3. Callirhoe digitata Nutt. (fringed poppy mallow, finger poppy
mallow, finger wine cup)
Pl. 451 h–j; Map
2047
Stems 30–120 cm
long, erect or ascending, glabrous, glaucous, rarely sparsely pubescent with
simple hairs near the nodes. Basal leaf petioles 7–30 cm long, glabrous or more
commonly pubescent with simple hairs. Basal leaf blades 3–12 cm long,
kidney-shaped to nearly circular in outline, with 3–9 deep palmate lobes, these
often 1 or 2 times (2)3-lobed again, the ultimate segments usually linear, the
margins entire or with few shallow lobes or teeth, the upper surface glabrous
or pubescent with simple hairs, the undersurface usually pubescent with simple
hairs. Leaves of the aerial stems with the blades 3–13 cm long, kidney-shaped
to nearly circular or broadly ovate in outline, with 3–9 deep palmate lobes,
these often 1 or 2 times (2)3-lobed again, the ultimate segments usually
linear, the margins entire or with few shallow lobes or teeth, the pubescence
as in the basal leaves. Stipules mostly shed before flowering, 6.0–7.5 mm long,
linear to narrowly lanceolate. Inflorescences panicles with 6–20 flowers.
Bractlets subtending the calyx absent. Buds ovate, the sepal tips valvate,
forming a short beaklike projection 1.0–2.5 mm long. Calyces 7–10 mm long, the
outer surface glabrous, the lobes 3.5–7.0 mm long, lanceolate to narrowly ovate
or narrowly triangular. Petals 15–26 mm long, deep rose to wine red or purplish
red, usually with a lighter area toward the base. Fruits 7–9 mm in diameter,
with 12–16 mericarps. Mericarps indehiscent, 3.5–4.5 mm long, the surfaces
glabrous, the sides of the fertile portion with a reticulate pattern of
thickenings, separated from the inconspicuous sterile portion but without a
differentiated collar. 2n=28. May–September.
Scattered in the
western portion of the Ozark Division and the Unglaciated Plains; introduced in
Boone and Clay Counties (Missouri to Arkansas, west to adjacent Kansas and
Texas; adventive in Illinois, Indiana, and possibly Louisiana). Dry upland
forests, upland prairies, and calcareous glades; also roadsides and railroads.