TYPE LOCALITY: TYPE SPECIMEN: TAXONOMIC UNIQUENESS: Three genera within Lennoaceae of which Pholisma

appears to be the most primitive (Copeland 1935). DESCRIPTION: Part above ground 1.0-2.0 dm (4.0-8.0 in.) tall. Unbranched stem 15.0-30.0 cm (6.0-12.0 in.) long, 15.0-20.0 mm (0.6-0.8 in) wide; fairly uniform from base to near apex; whitish in color, drying brown, fleshy with brownish scale-like leaves (cataphylls) 8.0-14.0 mm (0.32-0.56 in.) long, attaining greatest length about midway between base and apex of stem. Inflorescence spike-like; stamens and stigma even. Spikes oblong to branched, 2.0-8.0 cm (0.8-3.2 in.) across, calyx shorter than corolla, glandular-puberulent; corolla 3.0-4.0 mm (1.2-1.6 in.) broad. Seeds brown in color. N=-18 (Munz 1974). For complete description, see Templeton 1962. AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION: P. arenarium found on roots of shrubs such a