ROSACEAE

ROSE FAMILY

Annual to tree
Leaves simple to pinnately to palmately compound, generally alternate; stipules free to fused, persistent to deciduous
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium free or fused to ovary, saucer- to funnel-shaped, often with bractlets alternate with sepals; sepals generally 5; petals generally 5, free; stamens (0)5–many, pistils (0)1–many, simple or compound; ovary superior to inferior, styles 1–5
Fruit: achene, follicle, drupe, pome, or blackberry- to raspberry-like
Seeds generally 1–5
Genera in family: 110 genera, ± 3000 species: worldwide, especially temp. Many cultivated for ornamental and fruit, especially Cotoneaster , Fragaria , Malus , Prunus , Pyracantha, Rosa , and Rubus
Reference: [Robertson 1974 J Arnold Arbor 55:303–332,344–401,611–662]
Family description, key to genera by Barbara Ertter and Dieter H. Wilken.

ARUNCUS

GOAT'S BEARD

Margriet Wetherwax

Species in genus: 1 sp.: n temp North America, Eur
Etymology: (Greek: goat's beard)

Native

A. dioicus (Walter) Fernald var. pubescens (Rydb.) Fernald

Perennial, generally dioecious; rhizome stout
Stem < 2 m, glabrous
Leaf < 60 cm, 2–3-pinnate, petioled; stipules 0; leaflets 3–15 cm, ovate, acute, 2-serrate, ± hairy
Inflorescence: panicle, < 50 cm; flowers generally sessile, staminate > pistillate
Flower: hypanthium saucer-shaped; sepals 5, 1–2 mm; petals 1–2 mm, oblong to (ob)ovate, white to pale yellowish
Staminate flower: stamens 15–30, exserted
Pistillate flower: pistils 3(4–5), styles short
Fruit: follicle, 3–5 mm, ± cylindric, reflexed, septicidal
Seed ± 2 mm
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Moist streambanks, mixed-evergreen or coniferous forest
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Klamath Ranges, n Outer North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range
Distribution outside California: to Alaska
Synonyms: A. vulgaris Raf
Var. d. in e North America
Horticultural information: WET or IRR, DRN: 4, 5, 6 &SHD: 7, 14, 15, 16, 17; rather INV.