Flora of North America species comparison

slender to ± stout, especially proximally.

spreading or ascending to erect, simple or branched, terete to somewhat angular.

opposite but appearing whorled, as 8–15 per axillary cluster, 2 clusters per node, connate proximally by often-prominent ridge from which stipules arise, sessile;

stipules 4 per node, white, ovate to triangular, margins entire but splitting variously with age, apex obtuse to acuminate;

blade 1-veined, linear or filiform, sometimes succulent, apex blunt to apiculate.

terminal, open to diffuse cymes;

bracts paired, minute.

erect to ascending, spreading or usually reflexed and sometimes secund in fruit.

usually bisexual, sometimes pistillate by stamen abortion;

perianth and androecium briefly perigynous;

hypanthium dish- or cup-shaped, not abruptly expanded distally;

sepals distinct, silvery, elliptic to nearly ovate, 2.5–5 mm, herbaceous, margins scarious, apex acute to obtuse;

petals 5, white, blade apex entire;

nectaries at adaxial base of broader filaments opposite sepals;

stamens 5 and opposite sepals, or 10 and arising from distally tapered rim of hypanthium;

filaments distinct;

styles 5, distinct, filiform, 0.4–0.6 mm, glabrous proximally;

stigmas 5, linear along adaxial surface of styles, obscurely papillate (30x).

ovoid, opening by 5 spreading to somewhat recurved valves;

carpophore absent.

5–25, blackish, circular, subglobose or lenticular and laterally compressed, nearly smooth or finely papillate, membranous, entire marginal wing often present, appendage absent;

embryo peripheral, annular to spirally curved.

= 9.