| 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 |
Herb, shrub, often armed; caudex present or not
Stem branched; nodes often angled, swollen
Leaves 1-compound, opposite; stipules persistent or deciduous; leaflets entire
Inflorescence: flowers 1–2 in axils
Flower bisexual; sepals 5, free, persistent or deciduous; petals 5, free, generally spreading, sometimes twisted and appearing propeller-like; stamens 10, sometimes appendaged on inside base; ovary superior, chambers 5–10, ovules 1–several per chamber, placentas axile
Fruit: capsule or splitting into 5–10 nutlets
Genera in family: 26 genera, ± 250 species: widespread especially in warm, dry regions; some cultivated (Guaiacum, lignum vitae; Peganum, harmal (NOXIOUS and illegal); Tribulus, caltrop (pernicious)). Peganum harmala L. has been reported as a pernicious weed near Daggett, San Bernardino Co
Reference: [Porter 1972 J Arnold Arbor 53:531–552]
Shrub, unarmed
Stem branched, erect to prostrate, < 4 m, reddish becoming gray; nodes swollen, darker; hairs 0 or appressed
Leaf: stipules persistent; leaflets 2, fused at base
Inflorescence: flowers solitary in axils
Flower: sepals deciduous, unequal, overlapping; petals clawed, twisted, propeller-like, yellow, deciduous; stamen appendages bract-like, coarsely toothed
Fruit 5-lobed, spheric, short-stalked, hairy, splitting into 5 hairy, 1-seeded nutlets
Species in genus: 5 species: warm, dry Am
Etymology: (J.A. Hernandez de Larrea, Spanish clergyman)