Loeflingia
Sp. Pl. 1: 35. 1753.
Ge. Pl. 5, 22. 1754.
| Taxon | Illustrator ⠉ | |
|---|---|---|
 | Polycarpaea corymbosa Polycarpon tetraphyllum subsp. tetraphyllum Loeflingia squarrosa | Barbara Alongi Barbara Alongi Barbara Alongi |
Herbs, annual. Taproots slender. Stems prostrate to erect, usually dichotomously branched at or near base, terete. Leaves opposite, basal leaves absent, axillary leaf clusters often present, weakly connate, sessile; stipules 2 per node, ± white to silvery, bristlelike, margins entire, apex acuminate; blade 1-veined or obscurely so, subulate to oblong, not succulent, apex blunt to spine-tipped. Inflorescences axillary, 1 (–2) -flowered; bracts absent. Pedicels: flowers sessile. Flowers: perianth and androecium hypogynous; sepals ± distinct, green, linear to lanceolate, 1.8–6.5 mm, herbaceous, margins silvery, often scarious, apex acute to spinose; petals absent or rudimentary; nectaries not apparent; stamens 3–5, arising from base of ovary; filaments distinct; styles 3, distinct, filiform, shorter than 0.1 mm, glabrous proximally; stigmas 3, linear along adaxial surface of styles, papillate (30×). Capsules lanceoloid to ovoid, opening by 3 slightly recurved valves; carpophore absent. Seeds 25–35, tan with reddish-brown band on curved edge, tear-shaped, plump, minutely papillate on broadly grooved edge, marginal wing absent, appendage absent.
Distribution
North America, Europe (w Mediterranean region), sw Asia, Africa (w Mediterranean region), Africa (Sahara)
Discussion
Species 7 (1 in the flora).