Datisca
| Datisca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Datisca cannabina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Datiscaceae Dumort.[1] |
| Genus: | Datisca L.[2] |
The Datiscaceae are a family of Dicotyledonous plants, containing two species of the genus Datisca. Two other genera, Octomeles and Tetrameles, are now classified in the Tetramelaceae family.
Datiscaceae are slim herbaceous plants, with alternate and pinnate leaves.
They are actinorhizal plants, that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots, and are the only ones that are not a tree or shrub, although non-actinorrhizal plants also fix nitrogen, like legumes.
Species
The genus Datisca contains two species; one from Asia and one from North America.[3]
The species Datisca cannabina is found from Crete and Turkey to the Himalayas (as far east as Nepal). It grows to about two meters tall, and in May to August, it produces small yellow flowers. This species is strictly dioecious. It is grown for ornamental foliage and can produce a laxative or a yellow dye.[4][5][6]
The North American species Datisca glomerata is native to California, Nevada and Mexico.[3][7] This species is more or less dioecious, except that female plants may possess some bisexual flowers as well. [3]
References
- ↑ Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III" (PDF). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ↑ "International Plant Names Index". Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- 1 2 3 Willis Linn Jepson (1936). A Flora of California: Volume II Capparidaceae to Cornacea. p. 537.
- ↑ "Datisca cannabina L.". Nepal Checklist. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ↑ "Datisca cannabina". Flora of Pakistan. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ↑ "Datisca cannabina (plant)". Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ↑ "Datisca glomerata (K. Presl) Baill. (Durango root)". PLANTS. Retrieved 2007-12-16.