Widowstears

Only one record of Tinantia anomala is known from Durango.

Herbs, annual, cespitose, to 80 cm. Leaves dimorphic, glaucous; basal leaves tapered into long petiole, linear-spatulate; distal cauline leaves sessile, broadly to narrowly lanceolate, 6--20 cm, base commonly cordate-clasping, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, cymes solitary; bracteoles 3--5 mm. Flowers 2--2.5 cm wide; sepals boat-shaped, 9--12 mm, glabrous; proximal petal white, rhombic, 3--4 mm; distal petals blue to lavender, obovate, 15--18 mm; proximal lateral stamens with purple hairs; distal stamens bearded with yellow-tipped hairs; ovules 2 per locule. Capsules oblong, 6--8 mm. Seeds gray-brown. 2n = 26.

Flowering spring--early summer. Limestone talus slopes, granitic slopes, edges of woods and ravines, prefers some shade; Tex.; Mexico (Durango).

Tradescantia anomala Torrey in W. H. Emory, Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. 2(1): 225. 1859; Commelinantia anomala (Torrey) Tharp

Tinantia anomala, common name false dayflower or widow's-tears, is a plant species in the Commelinaceae, related to the Mexican wandering Jew, Tinantia pringlei. It is known only from Texas except for a single specimen from the Mexican state of Durango. It is found on rocky slopes, ravines, the edges of woodlands etc.

Tinantia anomala is an annual herb up to 80 cm (32 inches) tall. Basal leaves have petioles but the stem leaves do not. Flowers are bicolored, white with some blue or lavender.