| 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: (Greek: sharp style)
| Native |
Annual, ± glabrous
Stem branched from base, 5–15 dm
Leaf: petiole 2.5–7 cm; leaflets 3, 2–6 cm, ± elliptic, thick, firm
Inflorescence: head, 0.5–3 cm, axillary, ± spheric, dense, ± sessile, not elongating in fruit; pedicels 1–3 mm, thicker and reflexed in fruit
Flower radial; sepals free, 1–2 mm, lanceolate, green; petals 2–3 mm, elliptic, straw-yellow, ± sessile; stamens 3–5 mm, yellow, anthers 1–1.2 mm; ovary 1–1.5 mm, ± sessile, lobes 2, nearly separate, each 1-ovuled; style 2–3 mm, wide, fleshy at base
Fruit: nutlets 2, 2.5 mm, ± spheric, smooth, white to deep purple; receptacle < 2 mm, ± stalk-like; style 4–11 mm, stiff, spine-like
Seed 1 per nutlet
Chromosomes: 2n=20,40
Ecology: Rocky or sandy alkaline flats
Elevation: > 600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Mojave Desert
Distribution outside California: w Nevada (Amargosa Desert)
Flowering time: Mar–Oct