Shrubs, indumentum of slender, mostly appressed, simple hairs. Leaves jointed near base; blade secondary veins steeply ascending from near base, usually basally distinct, distally obscure. Inflorescences: staminate terminal, often pseudoaxillary (terminal but overtopped by lateral branch and appearing axillary), pedunculate, 10–20-flowered; pistillate axillary, pedunculate, 1(–3)-flowered; bracts present. Pedicels present or absent. Staminate flowers: sepals oblanceolate. Pistillate flowers: sepals persistent, spreading, triangular-ovate, enlarged in fruit. Capsules nutlike, ovoid or ellipsoid, usually ± obtusely 3-angled; pericarp tough-leathery. Seeds ovoid. x = 13.

Distribution

sw United States, nw Mexico, desert and semidesert areas, introduced in other similar habitats in North America, South America, Asia, Australia.

Discussion

Species 1.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Simmondsia chinensis