Datura ceratocaula

Ortega

Nov. Pl. Descr. Dec., 11. 1797.

Common names: Latin or Mexican thorn-apple tornaloca
Introduced
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 14.
Revision as of 21:34, 6 October 2024 by imported>Volume Importer
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Herbs annual, to 8 dm. Stems glabrous. Leaf blades narrowly ovate to lanceolate, to 15 × 8 cm, margins sinuate to pinnately lobed, abaxial surface tomen­tose, adaxial surface glabrous. Flowers: calyx glabrous, tube split along 1 side, appearing spathe-like and with poorly defined unequal teeth; corolla white with red-purple hues, trumpet-shaped surface usually waxy, 11.5–20 cm, acuminate lobes alternating with smaller lobules. Capsules pendent, irregularly dehiscent, pericarp fleshy, glabrous, without prickles or tubercles; calyx remnant not accrescent. Seeds black, 3.5–5 mm, convex marginal ridge absent, testa finely pitted; caruncle present. 2n = 24.


Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Seasonal ponds, livestock ponds, ditches, desert grassland-shrublands.
Elevation: 1300–1400 m.

Distribution

Introduced; N.Mex., Mexico.

Discussion

The caruncle of Datura ceratocaula usually does not detach from the seed (as it does in the case of seeds of other species), and swells and becomes sticky when wetted. In this way, the seeds are adapted to dispersal by aquatic birds and livestock. In New Mexico, D. ceratocaula is known only from Hildago County.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Datura ceratocaula"
Robert A. Bye +
Ortega +
Latin or Mexican thorn-apple +  and tornaloca +
N.Mex. +  and Mexico. +
1300–1400 m. +
Seasonal ponds, livestock ponds, ditches, desert grassland-shrublands. +
Flowering Jul–Sep. +
Nov. Pl. Descr. Dec., +
Introduced +
Datura ceratocaula +
species +