TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©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

ARALIACEAE

GINSENG FAMILY

Elizabeth McClintock

Shrub, woody vine, rarely perennial herb, tree; juvenile plant often unlike flowering plant
Stem generally branched
Leaves simple or compound, generally alternate; stipules ± fused to ± sheathing petiole base or 0
Inflorescence: umbels solitary to panicled; bracts deciduous or not
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial, generally < 5 mm; sepals generally 5, fused at base, inconspicuous, persistent; petals generally 5, free, ± white to green, deciduous; stamens generally 5, generally alternate petals; ovary inferior, chambers 1–15, 1-ovuled, styles as many as chambers, free or fused, persistent
Fruit: berry or drupe
Genera in family: 60–70 genera, 700 species: especially tropical, subtropical; medicinal (e.g. Panax , ginseng; Aralia , sarsaparilla), ornamental (e.g., Aralia, Fatsia, Hedera, Polyscias )
Reference: [Graham 1966 J Arnold Arbor 47:126–136]