| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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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 or subshrub from caudex or rhizome, generally ± hairy
Stem often ± leafy on lower half, rarely trailing and leafy throughout
Leaves generally simple, basal or sometimes cauline, generally alternate, generally petioled; veins ± palmate
Inflorescence: panicle, generally ± scapose
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; hypanthium free to ± fused to ovary; calyx lobes generally 5; petals generally 5, free, generally clawed, generally white; stamens generally 5 or 10; pistils 2 and simple or 1 and compound (chambers 1–2, placentas 2–4, axile or parietal), ovary superior to inferior, sometimes more superior in fruit, styles generally 2
Fruit: 2 follicles or 2–4-valved capsule
Seeds generally many, small
Genera in family: 40 genera, 600 species: especially n temp, arctic, alpine; some cultivated (Bergenia , Darmera , Heuchera , Saxifraga , Tellima , Tolmiea )
Reference: [Soltis 1988 Syst Bot 13:64–72]
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (G.T. Benson, Stanford botanist, 1896–1928)
| Native |
Rhizome scaly; bulblets 0
Leaves basal; petiole 2–15 cm, hairs dense, long, brown; blade 4–20 cm, round-ovate, base cordate, unevenly crenate, ± glabrous above, veins hairy below
Inflorescence: raceme, 20–40 cm, spike-like, glandular; bracts 0; pedicels < 1 mm
Flower: hypanthium free of ovary; calyx ± bilateral, lobes 1.5–2.5 mm, obovate; petals ± = calyx lobes, thread-like, ephemeral; stamens 5, > calyx lobes; pistil 1, ovary superior, chamber 1, placentas 2, parietal
Fruit: capsule, opening before seeds mature
Ecology: Wet meadows, bogs
Elevation: > 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Synonyms: Bensonia o. Abrams & Bacigal