Cistanthe monosperma (Greene) Hershkovitz
Family: Montiaceae
[Calyptridium monospermum Greene,  more...]
Cistanthe monosperma image
Keir Morse  

Plants perennial, taprooted; caudex unbranched (rarely branching). Stems 2 or more from each rosette, spreading to ascending, to 50 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; basal in single, prostrate rosette, blade spatulate, 0.5-15 cm; cauline leaves smaller. Inflorescences umbellate, rarely paniculate cymes, usually open. Flowers subsessile; sepals orbiculate to reniform, unequal, 3-8 mm, scarious; petals 4, rose or pinkish white to white, 3-9 mm; stamens 3, anther pink or rose; style exserted, filiform; stigmas 2. Capsules globose, 2-3.5 mm; valves 2. Seeds 1-3, black, orbicular-reniform, 0.7-1.2 mm, shiny.

Flowering Apr-Sep. Dry, sandy or gravelly soils; 300-3500 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.; Mexico (Baja California).

Cistanthe monosperma image
Keir Morse  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Keir Morse  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Keir Morse  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Keir Morse  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Barry Breckling  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Barry Breckling  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Barry Breckling  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Barry Breckling  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Gary A. Monroe  
Cistanthe monosperma image
Gary A. Monroe