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Leander, Bruce
Peritoma multicaulis
Peritoma multicaulis (de Candolle) H. H. Iltis
Slender Bee-plant, Slender Spiderflower
Capparaceae (Caper Family)
Synonym(s): Cleome multicaulis
USDA Symbol: PEMU13
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
"Annuals, 20-60 cm. Stems unbranched or sparsely branched; glabrous. Leaves: petiole 0.5-1.5 cm; leaflets 3, blade linear to elliptic, 1-2 × 0.1 cm, margins entire, apex long-acuminate, surfaces glabrous. Racemes 1-3 cm (6-40 cm in fruit); bracts unifoliate, obovate to spatulate, 2-15 mm. Pedicels 7-15 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, distinct or slightly connate basally, yellow, lanceolate, 1.6-2.6 × 0.8-1.2 mm, margins denticulate, glabrous; petals white, pink, or rose, oblong to ovate, 4-5 × 1-1.3 mm; stamens yellow, 4-5 mm; anthers 1.9-2.6 mm; gynophore 10-20 mm in fruit; ovary 3-6 mm; style 0.5-0.8 mm. Capsules (reflexed) not inflated, 15-25 × 1.5 mm, striate, (glabrous). Seeds 10-20, gray to black, triangular (sharply angled), 6-15 × 2-2.5 mm, (acute at both ends) rugose." (Webref: 3).
"Of conservation concern." (Webref: 3). Formerly classified as Cleome multicaulis.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Palmate , Trifoliate
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Linear , Obovate , Ovate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Inflorescence: Axillary , Raceme , Terminal
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: To about 2 feet in height.
Leaf: "Leaves: petiole 0.5-1.5 cm; leaflets 3, blade linear to elliptic, 1-2 x 0.1 cm, margins entire, apex long-acuminate, surfaces glabrous." (Webref: 3)
Flower: "Racemes 1-3 cm (6-40 cm in fruit); bracts unifoliate, obovate to spatulate, 2-15 mm. Pedicels 7-15 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, distinct or slightly connate basally, yellow, lanceolate, 1.6-2.6 x 0.8-1.2 mm, margins denticulate, glabrous; petals white, pink, or rose, oblong to ovate, 4-5 x 1-1.3 mm; stamens yellow, 4-5 mm; anthers 1.9-2.6 mm; gynophore 10-20 mm in fruit; ovary 3-6 mm; style 0.5-0.8 mm." (Webref: 3)
Fruit: "Capsules (reflexed) not inflated, 15-25 x 1.5 mm, striate, (glabrous). Seeds 10-20, gray to black, triangular (sharply angled), 6-15 x 2-2.5 mm, (acute at both ends) rugose." (Webref: 3)
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: "white, pink, or rose." (Webref: 3).
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , TX , WYNative Distribution: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming; Mexico (Coahuila, Distrito Federal, Jalisco, México, Sonora)." (Webref: 3).
Native Habitat: "Dry to moist open ground, often in saline or volcanic soils; of conservation concern; 700-2000(-2300) m" (Webref: 3). "Wet, saline or alkaline soils; often in and around alkali sinks, alkaline meadows, or old lake beds." (Webref: 50).
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , Medium , HighLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: "Dry to moist open ground, often in saline or volcanic soils." (Webref: 3). "Wet, saline or alkaline soils; often in and around alkali sinks, alkaline meadows, or old lake beds." (Webref: 50).
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesDeer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsWeb Reference
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 50 - New Mexico Rare Plants (2020) New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council
Additional resources
USDA: Find Peritoma multicaulis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Peritoma multicaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Peritoma multicaulis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-08-01Research By: Joseph A. Marcus