Family Caprifoliaceae
Synonyms: Dipsacaceae APNI*
Triplostegiaceae APNI*
Valerianaceae APNI*
Morinaceae APNI*
Description: Shrubs or small trees, rarely herbs.
Leaves opposite, simple; mostly without stipules but opposite leaves basally joined by a ridge.
Inflorescences cymose. Flowers zygomorphic or actinomorphic, bisexual, 4- or 5-merous. Calyx 4- or 5-toothed. Corolla tubular 5- or 4-lobed, sometimes 2-lipped. Stamens 4 or 5, epipetalous, alternate with corolla lobes; anthers 2-locular, dorsifixed and versatile, dehiscence by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, loculi 2–5 or rarely more; ovules 1–many per loculi; style simple; stigma capitate.
Fruit a fleshy berry or drupe or an achene or capsule.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 11 genera, 450 species, northern temperate regions & tropical mountains. Australia: 4 genera, 5 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Caprifoliaceae, Order: Dipsacales)
Wikipedia A number of species are commonly grown as ornamentals.
Text by G. J. Harden (1990); edited KL Wilson (August 2008)
Taxon concept:
Taxa not yet included in identification key
Centranthus,
Dipsacus,
Scabiosa
| | Key to the genera | |
| + | Also naturalised in NSW; to be added to key | Symphoricarpos |
| + | Also naturalised in NSW; to be added to key | Abelia |
| 1 | Corolla distinctly 2-lipped; climbers or scramblers, rarely erect shrubs; apex of leaves short-acuminate to obtuse | Lonicera |
| Corolla more or less equally 5-lobed; erect shrubs; apex of leaves long-acuminate | Leycesteria |
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