RUBIACEAE

MADDER FAMILY

Lauramay T. Dempster

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, vine, tree
Leaves generally opposite, entire; stipules generally on stem, sometimes leaf-like (then leaves apparently whorled and stipules considered leaves), adjacent pairs sometimes fused
Inflorescence: cyme, panicle, cluster, or flower solitary, generally terminal and ± axillary
Flower generally bisexual; calyx generally ± 4-lobed, sometimes 0; corolla generally radial, 4-lobed; stamens epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes, generally included; ovary generally inferior, chambers generally 2 or 4, style 1, ± fused if 2
Fruit: 2 or 4 nutlets or a berry, drupe, or capsule
Genera in family: ± 500 genera, 6000 species: worldwide, especially tropical; many cultivated (including Coffea , coffee; Cinchona , quinine; many ornamental)
Reference: [Dempster 1979 Fl CA 4(2):1–47]

SHERARDIA

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Dr. Wm. Sherard, patron of Dillenius and friend of John Ray, 1659–1728)

Introduced

S. arvensis L.

FIELD MADDER

Annual, matted
Stem decumbent, often much-branched from base, 7–16 cm, 4-angled
Leaves in whorls of 5–6, 4–13 mm, lanceolate or oblanceolate; margin thick; tip acute or sharp to touch; stipules leaf-like
Inflorescence: head, axillary, involucred; flowers generally 2–3, generally included in involucre; involucral bracts ± free, ± = leaves, generally < peduncle; pedicel ± 0
Flower: calyx teeth 6, ± dissected at tips, persistent; corolla salverform, generally 4-lobed, pink or lavender; styles 2, thread-like, fused below
Fruit: 2 nutlets; hairs soft
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Pastures, lawns
Elevation: 10–600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Outer North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, n Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast
Distribution outside California: native to Mediterranean