Aphanisma

Nuttall ex Moquin-Tandon

in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prod. 13(2): 43, 54. 1849.

Etymology: Greek aphanes, obscure or inconspicuous
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 264. Mentioned on page 261.

Herbs, annual, glabrous. Stems prostrate, decumbent, ascending and stout or slender and flexuous, simple or sparsely branched, not jointed or armed, succulent. Leaves alternate, sessile or petiolate; blade not fleshy, margins entire; proximal spatulate, oblanceolate, or oblong, apex obtuse or acute; distal ovate-oblong to cordate-oblong, base clasping. Inflorescences axillary, sessile, 1–5-flowered. Flowers bisexual; perianth 3(–5)-lobed, herbaceous; stigmas 3; stamen 1. Fruiting structures: utricle globose, exceeding perianth at maturity; pericarp free from seed, green, membranous, dehiscence circumscissile. Seeds horizontal, lenticular; seed coat black, rugose-punctate; embryo incompletely annular, perisperm copious. [No chromosome count available.]

Distribution

Calif., nw Mexico.

Discussion

Species 1.

Selected References

None.