10. Hemiscola Rafinesque, Sylva Tellur. 111. 1838.
Spiderflower [Greek, hemi-, half, and skolios, curved, alluding to seed shape]
Gordon C. Tucker, Hugh H. Iltis
Herbs, annual [perennial]. Stems (sometimes ± procumbent, weak), sparsely to moderately (or delicately) branched ; glabrous or glandular-pubescent. Leaves: stipular spines present (recurved); petiole with pulvinus basally or distally; leaflets (1 or)3. Inflorescences terminal or axillary (from distal leaves), racemes (flat-topped or elongated); bracts present. Flowers (often appearing unisexual due to incomplete development), zygomorphic; sepals persistent or deciduous, distinct, equal (each often subtending a nectary); petals oblong to ovate, equal; stamens 6; filaments inserted on a discoid or conical gynophore, glabrous; anthers (ellipsoid to linear), coiling as pollen is released; gynophore reflexed in fruit. Fruits capsules, dehiscent, fusiform to linear-cylindric. Seeds 10-20, oblong or obovoid, prominently arillate, (cleft fused between ends). x = 10.
Species 6 (2 in the flora); introduced; Mexico, Central America, South America (south to Argentina).
