Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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Aphanes L.

APHANES L.

(C.J.W., D.R.G.)

Short-stemmed, hairy, annual herbs; branches often ± decumbent. Lvs mostly cauline, 3-partite, with each segment usually divided into several lobes; stipules broad, clasping, 5-7-lobed, adnate to petiole, persistent. Infl. of numerous, axillary, 5-15-flowered cymes forming glomerules, < to slightly > stipules. Fls 4-5-merous, small, greenish to yellowish, subsessile or pedicellate, ⚥. Hypanthium urceolate to turbinate. Epicalyx present or 0. Calyx with 4-5, triangular sepals. Petals 0. Stamens 1-(2), inserted on inner margin of hypanthium disc. Ovary superior, surrounded by the deep hypanthium; carpel 1; style 1; ovule 1. Fr. a single achene enclosed in the thin, dry hypanthium.

Key

1
Mature fr. 1.6-2 mm long; fruiting hypanthium cylindric, slightly flattened, with very short hairs; fruiting calyx teeth ± spreading, glabrous or almost glabrous except for marginal hairs
Mature fr. 2-2.5-(2.8) or 1-1.7 mm long; fruiting hypanthium ellipsoid, flattened, with long or short hairs; fruiting calyx teeth ± erect to connivent, with long or short hairs on margin or back
2
2
Mature fr. 2-2.5-(2.8) mm long; fruiting calyx teeth ± erect; hypanthium usually with some long hairs on ribs
Mature fr. 1-1.7 mm long; fruiting calyx teeth ± connivent; hypanthium usually with only short hairs

c. 20 spp., almost cosmopolitan. Naturalised spp. 3.

Aphanes is closely related to Alchemilla and has sometimes been included in that genus. Some spp., including those described below, closely resemble Soliva spp. (Asteraceae) and Ceratocephalus (Ranunculaceae), and may occur in rather similar habitats. The spp. described are very similar and can be difficult to distinguish in the absence of well-developed fr. (Fig. 98).