TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information) |
|
©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, perennial herb, sometimes aquatic
Leaves generally basal and cauline, generally alternate, simple or compound; petioles at base generally flat, sometimes sheathing or stipule-like
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; sepals generally 5, free, early deciduous or withering in fruit, generally green; petals 0many, free; stamens generally 10many; pistils 1many, ovary superior, chamber 1, style 1, generally ± persistent in fruit as beak, ovules 1many
Fruit: achene, follicle, berry, or utricle-like, 1many-seeded
Genera in family: ± 60 genera, 1700 species: worldwide, especially n temp, tropical mtns; many ornamental (Adonis, Aquilegia, Clematis, Consolida, Delphinium, Erianthis, Helleborus ),some highly TOXIC (Aconitum, Actaea, Delphinium, Ranunculus )
Reference: [Duncan & Keener 1991 Phytologia 70:2427]
Generally woody vine, sometimes dioecious
Leaves generally 12-pinnate, cauline, generally opposite; petiole generally twining; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, often irregularly 23-lobed, coarsely toothed
Inflorescence: panicle to 1-flowered, axillary or terminal
Flower radial; sepals generally 4, free, petal-like, generally lanceolate, white to cream (or brightly colored elsewhere); petals 0; stamens many, free; pistils generally many, simple
Fruit: many achenes, each generally with an elongate, feathery style
Species in genus: 250 species: worldwide
Etymology: (Greek: twig)
Worldwide revision badly needed but CA species distinct.