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 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.
Perennial, fleshy, glabrous
Stem generally caudex or corm-like, generally vertical, branched or not, generally covered with dried leaves or leaf bases
Leaves in basal rosettes, evergreen vernal and ephemeral
Inflorescence: cyme, axillary, 1-sided; bracts leaf-like, alternate
Flower: sepals 5, fused below; petals 5, fused at base, erect to spreading above; stamens 10, epipetalous; pistils 5, ± fused below
Fruit: follicles 5, erect to spreading, many-seeded
Seed < 1 mm, narrowly ovoid, brown, striate
Species in genus: ± 45 species: sw North America
Etymology: (W.R. Dudley, western US botanist, 18491911)
Reference: [Moran in Jacobsen 1960 Handb Succ Plant:344359]
Unopened follicles generally most reliable for posture (erect, spreading, etc.).
Native |
Stem: caudex 315 (generally < 10) mm wide, branched
Leaf 210 cm, 25 mm wide, cylindric except at base, glaucous, linear to linear-oblanceolate; base 515 mm wide; rosette 25 cm wide
Inflorescence: 1° branches (1)23, simple, ascending; peduncle 525 cm, 13 mm wide; terminal branches 211 cm, 315-flowered; pedicel 0.53 mm
Flower: sepals 1.54 mm, deltate-ovate; petals 610 mm, fused 0.53 mm, elliptic, acute, spreading from middle, white, often rose-flushed, red-lined
Fruit: follicles 3045° < erect, slightly swollen near base
Chromosomes: n=17,34
Ecology: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 50 m.
Bioregional distribution: s South Coast (San Diego Co.)
Distribution outside California: n Baja California
Horticultural information: In cultivation.