Malvella leprosa
Bonplandia (Corrientes) 3: 59. 1970.
Stems prostrate, indument mixture of stellate and appressed, sublepidote hairs. Leaves: petiole 1/2–1 times as long as blade; blade ± reniform, 1–3.5 cm, wider than long, base obliquely truncate, margins serrate, apex obtuse or subacute, surfaces densely hairy, hairs appressed, sublepidote and stellate. Pedicels long, subequal to subtending petiole; involucellar bractlets 3, inconspicuous, filiform, or 0. Flowers: calyx 8–10 mm, with mixture of stellate and appressed sublepidote hairs, lobes ovate, bases not plicate-overlapping, apex acuminate; petals pale yellow, sometimes with rose flush on fading, asymmetric, 12–15 mm; stamens pallid, glabrous, staminal column antheriferous at apex; style 7–10-branched, pallid, glabrous. Schizocarps 7 mm diam. 2n = 22, 32.
Phenology: Flowering year-round in warmer areas.
Habitat: Heavy, saline soil
Elevation: 800–1500 m
Distribution
Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Kans., Nev., N.Mex., Okla., Oreg., Tex., Utah, Wash., Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora), South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay).
Discussion
Malvella leprosa is possibly introduced in Colorado. The species is considered to be a noxious weed in Arizona and California and increasing as saline soils increase.
Selected References
None.