Polanisia

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

Iltis, H. H. 1958. Studies in the Capparidaceae. IV. Polanisia Raf. Brittonia 10: 33–58.

Lower Taxa

Polanisia dodecandra, Polanisia erosa, Polanisia jamesii, Polanisia tenuifolia, Polanisia uniglandulosa

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