Melochia pyramidata var. pyramidata
Herbs, annual or perennial, subshrubs, or shrubs, 0.1–2 m, sometimes taprooted. Leaves: petiole 0.5–3 cm; blade lanceolate to ovate, 1–6 × 0.5–3 cm, surfaces glabrous or glabrate, hairs mostly simple. Inflorescences usually leaf-opposed, umbellate, 2–25-flowered; peduncle 1–12 mm; bracteoles 3, at base of pedicel. Pedicels 1–5 mm. Flowers dimorphic; calyx 3.5–5 mm, teeth acuminate; petals purple, pink, or violet, sometimes yellow proximally, 6.5–8 × 1.5–2.5 mm; longistylous form: stamens 3.5–4 mm, pistil 5–6 mm; brevistylous form: stamens 5–5.3 mm, pistil 3.5–4 mm. Fruits capsules, often purple-blotched, 5-winged, short-beaked, pyramidal, 7–9 × 8–14 mm, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds 1 or 2 per locule.
Phenology: Flowering and fruiting Apr–Nov.
Habitat: Low, disturbed ground
Elevation: 0–1600 m
Distribution
Fla., La., Tex., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.
Discussion
Selected References
None.