Meconella
in J. Torrey & A. Gray, Fl. N. Amer. 1: 64. 1838.
Taxon | Illustrator ⠉ | |
---|---|---|
Platystemon californicus Hesperomecon linearis Meconella californica | John Myers John Myers John Myers |
Herbs, annual, caulescent, glabrous or glabrate, from fibrous-roots. Stems leafy, mostly at base, erect to decumbent, simple or branching. Leaves: basal rosulate, winged-petiolate; cauline opposite or whorled, subsessile or sessile; blades unlobed. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, 1-flowered; bracts absent; bud globose, nodding. Flowers: receptacle sometimes expanded into small ring beneath calyx; sepals 3, with overlapping, loosely connivent flaps; petals 6; stamens 4-6 in 1 series or ca. 12 in 2 series; filaments usually dilated distally; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary 1-locular, linear-oblong; stigmas 3. Capsules erect, linear, greatly elongate at maturity and often spirally twisted, dehiscing apically by separation of valvelike carpels. Seeds few, black, shiny, aril absent. x = 8.
Distribution
Far w North America
Discussion
Species 3 (3 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
1 | Receptacle ± as long as broad, not expanded to ring beneath calyx; anthers linear-oblong, usually at least 1/2 length of filaments. | Meconella denticulata |
1 | Receptacle shorter than broad, expanded to ring beneath calyx; anthers ovoid to globose, much shorter than filaments. | > 2 |
2 | Stamens ca. 12, sometimes fewer in depauperate specimens, in 2 series, outer filaments shorter than inner. | Meconella californica |
2 | Stamens 4–6, in 1 series, filaments all ± equal. | Meconella oregana |