Nyctaginaceae

This family contains exactly one genus, Mirabilis.

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  M. jalapa

  1a. Involucres 1-flowered, cup-shaped, not accrescent in fruit; calyx salverform, with a prolonged, tubular, connate portion 20–30 mm long
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  1b. Involucres 3- to 5-flowered, broad and open, accrescent in fruit [Fig. 732]; calyx campanulate, with a short, tubular, connate portion 1–2 mm long
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    M. nyctaginea

    2a. Leaf blades ovate to broad-ovate, the larger ones rounded to cordate at the base and borne on petioles 10–30 mm long; inflorescence eglandular
  • See list of 3 species in 2b
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    2b. Leaf blades linear to lanceolate or oblong, tapering to the base, sessile or on short petioles up to 5 mm long; inflorescence usually glandular-pubescent
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      M. linearis

      3a. Leaf blades linear, usually 5 mm wide or narrower; stem glabrous
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      3b. Leaf blades narrow-lanceolate to lanceolate or oblong, 5–20 mm wide; stem pubescent
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        M. albida

        4a. Stem pubescent in 2 strips on each internode with short, curved hairs up to 0.5 mm long; anthocarp coarsely tuberculate on the ridges
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        M. hirsuta

        4b. Stem pubescent, at least at the nodes, with spreading hairs 1–2 mm long; anthocarp relatively smooth on the ridges

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 Show photos of:   Each photo represents one species in this genus.