Polanisia
Amer. J. Sci. 1: 3781819.
Herbs, annual or perennial (unscented). Stems sparsely or profusely branched; glandular-pubescent, viscid. Leaves: stipules absent or minute; petiole without pulvinus distally; leaflets 3. Inflorescences terminal or axillary (from distal leaves), racemes (flat-topped); bracts present (pedicels green to purple, glandular-pubescent). Flowers slightly zygomorphic; (receptacle prolonged into gland adaxially); sepals deciduous, distinct, equal; petals unequal (adaxial pair larger); stamens 8–32; filaments inserted on gynophore, (unequal), glabrous; anthers (ellipsoid), not coiling as pollen is released; gynophore ascending in fruit. Fruits capsules, dehiscent in distal 1/2, cylindric, oblong. Seeds 12–65, globose or subglobose, not arillate, (cleft fused between ends). x = 10.
Distribution
North America, Mexico.
Discussion
Species 5 (5 in the flora).
Selected References
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Leaflet blades obovate to oblanceolate or broadly elliptic, 0.5-2(-3) cm wide; styles deciduous in fruit, 5-40 mm | > 2 |
| 1 | Leaflet blades linear or narrowly elliptic, 0.05-0.2 cm wide; styles persistent in fruit, 2.5-4.5 mm | > 3 |
| 2 | Plants usually annual, rarely perennial; seeds roughened or tuberculate-rugose, 2-2.3 mm; stamens 10-20; styles 5-17 mm. | Polanisia dodecandra |
| 2 | Plants perennial; seeds smooth, 0.7-2 mm; stamens 20-27; styles 20-40 mm (New Mexico, Texas). | Polanisia uniglandulosa |
| 3 | Adaxial petals 6-11 mm; nectary glands 1-5.5 mm; gynophore 3-14 mm in fruit. | Polanisia erosa |
| 3 | Adaxial petals 3-5 mm; nectary glands 0.5-1 mm; gynophore 1-4 mm in fruit | > 4 |
| 4 | Capsules 8-30 mm; seeds 1.8-2 mm; Great Plains, midwestern states. | Polanisia jamesii |
| 4 | Capsules 40-60 mm; seeds 0.7-0.9 mm; southeastern states. | Polanisia tenuifolia |