Malachra urens

Plants 0.5–1 m. Stems hispid with long, simple hairs and with longitudinal lines of minute hairs. Leaves: stipules 7–15 mm; petiole 1/2+ as long as blade; blade broadly ovate to weakly 3-lobed, 3–12 cm, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces hispid. Racemes short-pedunculate; peduncle shorter than corresponding petiole; boat-shaped floral bracts sessile, without markings, ovate, margins entire, hispid. Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm; petals 7–11 mm. Mericarps 3 mm, smooth with reticulate veins, minutely puberulent to pubescent.

Phenology: Flowering year-round.
Habitat: Disturbed vegetation, savannas, secondary vegetation, often in poorly drained soil
Elevation: 0–500 m

Fla., West Indies (Cuba, Puerto Rico).

Discussion

The name Malachra fasciata Jacquin is sometimes misapplied to M. urens, but the former is white-flowered rather than yellow-flowered, and differs in other characters, as noted by F. Areces B. and P. A. Fryxell (2007).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa