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. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual to tree, sometimes monoecious or dioecious, glandular or with bead-like hairs that collapse with age, becoming scaly or powdery
Stem often fleshy
Leaves generally alternate, entire to lobed; veins generally pinnate
Inflorescence: raceme, spike, catkin-like, or spheric cluster, or flower 1; bracts 0few
Flower: sepals 15, often 0 in pistillate flowers, free or fused, generally persistent in fruit; petals 0; stamens 05; ovary generally superior, chamber 1, ovule 1, styles 13
Fruit: generally utricle
Seed 1, vertical (fruit compressed side-to-side) or horizontal (fruit compressed top-to-bottom)
Genera in family: 100 genera, 1300 species: worldwide, especially deserts, saline or alkaline soils; some cultivated for food (Beta , beets, chard; Chenopodium , quinoa)
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated in expanded Amaranthaceae
Perennial, glabrous, rhizomed
Stem decumbent to erect; branches paired
Leaves opposite, linear to ovate, fleshy, sessile to clasping
Inflorescence axillary; bracts generally 2, unequal; flowers 13 per cluster
Flower: sepals 5(7), enclosing fruit, papery; sides overlapping; back ribbed; stamens 5, included; stigmas 2, persistent in fruit
Fruit ± 2 mm
Seed vertical, black
Species in genus: ± 8 species: temp Am
Etymology: (Greek: soda loving)