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PHYTOLACCACEAE POKEWEED FAMILY

John W. Thieret, final revision by Thomas J. Rosatti

[Annual to] per [to tree], generally ± glabrous.
Leaf: alternate, simple, entire, generally petioled; stipules 0 or vestigial.
Inflorescence: spike, raceme [ panicle], [ axillary or] terminal (then often lateral, ± opposite a leaf, by growth of bud axillary to that leaf); bract 1; bractlets 2.
Flower: generally bisexual, radial; sepals [4]5[10], fused at base, generally persistent; petals 0; stamens 4–many, generally on disk, free or fused at base, in 1–2 whorls or not; carpels generally 1–12, [ free] to fused, ovary generally superior, carpels = styles, chambers in number, ovules 1 per chamber, stigmas linear or thread-like.
Fruit: berry [ achene, capsule, drupe, nut, samara].
± 18 genera, 130 species: ± worldwide, especially Am tropics, subtrop. [Rogers 1985 J Arnold Arbor 66:1–37] A broad family concept adopted here, as many as 6 segregate families sometimes recognized by others. —Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.

PHYTOLACCA
Perennial [to tree]; axes often ± red to purple.
Flower: sepals 5[8], petal-like; stamens generally 5–30; carpels 5–12, ± fused.
Fruit: berry, chambers 5–12.
Seed: 1 per chamber.
± 25 species: tropics, subtrop, especially Am. (Greek, Latin: plant, crimson dye, from fruit color)

Key to Phytolacca

P. icosandra L. TROPICAL POKEWEED
NATURALIZED
Plant to 3 m.
Leaf: blade < 30 cm, 15 cm wide, elliptic to obovate ( lanceolate); petiole 0.5–6 cm.
Inflorescence: spike or spike-like, < 30 cm; peduncle < 10 cm; pedicel 0 or 0.5–2(4) mm.
Flower: sepals equal, < 3 mm, broadly elliptic, white or pink to pale ± red; stamens (8)10–22(30), generally in 2 whorls; carpels generally 6–10, fused.
Fruit: 7–8 mm diam, purple-black.
Seed: 2.5–3 mm, thickly lenticular, black, shiny.
Disturbed areas, chrome ore piles; 10–400 m. South Coast (San Diego Co.), Peninsular Ranges (Otay Mtn); Arizona, MD; n Mexico to n South America. Some authors including Phytolacca octandra L. Summer–winter [Online Interchange]

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Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) [year] Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html [accessed on month, day, year]
Citation for an individual treatment: [Author of taxon treatment] [year]. [Taxon name] in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, [URL for treatment]. Accessed on [month, day, year].

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Bioregions in which taxon occurs Markers link to CCH specimen records. If the markers are obscured, reload the page [or change window size and reload]. Yellow markers indicate records that may provide evidence for eFlora range revision or may have georeferencing or identification issues.
map of distribution 1

Chart based on elevation range in Manual and elevations and coordinates of CCH records.
Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria.
Note: About half of the CCH records include both elevation and coordinates.
Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria.
View all CCH records

 

CCH collections by month

Duplicates counted once; synonyms included.
Species do not include records of infraspecific taxa.
Blue line denotes Manual flowering time.