Stenopetalum (common name thread petal) is a genus in the Brassicaceae family which is endemic to Australia. It was first described by Robert Brown in 1821.
Species There are 11 species in the genus. Stenopetalum anfractum E.A. Shaw Stenopetalum decipiens E.A. Shaw Stenopetalum filifolium Benth. Stenopetalum lineare R. Br. ex DC. Stenopetalum nutans F. Muell. Stenopetalum pedicellare F. Muell. ex Benth. Stenopetalum robustum Endl. Stenopetalum salicola Keighery Stenopetalum saxatile Keighery Stenopetalum sphaerocarpum F. Muell. Stenopetalum velutinum F. Muell.
Description Plants in this genus may be annuals or perennials. They are erect and may be with or without hair. The sepals are saccate (shaped like a pouch or sack) and have two forms. The petals are clawed and drawn out into a long, narrow apex. There are six stamens. The fruit opens at maturity to release the seeds. There are four to twenty mucous seeds in each locule, arranged in two rows.
Etymology The name Stenopetalum derives from the Greek, , ("narrow"), and the Latin, , ("petal"), and describes plants in the genus as having long, narrow petals.
References
Further reading
External links Stenopetalum occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium