LILIACEAE

LILY FAMILY

Dale W. McNeal, except as specified

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.

SMILAX

Perennial, dioecious; caudex generally large, tuber-like
Stem climbing or trailing, sometimes woody below, often prickly, scaly below, leafy above
Leaves alternate, simple, deciduous or persistent, strongly veined; base rounded to sagittate; petiole generally with 2 tendrils near base
Inflorescence: umbels or clusters, axillary
Flower: perianth parts 6, petal-like, free, white to greenish or yellowish; stamens 6, free; ovary superior, chambers generally 3, style ± 0, stigmas 3, spreading
Fruit: berry, spheric, black, red, or purple (white)
Seeds 1–6, black
Species in genus: ± 350 species: especially tropical, also temp North America, e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: origin uncertain)

Native

S. californica (A. DC.) A. Gray

Vine; caudex short, knotty
Stem 2–5 m, ± woody, generally armed with needle-like prickles; central pith 0
Leaf 5–10 cm, ovate, acuminate, dull green; base ± cordate; lower surface not glaucous
Inflorescences: staminate generally 15–30-flowered; pistillate generally 15–35-flowered; peduncles 2–5 cm, drooping
Flowers: staminate 5–6 mm; pistillate 3–3.5 mm; perianth parts ± 1.5 mm wide, linear, reflexed from middle
Fruit ± 6 mm, black, drying black
Seeds 3
Chromosomes: n=16
Ecology: Streambanks in coniferous forest
Elevation: < 1600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Cascade Range Foothills, n Sierra Nevada Foothills
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Horticultural information: IRR, SHD: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.