Tetragonia

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 480. 1753.

,

Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 215. 1754.

Common names: New Zealand spinach
Etymology: Greek tetra, four, and gonia, angle, in reference to the shape of the fruit
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 77. Mentioned on page 75, 76.
 TaxonIllustrator 
FNA4 P14 Tetragonia tetragonioides.jpegTetragonia tetragonioides
Galenia pubescens
Sesuvium portulacastrum
Barbara Alongi
Barbara Alongi
Barbara Alongi

Herbs [subshrubs], annual or perennial, succulent, glabrous, pilose, or papillate. Roots fibrous. Stems prostrate [subscandent], semiwoody at base. Leaves cauline, alternate, usually petioled; stipules absent; blade flat, margins entire to slightly sinuate or shallowly lobed. Inflorescences: axillary clusters of 2–3 flowers or flowers solitary, sessile or peduncled; bracts absent. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, inconspicuous, 5 [–10] mm diam.; calyx campanulate, adnate to ovary, angled, winged, or horned; calyx lobes [3–] 4–5 [–7], green or yellow adaxially; petals and petaloid staminodia absent; nectary absent; stamens 1–20, perigynous; pistil 3–10-carpellate; ovary inferior [half-inferior], [1–] 3–10-loculed; placentation apical; ovule 1 per locule; styles 3–10; stigmas 3–10. Fruits nutlike [drupaceous], angled, indehiscent; horns [2–] 4–6 [–7]. Seeds 1–10, light-brown, ± reniform, arils absent.

Distribution

Introduced; South America, e Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia

Discussion

Species 60 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

... more about "Tetragonia"
Nancy J. Vivrette +
Linnaeus +
scale-like +, triquetrous +, terete +  and flat +
appendaged +, hooded +  and petaloid +
horned +, angled +  and campanulate +
New Zealand spinach +
South America +, e Asia +, Africa +, Pacific Islands (New Zealand) +  and Australia +
Greek tetra, four, and gonia, angle, in reference to the shape of the fruit +
5 cm50 mm <br />0.05 m <br /> (0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br />) +
inconspicuous +
unisexual +  and bisexual +
campanulate +  and tubular +
indehiscent +
peduncled +  and sessile +
entire;slightly sinuate or shallowly lobed +
[1-]3-10-loculed +
connate +  and distinct +
3-10-carpellate +
Sp. Pl. +  and Gen. Pl. ed. +
1753 +  and 1754 +
light-brown +
papillose +
reniform +
connate +  and distinct +
perigynous +
mat-forming +
underground +
semiwoody +
adnate +  and free +
connate +  and distinct +
Tetragonia +
Aizoaceae +
perennial +  and annual +
pilose +  and glabrous +