|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange|
|TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)||
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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
Annual to subshrubs, fleshy
Leaves generally simple, generally basal and cauline, alternate or opposite, generally reduced upward
Inflorescence: generally cyme, generally bracted
Flower: sepals generally 35, generally ± free; petals generally 35, ± free or fused; stamens = to >> sepals, free or epipetalous; pistils generally 35, simple (sometimes fused at base), ovary 1-chambered, placenta 1, parietal, ovules 1many, style 1
Fruit: follicles generally 35
Seeds 1many, small
Genera in family: ± 30 genera, ± 1500 species: ± worldwide, especially dry temp; many cultivated for ornamental. Family description and generic key by Melinda F. Denton and Reid Moran.
Perennial, fleshy, glabrous
Stem generally caudex or corm-like, generally vertical, branched or not, generally covered with dried leaves or leaf bases
Leaves in basal rosettes, evergreen vernal and ephemeral
Inflorescence: cyme, axillary, 1-sided; bracts leaf-like, alternate
Flower: sepals 5, fused below; petals 5, fused at base, erect to spreading above; stamens 10, epipetalous; pistils 5, ± fused below
Fruit: follicles 5, erect to spreading, many-seeded
Seed < 1 mm, narrowly ovoid, brown, striate
Species in genus: ± 45 species: sw North America
Etymology: (W.R. Dudley, western US botanist, 18491911)
Reference: [Moran in Jacobsen 1960 Handb Succ Plant:344359]
Unopened follicles generally most reliable for posture (erect, spreading, etc.).
See the CNPS Inventory for information about endangerment and rarity.
Stem corm-like, 13 cm, 315 mm wide, ± spheric to oblong
Leaf 17 cm, 311 mm wide, oblanceolate to spoon-shaped; base generally 0.53 mm wide; tip acute to obtuse
Inflorescence: 1° branches 23, ascending; peduncle 520 cm, 0.53 mm wide; terminal branches 215 cm, 311-flowered; pedicel 0.53 mm
Flower: sepals 23.5 mm, deltate-ovate; petals 58 mm, 23.5 mm wide, fused 0.51 mm, elliptic, acute, yellow
Fruit: follicles spreading
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Dry hillsides, mesas
Elevation: < 300 m.
Bioregional distribution: s South Coast, s Peninsular Ranges (San Diego Co.)
Distribution outside California: n Baja California
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; DFCLT.