e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703061213426_6801061384186464" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Aquifoli<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703061213426_699879219061605" 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 - AQUIFOLIALES - Aquifoliaceae

Compiled by R.H. Archer

Description:

  • Trees or shrubs, monoecious, sometimes dioecious, evergreen
  • Leaves alternate, petioled, simple, entire or toothed, glabrous; stipules minute, semipersistent
  • Flowers unisexual, regular, small, in 1-few-flowered, pubescent, axillary cymes
  • Calyx 5- or 6- lobed, imbricate, ciliate
  • Corolla 5- or 6-lobed, imbricate, ciliate, white
  • Stamens 5 or 6, alternating with but basally adhering to petals; anthers 2-thecous with longitudinal dehiscence
  • Ovary superior, 5- or 6-locular, with 1 or 2 pendulous ovules in each locule; stigma sessile, capitate or discoid, prominent
  • Fruit a small globose drupe, ripening pink to crimson, containing 5 or 6 pyrenes
  • Seeds: embryo small, endosperm copious
  • x = 10 (9 or 12, 17, 19) (high polyploidy)

Nomenclature:

  • Sonder: 472 (1860)
  • Mendes: 353 (1966)
  • Andrews: 163 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Genera 2; species ± 400, cosmopolitan, but mostly in Asia and tropical America
  • Southern Africa: Genera 1

References:

  • ANDREWS, S. 1994. FSA contributions 1: Aquifoliaceae. Bothalia 24
  • MENDES, E.J. 1966. Aquifoliaceae. Flora zambesiaca 2, 2
  • SONDER, O.W. 1860. Aquifoliaceae. Flora capensis 1

Resources:

  • Aquifoliaceae genus: Ilex

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