Perennials or subshrubs, rhizomatous. Stems decumbent to erect, seldom, if ever, mat-forming, glabrate or hirsute to ± sericeous. Leaves petiolate or sessile; blade usually elliptic, lanceolate, ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, sometimes scalelike, 1–10 mm, surfaces glabrous or hirsute to ± sericeous. Inflorescences: flowers usually solitary, sometimes distally clustered, bracteolate. Flowers: sepals elliptic, oblong, obovate, or ovate, 3–6 mm; corolla white [rose], salverform, 5–7 mm, limb 5-lobed, lobes spreading to reflexed, ovate; styles 2, distinct; stigmas capitate. Fruits capsular, ovoid, dehiscence valvate. Seeds 1(–2)[–4], ovoid, glabrous, surfaces smooth or reticulate. x = 14.

Distribution

c, w United States, Mexico, South America, Asia, Indian Ocean Islands (Indonesia), Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Australia.

Discussion

Species 4 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Cressa nudicaulis, Cressa truxillensis

Key

1	Stems usually leafless at anthesis; leaves: blade ovate, scalelike, 1–4 × 1 mm, surfaces glabrous.	Cressa nudicaulis
1	Stems leafy at anthesis; leaves: blade elliptic, lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate, 3–10 × 1–4 mm, surfaces hirsute to ± sericeous.	Cressa truxillensis