Class
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Rhamnaceae
Description
Trees or shrubs, very rarely herbs, sometimes spiny, sometimes lianoid. Lvs simple, mostly alternate, mostly stipulate. Fls usually in cymes, sometimes in fascicles or panicles, small, perigynous, usually ☿, occasionally unisexual. Calyx 4–5-lobed, tubular. Petals 3–5 or 0, inserted at mouth of calyx tube, often forming a hood over stamens. Stamens 4–5, antipetalous. Disc on calyx tube fleshy, intrastaminal. Ovary superior but sometimes partly immersed in disc, 2–4-celled; ovules 1–(2), erect from the base. Style shortly lobed. Fr. usually a drupe, sometimes a capsule, sometimes winged. Seed with large straight embryo and with or without endosperm.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Indigenous (Endemic) | 6 |
| Indigenous (Non-endemic) | 3 |
| Exotic: Fully Naturalised | 3 |
| Exotic: Casual | 6 |
| Total | 18 |
Bibliography
Cronquist, A. 1988: The evolution and classification of flowering plants. The New York Botanic Gardens, New York.
Kubitzki, K. 2004: VI Flowering Plants. Dicotyledons: Celestrales, Oxalidales, Rosales, Cornales, Ericales. Kubitzki, K. (ed.) The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Spinger-Verlag, Berlin. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
