Flora of North America species comparison

± filiform.

erect to spreading or sprawling, usually much-branched proximally;

main stem 0.5–1 mm diam. proximally.

stipules usually inconspicuous, dull white to tan, broadly triangular, 1.5–4.5 mm, apex acute to short-acuminate;

blade ± linear, 1–4.2 cm, at least moderately fleshy, apex apiculate to spine-tipped;

axillary leaves absent or 1–2 per cluster.

often oriented to 1 side in fruit.

sepals connate 0.3–0.6 mm proximally, lobes often 3-veined, ovate to elliptic-oblong, 2.2–3.5 mm, to 4.5 mm in fruit, margins 0.2–0.5 mm wide, apex acute to rounded;

petals white or pink to rosy, ovate to obovate, 0.8–1 times as long as sepals;

stamens 8–10;

styles 0.4–0.6 mm.

greenish, 3(–4) mm, 1–1.2 times as long as sepals.

light brown, with submarginal groove, broadly ovate, plump, 0.4–0.6 mm, somewhat shiny, smooth to minutely roughened, margins with peglike papillae (40x);

wing absent.

simple to 6+-compound.

= 18? (Africa), 36 (Europe).