Hebecarpa ovatifolia
J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 5: 134. 2011.
Herbs or subshrubs, 0.5–3 dm. Stems erect to decumbent, hairs spreading. Leaves: petiole to 2 mm; blade ovate to ovate-oblong or elliptic, (5–) 12–30 × 6–13 mm, base rounded to cuneate, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces not translucent-punctate, hairs spreading. Inflorescences terminal or leaf-opposed, racemes, loose, (1–) 2–6.5 (–8) × 1.5–2.5 cm; peduncle 0.5–2 cm; bracts ovate or lanceolate-ovate. Pedicels 2–3.5 mm, pubescent. Flowers yellow, wings greenish, 5–8 mm; sepals ovatelanceolate, 3 mm; wings broadly elliptic to ovate, 4–5 × 3–4 mm, pubescent; keel 6–7.5 mm, pubescent. Capsules subglobose to broadly oblong, 8.5–13 × 8–12 mm, not translucent-punctate, glabrous and ciliolate. Seeds 4 mm; aril 1–1.5 mm, lobes to 1/3 length of seed. 2n = 56–60.
Phenology: Flowering (early spring–)spring–summer(–late fall).
Habitat: Rocky slopes in dry scrub or grasslands.
Elevation: 500–1600 m.
Distribution
Tex., Mexico (Coahuila), Mexico (Nuevo León)
Discussion
Hebecarpa ovatifolia is common in southwestern Texas in Tamaulipan thorn scrub and, rarely, oak-juniper woodlands of the western Edwards Plateau.
Selected References
None.