6. Loeflingia Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 35. 1753. Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 22. 1754.
[For P. Loefling, 1729-1756, Swedish botanist and explorer]
Ronald L. Hartman, Richard K. Rabeler
Herbs, annual. Taproots slender. Stems prostrate to erect, usually dichotomously branched at or near base, terete. Leaves opposite, basal leaves absent, axillary leaf clusters often present, weakly connate, sessile; stipules 2 per node, ± white to silvery, bristlelike, margins entire, apex acuminate; blade 1-veined or obscurely so, subulate to oblong, not succulent, apex blunt to spine-tipped. Inflorescences axillary, 1(-2)-flowered; bracts absent. Pedicels: flowers sessile. Flowers: perianth and androecium hypogynous; sepals ± distinct, green, linear to lanceolate, 1.8-6.5 mm, herbaceous, margins silvery, often scarious, apex acute to spinose; petals absent or rudimentary; nectaries not apparent; stamens 3-5, arising from base of ovary; filaments distinct; styles 3, distinct, filiform, shorter than 0.1 mm, glabrous proximally; stigmas 3, linear along adaxial surface of styles, papillate (30×). Capsules lanceoloid to ovoid, opening by 3 slightly recurved valves; carpophore absent. Seeds 25-35, tan with reddish brown band on curved edge, tear-shaped, plump, minutely papillate on broadly grooved edge, marginal wing absent, appendage absent.
Species 7 (1 in the flora): North America, Europe (w Mediterranean region), sw Asia, Africa (w Mediterranean region, Sahara).
SELECTED REFERENCE
Barneby, R. C. and E. C. Twisselmann. 1970. Notes on Loeflingia (Caryophyllaceae). Madroño 20: 398-408.
