(Last Modified On 1/25/2013)
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(Last Modified On 1/25/2013)
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Genus
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ACHYRANTHES L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Sp. P1. 20. 1753.
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Synonym
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Centrostachys Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Ind. 2:497. 1824. Cadelaria Raf. Fl. Tell. 3:39. 1837. Stachyarpagophora Vaill. in Maza, Fl. Haban. 92. 1897.
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Description
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Flowers perfect, bracteate and bibracteolate, subsessile in elongate spikes. Sepals 4-5, discrete, hypogynous, concave, subequal, obscurely 3-5 nerved, occa- sionally pungent. Stamens 2-5, the filaments flattened and united below forming an appendiculate tube; anthers 4--locellate, introrse, medially attached. Ovary obovoid, 1-locular, 1-ovulate; ovules campylotropous on elongate flattened funicles; style 1, filiform; stigma 1, capitate. Fruit a membranaceous turbinate indehiscent utricle; seeds cochleate-orbiculate, reddish brown. Glabrous to pubescent erect or decumbent annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, short- petiolate, scantily appressed strigose to sericeous, deciduous. Inflorescences of terminal and axillary spikes, the flowers deflexed in age, the spinose tips of the bracts not uncinate.
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Distribution
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This weedy genus, of about five species, mostly of the Old World, is repre- sented by one species in Central America.
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Note
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The spines of the inflorescences are often a source of discomfort. Two varieties of one species occur in Panama.
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Project Name
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