Anulocaulis leiosolenus
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 375. 1909.
Herbs, stout perennial. Stems 0.5–1.5 m. Leaves: 1–3 pairs near base; petiole 3–7 cm; blade broadly ovate to almost round, 5–15 × 4–19 cm, base cordate, rarely rounded, apex rounded or broadly obtuse, adaxial surface dull green to pale green, abaxial surface grayish green, often very pale, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely villous with fine hairs with pale brown or blackish pustulate bases. Flowers borne singly or in ill-defined clusters of 2–5 on branches of inflorescence; perianth 25–35 mm, tube greenish bronze, limbs white, pink, or rose-pink, abruptly flared from tube, glabrous or minutely pubescent externally at edge (pubescence most easily seen at tip of mature bud); stamens 3, exserted 25–40 mm. Fruits biturbinate, 4.2–8 × 2.6–4.6 mm, secreting mucilage when wetted; ribs 10, narrow, undulate; equatorial flange well developed, sinuate.
Distribution
Ariz., N.Mex., Nev., Tex.
Discussion
Varieties 4 (4 in the flora).
Anulocaulis leiosolenus occurs as isolated, islandlike populations that are homogeneous within but differ slightly between populations. The turbinate fruits with prominent ribs and equatorial flange ridge, and the long-tubular perianths, are unifying features. Pubescence, when present, is inconspicuous on the perianth, and is best seen on tips of mature buds.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Leaf blades glabrous, smooth, pale and blue-green; flower bud glabrous externally at apex | Anulocaulis leiosolenus var. gypsogenus |
| 1 | Leaf blades at least sparsely beset with hairs with pustulate bases, pale grayish green or green; flower bud minutely puberulent or glabrous at apex | > 2 |
| 2 | Flower bud glabrous at apex; leaf blades dull green | Anulocaulis leiosolenus var. leiosolenus |
| 2 | Flower bud minutely pubescent at apex; leaf blades pale grayish green to green | > 3 |
| 3 | Leaf blades ± pale grayish green; pustulate-based hairs on leaves sparse; perianth deep rose-pink | Anulocaulis leiosolenus var. howardii |
| 3 | Leaf blades green; pustulate-based hairs on leaves dense; perianth pale pink to pink | Anulocaulis leiosolenus var. lasianthus |