Petalonyx nitidus

Plant: shrub or subshrub; to 0.5 m tall; current growth often sparsely branched Leaves: petiolate, 1.5-4 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, those of branches and main axis similar in size; blade ovate to broadly elliptic; margin sometimes entire, usually few-toothed INFLORESCENCE: RACEMES to 3 cm long, ca. 2 cm wide. OUTER BRACT 5-12 mm long, 2-6 mm wide; margin crenate or with small teeth to nearly entire; apex abruptly attenuate Flowers: petals connate, 5-10(-11) mm long; stamens 7-14 mm long Fruit: ACHENE 1-3 mm long; SEED subapical; testa non-sculptured; endosperm lacking Misc: Open slopes and mesas, frequently on volcanic substrates; 950-1450 m (3000-4700 ft); May-Jul REFERENCES: Christy, Charlotte M. 1998. Loasaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. 30(2): 96.