Tetragonia
Sp. Pl. 1: 480. 1753.
Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 215. 1754.
Taxon | Illustrator ⠉ | |
---|---|---|
Tetragonia tetragonioides Galenia pubescens Sesuvium portulacastrum | Barbara Alongi Barbara Alongi Barbara Alongi |
Herbs [subshrubs], annual or perennial, succulent, glabrous, pilose, or papillate. Roots fibrous. Stems prostrate [subscandent], semiwoody at base. Leaves cauline, alternate, usually petioled; stipules absent; blade flat, margins entire to slightly sinuate or shallowly lobed. Inflorescences: axillary clusters of 2–3 flowers or flowers solitary, sessile or peduncled; bracts absent. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, inconspicuous, 5 [–10] mm diam.; calyx campanulate, adnate to ovary, angled, winged, or horned; calyx lobes [3–] 4–5 [–7], green or yellow adaxially; petals and petaloid staminodia absent; nectary absent; stamens 1–20, perigynous; pistil 3–10-carpellate; ovary inferior [half-inferior], [1–] 3–10-loculed; placentation apical; ovule 1 per locule; styles 3–10; stigmas 3–10. Fruits nutlike [drupaceous], angled, indehiscent; horns [2–] 4–6 [–7]. Seeds 1–10, light-brown, ± reniform, arils absent.
Distribution
Introduced; South America, e Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia
Discussion
Species 60 (1 in the flora).
Selected References
None.