| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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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, perennial herb, shrub, vine, tree
Leaves generally opposite, entire; stipules generally on stem, sometimes leaf-like (then leaves apparently whorled and stipules considered leaves), adjacent pairs sometimes fused
Inflorescence: cyme, panicle, cluster, or flower solitary, generally terminal and ± axillary
Flower generally bisexual; calyx generally ± 4-lobed, sometimes 0; corolla generally radial, 4-lobed; stamens epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes, generally included; ovary generally inferior, chambers generally 2 or 4, style 1, ± fused if 2
Fruit: 2 or 4 nutlets or a berry, drupe, or capsule
Genera in family: ± 500 genera, 6000 species: worldwide, especially tropical; many cultivated (including Coffea , coffee; Cinchona , quinine; many ornamental)
Reference: [Dempster 1979 Fl CA 4(2):1–47]
Annual
Leaves whorled below, opposite (without stipules) in inflorescence; stipules leaf-like
Inflorescence: spike; bracts overlapping, 3 per flower
Flower: calyx 0; corolla tubular, lobes 4–5, erect; style divided above, stigmas head-like
Fruit: 2 nutlets, wider at top
Species in genus: 35–40 species: Medit to c Asia
Etymology: (Latin: little cross, presumably from corolla lobes)
| Introduced |
Plant erect or ± decumbent, grass-like
Stem 12–30 cm, 4-angled
Leaves in whorls of 4, 8–25 mm, linear
Inflorescence 2.5–7.5 cm, dense, narrow, 4-angled; bracts scarious, rib green, tip sharp to touch
Flower: corolla white or yellow
Fruit glabrous
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Oak woodlands
Elevation: 200–600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Cascade Range Foothills, n Sierra Nevada Foothills Inner South Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: native to Europe