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Durango root

Habit Plants erect, 1–1.5(–2+) m. Rootstock: inner bark yellow.
Stems

1–30+ from base, glabrous.

Leaves

often appearing subopposite to semiwhorled proximally, gradually smaller distally, simple to asymmetrically laciniate-pinnate or shallowly pinnatifid to incised-trifoliolate, lobes deeply cleft;

petiole 2–4 cm;

blade lanceolate to ovate, 6–20 × 1–13 cm, margins coarsely serrate, apex acuminate to long-acuminate, surfaces glabrous.

Flowers

staminate: calyx 2 mm, lobes slender, 0.2–1 mm;

stamens borne on rim of calyx, nearly sessile or filaments to 1 mm;

anthers yellow, 3–5 mm;

bisexual: hypanthium 5–8 mm;

calyx lobes narrow, 1–2 mm;

ovary usually 3-angled; pistillate: rare, similar to bisexual flowers.

Capsules

ovoid-oblong, 7–11 mm, apex truncate.

Seeds

ellipsoid, 0.8–1 mm, pitted in longitudinal rows.

Datisca glomerata

Phenology Flowering late Apr–Aug.
Habitat Dry streambeds and washes, springs, wet sand, moist areas
Elevation 10–2000 m (0–6600 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; NV; Mexico (Baja California)
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Discussion

Flowers of Datisca glomerata are primarily bisexual, each bearing one to four or more stamens. An occasional plant bears only staminate flowers. Pistillate flowers are rare and no plants with only these have been observed.

All parts of the plant are reportedly poisonous and have shown some antitumor activity. The species is sometimes cultivated as an unusual ornamental.

The combination Datisca glomerata sometimes has been attributed to (C. Presl) Bentham & Hooker f.; it was not validly published by those authors.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 6, p. 60.
Parent taxa Datiscaceae > Datisca
Synonyms Tricerastes glomerata
Name authority (C. Presl) Baillon: Hist. Pl. 3: 407. (1871)
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