Jepson Herbarium
		University of California, Berkeley

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[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.

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)

Plant to 3(7) m.
Leaf: blade 8–35 cm, 3–18 cm wide, lanceolate to ovate; petiole 1–6 cm.
Inflorescence: ± open raceme, spreading to generally drooping, (10)12–30 cm; peduncle to 15 cm; pedicel 3–13 mm.
Flower: sepals ± equal, 2.5–3.3 mm, ovate to ± round, ± white to ± pink; stamens 10, generally in 1 whorl; carpels 6–12, fused at least in basal 1/2.
Fruit: 6–11 mm diam, purple-black.
Seed: 2.5–3 mm, lenticular, black, shiny.
2n=36. Uncommon. Disturbed areas, roadsides; generally < 1000 m. California Floristic Province;

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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 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.