Ayenia compacta is a species of shrub in the mallow family known by the common name California ayenia.
| Ayenia compacta | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Ayenia |
| Species: | A. compacta
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| Binomial name | |
| Ayenia compacta | |
| Synonyms | |
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Ayenia californica | |
It is native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, in the Sonoran Desert and its Colorado Desert, and in the sky islands of the Mojave Desert.
Description
editAyenia compacta is a small shrub producing many erect, branching stems up to 40 centimeters tall from a taproot. The sparse leaves are oval in shape and edged in dull teeth.
The flowers appear in the leaf axils. Each has upcurled sepals in one layer and downcurled petals in a layer just above. Each petal has a threadlike claw.
The capsule fruit is a purple-tinted yellow sphere about half a centimeter wide.
External links
edit- Jepson Manual Treatment of Ayenia compacta
- USDA Plants Profile for Ayenia compacta
- Ayenia compacta — UC Photos gallery
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