Leaves generally basal and cauline, alternate, generally simple; stipules 0
Inflorescence: generally raceme
Flower bisexual; sepals 4, free; petals (0)4, free, generally white or yellow, often clawed; stamens generally (2,4)6, generally 4 long, 2 short; ovary 1, superior, chambers generally 2, septum membranous, connecting 2 parietal placentas, style 1, stigma simple or 2-lobed
Fruit: generally capsule ("silique") with 2 deciduous valves, sometimes breaking transversely or indehiscent
Seeds 1–many per chamber
Genera in family: 300+ genera, 3000+ species: worldwide, especially cool regions; some cultivated for food (especially Brassica, Raphanus ) and ornamental
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Capparaceae [Rodman et al. 1993 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 80:686–699; Rollins 1993 Cruciferae of Continental North America. Stanford Univ Press]
Family description, key to genera by Robert A. Price.
LOBULARIA
SWEET ALYSSUM
Annual, perennial herb
Leaves simple, entire, narrow; hairs appressed, forked at base
Flower: petals widely obovate, entire, white to purplish tinged; stamens 6, anthers ovate, filaments flat, not winged
Fruit very flat parallel to septum, ± sessile above receptacle, tardily dehiscent; valves with prominent midvein, lesser netted veins
Seeds 1–5 per chamber, winged or not; embryonic root at edges of both cotyledons
Species in genus: 6 species: Medit, Eur
Etymology: (Latin: small lobe, possibly from hairs)
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