Herbs, perennial; hemiparasitic, caudex knotty, semiwoody. Stems erect, not fleshy, densely pubescent. Leaves cauline, alternate; petiole absent; blade not fleshy, not leathery, margins entire. Inflorescences terminal, racemes; bracts absent. Pedicels present; bracteoles present. Flowers: sepals 5, calyx bilaterally symmetric, tubular, abaxial lobes long-triangular, larger and with 2 lateral lobes and larger central lobe 3-notched at summit, adaxial short-triangular; petals 5, corolla pale yellow, strongly suffused with purple distally, strongly bilabiate, tubular, abaxial lobes 3, adaxial 2, adaxial lip ± galeate; stamens 4, equal, filaments pilose; staminode 0; ovary 2-locular, placentation axile; stigma capitate. Capsules: dehiscence septicidal and loculicidal. Seeds ca. 300, brown or amber, linear, flattened, ± twisted, wings present. x = 18.

Distribution

e United States.

Discussion

Species 1.

Selected References

Kirkman, L. K., M. B. Drew, and D. Edwards. 1998. Effects of experimental fire regimes on the population dynamics of Schwalbea americana L. Pl. Ecol. 137: 115–137.

Lower Taxa

Schwalbea americana