| Wislizenia | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Cleomaceae |
| Genus: | Wislizenia |
| Species: | W. refracta |
| Binomial name | |
| Wislizenia refracta Engelm. |
|
Wislizenia is a monotypic genus of flowering plant containing the single species Wislizenia refracta, which is known by the common names spectacle fruit and jackass clover. Like genus Cleome and several relatives, Wislizenia has traditionally been included in the caper family, Capparaceae, but has more recently been moved to the new family Cleomaceae. This is an erect, branching herb which forms a low, scrubby bush. It extends many dense racemes topped with densely-packed flowers. The flowers are mustard-yellow and bear plentiful thready stamens which form a cloud about the inflorescence. The distinctive fruit is a conjoined pair of hard, tan nutlets containing the seeds. The foliage of this plant is toxic, but it is utilized readily by honeybees, making it a good honey plant. Wislizenia is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.