Family Passifloraceae
Synonyms: Turneraceae APNI*
Description: Climbers [rarely herbs, shrubs or small trees] with axillary tendrils; glabrous or hairy.
Leaves alternate, mostly simple and deeply 3–5-lobed, rarely unlobed, [or compound]; petiole frequently with 1–several raised glands; stipules present, sometimes falling early.
Flowers axillary, in cymes or more frequently in 1–few-flowered clusters. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual or functionally unisexual; mostly 5-merous. Sepals and petals usually 5, imbricate, free or partly fused, perigynous, inserted on the rim of the saucer-shaped to tubular hypanthium. Corona usually to the inside of the petals, formed by filament-like processes, hairs or scales. Stamens 4–10, inserted on the hypanthium or on an androgynophore; filaments free or ± united into a tube; anthers dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary superior on a gynophore or androgynophore, 1-locular, placentas mostly 3, parietal, ovules many; styles mostly 3, stigmas usually capitate.
Fruit a berry [or capsule]; seeds mostly numerous, enveloped by a fleshy or membranous aril.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 10–12 genera, 600 species, tropical & temperate regions. Australia: 2 genera, 13 species, all States except S.A., chiefly tropical & E coast.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Passifloraceae, Order: Malpighiales)
Wikipedia
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| One genus in NSW: Passiflora |
|
