Common Name: CROSSOSOMA FAMILY
Habit: Shrub, small tree. Stem: generally glabrous; branchlets or twigs generally thorny. Leaf: generally deciduous, simple, generally small, generally alternate, entire; stipules minute or 0. Inflorescence: flowers 1. Flower: generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium short; sepals, petals generally 5(3--6), free; petals generally white, ephemeral; stamens 4--50, on or around disk; pistils 1--9, simple, styles short, stigmas head-like, ovules generally 2--many. Fruit: follicles, 1--9. Seed: brown to black, arilled.
Genera In Family: 4 genera, 9 species: western United States, Mexico.
eFlora Treatment Author: Robert E. Preston & James R. Shevock
Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.

Habit: Small shrub, generally densely branched. Stem: angled, +- green, +- thorny at tips or not, hairs 0 to sparse. Leaf: small, generally deciduous, +- entire, +- sessile. Flower: petals narrow-oblanceolate, white. Fruit: ovoid, generally striate, generally beaked. Seed: generally 1--2, generally brown; aril +- inconspicuous, generally +- white.
Species In Genus: +- 5 species: western United States, northern Mexico, especially limestone in desert mountains. Etymology: (Greek: tongue petal, from petal shape)
Unabridged Note: Formerly treated as Forsellesia, in Celastraceae.