TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information) |
|
©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]
Annual, monoecious or dioecious
Leaves alternate; blade linear to ovate
Inflorescence: cymes in dense, spike-like clusters; bract 1, tip generally short-pointed or -spined, generally scarious; bractlets 02
Staminate flower: sepals 35, ± equal, ± as bracts; stamens (1)35, filaments free; staminodia 0
Pistillate flower: sepals (3)5, ± equal, scarious except midvein, fused at base, falling with fruit; ovary compressed-ovoid, styles (2)3, stigmas slender, papillate, ovule 1, erect
Fruit circumscissile or indehiscent, smooth or inflated-wrinkled; walls membranous to spongy-hardened
Seed 1, lenticular, smooth, reddish to black
Species in genus: ± 60 species: worldwide; some potherbs, some cultivated for seed
Etymology: (Greek: unfading, from persistent bracts and sepals)
Some species (especially A. cruentus, A. powellii, A. retroflexus) hybridize complexly
Reference: [Tucker & Sauer Madroño 1958 14:252261]
Introduced |
Plant prostrate, 14 dm, monoecious, ± soft-crinkled-hairy
Leaf: petiole 635 mm, slender; blades 550 mm, diamond-shaped to ovate, margins tightly and irregularly curled
Inflorescence: clusters terminal, 28 cm, 1.52.5 cm wide; bracts 11.4(2) mm, scarious, midrib thick
Staminate flower: sepals 23, 1.31.4 mm; stamens 23
Pistillate flower: sepals 2, 1.52.3 mm, < fruit, ± oblong, tip short-pointed to -spined
Fruit 2.53 mm, indehiscent, ovoid, inflated, smooth or slightly roughened, obscurely 3-veined
Seed 11.1 mm, smooth, red-black
Chromosomes: 2n=34
Ecology: Uncommon waif. Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 650 m.
Bioregional distribution: Central Western California, Southwestern California
Distribution outside California: native to Europe
Plants with wrinkled seeds have been called A. gracilis Desf.