Key to Aizoaceae

View taxon page for Aizoaceae

Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.

1. Petals, petal-like stamens 0

2. Ovary inferior (subfam. Tetragonioideae) ..... TETRAGONIA

2' Ovary ± 1/2-inferior to superior (subfam. Aizooideae)

3. Leaves 

alternate 

1. Arranged singly, often spirally, along an axis - e.g., one leaf per node. 2. Occurring in different ranks, appearing to be between, not directly above or below, as 'stamens alternate petals'.

..... [GALENIA]

3' Leaves ± 

opposite 

1. Arranged in pairs along an axis - e.g., two leaves per node. 2. Occurring in the same rank, directly above or below, as 'stamens opposite petals'. 3. Located directly across from.

4. Stamens 30; styles (2)3–5; leaves of opposite pair equal ..... SESUVIUM

4' Stamens <= 10; styles 1–2; leaves of opposite pair unequal

5. Stamens generally 3; stipules 

fringed 

Having ragged or finely cut margins.

..... CYPSELEA

5' Stamens 5–10; stipules of 2 teeth ..... TRIANTHEMA

1' Petals, petal-like stamens many

6. Placentas 

axile 

Pertaining to an axis, as of a placenta along the central axis in a compound ovary with more than one chamber.

(subfam. Aptenioideae)

7. Sepals, ovary chambers 4 ..... APTENIA

7' Sepals, ovary chambers (4)5 ..... MESEMBRYANTHEMUM

6' Placentas 

parietal 

Pertaining to placentas on the inside surface of the ovary wall in a compound ovary with one or more chambers.

(subfam. Ruschioideae)

8. Fruit fleshy or a capsule, valves separating; stigmas, ovary chambers 8–20

9. Basal 

rosette 

A radiating cluster of leaves generally at or near ground level.

0, cauline leaves opposite; fruit fleshy, 

indehiscent 

Not opening inherently to release contents; usually pertaining to fruits.

(tribe Carpobroteae) ..... CARPOBROTUS

9' Basal rosette present, cauline leaves generally alternate; fruit capsule, tardily 

dehiscent 

Opening at maturity to release contents; usually pertaining to anthers or fruits.

(tribe Apatesieae) ..... CONICOSIA

8' Fruit a capsule, valves not separating; stigmas, ovary chambers 4–8(12) (tribe Ruschieae)

10. Ovary chambers 8(12) ..... MALEPHORA

10' Ovary chambers 4–6

11. Sepals unequal; stigmas awl-shaped ..... DELOSPERMA

11' Sepals equal; stigmas thread-like ..... DROSANTHEMUM

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