Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange |
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TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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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 short, slender
Stem short, underground
Leaves 2, basal, sheathing, 520 cm, 510 cm wide, elliptic to oblong, many-veined, mottled
Inflorescence: umbel, subsessile; peduncle underground; pedicels 212, 820 cm, appearing scapose, 3-angled, twisting and recurving so fruit ± touches soil
Flower ill-scented when fresh, greenish or yellowish, mottled, heavily lined purple or dark brown; perianth parts 6 in 2 very different whorls; sepals much wider, spreading, deeply concave near base; petals narrow, erect or arching over ovary; stamens 3, attached to sepals; ovary 3-angled, chamber 1, style branches 3, linear, spreading or ± recurved
Fruit capsule-like, thin-walled, irregularly dehiscent or indehiscent
Species in genus: 2 species: w coast US
Etymology: (Greek: crooked foot, from curving pedicel)
Native |
Inflorescence: pedicels 312, 1020 cm
Flower: sepals 1417 mm, narrowly ovate, abruptly spreading; petals ± = sepals, linear; stamens 56 mm; style branches 56 mm
Fruit 1518 mm, elliptic
Seed ± 3 mm, oblong
Chromosomes: n=8
Ecology: Moist, shady redwood forest
Elevation: < 1100 m.
Bioregional distribution: Outer North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay AreaHorticultural information: SHD, IRR, DRN: 5, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17.