Spearleaf
Matelea parvifolia
Observed blooming along the Harquahala Wilderness trail, n. slope of Harquahala Mountains, La Paz Co., Arizona, USA. 11 March 2012. The flower is about 2.5 mm in diameter.
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RANGE: This obscure vine is found in
scattered locations on rocky slopes across southwestern Arizona. Also
California.
LEAVES: The small leaves are rather thick and arrow-shaped and in pairs
at each node.
FLOWERS: Five-pointed, brownish-green flowers are small and difficult to
see. Blooming in early spring and at other times of year, precipitation
dependent. What is the pollinator? A dedicated naturalist should study this and
must surely find something interesting.
SEEDS: Seeds have silky hairs and are borne inside an elongated capsule.
VINE: A small vine with slender stems twining up through other shrubs.
UNARMED.