Little-leaf Moonpod (Acleisanthes parviflora)

   

• Common English Names: Little-leaf Moonpod, Small-leaf Moonpod
• Common Spanish Names: None known.
• Scientific Name: Acleisanthes parviflora (a-kly-SAN-thes par-vih-FLOR-uh)
• Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock Family)
• Geographic Range: Endemic on gypseous shale and clay slopes and flats in Presidio and Brewster counties in the Big Bend region of Texas and adjacent northeastern Chihuahua.
• Description: Rounded sub-shrub to 3 feet tall with brittle, intricately branching, whitish stems and small sparse heart-shaped leaves with a repeatedly forked inflorescence bearing 3-inch long, glandular, slender tubular flowers, greenish white to pale yellow-green in color, followed by small winged fruit.
• Notes: A nocturnal bloomer, the flowers opening at dusk and closing by mid-morning.

Last Update: 29 Sep 2013