Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertner
Family: Apiaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
knotted hedgeparsley
Primary Disseminule Type
fruit segment
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a dry schizocarp, oblong-ovoid, terete to slightly compressed laterally, (1.75)2–3(4) mm long (including stylopodium) x 0.75–1.5 mm wide, gray, consisting of two one-seeded, indehiscent segments (mericarps) that separate at maturity.
Mericarps polymorphic, oblong-ovate, rounded on adaxial side, convex on abaxial side. Abaxial side with five obscure primary ridges, covered with appressed, white antrorse hairs, variously ornamented between the ridges: covered with straight, stiff, granulate to minutely retrorsely barbed pericarp spines of varying lengths (up to 2 mm) and thickness, tipped with a rosette of minute retrorse barbs; or covered with numerous short, thick, granulate tubercles of uniform size; or covered with granulate tubercles from the base, graduating in length to nearly spine-like at the apex. Oil ducts obscure in cross-sectional view of mericarp (two evident along deep longitudinal groove on adaxial side.)
Endosperm rolled inward along groove.
Similar Species
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI