Koeberlinia spinosa
Flora 15(2, Beibl.): 74. 1832.
Plants 0.5–10 m, spreading, globose, compact to somewhat open. Stems ± terete, green twigs thorn-tipped, 25–70 cm. Leaves 0.2–1.5 × 0.5 mm. Inflorescences 3–15 mm. Pedicels 3–6 mm. Flowers: sepals greenish white, ovate-deltate, 1–2 mm, glabrous; petals greenish white or cream, obovate or oblanceolate, 3–4.8 × 0.8–1.4 mm; filaments brownish, 2.8–4 mm, flat; anthers 0.8–1 mm, slightly curved; gynophore (stipe) 0.3–0.8 mm; ovary ovoid, 1–1.2 mm; style 0.4–1.4 mm. Fruits ca. 5 mm, mucronate from persistent style. Seeds 3–3.5 mm. 2n = 44, 88.
Distribution
Ariz., Calif., N.Mex., Tex., n Mexico.
Discussion
Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).
Infraspecific variation has long been noted in the genus. W. C. Holmes et al. (2008) recognized three largely allopatric varieties.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Stipes 0.3-0.5 mm; styles 0.4-0.7 mm; mature thorns less than 15 times longer than base width. | Koeberlinia spinosa var. wivaggii |
| 1 | Stipes 0.4-0.8 mm; styles 0.8-1.4 mm; mature thorns 20+ times longer than base width | > 2 |
| 2 | Plants less than 0.5-2.5 m; young thorns glabrous or finely puberulent; petals 3-4 mm. | Koeberlinia spinosa var. spinosa |
| 2 | Plants 1-10 m; young thorns densely puberulent; petals 4-4.8 mm. | Koeberlinia spinosa var. tenuispina |