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ZYGOPHYLLACEAE

CALTROP FAMILY

Duncan M. Porter

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]

KALLSTROEMIA

Annual, unarmed
Stem spreading radially, prostrate to ascending, < 1 m
Leaf even-1-pinnate; stipules narrow, green
Inflorescence: flowers solitary in axils
Flower: sepals deciduous or persistent; petals yellow to orange, withering but not deciduous
Fruit 10-lobed, splitting into 10 tubercled nutlets; style persistent; peduncle reflexed
Seed 1 per chamber
Species in genus: 17 species: warm and tropical Am
Etymology: (A. Kallstroem, obscure contemporary of Scopoli, author of genus)
Reference: [Porter 1969 Contr Gray Herb 198:41–153]

Introduced

K. grandiflora A. Gray


Stem decumbent to ascending, < 1 m; some hairs densely silky, others sharply bristly
Leaf: stipules 4–10 mm; leaflets 8–16
Flower: peduncle > subtending leaf; sepals persistent, margins strongly inrolled, >> fruit body, spreading; petals 15–30 mm, yellow to orange, darker at base
Fruit 2–3 mm wide, ovoid; style 3 X fruit body
Ecology: Uncommon. Sandy roadsides
Elevation: 300–900 m.
Bioregional distribution: Sonoran Desert (near Desert Center, Riverside Co.; Jacumba, San Diego Co.; expected elsewhere)
Distribution outside California: native Arizona to Texas, w Mexico
Flowering time: Sep–Oct
Waif in CA.

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