TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
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Subshrub, shrub, vine, or small tree
Leaves opposite, simple or compound; stipules generally 0
Flower: calyx tube fused to ovary, limb generally 5-lobed; corolla radial or bilateral, rotate to cylindric, generally 5-lobed; stamens generally 5, epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes; ovary inferior, 15-chambered, style l
Fruit: berry, drupe, or capsule
Genera in family: ± 12 genera, 450 species: especially n temp
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Valerianaceae (and Dispaceae); Sambucus, Viburnum recently treated in Adoxaceae
Shrub
Stem decumbent to erect, slender
Leaf simple, deciduous, small, short-petioled; blade generally elliptic to round, some often ± lobed
Inflorescence: generally raceme, generally ± terminal, generally few-flowered; flower subtended by 2 fused bractlets
Flower ± radial; hypanthium ± spheric; calyx with 5-toothed, persistent limb; corolla bell-shaped to ± salverform, generally 5-lobed, white or pink, often ± hairy inside; nectaries 15, ± basal; stamens generally included; ovary chambers 4, styles generally included, stigma head-shaped
Fruit generally berry-like, generally white
Seeds 2 (1 per lateral ovary chamber), ± oblong, planoconvex
Species in genus: ± 10 species: North America, 1 in China
Etymology: (Greek: to bear fruit together, the berries borne in clusters)
Reference: [Jones 1940 J Arnold Arbor 21:201252]