e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703070142169_957131419461406" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Corn<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703070142169_5895589530433181" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>aceae
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

DICOTYLEDON - ASTERIDAE - CORNALES - Cornaceae

Compiled by R.H. Archer

Description:

  • Small trees or shrubs; young growth densely greyish- or brownish-tomentose
  • Leaves opposite, leathery, simple, coarsely toothed, prominently veined on lower surface, shiny dark green above; stipules 0
  • Flowers bisexual, regular, arranged in panicles
  • Calyx: lobes 4, triangular-ovate, persistent; tube ± 4-angled, twice as long as lobes
  • Petals 4, free, valvate
  • Stamens 4, alternating with petals and ± as long; anthers 2-thecous, dehiscing laterally
  • Disc tumid, 4-angled, pubescent
  • Ovary inferior, 4-locular; 1 anatropous, pendulous, unitegmic ovule in each locule; placentation usually axile; style 1, shorter than stamens; stigma 4-lobed
  • Fruit a small, ± globose drupe crowned by calyx lobes, reticulately veined
  • Seeds 1 per locule; endosperm copious; embryo small
  • x = 13 (1 report)

Nomenclature:

  • Cornaceae
    • Cannon: 635 (1978)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Genera ± 10, species ± 90; widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions
  • Southern Africa: Genus 1, species 1

References:

  • CANNON, J.F.M. 1978. Cornaceae. Flora zambesiaca 4

Resources: