Koeberlinia spinosa

Zuccarini

Flora 15(2, Beibl.): 74. 1832.

Illustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 7. Treatment on page 185.
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Plants 0.5–10 m, spreading, globose, compact to somewhat open. Stems ± terete, green twigs thorn-tipped, 25–70 cm. Leaves 0.2–1.5 × 0.5 mm. Inflorescences 3–15 mm. Pedicels 3–6 mm. Flowers: sepals greenish white, ovate-deltate, 1–2 mm, glabrous; petals greenish white or cream, obovate or oblanceolate, 3–4.8 × 0.8–1.4 mm; filaments brownish, 2.8–4 mm, flat; anthers 0.8–1 mm, slightly curved; gynophore (stipe) 0.3–0.8 mm; ovary ovoid, 1–1.2 mm; style 0.4–1.4 mm. Fruits ca. 5 mm, mucronate from persistent style. Seeds 3–3.5 mm. 2n = 44, 88.

Distribution

V7 235-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Calif., N.Mex., Tex., n Mexico.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Infraspecific variation has long been noted in the genus. W. C. Holmes et al. (2008) recognized three largely allopatric varieties.

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Stipes 0.3-0.5 mm; styles 0.4-0.7 mm; mature thorns less than 15 times longer than base width. Koeberlinia spinosa var. wivaggii
1 Stipes 0.4-0.8 mm; styles 0.8-1.4 mm; mature thorns 20+ times longer than base width > 2
2 Plants less than 0.5-2.5 m; young thorns glabrous or finely puberulent; petals 3-4 mm. Koeberlinia spinosa var. spinosa
2 Plants 1-10 m; young thorns densely puberulent; petals 4-4.8 mm. Koeberlinia spinosa var. tenuispina