About: Peritoma

Peritoma was a genus in the plant family Cleomaceae with six species of shrubs and annuals, but is now considered synonymous with Cleomella. All six species are native to North America, concentrated mostly in southern California, and with large populations in the rest of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. The name "Peritoma" is derived from the Ancient Greek words "peri" (περί), meaning "about" or "around," and "toma" or "tome" (τομή), meaning "cut." The name "cut-around" refers to the calyx that splits around its middle as the fruit dehisces.