Nitrophila
Botany (Fortieth Parallel), 297. 1871.
| Taxon | Illustrator ⠉ | |
|---|---|---|
 | Polycnemum majus Nitrophila occidentalis Aphanisma blitoides | Bee F. Gunn Bee F. Gunn Bee F. Gunn |
Herbs, perennial, suffrutescent, glabrous. Stems numerous from base, erect or prostrate, branched, ribbed, not jointed, not armed, not fleshy. Leaves opposite (rarely alternate), connate, clasping at base, sessile, succulent; blade linear or broadly ovate, margins entire, apex acute or apiculate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers solitary or in 2–3-flowered clusters, bibracteate. Flowers bisexual, with 1 or 2 bractlets ± equaling perianth length; perianth deeply 5 [–7] -parted, segments strongly imbricate, chartaceous; stamens 5; stigmas 2. Fruiting structures: fruit a utricle; pericarp free from seed, membranous, indehiscent. Seeds vertical, lenticular; seed-coat black, shiny; embryo annular, perisperm copious. x = 9.
Distribution
w United States, Central America, South America
Discussion
Species ca. 5 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Leaves not densely crowded, blade linear, terete or subterete, at least in distal 1/2, 5-30 × 0.7-1.5 mm; stems 7-30 cm | Nitrophila occidentalis |
| 1 | Leaves densely crowded, blade broadly ovate, flat, 2.3-4(-4.7) × 2.5-3.5 mm; stems 3-10 cm | Nitrophila mohavensis |