PhytolaccaceaePhytolaccaceae
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Distribution: Mostly in
the New World, with some in tropical and subtropical climates
world wide. Also with some taxa in temperate regions.
Economic Uses: As a source
for dyes and for medicinal purposes.
Defining
Features of Interest: Some botanistst
divide the family into four separate families based on four subfamilies
with distinct features.
Fossil Evidence: No known
fossil record.
Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect (rarely zygomorphic or unisexual). Flowers are small and borne on an axillary or terminal panicle, raceme or spike. Petals usually absent. Hypogynous.
Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit as a berry, capsule or nut. Seeds with a curved embryo. Perisperm present and 'mealy'. Endosperm lacking. Placentation is basal.
Vegetative Features
: As herbs, shrubs or rarely trees. Leaves simple and alternate.
Stipules lacking.
