TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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Annual to subshrubs, fleshy
Leaves generally simple, generally basal and cauline, alternate or opposite, generally reduced upward
Inflorescence: generally cyme, generally bracted
Flower: sepals generally 35, generally ± free; petals generally 35, ± free or fused; stamens = to >> sepals, free or epipetalous; pistils generally 35, simple (sometimes fused at base), ovary 1-chambered, placenta 1, parietal, ovules 1many, style 1
Fruit: follicles generally 35
Seeds 1many, small
Genera in family: ± 30 genera, ± 1500 species: ± worldwide, especially dry temp; many cultivated for ornamental. Family description and generic key by Melinda F. Denton and Reid Moran.
Annual in CA, terrestrial, sometimes submersed and later stranded in dry ponds, glabrous in CA
Stem decumbent to erect, branched or not
Leaves basal and cauline, opposite; leaf bases fused, ± sheathing
Inflorescence: flowers solitary in leaf axils
Flower: sepals 35, ± fused at base; petals free or ± fused at base; stamen number = sepal number; pistils 35
Fruit: follicles 35, generally erect
Seeds 1many, in CA generally < 0.5 mm, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, red-brown
Species in genus: ± 300 species: especially Africa (annual species ± worldwide)
Etymology: (Latin: diminutive of thick)
Some subshrubs (e.g. C. tetragona L.) cultivated, sometimes persisting.