California ayenia California ayenia

Ayenia californica Jepson

Subshrubs, erect or decumbent, (0.1–)0.5–0.8(–1) m. Stems hairy, hairs stellate, arms appressed. Leaves: petiole 0.5(–0.8) cm; blades of proximal leaves orbiculate to broadly ovate, 0.3–0.5 × 0.3–0.5 cm, distal ovate to ovate-lanceolate, unlobed, 1–1.5 × 0.5–0.9 cm, base rounded to slightly cordate, margins serrate, ciliate, apex obtuse to subacute, 3(–5)-veined from base, surfaces stellate-hairy. Cymes axillary, not borne on short shoots (brachyblasts), 1(or 2)-flowered; peduncle 1–2.5 mm. Flowers: sepals caducous, not present in young fruit, not reflexed at anthesis, ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–3 mm, sparingly stellate-pubescent abaxially; petal claws 2–3 mm, lamina rhombic, 1–1.5 × 1.5–3 mm, base attenuate on claw, margins entire, apex notched, surfaces hairy abaxially, hairs simple, multicellular, abaxial appendage cylindric, 0.2–0.3 mm; androgynophore 1–1.5 mm; stamen filaments present; stigmas scarcely exserted. Capsules subglobose, (3.5–)4.5–5 × 3–4.5 mm, sparingly stellate-pubescent, prickles 0.1–0.3 mm. Seeds 2–2.5(–2.9) mm, slightly to densely tuberculate. 2n = 20.

Flowering and fruiting spring–early fall. Rocky slopes, gravelly or sandy washes, dry canyons; 100–1200 m; Ariz., Calif.; Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora).

In the United States, Ayenia compacta is known from southernmost California and Arizona; in Mexico, it is found on the Baja California peninsula and in Sonora on islands in the Gulf of California.