Anelsonia
Encyclopedia
Anelsonia is a monotypic genus in the mustard family
containing the single species Anelsonia eurycarpa, which is known by the common name daggerpod. It is similar to another plant known as daggerpod, Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides
, but at present they are treated in separate genera. This species is a fleshy, hairy plant of higher-elevation mountain habitats throughout the western United States. Above the rosette of velvety, fingerlike leaves it bears densely-packed inflorescence
s of tiny white flowers. The distinctive fruits develop and dwarf the rest of the plant under an array of sail
like pod structures, each on a pedicel
. The fruits are each 2 to 3 centimeters tall, elliptic, and papery to leathery across a span between stiff septa
. They are white, often with areas of purple coloration, or brown. Within the folds of the fruit are several seeds. Anelsonia was named for the botanist Aven Nelson.
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae, a medium sized and economically important family of flowering plants , are informally known as the mustards, mustard flowers, the crucifers or the cabbage family....
containing the single species Anelsonia eurycarpa, which is known by the common name daggerpod. It is similar to another plant known as daggerpod, Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides
Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides
Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common names daggerpod and wallflower phoenicaulis. It is a small perennial herb of sagebrush country in the inland western United States. It has pink or light purple flowers and pale, fuzzy leaves, and...
, but at present they are treated in separate genera. This species is a fleshy, hairy plant of higher-elevation mountain habitats throughout the western United States. Above the rosette of velvety, fingerlike leaves it bears densely-packed inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s of tiny white flowers. The distinctive fruits develop and dwarf the rest of the plant under an array of sail
Sail
A sail is any type of surface intended to move a vessel, vehicle or rotor by being placed in a wind—in essence a propulsion wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
like pod structures, each on a pedicel
Pedicel (botany)
A pedicel is a stem that attaches single flowers to the main stem of the inflorescence. It is the branches or stalks that hold each flower in an inflorescence that contains more than one flower....
. The fruits are each 2 to 3 centimeters tall, elliptic, and papery to leathery across a span between stiff septa
Septum
In anatomy, a septum is a wall, dividing a cavity or structure into smaller ones.-In human anatomy:...
. They are white, often with areas of purple coloration, or brown. Within the folds of the fruit are several seeds. Anelsonia was named for the botanist Aven Nelson.