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Small-flower sandpuffs

Tripterocalyx micranthus (Torr.) Hook.

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Small-flower sandpuffs
Small-flower sandpuffs habit

Morphology

Stem
Decumbent to erect, simple or branched, glandular-pubescent, sticky.
Leaves
Opposite, simple; petiole .4 to 1.6 inch; blade lanceolate-ovate to elliptic, .4 to 2.4 inches long, .2 to 1 inch wide; base tapered to truncate, margins entire to wavy, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces sticky-pubescent.
Inflorescence
Head-like clusters, 5-15-flowered, axillary, dense; bracts usually 5, distinct, green or papery, lanceolate to ovate, .12 to .35 inch long, .04 to .12 inch wide, apex obtuse to acute; receptacle flat to somewhat conic. Pedicels peg-like on receptacle.
Flower
Perianth funnelform to salverform, tube green to pink, .25 to .7 inch, limb green to pink, .12 to .2 inch wide; stamens (3-)4-5; pistil 1; style 1; stigma 1, linear.
Fruit
.2 to .8 inch long, .2 to .8 inch wide, spongy, with prominently veined, translucent wings contiguous across fruit apices and bases, wings 2-4. Achenes brown, obovoid, .25 to .28 inch.

Ecology

Habitat
Sandsage prairies
Distribution
Hamilton, Haskell and Kearney Counties, Kansas

Additional Notes

Comments

Tripterocalyx, three and wing, alluding to the perianth.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Nyctaginaceae - Four-o'clock Family
Life Span
Annual
Height
2-16 inches
Origin
Native
Last Updated
2021-10-03
Color Groups
Pink, Red & Orange Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: May, June, July, August