Shrubs or trees [rarely vines], evergreen [deciduous]; lepidote (scales peltate) and/or hairy (trichomes stellate). Stems erect. Leaves: alternate; petiole relatively long or short, nectaries present or not; blade ovate to ovate-elliptic or narrowly to broadly elliptic, or lanceolate, margins entire. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, racemes or corymbs. Flowers: sepals equal [2 unequal pairs], each often subtending a nectary; stamens 8 or 18–30[–60]; filaments inserted on ± flat receptacle; anthers ellipsoid; gynophore slender, elongating in fruit. Capsules dehiscent or not, linear-cylindric, ovoid, obovoid, or globose (thick-walled). Seeds 1–many, usually reniform, not arillate. x = 8 [10].

Distribution

s, se United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, n South America.

Discussion

Species ca. 25 (2 in the flora).

Quadrella is found mostly in arid places. It is characterized by indument of peltate scales or stellate hairs, and closed, valvate calyx aestivation with sepals that tend to recurve and fall off at or after anthesis.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Quadrella incana, Quadrella jamaicensis

Key

1	Leaf blades ovate to ovate-elliptic, apices usually emarginate, sometimes acuminate or acute; petals 12-18 mm; capsules linear-cylindric, (7-)20-38 cm, constricted between seeds; Florida.	Quadrella jamaicensis
1	Leaf blades narrowly to broadly elliptic, or lanceolate, apices acuminate, acute, or barely obtuse; petals 5-6(-8) mm; capsules ovoid to obovoid or globose, 1.3-1.7(-2) cm, not constricted between seeds; Texas.	Quadrella incana