Plants winter-annuals, (often nearly acaulescent). Stems (often inflated into 2.3 cm thick crown), usually ascending, rarely decumbent, 0.8–2.2 dm (when formed). Basal leaves rosulate; petiole 0.5–3 (–5) cm; blade margins usually 2-, rarely 3-pinnatisect, (2–) 3–10 (–15) cm; lobes 5–10 (–15) on each side, (smaller than terminal); apical segment linear to oblong or ovate, 1–8 (–12) × 0.5–1 (–2.5) mm, margins entire. Cauline leaves (and bracts, when present) similar to basal, smaller distally. Fruiting pedicels usually from basal leaf-axil, (20–) 30–80 (–100) mm. Flowers: sepals (caducous or tardily so), spreading, oblong, (6–) 7–12 (–14) × 2–3.5 mm, apex appendage well-developed, (1–) 1.5–3 mm; petals broadly spatulate to obovate, (12–) 15–20 × (5–) 6–9 mm, apex rounded; median filament pairs 6–10 mm, not dilated basally; anthers linear, 2–3 mm; gynophore (1–) 1.5–3 (–4) mm. Fruits oblong to elliptical, latiseptate, 1.4–3.5 (–4) cm × (8–) 10–17 mm, (slightly fleshy when green, thick, papery), base and apex acute; valves prominently reticulate-veined; replum strongly flattened; septum complete; ovules 28–40 per ovary; style (2–) 3.5–6 (–7) mm, strongly flattened basally. Seeds 5–7 mm diam.; wing 1–2 mm. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering Feb–Apr.
Habitat: Grassy banks, pastures, salt draws, gypseous llano, roadsides, sandy alluvium, limestone or sandy areas, creosote bush scrubland, open flats
Elevation: 600-1900 m

Distribution

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N.Mex., Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua), Mexico (Coahuila), Mexico (Nuevo León)

Discussion

Selenia dissecta rarely produces racemes, and most flowers originate from the axils of basal leaves that cover an inflated stem reduced to a crown.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.

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