Polygonaceae

Calligonum L.

First published in Sp. Pl.: 530 (1753)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is E. Medit. to Sahara and Mongolia.

Descriptions

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2016) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 1: Elatinaceae to Sphenocleaceae.

Morphology General Habit
Much-branched shrubs, lacking spines; leaves borne on current year’s flexible young twigs
Morphology Leaves
Leaves simple, opposite, linear, caducous; ochrea short, membranous, scarious
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence axillary; pedicels slender, jointed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers bisexual, short-pedicellate, in axillary clusters
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth
Perianth 5-fid, not accrescent in fruit
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 12–18; filaments fused at base
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 4-angled, with 4 styles; stigmas capitate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Nuts trigonous, ellipsoid to ovoid, becoming woody; ribs with wings or bristles.
Etymology
Calligonum (from Gr. καλλιοτος, kalliotos, most beautiful, and γονυ, gonu, knee.).
Vernacular
The Ar. name of the genus is ‘IRTAH.
Distribution
About 80 species in Asia, Africa and SE Europe; three species in Iraq.
[FIQ]

Sources

  • Flora of Iraq

    • Ghazanfar, S. A., Edmondson, J. R. (Eds). (2013-2019). Flora of Iraq, Volumes 5.1, 5.2 and 6.0. Kew Publishing
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0