Mirabilis sect. Quamoclidion

Herbs, perennial; roots cylindric, spongy. Stems erect, ascending, or nearly decumbent, densely leafy, leaves ± evenly distributed. Leaves: basal leaves petiolate, broader; distal leaves sessile or subsessile, narrower, margins entire. Inflorescences axillary and in compact terminal cymes; involucres slightly or not accrescent, bell-shaped or broadly tubular, with [3–](5–)6(–16) flowers, usually with 1 central flower and 1 flower on each midvein of bract, central flower solitary and naked or bracteate (when flowers more than 6, then more than 1 flower per midvein of bract). Flowers: perianth tubular, campanulate, or long funnelform, abruptly flared from broad tube, deeply 5-lobed; stamens 5. Fruits with 0 or 10 low, slender, inconspicuous ribs, ovoid to ellipsoid, base slightly or prominently constricted, apex truncate, surface of fruit smooth or rugulose, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, mucilaginous or not when wetted.

Distribution

sw United States, n Mexico.

Discussion

Species 6 (5 in the flora).

Selected References

Pilz, G. E. 1978. Systematics of Mirabilis subgenus Quamoclidion (Nyctaginaceae). Madroño 25: 113–132.

Lower Taxa

Mirabilis alipes, Mirabilis greenei, Mirabilis macfarlanei, Mirabilis multiflora, Mirabilis pudica