Meconella

Nuttall in J. Torrey & A. Gray

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

Etymology: Greek mekon, poppy, and ella, diminutive
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.
Revision as of 22:15, 16 December 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

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