Wissadula

Subshrubs [perennial herbs]. Stems usually erect, hairy [glabrate], not viscid. Leaves distalmost sometimes subsessile; stipules usually persistent, filiform, subulate, or minute; blade broadly ovate to ovate-triangular [narrowly triangular], unlobed, base cordate, margins entire [crenate-dentate], surfaces usually stellate-hairy [sometimes glabrate]. Inflorescences terminal panicles or racemes; involucel absent. Flowers: calyx not accrescent, not inflated, shorter than mature fruits, lobes not ribbed, triangular; corolla usually yellowish, sometimes white, rotate; staminal column exserted; style 3–6-branched; stigmas capitate. Fruits schizocarps, erect, not inflated, obovoid, not indurate; mericarps 3–6, 2-celled, apex bulbous-apiculate, proximal cell indehiscent, distal cell dehiscent. Seeds (1–)3 per mericarp, lower cell 1-seeded, upper cell usually 2-seeded, hairy, proximal seed relatively more densely hairy. x = 7.

Distribution

sc United States, Mexico, West Indies, South America, s Asia, Africa.

Discussion

Species 25 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

Fries, R. E. 1908. Entwurf einer Monographie der Gattungen Wissadula und Pseudabutilon. Kongl. Svenska Vetensk. Acad. Handl., n. s. 43(4): 1–114.

Lower Taxa

Wissadula hernandioides, Wissadula parvifolia, Wissadula periplocifolia

Key

1	Leaf blades 2.5–3.5 cm, apex acute to subobtuse; stipules minute; petals yellow, fading to orange.	Wissadula parvifolia
1	Leaf blades 4–11 cm, apex acute or acuminate; stipules 4–12 mm; petals usually yellowish or white, sometimes with dark red basal spot	> 2
2	Leaf blades broadly ovate, base deeply cordate (except uppermost), margins curved; petals yellowish; stipules 7–12 mm.	Wissadula hernandioides
2	Leaf blades ovate-triangular, base shallowly cordate, margins straight; petals yellowish or white, sometimes with dark red basal spot; stipules 4–5 mm.	Wissadula periplocifolia