Flora of North America species comparison

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Zygophyllum fabago

syrian bean-caper
Habit Herbs or subshrubs.
Stems

branches ± spreading.
Leaves

2–6 cm;

proximal stipules basally connate, distal distinct, green, lanceolate to ovate or elliptic, 4–10 mm;

petiole 1–1.5 cm;

leaflets 1–4.5 × 0.6–3 cm;

awn between leaflets linear or lanceolate, 1 mm.
Pedicels

4–10 mm.
Flowers

6–7 mm diam.;

sepals ovate to elliptic, 5–7 × 3.5–5.5 mm, margins white;

petals obovate, 7–8 mm;

stamens exserted [included], 11–12 mm;

filaments red-orange, ± linear, basal scales red-orange, apex notched;

anthers red-orange.
Capsules

1–3.5 × 0.4–0.5 cm;

style threadlike, to 7 mm.
Seeds

2–3 mm.

Zygophyllum fabago
Phenology Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat Dry disturbed areas.
Elevation 0–1000 m. (0–3300 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; ID; MT; WA; s Europe; w Asia; c Asia; n Africa [Introduced in North America]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Zygophyllum fabago has been declared a noxious weed by California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Native to the Old World, it has been reported as a waif in Colorado, Kansas, Nevada (Churchill County), New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), and Texas (El Paso County). In the flora area, the species has been referred to as Z. fabago var. brachycarpum Boissier, an invalid name.

In Spain, Zygophyllum fabago has been found to grow in coarse mineral soils contaminated with heavy metals and to accumulate cadmium (I. Lefèvre et al. 2005). Thus, it may potentially cause heavy metal poisoning in grazing stock, as well as alkaloid poisoning.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Source FNA vol. 12, p. 32.
Parent taxa Zygophyllaceae > Zygophyllum
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 385. (1753)
Web links 
Unless otherwise noted, all data comes from the online version of the Flora of North America, who have made most of their content available via a Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0).



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