Jepson Herbarium
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Indexes to all accepted names and synonyms: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Shrub, small tree.
Stem: generally glabrous; branchlets or twigs generally thorny.
Leaf: generally deciduous, simple, generally small, generally alternate, entire; stipules minute or 0.
Inflorescence: flowers 1.
Flower: generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium short; sepals, petals generally 5(3–6), free; petals generally white, ephemeral; stamens 4–50, on or around disk; pistils 1–9, simple, styles short, stigmas head-like, ovules generally 2–many.
Fruit: follicles, 1–9.
Seed: brown to black, arilled.
4 genera, 9 species: w US, Mex. [Sosa & Chase 2003 Syst Bot 28:96–105] —Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.
Unabridged references: [Thorne & Scogin 1978 Aliso 9:171–178; Sosa & Chase 2003 Syst Bot 28:96–105]

Key to Crossosomataceae

Small shrub, generally densely branched.
Stem: angled, ± green, ± thorny at tips or not, hairs 0 to sparse.
Leaf: small, generally deciduous, ± entire, ± sessile.
Flower: petals narrow-oblanceolate, white.
Fruit: ovoid, generally striate, generally beaked.
Seed: generally 1–2, generally brown; aril ± inconspicuous, generally ± white.
± 5 species: w US, n Mex, especially limestone in desert mtns. (Greek: tongue petal, from petal shape) [Yatskievych 2007 Novon 17:529–530]
Unabridged references: [Holmgren 1988 Brittonia 40:269–274]
Unabridged note: Formerly treated as Forsellesia, in Celastraceae.

Plant < 2 m, ± erect.
Stem: ± thorny at tips.
Leaf: 5–17 mm, oblong to obovate; veins ± inconspicuous abaxially.
Flower: sepals ± rounded, 0 spine-tipped; petals 3–7 mm; stamens 6–10, ± equal.
Seed: 1–2, 2–3 mm, generally shiny brown.
Limestone; 850–2720 m. s Klamath Ranges, s High Sierra Nevada (Piute Mtns, Kern Co.), San Bernardino Mountains (n base), White and Inyo Mountains, Desert Mountains;

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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	Red area (if present) is the part of the bioregion lying between the upper and lower elevation limits of the taxon; 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.
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.	Map made in collaboration with Scott Loarie. 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.