Herbs, annual, 0.2-5.5 dm. Stems simple or freely branched, sometimes densely matted, prostrate, decumbent, ascending, or erect. Leaf blades narrowly to very broadly ovate, oblong, orbiculate, or reniform, 0.2-4.5 × 0.2-2.7 cm, base broadly cuneate, rounded, truncate, or nearly cordate, apex acuminate, acute, obtuse, or rounded; proximal pair of lateral veins arising at junction of blade and petiole. Flowers: involucral bracts 1-4.5 mm; tepals 2-2.8 mm, shorter or longer than bracts. Achenes light brown, symmetric, 0.9-1.2 × 0.6-0.7 mm, apex obtuse, mucro apical; stipe centered, short-cylindric, basally dilated.
Distribution
Ariz., Calif., N.Mex., Nev., Utah, Mexico.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Tepals erect, loosely connivent, apex acute; leaf blades conspicuously longer than wide, base broadly cuneate, rounded, or truncate. | Parietaria hespera var. hespera |
| 1 | Tepals spreading or recurved and twisted at maturity, distinct, apex long-acuminate, attenuate, or caudate; leaf blades as long as or slightly longer than wide, base rounded to nearly cordate. | Parietaria hespera var. californica |