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	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California Print edition is available from the University of California Press

	The second edition of The Jepson Manual (2012) is available from the University of California Press
	See also the Jepson eFlora, which parallels the Second Edition

BATACEAE

SALTWORT FAMILY

William J. Stone

Shrub, low, bushy, maritime, dioecious or monoecious
Leaves opposite, simple, narrow, fleshy; stipules minute
Inflorescence: spike, cone-like, small, axillary, ± sessile; stipules minute
Flowers unisexual
Staminate flowers 8–12; flower initially enclosed in sac-like organ which may be sepals or pair of bractlets, splitting with age; perianth parts 4, alternate stamens; stamens 4, anthers opening by longitudinal slits
Pistillate flowers 4–12, not enclosed; perianth 0; ovary superior, fleshy, chambers 4, ovule 1 per chamber, stigmas 2, head-like, sessile
Fruit drupe-like, water dispersed
Seeds 1–4, hard-walled
Chromosomes: 2n=18,22
Genera in family: 1 genus, 2 species: tropical, subtropical Am., Pacific, Australia
Etymology: (Greek: name of some seashore plant)
Perianth parts in staminate flowers also interpreted as staminodes.