| 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, shrub, tree, ill-smelling
Leaves generally 1-palmate, generally alternate, generally petioled; stipules generally minute, often bristle-like or hairy; leaflets 3–7
Inflorescence: raceme, head, or flowers solitary, generally longer in fruit; bracts generally 3-parted below, simple above, or 0
Flower generally bisexual, radial to ± bilateral; sepals generally 4, free or fused, generally persistent; petals generally 4, free, ± clawed; stamens generally 6, free, exserted, anthers generally coiling at dehiscence; ovary superior, generally on stalk-like receptacle, chamber generally 1, placentas generally 2, parietal, style 1, persistent, stigma generally minute, ± head-like
Fruit: generally capsule, septicidal; valves generally 2, deciduous, leaving septum (frame-like placentas) behind; pedicel generally ± reflexed to spreading
Genera in family: 45 genera, 800 species: widespread tropical to arid temp; some cultivated (Capparis spinosa , caper bush)
Reference: [Ernst 1963 J Arnold Arbor 44:81–93]
CA members placed in subfamily Cleomoideae. Alternate family name: Capparidaceae.
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (A. Wislizenus, plant collector in sw US, born 1810)
| Native |
Annual or perennial herb, glabrous to puberulent
Stem profusely branched from base, 0.5–24 dm
Leaf: petiole 3–25 mm; leaflets generally 3
Inflorescence: raceme, 1–3 cm, dense, terminal, in fruit 4–20 cm; pedicels 5–10 mm
Flower radial; sepals free, ± 2 mm, ± entire, green; petals 2.5–6.3 mm, elliptic, yellow, ± sessile but tapered to base; stamens 8–14 mm, yellow; ovary 0.3–0.6 mm, generally exserted, lobes 2, nearly separate, each generally 1-ovuled, style 2–5.5 mm
Fruit: nutlets 2; valves deciduous; receptacle stalk-like, reflexed; style elongate but not spine-like
Seeds generally 1 per nutlet
Chromosomes: 2n=40
Ecology: Desert washes and flats, fields, roadsides, especially alkaline soils
Elevation: 0–800 m.
Bioregional distribution: c&s Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, Desert
Distribution outside California: to Texas, nw Mexico
Reference: [Keller 1979 Brittonia 31:333–351]
Valuable honey plant.TOXIC but seldom eaten .
| Native |
Annual
Stem green, tan
Leaf: leaflets 3, 7–30 mm, ovate
Flower: receptacle 3–6 mm; sepals 1–1.5 mm, lanceolate; anthers 0.9–1.2 mm; style 2–5 mm
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Sandy washes, roadsides, alkaline flats
Elevation: 600–800 m.
Bioregional distribution: Mojave Desert, n Sonoran Desert
Distribution outside California: to w Texas
Flowering time: Apr–Nov