Selenia dissecta

Plants winter annuals, (often nearly acaulescent). Stems (often inflated into 2.3 cm thick crown), usually ascending, rarely decumbent, 0.8–2.2 dm (when formed). Basal leaves rosulate; petiole 0.5–3(–5) cm; blade margins usually 2-, rarely 3-pinnatisect, (2–)3–10(–15) cm; lobes 5–10(–15) on each side, (smaller than terminal); apical segment linear to oblong or ovate, 1–8(–12) × 0.5–1(–2.5) mm, margins entire. Cauline leaves (and bracts, when present) similar to basal, smaller distally. Fruiting pedicels usually from basal leaf axil, (20–)30–80(–100) mm. Flowers: sepals (caducous or tardily so), spreading, oblong, (6–)7–12(–14) × 2–3.5 mm, apex appendage well-developed, (1–)1.5–3 mm; petals broadly spatulate to obovate, (12–)15–20 × (5–)6–9 mm, apex rounded; median filament pairs 6–10 mm, not dilated basally; anthers linear, 2–3 mm; gynophore (1–)1.5–3(–4) mm. Fruits oblong to elliptical, latiseptate, 1.4–3.5(–4) cm × (8–)10–17 mm, (slightly fleshy when green, thick, papery), base and apex acute; valves prominently reticulate-veined; replum strongly flattened; septum complete; ovules 28–40 per ovary; style (2–)3.5–6(–7) mm, strongly flattened basally. Seeds 5–7 mm diam.; wing 1–2 mm. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering Feb–Apr.
Habitat: Grassy banks, pastures, salt draws, gypseous llano, roadsides, sandy alluvium, limestone or sandy areas, creosote bush scrubland, open flats
Elevation: 600-1900 m

N.Mex., Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León).

Discussion

Selenia dissecta rarely produces racemes, and most flowers originate from the axils of basal leaves that cover an inflated stem reduced to a crown.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa