Cleomella palmeriana

Plants 10–38 cm. Stems usually sparsely branched proximally (without a dominant central stem); glabrous. Leaves: stipules 3–5-fid, (larger, more conspicuous in inflorescences), 0.5–1.5 mm (scarious); petiole 0.4–2 (–2.7) cm; leaflet blade narrowly oblongelliptic, 0.8–2.6 × 0.1–0.8 cm, thin, margins entire, apex obtuse to retuse, mucronulate, surfaces glabrous. Inflorescences corymbs or racemes, terminating stems, 1–2 cm (2–3.5 cm in fruit); bracts ± rudimentary. Pedicels slightly ascending in fruit, 6–7 mm (7–11 mm in fruit). Flowers: sepals green, deltate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–0.6 mm, glabrous; petals yellow, oblong, 3–5 × 1–1.3 mm, glabrous; stamens (well-exserted), yellow, 7–9 mm; anthers 1.4–1.6 mm; gynophore spreading, 2.5–6 (–8) mm in fruit; ovary obovoid, 1.3–1.5 mm; style 0.7–1 mm. Capsules rhomboidal (widest distal to midpoint), 2–5 × 3–5 (–6.5) mm, glabrous. Seeds (1 or) 2–4 (–7), stramineous becoming black, globose, 2–2.5 mm, smooth.

Phenology: Flowering spring–early fall.
Habitat: Dry open alkaline, gravelly or sandy flats
Elevation: 1100-2000 m

Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa