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.

THAMNOSMA

TURPENTINE-BROOM

Subshrub or shrub
Leaf very small, ephemeral
Inflorescence: panicle (raceme-like or flowers scattered along stems)
Flower bisexual; calyx persistent, 4-lobed; petals 4, erect in flower; stamens 8, in 2 series; ovary stalked, deeply 2-lobed, style thread-like
Fruit: capsule, deeply 2-lobed, leathery, opening at tip
Species in genus: 6 species: sw North America, s Africa
Etymology: (Greek: bush odor)

Native

T. montana Torr. & Frémont

Stem 3–6 dm, broom-like, yellowish green, thickly covered with blister-like glands, generally leafless
Flower: sepals ± 2 mm, ± round, greenish; petals 8–12 mm, ± elliptic, ± leathery, purplish, tip rolled out; style ± exserted, ovules 8–9 per chamber
Fruit: lobes ± 5 mm thick, ± spheric
Seeds 1–3, ± 4 mm, reniform, whitish
Ecology: Dry slopes
Elevation: < 700 m.
Bioregional distribution: Desert
Distribution outside California: to New Mexico, Mexico
Flowering time: Mar–May
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21 &SUN: 7, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24; DFCLT.