e-Key v3 - Valerianella
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Valerianaceae - Valerianella Mill.

Description :

  • Annuals
  • Leaves opposite, entire, or upper ones often toothed or incised-pinnatifid
  • Flowers sessile, subtended by a bract, in subfastigiate or subglobose cymes
  • Calyx spathaceous, persistent or sometimes obsolete
  • Corolla : tube funnel-shaped, sometimes with a slight gibbosity at base; lobes elliptic, shorter than tube
  • Stamens 3, slightly exserted; filaments linear, longer than the globose anthers
  • Ovary 3-locular above, 1-locular below; style linear, slightly exserted; stigma minutely 3-fid
  • Fruit compressed, with one nerve on back and two on face, rarely with sterile locule equalling fertile one; crowned with pappus-like calyx
  • x = 8 (7, 9) (aneuploids, polyploidy)

Nomenclature:

  • Valerianella Mill.
    • Miller: [1431] (1754)
    • Sonder: 40 (1865)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 80, mainly temperate northern hemisphere
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Valerianella eriocarpa Desv., Western Cape (Swellendam area), perhaps exotic, from Europe

References:

  • MILLER, P. 1754. The gardener's dictionary , edn 4. Rivington, London
  • SONDER, W. 1865. Valerianeae . Flora capensis 3