| 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 |
Perennial, shrub, tree, glabrous or hairy
Stem often forked
Leaves opposite, sessile or petioled, pairs generally unequal; blade generally entire
Inflorescence generally forked; of spikes, clusters, or umbels, each unit sometimes with a calyx-like involucre
Flower bisexual, radial; perianth of 1 whorl, petal-like, bell- to trumpet-shaped, base hardened, tightly surrounding ovary in fruit, lobes 4–5, generally notched to ± bilateral; stamens 1–many; ovary superior (appearing inferior because of hardened perianth base), style 1
Fruit: achene or nut, smooth, wrinkled, or ribbed
Genera in family: 30 genera, 300 species: warm regions, especially Am; some ornamental (Bougainvillea ; Mirabilis , four o'clock).
Annual, perennial herb
Stem prostrate to erect; internode often with sticky area
Leaf petioled; blade 1–6 cm, paler beneath, often brown-dotted
Inflorescence openly branched; unit a raceme, umbel, or head; bracts 1–3, free, not forming an involucre
Flower: perianth < 30 mm, bell-shaped, closing by afternoon; stamens 1–5; stigma ± spheric, generally exserted
Fruit < 3.5 mm, club-shaped; ridges 4–5; wings 0
Species in genus: ± 30 species: warm regions. B. spicata Choisy (fruit ribs narrow, acute) is widespread in sw US, expected as agricultural weed near Mex border
Etymology: (H. Boerhaave, Dutch botanist, 1668–1738)
| Native |
Annual
Stem ascending or erect, 2–5 dm; hairs fine, sparse
Leaf: blade broadly lanceolate or ovate, acute to obtuse
Inflorescence openly branched; flowers in small umbel-like clusters at branch tips
Flower 1.5–2 mm; perianth white to pale pink
Fruit 2–2.7 mm, glabrous; wrinkled between sharp ribs; tip truncate
Ecology: Gravelly washes, flats
Elevation: < 1300 m.
Bioregional distribution: e Desert Mountains (Clark, Kingston mtns), e Sonoran Desert
Distribution outside California: to Texas, Mexico
Flowering time: Aug–Oct
Synonyms: B. erecta var. i. (M.E. Jones) Kearney & Peebles
B. erecta L. (fruit 3–4.5 mm) is widespread in tropical Am, expected as agricultural weed near Mex border.