TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©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 |
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.
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 16, black
Species in genus: ± 350 species: especially tropical, also temp North America, e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: origin uncertain)