| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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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 |
Shrub, generally ± leafless, thorny, unscented
Stem: branches many, smooth, rigid, interlocking
Leaves simple, alternate, scale-like, ephemeral
Inflorescence: raceme, axillary, bracted
Flower radial, bisexual, small; sepals 4, free; petals 4, free; stamens 8, filaments flat; ovary ± stalked, spheric, stigma minute, head-like
Fruit: berry; chambers 2, each 1–2-seeded.
The only genus
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (C.L. Koeberlin, German clergyman, botanist, born 1794)
| Native |
Plant < 5 m, short-spreading-hairy
Stem: branchlets 25–70 mm, pale green, tipped by 3–6 mm, black thorns
Leaf < 2 mm
Inflorescence 3–15 mm; pedicels 3–6 mm
Flower: sepals 1–2 mm, ovate, entire, greenish white; petals 3–4 mm, 0.5–1 mm wide, short-clawed with an obovate or oblanceolate limb, white; stamens 2.8–4 mm, anthers 0.8–1 mm; ovary 1–1.2 mm, stalk 0.3–0.5 mm, style 1–1.5 mm
Fruit 2.5–3.5 mm, black
Ecology: Creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 1600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Sonoran Desert (Chocolate Mtns)
Distribution outside California: sw Arizona, Mexico (nw Sonora)
Often included in Capparaceae. Ssp. spinosa not in CA.