Hemiscola diffusa
Novon 17: 448. 2007.
Plants 10–30 (–90) cm. Stems delicately branched; glandular-papillose. Leaves: stipular spines 0.5 mm; petiole 4–15 cm; leaflets 3 proximally, 1 distally, blade obovate, 1–2.5 × 0.5–1.2 cm, margins serrate, apex acute to obtuse or acuminate, surfaces glabrous or sparsely glandular-pubescent abaxially, glabrate adaxially. Racemes 5–10 cm (8–12 cm in fruit); bracts unifoliate, elliptic, 4–15 mm. Pedicels 4–6 mm. Flowers: sepals deciduous, brownish green, ovate, 1–2.5 (–3) × 1–2 mm, margins serrulate, glabrous; petals yellow or creamy white, 5–10 × 1.5–3 mm; stamens (staggered),yellow, 5–9 mm; anthers 0.3–0.5 mm; gynophore 2–4 mm in fruit; ovary 3 mm; style 0.1–0.2 mm. Capsules 15–20 × 3–6 mm, glabrous. Seeds 10–13, dull reddish-brown to black, oblong or comma-shaped (compressed), 2–3 × 2 mm, tuberculate, (aril white).
Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 0-10 m
Distribution
Introduced; Ala., South America
Discussion
The only record of Hemiscola diffusa from the flora area is a collection from ballast in Mobile in 1893 (Mohr s.n., NY, US).
Selected References
None.