Subshrubs. Stems erect, stellate-tomentose. Leaves distichous and alternate; stipules persistent, linear; blade narrowly ovate or oblong-lanceolate, unlobed, base cordate, margins serrate, surfaces stellate-hairy. Inflorescences axillary, solitary flowers; involucel absent. Flowers: calyx not accrescent, not inflated, lobes unribbed, wide-ovate; corolla rotate, dark purple [lavender or purple]; staminal column included; style 7- or 8-branched; stigmas capitate. Fruits schizocarps, erect, sometimes nodding, not inflated, oblate, indurate, puberulent; mericarps 7 or 8, 1-celled, without dorsal spur, lateral walls persistent, prominently reticulate, partially dehiscent apically between 2 empty, doubled-walled “horns.” Seeds 1 per mericarp, glabrous (subglabrous) or with a few stellate hairs. x = 8.

Distribution

Tex., n, c Mexico.

Discussion

The second species, Meximalva venusta (Schlechtendal) Fryxell, is known only from Mexico.

Species 2 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Meximalva filipes