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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.

RUTA

Perennial, subshrub
Leaves pinnately or ternately compound
Inflorescence: panicle or cluster, erect, terminal
Flower: petals 4–5, wavy to fringed; stamens 8 or 10 in 2 series; ovary chambers 4–5
Fruit: capsule, 4–5 lobed at top, sometimes indehiscent
Seeds several, angled
Species in genus: 7 species: nw Africa islands, Medit, sw Asia
Etymology: (Latin: the classical name)
Cult for ornamental, flavoring, medicine.

Introduced

R. chalepensis L.

Plant glaucous, puberulent
Stem 4–8 dm
Leaf 2–3-pinnate, generally 10–20 cm, oblong in outline; segments generally 1–1.5 cm, narrowly elliptic, entire
Flower: petals 6–8 mm, yellow, margins inrolled, fringed
Fruit: lobes pointed
Ecology: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: generally < 500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (especially near coast)
Distribution outside California: native to Mediterranean
R. graveolens L. may also be naturalized (leaf ovate in outline; petal margin wavy, not fringed).

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bioregional map for RUTA%20chalepensis being generated
 


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