Echinopepon coulteri

(A. Gray) Rose

Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 5: 116. 1897.

Common names: Coulter’s wild balsam apple
Basionym: Elaterium coulteri A. Gray Smithsonian Contr. Knowl. 5(6): 61. 1853
Synonyms: Echinopepon confusus Rose
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 20.

Stems 0.5–4 m, sparsely short-villous, hairs eglandular. Leaf blades mostly orbiculate, deeply to shallowly lobed, 4–5(–7) cm wide, base broadly cordate, margins entire or slightly sinuate-denticulate, surfaces sparsely hispid abaxially, hispid especially on veins adaxially. Inflorescences: staminate flowers in simple racemes 5–14(–20) cm. Flowers: sepals linear to subulate; petals oblong to deltate, 4–6 mm, apex emarginate, surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent, eglandular, not punctate, corolla campanulate, 8–12 mm diam.; anther thecae recurved. Capsules 2–3 × 1.2 cm, surface and prickles eglandular-pubescent, beak 5–8 mm, prickles mostly 3–5 mm. Seeds with elliptical depression on each surface.


Phenology: Flowering Aug–Sep.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, washes
Elevation: 1500–2200 m

Distribution

V6 27-distribution-map.jpg

N.Mex., Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, s to Oaxaca).

Discussion

Echinopepon coulteri is known in the flora area from Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Sierra, and Socorro counties (as cited by K. M. Stocking 1955, from vouchers at CAS, GH, POM, and US).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.