RUTACEAE

RUE FAMILY

James R. Shevock

Perennial, shrubs, trees, very aromatic, sometimes thorny
Leaves generally alternate, simple to pinnately compound (sometimes reduced to spines), prominently oil-gland-dotted; stipules 0
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, or flowers solitary, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally strongly aromatic; sepals generally 5, free or fused at base, generally persistent; petals generally 5, free or fused at base, generally whitish or greenish; stamens generally 2–4 X petal number; ovary generally superior, generally lobed, chambers generally 4–5, ovules generally many
Fruit: berry, drupe, winged achene, or capsule, generally aromatic
Seeds generally oily
Genera in family: ± 150 genera, ± 1500 species: especially tropical, warm temp, especially s Africa, Australia; used or cultivated for food (Citrus , 50 species), perfume, medicine, timber, ornamental (Choisya, Skimmia , etc.). Some TOXIC: oils may promote localized sunburn or produce dermatitis.

PTELEA

HOP TREE

Shrub, small tree, generally with bisexual and pistillate flowers
Leaves pinnately compound; leaflets 3–5, ± sessile, entire to finely serrate
Inflorescence panicle-like
Flower: sepals 4–5; petals 4–5, greenish white; stamens 4–5, filaments hairy on inner side; ovary chambers 2, style short, stigmas 2
Fruit dry, indehiscent, ± flat, gland-dotted; wing prominent, round
Seeds 2
Species in genus: 3 species: US, Mex
Etymology: (Greek: elm, from similar fruit)

Native

P. crenulata Greene

Plant generally < 5 m
Leaves deciduous; leaflets 3, 2–7 cm, lanceolate to obovate, glabrous above, ± hairy beneath; petiole 2–5 cm
Inflorescence ± flat-topped
Flower: sepals minute; petals 4–5 mm, fragrant
Fruit 1–2 cm, ± straw-colored; wing ± notched at both ends; style persistent
Ecology: Scrub, woodland
Elevation: generally < 700 m.
Bioregional distribution: Inner North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Francisco Bay Area
Horticultural information: 7, 14, 15, 16, 17; IRR: 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.