Chamaesaracha sordida

Stems decumbent to suberect, green, 1–3 dm (1.5 mm diam.). Herbage densely pubescent, viscid, hairs simple, mostly glandular. Leaves: subsessile; blade oblanceolate to rhombic, 1.5–4 × 0.4–0.8(–1) cm, length 4–5 times width, margins sinuate or lobed. Inflorescences 1–2-flowered. Flowers: calyx 4–5 mm, pubescent, especially along lobe margins; corolla 10–15 mm diam. Berries 5–8 mm diam. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Oct (mostly late spring–early summer, depending on rain).
Habitat: Deserts, dry, open grasslands.
Elevation: 0–2000 m.

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

Discussion

Chamaesaracha sordida is known from western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It is most closely related to C. coronopus and differs in having broader, mostly entire leaves. It is also similar to C. pallida; it lacks the relatively dense dendritic hairs on the leaves and has a generally more eastern distribution. Herbarium specimens from 2007 and 2008 indicate that it has been introduced into southern California (Clark Mountain Range, San Bernardino County) and may be naturalizing.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa