Cyphomeris gypsophiloides (M.Martens & Galeotti) Standl.

This species is much like Boerhavia, but with larger, gibbous fruits. It is common around rocky outcrops in southern New Mexico. A perennial, it is inconspicuous and produces primarily cleistogamous flowers in dry years, but has conspicuous chasmogamous flowers in wet years. Identified by Norm Douglas.

An inflorescence near La Cueva on the west side of the Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, 7 Sep 2006.



Closer view of flowers at La Cueva, 7 Sep 2006.



Cauline leaves at La Cueva, 7 Sep 2006.



Unopened flower, La Cueva, 7 Sep 2006. Though the lower parts of the tepals are free from the ovary, they are appressed to it, strongly constricted above it, and fall with it in fruit.



A longitudinally sectioned flower, showing that the ovary is not adnate to the corolla, near the entrance to Rabbit Ears Canyon on the northwestern side of the Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, 1 Oct 2013.



Cleistogamous flowers near Dripping Springs on the west side of the Organ Mountains, 4 Oct 2009. In drier years, most plants only produce cleistogamous flowers.

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