008 Syst Bot 33:416–436]
Unabridged references: [Daniel 1988 Brittonia 40:245–255]

Stem: multi-branched, < 1 m; hairs erect or recurved, minute.
Leaf: variable in size, shape; blade generally < 5 cm, lanceolate to elliptic or cordate, puberulent; petiole 0–8 mm.
Inflorescence: flowers 1–several per bract.
Flower: calyx 1.5–5 mm, lobes 5, narrow-triangular; corolla 1–1.8 cm, white with yellow, maroon-streaked spot on upper lobe.
Fruit: 7–11 mm, glabrous.
Seed: 3–4 mm, tubercled; margin finely dentate.
2n=36. Rocky slopes; ± 300 m. w Sonoran Desert (Flat Cat, Palm canyons, Anza Borrego);

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Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) [year] Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html [accessed on month, day, year]
Citation for an individual treatment: [Author of taxon treatment] [year]. [Taxon name] in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, [URL for treatment]. Accessed on [month, day, year].

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Bioregions in which taxon occurs	Markers link to CCH specimen records. If the markers are obscured, reload the page [or change window size and reload]. Yellow markers indicate records that may provide evidence for eFlora range revision or may have georeferencing or identification issues.
Chart based on elevation range in Manual and elevations and coordinates of CCH records. Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. Note: About half of the CCH records include both elevation and coordinates.	Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. View all CCH records   CCH collections by month Duplicates counted once; synonyms included. Species do not include records of infraspecific taxa. Blue line denotes Manual flowering time.