GALLERIES > PLANTS AND TREES >
BLADDERPOD [Isomeris arborea]
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CAGPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP Date: April 1, 2009 ID : 1950 [3888 x 2592]
|
|
SPECIES INFO
Cleome isomeris (syn. Isomeris arborea) is a species of cleome known by the common names bladderpod, burrofat, and California cleome.
It is native to California and Baja California where it grows in a variety of habitats from coastal bluffs to desert arroyos. It is a densely branching shrub reaching one half to two meters in height. Its leaves are made up of three equal leaflike leaflets, each a long, pointed oval one to four centimeters long.
The plant produces abundant inflorescences at the ends of the stem branches, each a cluster of bright yellow flowers. Each flower has usually four petals and six whiskery protruding stamens with curling tips holding the anthers. At the middle is a long, protruding style which holds the developing fruit at its tip.
The fruit is an inflated capsule about 4 centimeters long and usually oval in shape. It is smooth and green when new, aging to light brown. A typical inflorescence bears a number of unopened flower buds at its tip, open flowers proximal to the buds, and maturing fruits which have shed their flowers below these.
|
|