Flora of North America species comparison

decumbent to erect, branched.

light green to green, sometimes becoming reddish in terrestrial plants;

stipules lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 mm, margins dentate, apex acute;

petiole 1–4 mm;

blade obovate to oblanceolate, 4–12(–15) × 1.2–3 mm, base narrowly cuneate, apex acute to obtuse.

opposite [whorled], simple;

stipules present;

petiole present or absent;

blade margins entire or serrulate;

venation pinnate.

axillary, usually cymes or flowers solitary, sometimes 2[–3]-flowered clusters.

1.5–2.5(–3.5) mm, recurved in fruit.

sepals 4, usually equal, sometimes 1 reduced, oblong-ovate or widely lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 × 0.3–0.4 mm;

petals 4, greenish white, slightly reddish, or pink, elliptic or ovate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–0.6 mm;

stamens 8;

styles 4.

bisexual [pistillate];

perianth and androecium hypogynous;

hypanthium absent;

sepals 2–5, distinct or connate basally;

petals (0 or) 2–5, distinct;

nectary absent;

stamens [0–]1–10, distinct, free;

anthers dehiscing by longitudinal slits;

pistil 1, 2–5-carpellate, ovary superior, 2–5-locular, placentation axile;

ovules 2–33[–44] per locule, anatropous;

styles 2–5, distinct;

stigmas 2–5, capitate.

capsules, dehiscence septicidal or irregular.

depressed-ovoid, 4-locular, 1.3–2.5 mm diam.

2–5 per locule, oblong to ellipsoid, curved 90–180°, 0.6–1 × 0.2 mm;

pits elliptic, length 1–3 times width, in 6–10 rows, (16–)20–29 per row.

2–33[–44] per locule.