ROSACEAE

ROSE FAMILY

Annual to tree
Leaves simple to pinnately to palmately compound, generally alternate; stipules free to fused, persistent to deciduous
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium free or fused to ovary, saucer- to funnel-shaped, often with bractlets alternate with sepals; sepals generally 5; petals generally 5, free; stamens (0)5–many, pistils (0)1–many, simple or compound; ovary superior to inferior, styles 1–5
Fruit: achene, follicle, drupe, pome, or blackberry- to raspberry-like
Seeds generally 1–5
Genera in family: 110 genera, ± 3000 species: worldwide, especially temp. Many cultivated for ornamental and fruit, especially Cotoneaster , Fragaria , Malus , Prunus , Pyracantha, Rosa , and Rubus
Reference: [Robertson 1974 J Arnold Arbor 55:303–332,344–401,611–662]
Family description, key to genera by Barbara Ertter and Dieter H. Wilken.

CHAMAEBATIA

Thomas J. Rosatti

Shrub, strong-smelling, evergreen, generally stellate-hairy, glandular
Leaf odd-2–3-pinnate; stipules entire; segments generally thick, gland-tipped, smaller and larger sometimes alternating, lobes or teeth 0–3(5)
Inflorescence: panicle or raceme, 3–10 cm
Flower: hypanthium densely hairy inside near base; bractlets 0; sepals lanceolate; petals spreading, ± round, white; stamens many; pistil 1, ovary superior, style base hairy
Fruit: achene, obovoid, leathery
Species in genus: 2 species: CA, Baja CA
Etymology: (Greek: low bramble)
Reference: [Armstrong 1980 Madroño 27:111]

Native

C. australis (Brandegee) Abrams

Stem: bark ± black
Leaf 3–8 cm, generally 2-pinnate
Flower: hypanthium generally ± 3 mm; sepals ± 3 mm; petals 4–5 mm; ovary glabrous
Ecology: Dry slopes, chaparral
Elevation: 300–700 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Peninsular Ranges
Distribution outside California: n Baja California
Uncommon. Some populations threatened by clearing for avocado orchards
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.