Meconella

Nuttall

in J. Torrey & A. Gray, Fl. N. Amer. 1: 64. 1838.

Etymology: Greek mekon, poppy, and ella, diminutive
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Herbs, annual, caulescent, glabrous or glabrate, from fibrous roots. Stems leafy, mostly at base, erect to decumbent, simple or branching. Leaves: basal rosulate, winged-petiolate; cauline opposite or whorled, subsessile or sessile; blades unlobed. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, 1-flowered; bracts absent; bud globose, nodding. Flowers: receptacle sometimes expanded into small ring beneath calyx; sepals 3, with overlapping, loosely connivent flaps; petals 6; stamens 4-6 in 1 series or ca. 12 in 2 series; filaments usually dilated distally; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary 1-locular, linear-oblong; stigmas 3. Capsules erect, linear, greatly elongate at maturity and often spirally twisted, dehiscing apically by separation of valvelike carpels. Seeds few, black, shiny, aril absent. x = 8.

Distribution

Far w North America.

Discussion

Species 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Receptacle ± as long as broad, not expanded to ring beneath calyx; anthers linear-oblong, usually at least 1/2 length of filaments. Meconella denticulata
1 Receptacle shorter than broad, expanded to ring beneath calyx; anthers ovoid to globose, much shorter than filaments. > 2
2 Stamens ca. 12, sometimes fewer in depauperate specimens, in 2 series, outer filaments shorter than inner. Meconella californica
2 Stamens 4–6, in 1 series, filaments all ± equal. Meconella oregana