Subshrubs or shrubs [occasionally small trees]. Leaves usually bearing glands proximally on blade margin [and/or on petiole]; stipules intrapetiolar, distinct. Inflorescences terminal, racemes [several grouped in panicle]. Pedicels sessile or raised on peduncles. Flowers all chasmogamous, 6+ mm diam., showy with visible petals, stamens, and styles; calyx glands 0 [1 very small gland at base of sinus between some or all adjacent sepals]; corollas nearly radial [moderately bilaterally symmetric], petals lemon yellow, becoming orange or red in age [suffused with red], glabrous [rarely hairy]; stamens 10, all fertile; anthers subequal; pistil 3-carpellate, carpels connate in ovary along broad adaxial faces; styles 3, subulate, slender; stigmas terminal, minute. Fruits schizocarps, breaking apart at maturity into 3 cocci; cocci unwinged, bearing narrow dorsal keel, walls thin, brittle. x = 6.

Distribution

Tex., Mexico, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Species 26 (1 in the flora).

Galphimia is most diverse from Texas south to Nicaragua with 22 species in that region; only four species are known from South America south of the Amazon valley. Galphimia gracilis Bartling, native to eastern Mexico, is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental shrub.

Selected References

Anderson, C. E. 2007. Revision of Galphimia (Malpighiaceae). Contr. Univ. Michigan Herb. 25: 1–82.

Lower Taxa

Galphimia angustifolia