Lardizabalaceae R.Br.

Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Morphology General Habit

Habit evergreen; twining woody vines; mesophytic

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate; compound; bi- to triternate or trifoliate; stipulate or exstipulate; margins entire; elliptic or lanceolate to broadly ovate; herbaceous or leathery; with or without hairs (simple if present); petiolate; petioles and petiolules swollen at both ends; venation pinnate or palmate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences drooping racemose or cymose; bracts present or absent at base of inflorescence

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers dark purple or white; perianth actinomorphic; petals & sepals six; petals free; petals much smaller than sepals; unisexual; plants monoecious or diecious; stamens six, free or fused into a tube; staminodes present or absent; anthers 2-celled, extrorsely dehiscent by longitudinal slit; ovary superior; carpels 3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a small berry; elongate- oblong or subglobose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds few to many; subreniform or ovate .

Note

Notes on delimitation: Under the APG III system (Stevens 2009, onwards), Lardizabalaceae has been placed within the order Ranunculales. Berries of Lardizibala biternata and Boquila trifoliolata are edible.

Distribution

Nine genera and about 35 species worldwide, mostly being found in temperate to subtropical Asia. Two monoytypic genera in the Neotropics, C & S. Chile and W. Argentina, often occurring in humid forests on riverbanks: Lardizabala Ruiz & Pav. - One species native to temperate forests of C. & S. Chile and Juan Fernandez Islands. Boquila Decne.- One species native to temperate forests of C. & S. Chile, and W. Argentina. Native.

Diagnostic

Boquila flowers are white, Lardizibala are dark purple. Boquila sepals membranous, fleshy in Lardizibala. Lardizabala fruit is many seeded, few to one seed in Boquila Key differences from similar families: Smilacaceae- Rhizomatous; tendrils present; inflorescences umbellate. Dioscoraceae- Leaves campylodromous; ovary inferior; fruit a dry capsule; seeds winged. Distinguishing characters (always present): Evergreenwoody vine. Compound leaves: Triternate or trifoliate. Drooping racemose or cymose inflorescences. Petioles and petiolules swollen at both ends.