[Greek lepyron, rind or husk, and diklis, double-folding, alluding to two-valved capsule]

Richard K. Rabeler

Herbs, annual. Taproots slender. Stems ascending to decumbent or sprawling, simple or branched, terete or angled. Leaves connate proximally, sessile; blade 1-veined, lanceolate or rarely elliptic, not succulent, apex acute. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, compound cymes; bracts paired, foliaceous, smaller. Pedicels reflexed in fruit. Flowers: perianth and androecium weakly perigynous; hypanthium minimal; sepals 5, distinct, green, lanceolate to elliptic or ovate, 4-5 mm, herbaceous, margins white, scarious, apex somewhat acute, not hooded; petals 5, white or pink, not clawed, blade apex entire or emarginate; nectaries at base of filaments opposite sepals; stamens 10, arising from nectariferous disc at ovary base; filaments distinct nearly to base; staminodes absent; styles 2, clavate, 3.5-4 mm, glabrous proximally; stigmas 2, subterminal, minutely roughened to papillate (50×). Capsules globose-ovoid, opening by 2 straight valves; carpophore absent. Seeds 1-2(-4), dark brown, reniform, laterally compressed, tuberculate, marginal wing absent, appendage absent. x = 17.

Species 3-4 (1 in the flora): introduced; c, sw Asia; introduced in Europe (Germany), Asia (Japan).

SELECTED REFERENCE

Rabeler, R. K. and R. R. Old. 1992. Lepyrodiclis holosteoides (Caryophyllaceae), “new” to North America. Madroño 39: 240-242.

Lower Taxon

• Lepyrodiclis holosteoides (C. A. Meyer) Fenzl ex Fischer & C. A. Meyer