Pavonia
swampmallow
usually erect [prostrate], often stellate-hairy, sometimes glabrate, not [sometimes] viscid.
stipules usually persistent (early-deciduous in P. paludicola), subulate to filiform;
blade usually symmetric, ovate-triangular to hastate-oblong or ovate, not [sometimes] dissected or parted, base truncate to cordate, margins dentate or crenate to subentire.
terminal racemes [panicles, capitula], or axillary solitary flowers;
involucel present, bractlets persistent, [4–]5–8[–18+], distinct.
calyx persistent, not splitting symmetrically, not spathaceous, not or scarcely accrescent, not inflated [somewhat inflated], lobes ribbed or unribbed, usually lanceolate-ovate;
corolla rotate to tubular, lavender to pink or yellow [white, purple], petal bases auriculate or not;
staminal column usually included [exserted];
style 10-branched, (2 per carpel);
stigmas 10, capitate.
schizocarps, usually erect, not inflated, not angled, often oblate, dry, [sometimes] indurate, minutely hairy or glabrous;
mericarps 5, 1-celled, unornamented [sometimes winged], with spines, or otherwise ornamented, usually indehiscent.
1 per mericarp, glabrous or hairy.
= 14.
Pavonia
Of the many species of Pavonia, more than 160 are South American; the genus is also well represented in Africa. The South American P. multiflora A. St.-Hilaire has been introduced to California gardens as an ornamental shrub; it is self-sterile and not known to have become naturalized.
Species ca. 250 (4 in the flora).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Leaf blades broadly ovate, margins obscurely dentate to subentire; inflorescences terminal racemes; petals pale yellow or yellow-green, 12–18 mm; stream banks and brackish estuaries. | P. paludicola |
1. Leaf blades ovate to hastate, margins crenate or dentate; inflorescences axillary solitary flowers; petals yellow or lavender to pink, 15–25 mm; habitats away from coast | → 2 |
2. Petals yellow; mericarps 3-spined, spines 6–7 mm, retrorsely barbed. | P. spinifex |
2. Petals lavender to pink; mericarps without spines | → 3 |
3. Leaf blades ovate-triangular to hastate-oblong, petioles to 1/3 length of blades; calyces 6–8 mm; fruits 6 mm diam. | P. hastata |
3. Leaf blades ovate, petioles 1/2–1 times length of blades; calyces 9–12 mm; fruits 8–9 mm diam. | P. lasiopetala |
WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist
USDA Plants Database
