| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information) |
|
|
©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 |
Annual to trees, some dioecious
Stem: nodes often swollen
Leaves simple, basal or cauline, alternate, opposite, or whorled, generally entire; stipules 0 or obvious and fused into a generally scarious sheath around stem
Inflorescence: small cluster, axillary or arrayed in cymes or panicles; involucres sometimes subtending 1–many flowers
Flower generally bisexual, small, ± radial; perianth generally 5–6-lobed, base ± tapered, often jointed to pedicel; stamens 2–9, often in 2 whorls; ovary superior, styles generally 3, generally fused at base
Fruit: achene, generally enclosed by persistent perianth, generally 3-angled, ovoid, and glabrous
Genera in family: 50 genera, 1100 species: worldwide, especially n temp; some cultivated for food (Fagopyrum ; Rheum , rhubarb; Rumex , sorrel) or ornamental (Antigonon , coral-vine; Muehlenbeckia ; Polygonum )
Reference: [Ronse Decraene & Akeroyd 1988 Bot J Linn Soc 98:321–371; Reveal et al. 1989 Phytologia 66(2–4):83–414]
Treatments of the 15 eriogonoid genera are based on the monographic work of James L. Reveal, who is gratefully acknowledged.
Annual, biennial, perennial herb, generally from stout taproot, some dioecious, glabrous
Stem generally erect, generally unbranched below inflorescence, < 2 m, ± ridged, generally red-brown in fruit; nodes ± swollen
Leaves generally ± basal, alternate, petioled; stipules fused, sheathing stem above nodes, fracturing; blade < 50 cm
Inflorescence: bracted clusters generally arrayed in erect panicles
Flower generally bisexual, < 3 mm, generally green; perianth lobes 6, persistent, outer 3 in fruit ± inconspicuous, inner 3 in fruit enlarged, hardened, ± veiny, covering fruit, midrib often expanded into a tubercle; stamens 6; stigmas 3, fringed
Fruit brown, shiny
Etymology: (Latin: sorrel)
Reference: [Mitchell 1978 Brittonia 30:293–296]
Hybrids common . Mature inner perianth lobes generally required for identification. Some cultivated for vegetable greens.TOXIC in quantity to livestock; seldom eaten .
| Introduced |
Perennial
Stem < 15 dm, stout
Leaves basal and cauline, < 50 cm; blade lanceolate, margin strongly curled, especially near base
Inflorescence narrow, interrupted to continuous, ± leafy
Flower: inner perianth lobe ± 5 mm, ovate to round, base cordate, teeth 0, tubercles 3, ovate, unequal, < 1/3 width of lobe
Fruit 2 mm
Chromosomes: 2n=60
Ecology: Abundant. Disturbed places
Elevation: < 2500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California
Distribution outside California: N.America, native to Eurasia
Flowering time: Most of year.
Variable.