Loeflingia

Herbs, annual. Taproots slender. Stems prostrate to erect, usually dichotomously branched at or near base, terete. Leaves opposite, basal leaves absent, axillary leaf clusters often present, weakly connate, sessile; stipules 2 per node, ± white to silvery, bristlelike, margins entire, apex acuminate; blade 1-veined or obscurely so, subulate to oblong, not succulent, apex blunt to spine-tipped. Inflorescences axillary, 1(–2)-flowered; bracts absent. Pedicels: flowers sessile. Flowers: perianth and androecium hypogynous; sepals ± distinct, green, linear to lanceolate, 1.8–6.5 mm, herbaceous, margins silvery, often scarious, apex acute to spinose; petals absent or rudimentary; nectaries not apparent; stamens 3–5, arising from base of ovary; filaments distinct; styles 3, distinct, filiform, shorter than 0.1 mm, glabrous proximally; stigmas 3, linear along adaxial surface of styles, papillate (30×). Capsules lanceoloid to ovoid, opening by 3 slightly recurved valves; carpophore absent. Seeds 25–35, tan with reddish brown band on curved edge, tear-shaped, plump, minutely papillate on broadly grooved edge, marginal wing absent, appendage absent.

Distribution

North America, Europe (w Mediterranean region), sw Asia, Africa (w Mediterranean region, Sahara).

Discussion

Species 7 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Barneby, R. C. and E. C. Twisselmann. 1970. Notes on Loeflingia (Caryophyllaceae). Madroño 20: 398–408.

Lower Taxa

Loeflingia squarrosa