Quamoclidion Choisy in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 429. 1849; Hermidium S. Watson; Mirabilis sect. Paramirabilis Heimerl; Mirabilis subg. Quamoclidion (Choisy) Jepson

Herbs, perennial; roots cylindric, spongy. Stems erect, ascending, or nearly decumbent, densely leafy, leaves ± evenly distributed. Leaves: basal leaves petiolate, broader; distal leaves sessile or subsessile, narrower, margins entire. Inflorescences axillary and in compact terminal cymes; involucres slightly or not accrescent, bell-shaped or broadly tubular, with [3-](5-)6(-16) flowers, usually with 1 central flower and 1 flower on each midvein of bract, central flower solitary and naked or bracteate (when flowers more than 6, then more than 1 flower per midvein of bract). Flowers: perianth tubular, campanulate, or long funnelform, abruptly flared from broad tube, deeply 5-lobed; stamens 5. Fruits with 0 or 10 low, slender, inconspicuous ribs, ovoid to ellipsoid, base slightly or prominently constricted, apex truncate, surface of fruit smooth or rugulose, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, mucilaginous or not when wetted.

Species 6 (5 in the flora): sw United States, n Mexico.

SELECTED REFERENCE

Pilz, G. E. 1978. Systematics of Mirabilis subgenus Quamoclidion (Nyctaginaceae). Madroño 25: 113-132.