|
|
 Leaves Sue Carnahan @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
|
Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual
General Desc:
Small annual, somewhat succulent-stemmed herb, without hairs, taprooted. Stems branching from the base, lying flat on the ground (prostrate). Small, perfect, pink or white, 2 to 4 petaled flowers on short stalks along an elongated stem.
Identification notes: Succulent stems lie on ground; leaves basal and on stems, widen towards their tips, basal withering in fruit; flowers small, pink or white, petals usually 3, styles absent, stigmas 2, on very short stems; fruit capsules >2 times as long as sepals.
Height:
6 inches
Habitat Description: Found on desert plains and slopes, sand and gravel washes, rocky slopes, volcanic tuff, roadsides.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 5000 feet
Color:
Pink or white
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Mar - Jun
Description:
Small, perfect, pink or white, 2 to 4 petals, with no or very short stalk, along a somewhat coiled (scorpioid) stem, flowers not overlapping. Petals are 1/16 to 1/8 inch, curled up; sepals 2, rounded; stamens 1 to 3, styles absent, stigmas 2.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Basal and alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Multiple stems spreading from the center of a basal rosette that lies flat (prostrate) on the ground; stems 1-1/2 to 7 inches long; leaves attached at the base and on stems, spoon-shaped, wider towards their tips, 1/2 to 2 inches long, 1/2 inch wide.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Capsule with 2 valves, oval to cylindric to sickle-shaped, 1/8 to 1/3 inch long.
Seed Notes: Black, smooth and shiny, 4 to 10.
|
|
