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Sarcobataceae Habit: Shrub, erect; generally monoecious. Stem: branches many, 90° to main stem, thorny, generally interlocking, generally thorn-tipped. Leaf: many, simple, cauline, generally alternate, deciduous, sessile, +- linear, flattened to subcylindric, fleshy; stipules 0. Inflorescence: staminate spikes cylindric, dense, erect, terminal; pistillate flowers 1--4, axillary; bracts leaf-like. Staminate Flower: perianth 0, stamens 1--4, sessile on spike axis, concealed by peltate, angular, persistent, spirally arranged bracts. Pistillate Flower: carpels 2, fused, stigmas 2, ovary 1/2 inferior; perianth cup-like, fused to ovary, persistent, forming wing in fruit. Fruit: achene, tapering above encircling, irregularly-edged wing; +- glabrous. Seed: coat thin; embryo coiled, green. Genera In Family: 1 genus, 2 species: to western Canada, Great Plains, northern Mexico. Note: Formerly treated in Chenopodiaceae. Jepson eFlora Author: Matthew H. Hils Reference: Cuienoud et al. 2002 Amer J Bot 89:132--144 Unabridged Reference: Sanderson et al. 1999 Great Basin Naturalist 59:301--314 Scientific Editor: Bruce G. Baldwin. Index of California Plant Names (ICPN; linked via the Jepson Online Interchange) Previous taxon: Aesculus californica Next taxon: Sarcobatus |