Polanisia in Flora of North America @ efloras.org

1. Polanisia Rafinesque, Amer. J. Sci. 1: 37. 1819.

Clammyweed [Greek polys, many, and anisos, unequal, alluding to stamens]

Gordon C. Tucker

Cristatella Nuttall

Herbs, annual or perennial (unscented). Stems sparsely or profusely branched; glandular-pubescent, viscid. Leaves: stipules absent or minute; petiole without pulvinus distally; leaflets 3. Inflorescences terminal or axillary (from distal leaves), racemes (flat-topped); bracts present (pedicels green to purple, glandular-pubescent). Flowers slightly zygomorphic; (receptacle prolonged into gland adaxially); sepals deciduous, distinct, equal; petals unequal (adaxial pair larger); stamens 8-32; filaments inserted on gynophore, (unequal), glabrous; anthers (ellipsoid), not coiling as pollen is released; gynophore ascending in fruit. Fruits capsules, dehiscent in distal 1/2 , cylindric, oblong. Seeds 12-65, globose or subglobose, not arillate, (cleft fused between ends). x = 10.

Species 5 (5 in the flora): North America, Mexico.

SELECTED REFERENCE Iltis, H. H. 1958. Studies in the Capparidaceae. IV. Polanisia Raf. Brittonia 10: 33-58.

1 Leaflet blades obovate to oblanceolate or broadly elliptic, 0.5-2(-3) cm wide; styles deciduous in fruit, 5-40 mm (2)

+ Leaflet blades linear or narrowly elliptic, 0.05-0.2 cm wide; styles persistent in fruit, 2.5-4.5 mm (3)

2 (1) Plants usually annual, rarely perennial; seeds roughened or tuberculate-rugose, 2-2.3 mm; stamens 10-20; styles 5-17 mm. 1 Polanisia dodecandra

+ Plants perennial; seeds smooth, 0.7-2 mm; stamens 20-27; styles 20-40 mm (New Mexico, Texas). 5 Polanisia uniglandulosa

3 (1) Adaxial petals 6-11 mm; nectary glands 1-5.5 mm; gynophore 3-14 mm in fruit. 3 Polanisia erosa

+ Adaxial petals 3-5 mm; nectary glands 0.5-1 mm; gynophore 1-4 mm in fruit (4)

4 (3) Capsules 8-30 mm; seeds 1.8-2 mm; Great Plains, midwestern states. 2 Polanisia jamesii

+ Capsules 40-60 mm; seeds 0.7-0.9 mm; southeastern states. 4 Polanisia tenuifolia

Lower Taxa