Mirabilis sect. Quamoclidion

(Choisy) A. Gray

in W. H. Emory, Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. 2(1): 173. 1859.

Basionym: Quamoclidion Choisy in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 429. 1849
Synonyms: Hermidium S. Watson Mirabilis sect. Paramirabilis Heimerl Mirabilis subg. Quamoclidion (Choisy) Jepson
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 44. Mentioned on page 40.

Herbs, perennial; roots cylindric, spongy. Stems erect, ascending, or nearly decumbent, densely leafy, leaves ± evenly distributed. Leaves: basal leaves petiolate, broader; distal leaves sessile or subsessile, narrower, margins entire. Inflorescences axillary and in compact terminal cymes; involucres slightly or not accrescent, bell-shaped or broadly tubular, with [3–](5–)6(–16) flowers, usually with 1 central flower and 1 flower on each midvein of bract, central flower solitary and naked or bracteate (when flowers more than 6, then more than 1 flower per midvein of bract). Flowers: perianth tubular, campanulate, or long funnelform, abruptly flared from broad tube, deeply 5-lobed; stamens 5. Fruits with 0 or 10 low, slender, inconspicuous ribs, ovoid to ellipsoid, base slightly or prominently constricted, apex truncate, surface of fruit smooth or rugulose, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, mucilaginous or not when wetted.

Distribution

sw United States, n Mexico.

Discussion

Species 6 (5 in the flora).