Neptunia pubescens
(Tropical Puff)
Neptunia pubescens, Along City Park Road, Austin, Travis Co. 6236
| Scientific Name | Neptunia pubescens | USDA PLANTS Symbol | NEPU3 |
| Common Name | Tropical Puff | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26802 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | Southeastern Flora Ref. | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Dry sandy soils, grasslands. (Specimen in photo found in dry area along roadside). Plant: Short, sprawling perennial, multiple stems trailing over ground or low vegetation. Leaves: Twice-compound leaves up to 3-1/2 inches long overall with 2 to 5 pairs of pinnae (larger leaflets), each with many (14-43) pairs of tiny ultimate leaflets, each 1/10 to 1/3-inch long that fold together when touched. Inflorescence: Asymmetrical-looking globe-shaped yellow flowers in cluster about 1/2 inch across; each cluster has 15-30 flowers, lower ones sterile and the upper bisexual; each sterile flower has 10 yellow protruding sterile stamens that look like petals (petaloid staminodes); each bisexual flower has 10 stamens and a pistil. Bloom Period: May to October. References: Vascular Plants of Williamson County, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, and "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024