Callisia micrantha

(Torrey) D. R. Hunt

Kew Bull. 38: 131. 1983.

Illustrated
Basionym: Tradescantia micrantha Torrey in W. H. Emory, Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. 2(1): 224. 1859
Synonyms: Phyodina micrantha (Torrey) D. R. Hunt
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22.

Herbs, perennial, creeping, succulent. Stems 3–30 cm. Leaves ± conduplicate; blade oblongelliptic to lanceolate-oblong, 1–3.5 × 0.3–0.8 cm (distal leaf-blades much narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), margins ciliolate, glabrous. Inflorescences sessile or nearly sessile, subtended by 0–2 leaves that resemble spathaceous bracts, these leaves. Flowers pedicellate; pedicels 0.8–1.2 cm, glabrous or nearly so; sepals strongly keeled, 0.4–0.5 mm, shortly, densely pubescent on keel; petals bright pink to rose, ovate, 0.5–0.7 cm; stamens 6; filaments bearded. Capsules 3-locular, 2 mm. Seeds 1.5 mm. 2n = 24.


Phenology: Flowering spring–fall (May–Sep).
Habitat: Sandy or clayey soils in open oak or mesquite woods and prairies

Discussion

The generic placement of this species requires some explanation because the leaves subtending the inflorescence resemble the bracts of species of Tradescantia. The interpretation of D. R. Hunt (1986b), which I am following, is that the true bracts are small and are borne distal to those leaves.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Callisia micrantha"
Robert B. Faden +
(Torrey) D. R. Hunt +
Tradescantia micrantha +
1 cm10 mm <br />0.01 m <br /> (3.5 cm35 mm <br />0.035 m <br />) +
oblongelliptic;lanceolate-oblong +
succulent +
0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br />) +
inconspicuous +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (1 cm10 mm <br />0.01 m <br />) +
2 cm20 mm <br />0.02 m <br /> (?) +
umbel-like +
Tex. +  and Mexico +
Sandy or clayey soils in open oak or mesquite woods and prairies +
axillary +  and terminal +
2-ranked +  and arranged +
cauline +  and basal +
glabrous +  and ciliolate +
nearly +  and glabrous +
0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br /> (1.2 cm12 mm <br />0.012 m <br />) +
bright pink +  and rose +
distinct +
unequal +
0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br /> (?) +  and 0.7 cm7 mm <br />0.007 m <br /> (?) +
Flowering spring–fall (May–Sep). +
1.5 cm15 mm <br />0.015 m <br /> (?) +
distinct +
subequal +
0.04 cm0.4 mm <br />4.0e-4 m <br /> (0.05 cm0.5 mm <br />5.0e-4 m <br />) +
Illustrated +
staminodial +
3 cm30 mm <br />0.03 m <br /> (30 cm300 mm <br />0.3 m <br />) +
not +  and enlarged +
slender +
Phyodina micrantha +
Callisia micrantha +
Callisia +
species +