AIZOACEAE

FIG-MARIGOLD FAMILY

John Bleck, Wayne R. Ferren Jr., Nancy J. Vivrette

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, generally fleshy
Stem underground or prostrate to erect
Leaves generally simple, generally cauline, generally opposite; stipule generally 0; blade generally glabrous, often glaucous
Inflorescence: cyme or flower solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium present; sepals 3–8; petals generally many in several whorls, free or fused at base, linear, sometimes 0; stamens 1–many, free or fused in groups, outer often petal-like; nectary a ring or separate glands; pistil 1, ovary superior to inferior, chambers 1–20, placentas generally parietal, styles 0–20, stigmas 1–20
Fruit: generally capsule, opening by flaps or circumscissile, or berry or nut
Seeds 1–many per chamber, often with aril
Genera in family: 130 genera, 2500 species: generally subtropical, especially s Africa; many cultivated, some waifs in CA (e.g., Disphyma crassifolium (L.) L. Bolus: ovary glands convex and minutely crenate, stigmas densely plumose, fruit chambers 5, seeds ovate, ± smooth; Lampranthus species: ovary glands fused, fruit chambers 5, seeds pear-shaped, ± black, rough; both genera members of Ruschieae)
Reference: [Ferren et al. 1981 Madroño 28:80–85]
Glinus, Mollugo are in Molluginaceae.

DROSANTHEMUM

John Bleck

Perennial, shrub, papillate
Stem prostrate to erect, generally rough
Leaves 4-ranked, 1–2.5 cm, 2.5 mm wide, triangular to round in X -section
Inflorescence: cyme (flowers few) or flower solitary
Flower < 3.5 cm diam; sepals generally 5; petals in 1 or 2 whorls, free; outer stamens sterile, inner stamens erect; nectaries separate; ovary ± inferior, top flat or convex, chambers 4–6, placentas parietal, stigmas 4–6
Fruit: capsule, persistent; flaps present
Seed light brown, rough
Species in genus: 95 species: s Africa
Etymology: (Greek: dew flower)
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