Chamaecrista nictitans
Methodus, 272. 1794.
Herbs, annual, rarely over-wintering, to 0.8(–1)[–1.2] m. Stems erect, incurved ascending. Leaves (1.5–)2–8(–9)[15–21] cm; petiole (1.5–)2–7 mm; extrafloral nectary 1(or 2), near mid petiole, stipitate; leaflets (6–)8–28(–32)[–40] pairs, blades usually straight, sometimes falcate, linear, narrowly oblong, or oblong-elliptic, (3–)4–26 × 1–3 mm. Racemes 1(or 2)-flowered, axillary. Pedicels 0.5–4[–16] mm; bracteoles mid pedicel. Flowers: calyx greenish, sepal venation reticulate; corolla yellow, sometimes fading pinkish, petals to 3.5–8(–9)[–16] mm; stamens [2–]4–8[or 9]; anthers yellow-orange or red, to (1.4–)1.6–3[–9.5] mm, different sizes; ovary usually hairy throughout, rarely glabrate. Legumes straight, linear-oblong, [14–](15–)18–48(–56)[–78] × [2.4–]2.5–5.5(–5.8) mm. Seeds [1.9–](2.2–)2.4–3.4[–3.7] mm.
Distribution
United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru).
Discussion
Varieties 13 (3 in the flora).
Chamaecrista nictitans is distinguished from the closely similar C. fasciculata (and C. deeringiana) by its globose-ovoid floral buds, which are ovoid-acuminate in the latter two species. All three varieties in the flora area belong to subsp. nictitans and are characterized by two to nine fertile stamens, while all other varieties have ten fertile stamens (they belong to the other subspecies): subsp. brachypoda (Bentham) H. S. Irwin & Barneby, subsp. disadena (Steudel) H. S. Irwin & Barneby, and subsp. patellaria (Colladon) H. S. Irwin & Barneby (H. S. Irwin and R. C. Barneby 1982). The key to varieties in the flora is adapted from Irwin and Barneby.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Leaflet blade margins ciliolate, some hairs 0.4+ mm; ovules 8–19. | Chamaecrista nictitans var. leptadenia |
| 1 | Leaflet blade margins glabrous or hairs to 0.4 mm; ovules 5–10. | > 2 |
| 2 | Stems and petioles glabrous or hairs whitish, to 0.7 mm. | Chamaecrista nictitans var. nictitans |
| 2 | Stems and petioles covered with hairs yellow or orange reddish, 1–2.5 mm. | Chamaecrista nictitans var. aspera |