Fallugia paradoxa

(D. Don) Endlicher ex Torrey

in W. H. Emory, Not. Milit. Reconn., 139. 1848.

Illustrated
Basionym: Sieversia paradoxa D. Don Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 576, plate 22, figs. 7–10. 1825
Synonyms: Fallugia micrantha Cockerell F. paradoxa var. acuminata Wooton
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 9. Treatment on page 73.

Stems: long-shoot internodes 2.5–10(–15) mm, those proximal to flowers 15–30(–50) mm; short-shoot spurs 1–3.5(–7) mm. Leaves: long-shoot leaf bases 1.5–4.5 mm, short-shoot leaf bases much reduced; stipules 1–2 mm; blade (4–)7–18(–30) × (0.8–)3–12(–23) mm, lobes 3–7, linear-lanceolate, 1–7(–13) × 0.7–1.4(–2.2) mm. Flowers: epicalyx bractlets leaflike, subulate to linear, 2–5(–8) mm, margins entire or apically 2–3-toothed; hypanthium 2.5–3.5 × (4–)5–6(–7) mm; sepals (3.2–)4–8(–10) × 2.2–5(–6.5) mm, subterminal leafy apiculations 1(–3), terminal, linear-subulate, 1–3, 1–2.5(–3.5) mm; petals (6–)10–18(–21) × (6–)7–14(–17) mm, ± larger in staminate flowers; staminate flower filaments 2.2–4.3 mm, anthers 0.7–1.2 mm; pistillate flower filaments 1.5–2.5 mm, anthers 0.3–0.4 mm (sterile); stigmas terminal. Achenes 2-veined; styles ± curved, 2.5–5 cm, hairs straight, spreading-ascending, white to purplish. 2n = 28.


Phenology: Flowering Apr–Oct.
Habitat: Desert scrub in sandy to rocky (rarely clay) drainages, or sandy-loamy to rocky uplands in grasslands, chaparral, pinyon-oak, juniper, or ponderosa pine woodlands
Elevation: (200–)700–2800 m

Distribution

V9 110-distribution-map.jpg

Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Okla., Tex., Utah, Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas).

Discussion

Fallugia paradoxa grows in diverse habitats, ranging from the Chihuahuan, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert scrub to woodlands. Throughout its range, plants exhibit considerable variation in underground structures, and lobing and indument of leaves, bracts, and epicalyx. In sandy drainages, it is commonly rhizomatous and colonial, especially in California. In upland sites, it is not rhizomatous. Lobing of sepal tips and epicalyx bracts shows considerable variation on individuals and to some extent regionally. Lobes are more consistently found in plants from Texas and northern Mexico.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Fallugia paradoxa"
James Henrickson +  and Bruce D. Parfitt† +
(D. Don) Endlicher ex Torrey +
Sieversia paradoxa +
Ariz. +, Calif. +, Colo. +, Nev. +, N.Mex. +, Okla. +, Tex. +, Utah +, Mexico (Baja California +, Chihuahua +, Coahuila +, Durango +  and Zacatecas). +
(200–)700–2800 m +
Desert scrub in sandy to rocky (rarely clay) drainages, or sandy-loamy to rocky uplands in grasslands, chaparral, pinyon-oak, juniper, or ponderosa pine woodlands +
Flowering Apr–Oct. +
in W. H. Emory, Not. Milit. Reconn., +
Illustrated +
Fallugia micrantha +  and F. paradoxa var. acuminata +
Fallugia paradoxa +
Fallugia +
species +