Apteria

Nuttall

J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 7: 64. 1834.

Etymology: Greek a, without, and pteron, wing
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 488. Mentioned on page 487.

Plants possibly perennial, mycotrophic, not green. Rhizomes present. Roots filiform. Stems sometimes branched. Leaves cauline, white or purplish, scalelike to lanceolate. Inflorescences 2–6-flowered racemose cymes or flowers solitary; floral bracts not imbricate. Flowers erect to nodding, neither ribbed nor winged; perianth persistent and rolled in fruit; annulus absent; stamens 3, proximal to inner perianth lobes, sessile; ovary 1-locular; placentation parietal; pedicel 4–12(–18) mm. Capsules broadly ellipsoid; dehiscence longitudinal by valves, leaving 3 placental ribs.

Distribution

Tropical North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Species 1.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa