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Fourpetal Pussypaws (Cistanthe quadripetala)

Description

Cistanthe quadripetala (formerly Calyptridium quadripetalum) is a species of flowering plant in the purslane family known by the common name four-petalled pussypaws. It is endemic to the North Coast Ranges of California, where it is an uncommon member of the serpentine soils flora on the slopes. It is a small annual plant spreading or erect stems each a few centimeters long. There is a basal rosette of small, thick leaves and a few along the stems. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of sepals and four white to pink round petals.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Magnoliophyta

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Caryophyllales

            • Family: Montiaceae

              • Genus: Cistanthe