TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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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 shrub
Leaves generally simple, generally alternate, generally petioled; stipules 0; blade entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence various
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla ± radial, cylindric to rotate, lobes generally 5; stamens 5, alternate corolla lobes; ovary superior, generally 2-chambered, style 1
Fruit: berry or capsule, 25-chambered
Genera in family: 75 genera, 3000 species: worldwide, especially ± tropical; many alien weeds in CA; many cultivated for food, drugs, or ornamental (potato, tomato, peppers, tobacco, petunia);many TOXIC .
Annual to subshrub, ± glabrous or hairs simple, ill-smelling
Leaf entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence: flowers solitary in branch forks
Flower: calyx circumscissile near base, leaving a ± rotate collar in fruit; corolla funnel-shaped, white or purplish, lobes 5(10); filaments attached below middle of corolla tube; ovary 2- or 4-chambered
Fruit: capsule, leathery or ± woody, generally prickled; valves 24, or indefinite
Seeds ± flat, black, brown, grayish brown, or tan
Species in genus: ± 13 species: warm regions, especially Mex
Etymology: (Hindu: ancient name)
All species. HIGHLY TOXIC; several ornamental, some source of drugs .
Introduced |
Annual < 10 dm
Stem ± glabrous
Leaf 515 cm, 410 cm wide, ovate, coarsely toothed to shallowly lobed
Flower erect; calyx 3.54.5 cm, angled toward base, lobes 57 mm; corolla 69 cm, glabrous, white or pale blue-purple, lobes 810 mm, spreading, tips long, narrow; filaments 2225 mm; anthers 3.55 mm; style 46 cm
Fruit 4-valved, erect, 2535 mm wide, glabrous; prickles 310 mm, upper > lower
Seeds 33.5 mm, black
Chromosomes: n=12
Ecology: Sandy soils, open, often disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (except Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada)
Distribution outside California: to eastern US; native to Mexico
Synonyms: var. tatula (L.) Torr