TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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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 |
Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food;some TOXIC . Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.
Perennial; rhizome slender, spreading
Leaves ± basal, wide; petioles sheathing
Inflorescence: umbel or flowers solitary on scapose peduncles
Flower: perianth part 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, free; stamens 6, attached to perianth, hairy near base in CA; ovary superior, chambers 23, stigma obscurely 23-lobed
Fruit: berry, ovoid, blue in CA
Seeds 2several, black
Species in genus: 6 species: w North America, e North America, Asia
Etymology: (De Witt Clinton, naturalist, governor of New York, 17691828)