TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual to tree
Stem prostrate to erect
Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, generally entire, bract-like upward; stipules 0
Inflorescence: cymes, often arrayed ± in spikes or panicles; bracts 13 per flower, generally membranous-scarious, tip often short-pointed or spine-like
Flower generally small, uni- or bisexual, radial; sepals 05, fused at base or free, often ± scarious; petals 0; stamens 05, opposite sepals (staminodes sometimes alternating), filaments sometimes fused at base; ovary superior, 1-chambered, ovules 1several, erect or pendent on ± basal stalks, styles 03, stigma head-like or 23-lobed
Fruit: utricle to circumscissile capsule
Seed lenticular to spheric, hard
Genera in family: ± 65 genera, ± 900 species: tropical, subtropical
Reference: [Robertson 1981 J Arnold Arbor 62:267313]
Perennial in CA
Leaves opposite
Inflorescence: spike or panicle-like; bracts generally persistent
Flower bisexual; sepals 5, free, inner sometimes < outer, strongly or weakly 3-veined, fleshy to hardened at base, hairs 0 or ± straight; stamens (2)5, filaments fused at base, generally alternate elongate, entire to branched staminodia; ovule pendent, style 1, short, stigma 0 or 2-lobed
Fruit indehiscent; wall membranous
Seed smooth
Species in genus: ± 170 species: generally tropical Am
Etymology: (Latin: alternate, from staminodia)
Introduced |
Stem glabrous or hairs in 2 lines
Leaves at a node ± equal; petioles 210 mm, narrowly winged, clasping; blades 927 mm wide, narrowly obovate, tip acute
Inflorescence head-like, 1218 mm wide, sessile; bracts 1.73 mm, keeled, pearly white, glabrous
Flower: sepals 57 mm, ± equal, 2.83 mm wide, ± oblong, pearly white; filaments 22.5 mm, < staminodia
Ecology: Uncommon. Shallow water, ditches, ponds
Elevation: < 200 m.
Bioregional distribution: San Joaquin Valley, South Coast
Distribution outside California: to se US, C.America; native to S.America
Weedy.